Log Skidding

[Anonymous Poster]

Glad you liked the picts., but i don't consider my "tools" "toys".
Here's what a broken tractor looks like!!
Robert

http://www.fototime.com/{66F394B8-1B57-4095-8358-774F37A46B32}/picture.JPG

 

[DavidInNH]

Sorry about the "toys" comment. You're right, most of us on this site have a collection of serious tools. Just because we take a lot of enjoyment from using them doesn't make them a toy.

RE: the broken tractor - Wow! So what did they do to break it?

-david

 

[ChrisNJ]

I actually skidded about 30 trees, 6-16", with a '86 Bronco II, kept it in low gear, attached choker chain as close to the bumber as possible, so that when I went foreward it kinda lifted the log a little. I cut trees as low as possible, so the logs never caught on anything, and wide, bald tires on the bronco helped alot, so it just skidded if I overdid the pull. Bronco still works too, I thought for sure the trans would have dropped by now, gear trans. This was sone all PRE-tractor, which will be arriving soon. ps: bronco was a freebee, ready for the yard, but got her running for $100.

 

[stovepoker]

Here are a couple of pictures of a skidding winch that I built
for the Satoh S650G when the tractor was new. I used a #60 chain drive from the PTO shaft to the input shaft of a
Volvo transmission, and a chain drive from the output shaft of the transmission to the input shaft of a large worm drive box. As you can see I cobbed a spool out of 1/4 boiler plate. I've
used it for yarding and skidding for better than 25 years, and
the tractor and I are still alive.

 

[stovepoker]

Here's another pic of the same rig. Hope I'm posting these prpoerly....

 

[stovepoker]

Here's another picture of the skidding winch. I chose not to
mount this on the 3PT rig but directly to the tractor frame.
I have never used my 3PT setup since I installed this winch
when the tractor was new.

 

[stovepoker]

Thanks for your patience, Lads...building the equipment is easier than posting a pic.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Robert-thats a serious broke! Enough to make a grown man cry.

Anyone try one of these:
http://www.norwoodindustries.com/skidmaster.htm

I had their video a couple of years back when I had dreams of a portable mill-looks like a nice tool.

I've been amazed at what my '89 Chevy will skid! Hard on it, but still going strong at 190k.

Bri

 

[stovepoker]

Sure, a 4X4 Chev makes a great skidder. I have used an
88 Dodge W350 with no problems. Probably a lot safer than
a wheel tractor. I thought about using a wrecker crane on
the Dodge, since these are available cheap and ready to
install.

 

[rdbrumfield]

I have built both winches and arches for small tractors. The winches have blades that face the rear and hold the tractor in place on hard winching and also works to stop the tractor from rearing up. The arch is a two fold unit. It can be used for skidding and also lays down flat so a flat-bed can be pinned on for use as a hydraulic dump trailer. I used mobie home trailer spindles for the axles and round tubing for the frame. By having 90 degree turns right from the spindles it keeps the center clear for the logs to hang from the arch gantry. I have a mod 9 gearmatic for my jd now and have no problem with the front end coming up. If you have a loader on the problem is almost nill. I first used my winches on a 245dt Kubota and then went to a 336D Yanmar, I liked it best, now a 5300 JD. I could fix you up with some pics of the splitter and winches if you like, would give you some ideas maybe. Good luck. rdbrumfield@yahoo.com