Logging Hitch

[johnk]

Block pulley, yes, it hooks in the ring of the upside down hook located in the middle of the top section. It turns that the hook, being so large and upside down, works out well for a handle when moving the hitch around. I am probably not going to bother using the winch, after testing the hitch, it just doesn't seem necessary/worth messing with. Plus, having an electric winch in the woods is not best case. The wires want to get hung up on brush and its my opinion that if something is going to be used on a tractor in the woods, it needs to be bomb-proof. Probably one of the reasons for Farmi-type designs with either pto or hydraulic winches.
Teach

Thanks for the explanation. You had me a little confused there...Looks like a nice setup. Good luck with it!

 

[teach]

Lloyd,
It sounds about right. The 3/16" tubing will probably be ok, so long as you use some angle supports underneath from either side of the center going down and out, at about 45 degrees. I used the extra angle from the forks I cut off to box in the top cross piece. The angle for the entire hitch is 1/4" and my forks are 3/8".
Teach

 

[Lloyd_E]

Start of project.

Did some rough drawings - always good to have a plan.
Measured everything out to get best use of materials. Realized I will only get one unit made.
I am also building an attachment for loader - pallet forks. The idea is to use forks for both loader and 3pt application.

The new band saw was slow until I installed a better quality blade.
Most of the pieces are cut. I need a few more hours of prefabbing tomorrow than I can rough tac everything together and pre-fit before welding and finishing.

I need to buy more hooks and some pin connectors for the 3pt cary all.

lloyd

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Start of project.

Did some rough drawings - always good to have a plan.
Measured everything out to get best use of materials. Realized I will only get one unit made.
I am also building an attachment for loader - pallet forks. The idea is to use forks for both loader and 3pt application.

The new band saw was slow until I installed a better quality blade.
Most of the pieces are cut. I need a few more hours of prefabbing tomorrow than I can rough tac everything together and pre-fit before welding and finishing.

I need to buy more hooks and some pin connectors for the 3pt cary all.

lloyd

lloyd,

You sure are moving fast with it and planned it out good.

Sunday you was waiting on the measurement and today you are already building it.

Looking forward to your build also.

I called a metal supply today that i use to deliver to, and they said they are out, truck may deliver some from Louisville next week.

 

[J_J]

Would anyone be interested in this. It is a heavy duty grapple for sure.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Would anyone be interested in this. It is a heavy duty grapple for sure.

That sure looks like it would hold on good.

How wide will it open up?

 

[Egon]

Lloyd, have you ever found weld on chain hooks. I've looked and haven't seen any lately.

From the way you are going the paint should be drying by tonight!

My tractor, it finally got over it's fever. It looked it's usual self this morning.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Lloyd, have you ever found weld on chain hooks. I've looked and haven't seen any lately.

From the way you are going the paint should be drying by tonight!

My tractor, it finally got over it's fever. It looked it's usual self this morning.

Egon,

You mention you couldn't find the weld on hooks, i went to a local hardware store to get 3, and all they had was the cheap ones that don't weld good and break easy, wonder what is going on.


Yea, the way Lloyd is going, he probably already has it on.


Egon, I"m glad your tractor is doing better, hope it turned green again.

 

[Bedlam]

Might be just as easy to get the clevis ones and either cut them down or weld on as is. As others have mentioned the ears of the clevis also have uses like holding 5 gallon buckets etc.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Worked until about 9:30 last night. Have to put the brakes on - flu is going through our family again.

I buy clevis hooks and cut off the end part not needed. I did a couple of test welds last year and tried to break one with a sledge hammer - no go. I need to get 7 more. I don't think I will be finished until next week. We (the guys) are hoping to head to the farm show in Moncton on Saturday. Not that I need anything!!!

I also need to build a wooden platform for the carry all. I am thinking something that can carry my air compressor, generator and a bunch of tools to the pasture. It should have angled sides plus full back - about 4' high. Probably should make it slightly less in width as tires. Wood be nice to be able to carry firewood on it as well as in the loader.

RedNeck,

I have one of those quick attach. I don't think the metal is thick enough to hold up over time. Could be wrong. For the cost of a couple of hooks and a few minutes. Give it a try - don't break anything though.


lloyd

 

[JB4310]

I cut down a standing dead tree (branch-less pole) the other day. 20+ " dia Hickory, by the look of it, it's been standing dead for 10-15 years, looked like it was getting ready to fall by itself so I was worried about the kids who play back there, and thought I may get some dry wood out of the deal.

Sure enough I got a 16' log of nice debarked dry, ready to burn hickory, which I've found to be the best wood to burn in a fireplace.

Pulled it out with my 3 PT Flexpoint receiver adaptor and homemade weld on hook insert.. I'm gonna mod this adaptor to install trailer chain loops and a limiter chain to attach to horizontal draw bar, I may add a couple more weld on hooks like OP did just to hold chain slack, as I see that's a useful idea.

JB.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Pulled it out with my 3 PT Flexpoint receiver adaptor and homemade weld on hook insert.. I'm gonna mod this adaptor to install trailer chain loops and a limiter chain to attach to horizontal draw bar, I may add a couple more weld on hooks like OP did just to hold chain slack, as I see that's a useful idea.

JB.

JB,

Is that a cylinder jack that you have on your 3-point hitch.?

 

[J_J]

You guys have to get off the tractor and hook up the chains. Would not the grapple type claw work better. Just back up to the log drop the grapple, lift and go. The data on the grapple says it will not let go until you pull the release lanyard. Grab it, lift it, drop it.

 

[JB4310]

JB,

Is that a cylinder jack that you have on your 3-point hitch.?

It's just a typical hydraulic top link I just put on last week

You guys have to get off the tractor and hook up the chains. Would not the grapple type claw work better. Just back up to the log drop the grapple, lift and go. The data on the grapple says it will not let go until you pull the release lanyard. Grab it, lift it, drop it.

I saw your grapple J_J, looks nice I was wondering what the cable was for, how wide do the jaws open?

I just found this mini grapple in a garage, thought it might work for logging but it only opens 7-8 inches, anyone know what it's for?

JB

 

[J_J]

It's just a typical hydraulic top link I just put on last week





I saw your grapple J_J, looks nice I was wondering what the cable was for, how wide do the jaws open?

I just found this mini grapple in a garage, thought it might work for logging but it only opens 7-8 inches, anyone know what it's for?

JB

That looks like a logging grapple or wood post puller, or a pallet puller.

Here is the data on the HoggDavis tongs.

MODEL 30
10,000 lb capacity, 16-3/4 opening, Approx. weight 30 lbs, made of Hi-tensile steel rated at 67,000 psi, 1 full floating pins w/welded heads, 3 flame tempered 1-1/4 teeth in each jaw, Machined Nylatronï½® pulleys.

 

[Lloyd_E]

JB4310,

I think an adapter on your quick attach works better than welding stuff to it.

j_j, that would be too easy! And besides - it's nice to build stuff to get to the end result - a grapple - you would "just back up to the log drop the grapple, lift and go".

lloyd

 

[J_J]

JB4310,

I think an adapter on your quick attach works better than welding stuff to it.

j_j, that would be too easy! And besides - it's nice to build stuff to get to the end result - a grapple - you would "just back up to the log drop the grapple, lift and go".

lloyd

When you get up in age, you gotta make things easier for yourself. When I was a young man, I thought I could do almost anything, but now, I think I can still do it, but I need a little help.

 

[Lloyd_E]

I hear ya.

I don't have the energy like I used to. I find my projects taking longer and are piling up. List doesn't get shorter. Last fall I had a "farm Day". Invited a few friends and family from the city - we actually got a lot done in 8 hours. Everyone was fed and enjoyed the day. I think I will have another one this spring.
The battens on the barn will probably get finished - they almost got completed last fall.

Now of course I have a few more big projects to add to the list - greenhouse, fence - post and rail - another 2 acres. Thankfully I got my firewood finished until 2010/2011!

lloyd

 

[Lloyd_E]

Managed to do a bit of work last night - late into the evening.

I tacked everything together, checked forks in 2" rec. ports - off by 1/8" - than I put a level on the concrete floor - not level. Works for me.

The detail of the fork shows a stop and a pin for holding in position. I need to do another set
which will be used as a base for a carry-all.

I still have to cut 45 degree supports and weld, weld top link connector in place(I drilled two holes for positioning) add a few more 2" rec. ports, weld on hooks and add a few re-enforcing plates and do final clean prep for painting.

I am pleased with the progress so far - but when you have a great design to begin with it is easy. Thanks teach....

lloyd

PS: I try to put photos in order but for some reason they do not appear as I select them - why?

 

[Lloyd_E]

teach,

When you are pulling logs and anything else, do you get much flex with this unit?
Just curious? Wondering how much this unit can handle?

lloyd