Logging tongs

[RonMar]

I have used tongs to pull logs before and I have used chains. I prefer chains. Since you have to get off the tractor to hand attach either one, there is no time savings. Tongs sometimes come off while chains rairly do. Tongs get finicky as the log gets smaller and they only do one log at a time. I can do several small and medium logs at one time with a chain. I prefer to lift the front of the log which makes the drag easier but I ALWAYS have the chain that is providing the drag force attached to the draw bar of the tractor, well below the CG of the tractor so if the log hangs up, the tires will dig in then spin instead of trying to lift the front end off the ground.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a pair of tongs that I bought fo r$40 from my local discount tool store. I use them from my FEL attached to a chain. I drive up to a log, lower the tongs onto the log, then lift. It takes some practice to get them to hook a log, but it works without haveing to get off the tractor and wrap the tree with a chain. When I drag the log to it's destination, I have to get off to unhook it, but that's half the work then hooking and unhooking. I'm also afraid of snakes, and my fear is there is one under every log I hook onto. Just wraping the chain around a log that's been sitting in a pile terrifies me.

Eddie

 

[tawilson]

Eddie,
I set my tongs up with a chain in a V from the loader so the ring on the tongs are against the lip of the bucket. Usually I can pop the tongs off without getting off the tractor. The V and ring combo also let's me rotate the tongs 90 degrees by rolling the bucket back so I can pick up a tree from any direction. Usually I'll drop some trees and drag them with the tongs to one location to be dragged out of the woods with my winch.

 

[Jstpssng]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Usually I'll drop some trees and drag them with the tongs to one location to be dragged out of the woods with my winch. )</font>
Dumb question perhaps, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a winch?