Log Dragging

Wingnut · Oct 3, 2002

from the Oct 3 Midland Daily New police news column:

A Freeland man was in fair condition after his tractor landed on him on some West Olson Road property at 2:30 PM Monday, reports the Midland County Sheriff's Office.
A McCormick farm tractor, driven by ..... , 58, was dragging a log with a chain when it tipped backwards because of the size of the log. The tractor landed on (the man.)
(he's currently in the hospital)

Thomas · Oct 4, 2002

Thats one of the problems w/a Farmall..tends to rear up,for there really not much weight up front,and those big tires keep on a digging..wonder if the operator had the butt end of the tree up off the ground..so the butt end wouldn't dig in or get caught on something and flip the Farmall backwards. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

Anonymous Poster · Nov 12, 2002

Hi all:
Here is one of my stories as I remember it. It was in the summer of 1982 and I was using my Ford 3000 to skid pine logs to the log truck so they could be taken to the mill to be sawn into lumber. It was late in the day and I was in a hurry to finish the load. I had a couple of pretty big trees behind the tractor and was running wide open in 5th gear. In the skid trail we had cut all the stumps down to ground level, but after making several skids the dirt had been pulled away and the stumps were beginning to stick up too high again. Anyway here I am going lickety split down the skid trail and the butt of one of the logs I was dragging hung one of these stumps. The front end of the tractor began climbing. I made a stab at the clutch with my foot and just barely caught the end of the clutch with my foot. For a second the tractor stopped it's climb then my foot slid off the clutch and the tractor started climbing again. I made a second attempt to get my foot on the clutch and the exact same thing happened. The third time, I got my foot on the clutch solid and mashed it down. The tractor was standing so straight up and down when I mashed the clutch it just stood there like that, and folks I didn't have my other foot on the brake either. There wasn't time to do that. Finally the tractor came back down on it's front wheels, but hit so hard I broke the front end out from under it. That's the worst I've ever been scared in my life. When I stepped off the tractor I fell flat on my face I was scared so bad. My legs just buckled on me. When my dad (deceased now) saw the tractor he knew what had happened and he turned white as a sheet. Folks please be carefull out there. I almost bought the farm with that one stunt. Incidentally I still have that old tractor and use it occasionally here on the farm. I have been in the process of restoring it over the last year even adding power steering which it's never had. I also need to add ROPS to this fine old machine. Take care all......Wes

MossRoad · Nov 13, 2002

WOW! Lucky you didn't get hurt. Great reminder to all. Thanks for sharing.

Also, if you're going to add ROPS, get the seatbelt too /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

BrettW · Dec 17, 2002

So, for a guy that has never pulled a log but plans to do so, what is the safest way? Pull it hooked to the front and run backwards? Hook it off the 3pt and put it as low as possible?
thanks, planning on seeing my kids grow up, bw

Stonewall · Dec 17, 2002

Most CUTs and larger tractors have a hitch for a trailer ball or whatever under the PTO. I put a 2" ball on mine and wrap the chain around it and then skid the log with a slip hook on the other end of the chain. The key is to go slowly and be mindfull of any rocks or stumps that the log might hit head on and get stuck on. If the log is light enough you might be able to lift it a little with a rear blade or box to keep it off the ground. If it's heavy then just drag it and take your time. If you are doing a lot of work and are making a trail as you skid out the logs then consider grooming it with your blade as you make return trips. Watch how the blade reacts and this will alert you to any large rocks or stumps that are being uncovered. The main thing to do is keep an eye on where the log is headed and what it's going to run into on the way out and don't work after dark unless you have plenty of work lights on your rig.

beenthere · Dec 17, 2002

Nothing in your Bio, so don't know about whom I am sending this to, but will assume you have a CUT that has a 3pt.

The pic shows how I pull logs up out of the woods. With the FEL on there is good counter weight to keep the end of the log off the ground (cannot dig in) and good traction on the tires from the weight of the log. The I-match hitch has a hook that holds the ring on the logging tongs.

beenthere · Dec 17, 2002

A little better close-up of the tongs on the log.

MossRoad · Dec 17, 2002

As far as I know, if you pull anything, it should be from below the rear axle, like the swinging drawbar, not from anything attached to the 3pt hitch. However, this is not practical with logs because it would act like a brake and dig into the ground almost instantly. I have little experience with dragging logs of any size, but there are several logging winches and log arches that look pretty good to me. They are designed to haul logs properly. I'll need to get one some day. Probably go with the logging arch style for my little tractor(I don't have a 3pt hitch) and use my rear pin hitch. I never have to worry about flipping my tractor over backwards, however, forwards is another story /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif.

Anonymous Poster · Dec 17, 2002

Hi,

Just a strange idea I suppose, but...

Cound a dirt scoop be used for log dragging? I am thinking the end of the log could be put in the scoop, with the scoop adjusted on an angle, and kept close to the ground. The scoop would prevent the log from digging into the ground, but could still be kept low to the ground and dragged like a sled, more or less.

Guess I'm just /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif looking for a reason to buy a dirt scoop! But is seems like this could work...

Bill in Pgh, PA