Hi All,
I've lurked on this site for quite a while but decided I should join and add a post. I was searching for info on an attachment for skidding logs with my BX24. After looking at what was posted I realized that I could make a skidder out of a sodbuster 3 pt attachment I already have. I am including photos of the attachment, skidding with it, and the tractor loaded into a 5X10 trailer.
I was able to use the BX to skid 8 red oak logs from our property in the Shenandoah Valley. The logs where cut to 8 lengths and had diameters from 15-22 inches. They will be used to make lumber for furniture. I skidded the logs 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the woods to my shed and have a few words of advice/caution to anyone skidding big logs with a little tractor.
1. Clear the trail you will skid on of all fallen branches and rocks before you skid.
2. Try to choose a trail with the least possible lateral slope. The tractor will go up and down almost any hill but sideways slope greater than about 15 degrees makes it (or the operator) very nervous.
3. Always skid in 4WD and low (turtle) gearing. If you keep the engine RPMs under 1600, you should be going slow enough to realize and correct any hazardous situations before they get out of control. I also found that it helps to turn into the up slope side when possible to keep the side angle from getting bigger and bigger.
4. Use the front-end loader to move the logs around to the best place you can find to hook up to them. This saved a lot of time on the 2nd through 8th logs for me.
5. Load the front bucket with weight before pulling away with a big log behind you.
6. If you are skidding with a chain like I did, keep the chain within 6 inches of the end of the log or the log will be able to swing forward and hit the rear of the tractor.
7. Keep the end of the log off the ground and the chain will prevent the log from rolling sideways.
It was a little hairy at times but going slow and trying to stay level worked out OK. It's amazing what that little tractor can do.
Photo titles
1. the sodbuster 3pt attachment with the sodbuster removed from the center(vertical slit) leaving a 3pt log lifting attachment.
2. 5/16 inch chain used to secured the logs. It has a break strength of 1200 lbs so hopefully the chain would break before the log could roll the tractor over.
3. 8 logs skidded and waiting for the guy with the portable sawmill.
4. a smarter way to take the front bucket off for traveling was to load it into the truck attached to the tractor before removing it. It痴 a PITA to put back on but it痴 the only way I could bet the BX to fit into my 5X10 trailer.
5. skidding a 22inch diameter log, any bigger and I don't this my set-up would have been able to get the end of the log off the ground.
Hope this helps,
Have fun and be safe,
Ray
I've lurked on this site for quite a while but decided I should join and add a post. I was searching for info on an attachment for skidding logs with my BX24. After looking at what was posted I realized that I could make a skidder out of a sodbuster 3 pt attachment I already have. I am including photos of the attachment, skidding with it, and the tractor loaded into a 5X10 trailer.
I was able to use the BX to skid 8 red oak logs from our property in the Shenandoah Valley. The logs where cut to 8 lengths and had diameters from 15-22 inches. They will be used to make lumber for furniture. I skidded the logs 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the woods to my shed and have a few words of advice/caution to anyone skidding big logs with a little tractor.
1. Clear the trail you will skid on of all fallen branches and rocks before you skid.
2. Try to choose a trail with the least possible lateral slope. The tractor will go up and down almost any hill but sideways slope greater than about 15 degrees makes it (or the operator) very nervous.
3. Always skid in 4WD and low (turtle) gearing. If you keep the engine RPMs under 1600, you should be going slow enough to realize and correct any hazardous situations before they get out of control. I also found that it helps to turn into the up slope side when possible to keep the side angle from getting bigger and bigger.
4. Use the front-end loader to move the logs around to the best place you can find to hook up to them. This saved a lot of time on the 2nd through 8th logs for me.
5. Load the front bucket with weight before pulling away with a big log behind you.
6. If you are skidding with a chain like I did, keep the chain within 6 inches of the end of the log or the log will be able to swing forward and hit the rear of the tractor.
7. Keep the end of the log off the ground and the chain will prevent the log from rolling sideways.
It was a little hairy at times but going slow and trying to stay level worked out OK. It's amazing what that little tractor can do.
Photo titles
1. the sodbuster 3pt attachment with the sodbuster removed from the center(vertical slit) leaving a 3pt log lifting attachment.
2. 5/16 inch chain used to secured the logs. It has a break strength of 1200 lbs so hopefully the chain would break before the log could roll the tractor over.
3. 8 logs skidded and waiting for the guy with the portable sawmill.
4. a smarter way to take the front bucket off for traveling was to load it into the truck attached to the tractor before removing it. It痴 a PITA to put back on but it痴 the only way I could bet the BX to fit into my 5X10 trailer.
5. skidding a 22inch diameter log, any bigger and I don't this my set-up would have been able to get the end of the log off the ground.
Hope this helps,
Have fun and be safe,
Ray
