Logging Hitch

johnk · Mar 2, 2009

teach said:
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 · Mar 2, 2009

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 · Mar 3, 2009

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 · Mar 3, 2009

Lloyd_E said:
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 · Mar 3, 2009

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

JohnDeere4300 · Mar 3, 2009

J_J said:
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 · Mar 4, 2009

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 · Mar 4, 2009

Egon said:
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 · Mar 4, 2009

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 · Mar 4, 2009

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