How much logging with how little a tractor

[AndyMA]

Unless you have a lot of open space and the land is quite level, my opinion is the only way a midsize CUT can do much logging is with a winch such as a Farmi 501. Trying to go into an area where you have just cut logs is an invitation to a cut tire sidewall. Also driving over the stumps and rocks is a real treat. With a winch, and the Farmi 501 I use on my 2120 pulls at 11,000 lb and has 165 ' of cable which I regularly extend with chain. The "Farmi Method" of logging which has been discussed on this board before has you winch in the small ends first. I do it both ways but pulling in the small end is much easier as the small point which tends to stay above ground present much less surface area to drag. When the logs are close to the tractor you can attach 6 of them to the winch plate and pull them out. A 24" tree length oak is pretty darn heavy and I would probably only pull out one or 2 at a time. Picking up a 24 or 30" oak log with a loader is a challange.

Take a look at the Farmi winches. Several members of the board have them. Farmi Skidding Winches

The Farmi method of logging is detailed here Farmi Tree Harvesting Method

I would also say that the Self Releasing Snatch Block will pay for itself many times over as it allows you to pull trees around corners. Logging Accessories /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Andy

 

[beenthere]

With my 4300 (32 hp) HST I pull a lot of wood out of the woods tree length. White oak shown. If you want to go nice and easy, it works great. I have used smaller and done well with them too.

The likes of a Farmi winch are great as well, but not necessary.

 

[AndyMA]

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The likes of a Farmi winch are great as well, but not necessary.
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I agree that the winch is not necessary if you can get to the trees. In most of my work I can't get near the trees and if I can there are so many stumps and rocks that it's not worth the risk on the tires, or worse yet flipping when the big log attached /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Andy

 

[Boone]

If you decide to do this job yourself, why not look into making a Log Arch trailer for the big stuff? I skid 14 inch or so oak logs with by 21 hp, B7500 by picking the butt end up with hooks on the receiver hitch.

 

[kensfarm]

It's amazing what a cut w/ 4WD can pull.. attached is a picture of my latest projects.. raising Holstein steers.. you can just see my tractor in front of piles of logs that I've hauled across the farm w/ just logging chains. The cow shelter is 16x12.. full floor.. built on skids.. tin roof.. my 35D pulls this building from field to field.. the FEL can even pick one side off the ground when I'm adjusting the position. I still want a bigger tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jimg]

Agreed...I take my TC24D into the woods on occassion and the lumps & bumps make the going slow. You have to be really careful!! The machine will pull like theres no tomorrow but b/c its so narrow it will tip rather easily.

 

[slowzuki]

I've pulled a 3' diameter x 30' long spruce with my neighbours 52 hp. This winter I pulled out 30 or 40 full trees (40ft long or so) with 16-24" butts. Could pull 3 or 4 at the same time.

A farmi winch would be a definate improvement.
Ken

 

[SteveH_CT]

I like your shelter on skid idea. I'm thinking of building something like that to haul felled trees around my larger lot. I haven't designed it yet, but I think something based on large landscape timber as skids should allow me to load and pull some decent loads around my lot. I've got old gravel roads that will allow me to drag things to our "pit" area.

Has anyone out there built something similar?

 

[SteveH_CT]

Thanks for your post - this info helps me out a lot too!

 

[djradz]

You start out talking about "logging" but really it sounds as if you're just planning on cutting enough to heat with. Seems to me that to size the tractor big enough to drag out a few logs per year for heat is overkill. If you truly want to "log" the property, I'd see what the logs are worth to a mill or logging company, and then concentrate on cutting the tops that they leave for heat. If I'm planning on cutting down a whole tree for heat by eventually making 16" or so lengths to burn, the last thing I want to do is drag them an 1/8 - 1/4 mile or so in the dirt. Talk about dulling the chain saw quickly, just cut through a log covered with soil that's been ground into the bark! Except for very small diameters (1" to 6") stuff, we cut it all to length in the woods and put the pieces on the trailer. We've used anything from a 20 hp old ford to a 40 hp NH CUT to work in the woods and also pull the small utility trailer. 4 wheel drive is a must.