Logging Hitch

[Egon]

Nice.

 

[teach]

Lloyd,
Whether pulling the three trees in my photo or pulling the loaded wood trailer, I didn't notice any flex at all. I did have a lower arm pin loosen up on my after quite a bit of working with it. If you don't weld your pins on, be aware of checking that from time to time.

Your hitch looks great! I like the extra receivers you added too. I think you will be very happy with it!

Also, I like the idea of the grapple, but that would only allow me to pick up and skid one tree at a time and even with my relatively light tractor, I can sometimes get out up to three trees at a time (depending on the size and density).

Keep going Lloyd!
Teach

 

[BayouMan]

You can order the weld on hooks from A W Direct. They are online and are very easy to work with. They sell primarily to tow truck operators. The hooks cost about $5.25 ea, plus shipping. I have ordered twice from them and received them in about 3 days each time.

Mike

 

[dex3361]

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.

Located these on the web.
http://www.awdirect.com/weld-on-grab-hooks-grade-70-3-8quot-11-38wgh/hardware/
Remember to preheat the hooks to around 500F and the steel (if the temp is cold outside) and use a 7018 rod. For what its worth

 

[JB4310]

I'm lucky I live just 5-6 miles from AWDirect warehouse, Going there tomorrow, to poke around a little, their showroom is actually pretty small but they have a close out room where you can sometimes find some sweet deals.
Wish I had a TSC nearby (30+ miles away)

Regarding those hooks, you can also get them at JD dealer.
I thought that weld on hook looked odd in the previous link, I think they clipped the picture or something.

http://www.awdirect.com/default2.asp?keyword=weld+hooks

JB

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I really don't understand what is going on with the hooks.

We had to take our daughter to the doctor today, and i went to TSC and 3 other hardware stores, all they had was those soft cheap hooks.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

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,

That is looking good,

You are way ahead of me and Egon.

 

[Egon]

Thanks for the hook sources Mike and Randall.

 

[MJPetersen]

Also, I like the idea of the grapple, but that would only allow me to pick up and skid one tree at a time and even with my relatively light tractor, I can sometimes get out up to three trees at a time (depending on the size and density). Teach

It seems to me though that the grapple would be great for gathering together in one place the 2 or 3 logs that you are going to pull out. granted if they are all already in one place it might not be as efficient, but if you had to get them to one place and line them up, it seems to me that it would help then. Who wants to drag one log all over the place trying to get in line for a second and then a third.

Mike

 

[Northland]

First, thanks for the great post, information and pictures. I will have to modify my King Kutter carry-all into your design.

I too was going to use an electric winch with my tractor but after reading many posts here on TBN about logging and winches I decided to go with using the tractor's pulling and manoeuvrability.

After a lot of research, for my specific needs, I bought 100' of 1/4" Samson Amsteel Blue synthetic rope, along with two ten foot sections of the chafe guard, from eBay Store - BLITZKRUEG products LLC: winch acessories, misc., kawasaki

see rope specs here-Samson

I also bought a winch kit that included snatch blocks and tree saver slings. I also bought one of these cool 26KN carabineers with a built-in pulley.

DMM Revolver Screwgate Locking Biner

It's now much better to have the logs come to me as opposed to having to get to the logs with my tractor.

I recently got my tractor badly hung-up in a pile of logs. I used my snatch block, pulley and the Samson rope to easily pull the tractor out with my small pick-up. A previous attempt with a come-along wouldn't budge the tractor.

 

[Northland]

I have SPEECO CAT 1 quick hitch on my tractor. If I weld few chain hooks to it would it be strong enough to pull logs? It was $175 about year ago.

Yes, it would work very well. I had one of those Speeco's from TSC but it didn't match any of my implements so I returned it. It was very heavy duty and well made though.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

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

Lloyd,

Have you got your hitch made?

 

[Lloyd_E]

JD4300,

Just putting the final coat of paint on it.

I am working on the mounts for the loader now. Will post a few picks later.

I will be working in the woods next week hauling logs and chipping for a friend.
So, I will take lots of pictures to post.

Lloyd

 

[Lloyd_E]

Finally finished...

The forks are still drying but at least the frame is complete.

A few photos of final build plus install.

lloyd

PS: worked on loader hooks & receiver ports today - will post images later.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Finally finished...

The forks are still drying but at least the frame is complete.

A few photos of final build plus install.

lloyd

PS: worked on loader hooks & receiver ports today - will post images later.

Lloyd,

You really did a great job on yours also!_- Looking forward to the rest.

I like how you put a extra hitch on top._...What was the extra 4 boxes on the side for.?

Can you tell me the measurement from the top to bottom??

Thanks for the pics.~ This has been a good thread

 

[Lloyd_E]

jd4300,

I will take measurements and post. The 4 boxes are to hold things on receiver 2' hitch pipe.

I have a number of hitch balls with different rises plus a pintle hitch. I figure it is a good place to store them. Plus I can drop in the forks (in the top two ports)and it makes a good bench height with some plywood or 2x. I am trying to cover as many bases as possible. If you look back a few threads you will see a drawing with measurements - I didn't deviate much from the drawing. The bottom two ports will hold forks.
I was going to mount a carry all to 2" receiver pipe for the bottom ports. But since I made the forks I figure I will get a decent pallet and use that as a base to build the carry all on.

This was a fun project and my welds got better as I worked along. I think we really should thank TEACH for the design and inspiration....!!!!!!!

Lloyd

 

[Lloyd_E]

jd4300,

36" Height
28.75 (28 3/4") width probably 29" if you count the chamfer on the pins.

Hope this helps.

lloyd

 

[teach]

Lloyd,
Very well done! I am quite impressed. I hope you are happy with the way it works, let us know how you make out.

Also, I don't know what you use for chains, I found that skidding chains 6' in length were perfect. I also keep one 10' chain handy just in case. Finally, the actual logging/skidding chain hooks, verses just the typical more open, rounded hooks, are well worth the extra money. I picked up a few of the actual logging hooks, but I can't remember what they are called. Mine came painted red, and use a roll type pin that you set with a puch as apposed to the traditional style of pin to attach the hood to the last chain link. They are so nice because they don't slip off the chain if you happen to get some slack in the chain, thus saving you from having to jump on and off the tractor.

Happy logging!
Teach

 

[Egon]

Very good job.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

jd4300,
36" Height
28.75 (28 3/4") width probably 29" if you count the chamfer on the pins.
lloyd

OK Thanks.
_____________

Yea we want to thank teach for the design.

Bill