3-Point Hitch Log/tree skidding with your quick-hitch

[ayelvington]

I've taken to using my Harbor Freight quick-hitch as a poor man's skidding arch.

I use a snatch hook that you can get from either Harbor Freight or Tractor Supply and hang it from the top hook on the hitch. I think that the attached photos speak for themselves.

Yes, you do have to be careful to prevent the butt of the tree from smashing into your PTO shield or the like. I just try to keep the chain close to the end and lower the butt if it starts to get too "intimate" for my liking.

Lifting the butt of the tree makes it a lot easier to move by reducing the drag and adding rear weight for traction. The first tree was a toothpick by weight compared to the second one. You really can move a lot with a SCUT as long as you have traction!

 

[lockhaven]

I have a Kioti CK30 another thing you can do is loop the chain around the drawbar looped around the log at the butt. just one big loop. The another loop on the hitch around the log. when you lift the hitch the first loop stops the butt from coming up and the rest of the log is lifted ready to be cut. I do not have pictures but will take some tomorrow to show you.

 

[kennyd]

A set of tongs like these will hang nicely from the top hook, and you won't have to get the chain under the log

Skidding Tongs

 

[ayelvington]

A set of tongs like these will hang nicely from the top hook, and you won't have to get the chain under the log

I've considered tongs, but I'd lose a lot of lift clearance with them. I work with guys that have logging chains that have the push-rod attached, so it's never really a problem if I'm in a tight spot.

Bailey's - Choker Chain 1/4" x 7' with "C" Hook and Steel Rod

 

[Don87]

If I were to pull logs with my Massey, I would do the same as I did with my F250 when I logged my property..........

I used an old F150 pickup hood(that I borrowed from the local junkyard), chained that to the bumper of my pickup.....then put the butt end of the log on the hood...........chained both low...........the 70's style hood acted as a skid, and pulled the logs out just fine.

Be careful with your quick hitch, you seem to be hooking high ...........which could cause a rollover.

 

[ayelvington]

If I were to pull logs with my Massey, I would do the same as I did with my F250 when I logged my property..........

I used an old F150 pickup hood(that I borrowed from the local junkyard), chained that to the bumper of my pickup.....then put the butt end of the log on the hood...........chained both low...........the 70's style hood acted as a skid, and pulled the logs out just fine.

That's what we use to skid over-sized boulders out of fields... I'm thinking the hood would be too big for some of the tight areas we skid out of here in NW PA.

 

[Don87]

That's what we use to skid over-sized boulders out of fields... I'm thinking the hood would be too big for some of the tight areas we skid out of here in NW PA.

I had to cut some smaller trees out of the way to make room, but it's all about safety.

A dead tree does a dead man no good.

 

[bcp]

Do a Google image search for "skidding cone" for some ideas that are smaller than a car hood.

Thread on making a cone:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/166815-log-skidding-cone.html

Bruce


From:
Arborist Tools | Arborist Equipment | Skidding Cone for Logs | American Arborist Supplies

 

[Short Game]

I carry a couple different lengths of shorter choker chains along with the 20 footers. Grab hooks on the stock 20s and a grab hook on one end and a slide hook on the other for the chokers. Once I have the logs snaked out to where I can get around them, I cut them to handier lengths to move them or to buck them with my log/bucking forks.

 

[jake98]

A set of tongs like these will hang nicely from the top hook, and you won't have to get the chain under the log

Skidding Tongs

thanks for the pointer Kennyd, I just ordered a set. Should keep my fingers out of the poison ivy..

 

[jake98]

Yes, you do have to be careful to prevent the butt of the tree from smashing into your PTO shield or the like.

a box-blade is good for that.

 

[Short Game]

a box-blade is good for that.

My box blade is my logging companion. It has a hydraulic top link, hooks all over it, a 12,000 pound Warn winch, and mounts my wood splitter and hitches to my wood cart when that's the chore.

 

[jake98]

My box blade is my logging companion. It has a hydraulic top link, hooks all over it, a 12,000 pound Warn winch, and mounts my wood splitter and hitches to my wood cart when that's the chore.

we need pictures of that! :thumbsup:

 

[Short Game]

we need pictures of that! :thumbsup:

I don't have any detail shots but here you can see the winch. I also welded in a plate for a gas can shelf by the winch. The winch battery is on the upper shelf with the toolbox, chain box, and water bottle holder. The hammer handle just aft of the tail light connects to the lever for the rear remote and runs the splitter. The splitter tips up for busting the big rounds. I haven't figured out where to hang the pickaroon yet. Also, I made and mounted the chainsaw scabbard.

 

[Don87]

I don't have any detail shots but here you can see the winch. I also welded in a plate for a gas can shelf by the winch. The winch battery is on the upper shelf with the toolbox, chain box, and water bottle holder. The hammer handle just aft of the tail light connects to the lever for the rear remote and runs the splitter. The splitter tips up for busting the big rounds. I haven't figured out where to hang the pickaroon yet. Also, I made and mounted the chainsaw scabbard.

Nice setup, thanks for sharing.

 

[djw250]

Careful putting too much weight on that Harbor Freight quick hitch. You can bend the arms in if you overload it. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Baby Grand]

Careful putting too much weight on that Harbor Freight quick hitch. You can bend the arms in if you overload it. Don't ask me how I know.

I had wondered about that ... can you give us some details? Like what implement (if that is how it happened) and conditions. Just curious - I'm planning to build a skidder attachment out of mine. I'm mostly concerned with it's ability to take the load of the log when it moves forward against the back of the hitch, where I intend to weld in a plate and some tube. Trying to figure out how much bracing to add.

 

[djw250]

After hurricane Gustav I was moving a large green oak log, and got the bright idea of picking the front of the log up enough with my quick hitch to skid it to where I wanted it. I passed the chain around the end of the log and attached it around the lower hooks on my quick hitch. The 3 point hitch lifted the front of the log and I was able to move it slowly but when I unhooked the chain I realized that the weight had bent the lower hooks on the quick hitch in towards each other! Not the hitch's fault, it simply was not designed for that type of load.

 

[Baby Grand]

Aha - I understand - and thanks! Since I'll have the plate welded between the uprights that shouldn't be a problem. Plus I'll be lifting from hooks on the crossbar, up top.

 

[ayelvington]

After hurricane Gustav I was moving a large green oak log, and got the bright idea of picking the front of the log up enough with my quick hitch to skid it to where I wanted it. I passed the chain around the end of the log and attached it around the lower hooks on my quick hitch. The 3 point hitch lifted the front of the log and I was able to move it slowly but when I unhooked the chain I realized that the weight had bent the lower hooks on the quick hitch in towards each other! Not the hitch's fault, it simply was not designed for that type of load.

I can see that in my mind's eye. I hook the chain to the top hook so that the butt is suspended above and between the two lower hooks. Working the log like this reduces the strain on the QH, and gets better ground clearance for the butt of the tree.

Pretty amazing what a small tractor can move when you use your head:thumbsup: