Made a Pickaroon

[KiotiJason]

I've seen a few Pickaroon/hookaroons on the Internet and thought I'd make one out of an old axe. After a bit of cutting and grinding I think it came up ok. I was really impressed with how well it works. It really does save your back and makes for extra reach on the wood pile.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Interesting. I had never heard of a Pickaroon; let alone seen one. There's a lot of stuff on the internet about them, including a how-to video where they guy made one from and old axe. I see how they work, but I'm not sure how they would be used in actual practice.

 

[KiotiJason]

Interesting. I had never heard of a Pickaroon; let alone seen one. There's a lot of stuff on the internet about them, including a how-to video where they guy made one from and old axe. I see how they work, but I'm not sure how they would be used in actual practice.

Yeah the Utube video of the conversion from an axe is the one I based mine off. There are others where you can use a bolt and a piece of pipe. As far a using it's pretty easy, just swinging it into the wood it sticks and then you can lift it or move where you like. I've found it really good for getting would out of the back of the ute and also saving bending over when I'm using the hyd wood splitter. It's just a way of using the tool and not your back.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Yeah the Utube video of the conversion from an axe is the one I based mine off. There are others where you can use a bolt and a piece of pipe. As far a using it's pretty easy, just swinging it into the wood it sticks and then you can lift it or move where you like. I've found it really good for getting would out of the back of the ute and also saving bending over when I'm using the hyd wood splitter. It's just a way of using the tool and not your back.

Neat. I picked up on the word "Ute"; I had a very dear internet friend from Australia that I met on the Chevytalk site several years ago. He had a 1956 Ute and a 1942 Buick as I recall; we corresponded pretty regularly until his passing; exchanging calendars and other things. He was from Bargo, NSW.

 

[KiotiJason]

Neat. I picked up on the word "Ute"; I had a very dear internet friend from Australia that I met on the Chevytalk site several years ago. He had a 1956 Ute and a 1942 Buick as I recall; we corresponded pretty regularly until his passing; exchanging calendars and other things. He was from Bargo, NSW.

Yes Bargo is just out of Wollongong NSW, the company I work for is there but I'm based in Victoria. The UTE was designed in Geelong Vic by Ford in 1932 and is pretty much the backbone of this country. I've got friends in Cottage Grove Oregon that we visit from time to time. Love spending time overhere.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Would love to visit you country some day, but it ain't a cheap vacation!

 

[sixdogs]

Great job.

I am very familiar with these having lived in Maine for a lot of years. You could peen the tip over a bit to form a "hook" and it helps hold the wood in place. I can take a picture of mine if need be. These are wonderful tools.

 

[KiotiJason]

Great job.

I am very familiar with these having lived in Maine for a lot of years. You could peen the tip over a bit to form a "hook" and it helps hold the wood in place. I can take a picture of mine if need be. These are wonderful tools.

Thanks six dogs, I did think of having more of a hook to it however I was worried it could break off. It also would have been difficult to cut that shape with a grinder. This one seems to work really well but I am planning to make another with an axe head in better condition. These pickaroons are pretty much in heard of over hear, occasionally I have seen the odd one pop up on ebay but very rarely.

 

[sixdogs]

It's been a lot of years but when my bent tip wore a little I think I whacked it with a hammer.

 

[sixdogs]

And further, a pickeroon with a hook is actually called a hookeroon. Or it was in the woods of Maine.

 

[turnkey4099]

Yeah the Utube video of the conversion from an axe is the one I based mine off. There are others where you can use a bolt and a piece of pipe. As far a using it's pretty easy, just swinging it into the wood it sticks and then you can lift it or move where you like. I've found it really good for getting would out of the back of the ute and also saving bending over when I'm using the hyd wood splitter. It's just a way of using the tool and not your back.

Here is my 8' one from a closet pole, a compression fitting from the plumbing shop and section of 1/2" all-thread.

No more crawinling up into the bed to unload. Use my short (36") LogRite hookeroon to just past the wheel wells than the 8' to pull rounds within reach of the LogRite. Speeds things up considerable and sure does save on the back.

Yes, that little "hook" on the end is the real secret to making a good one - it needs to be pointed back at the user by a little bit.

Use: need to move a round to the splitter? Hookeroon and roll it along without having to bend over or even touch it. Need to pick up some splits or small gauge rounds? Pickeroon and practice some "tossing" with it - sure does beat bending over, picking up a 'no split' piece and throwing it off the truck!!

Harry K

 

[treefarmerguy]

I have two of them I picked up at tractor shows and would be lost without them. I pick up all my bucked wood to be split with them and as mentioned above it's a back saver

 

[tcreeley]

I've seen them, but never used one. I depend on my pulp hook for getting the pieces I want. The tip is blunted with a hammer for better grabbing. Wood does not slip off. Use a torch or forge to heat the tip before peening it- easier.

 

[KiotiJason]

Here is my 8' one from a closet pole, a compression fitting from the plumbing shop and section of 1/2" all-thread.

No more crawinling up into the bed to unload. Use my short (36") LogRite hookeroon to just past the wheel wells than the 8' to pull rounds within reach of the LogRite. Speeds things up considerable and sure does save on the back.

Yes, that little "hook" on the end is the real secret to making a good one - it needs to be pointed back at the user by a little bit.

Use: need to move a round to the splitter? Hookeroon and roll it along without having to bend over or even touch it. Need to pick up some splits or small gauge rounds? Pickeroon and practice some "tossing" with it - sure does beat bending over, picking up a 'no split' piece and throwing it off the truck!!

Harry K

Nice one Harry, I like the extended Handel, is there enough weight in the end to stick the round and stop it from falling off? The weight of the one I made is just right however I don't have the same shape. I think I'll knock one up like yours on the weekend and give it a go, it would store better on the bottom rail of my hydrolic splitter.

 

[KiotiJason]

I've seen them, but never used one. I depend on my pulp hook for getting the pieces I want. The tip is blunted with a hammer for better grabbing. Wood does not slip off. Use a torch or forge to heat the tip before peening it- easier.

Tcreeley, could you possibly post a picture of a pulp hook, I've never heard of one before. What dose the peening do, I've heard of that method welding cast iron.

 

[turnkey4099]

Nice one Harry, I like the extended Handel, is there enough weight in the end to stick the round and stop it from falling off? The weight of the one I made is just right however I don't have the same shape. I think I'll knock one up like yours on the weekend and give it a go, it would store better on the bottom rail of my hydrolic splitter.

For a long one, you need an light (wood or aluminum) handled and a bit of weight on the end. That plumbing fitting worked out perfectly weight wise.

None of mine, (2 logrites and this one) will "stick" in the wood and I wouldn't want them to. They aren't for picking up wood but for moving, dragging, rolling chunks. I have actually walked 50ft and back to retrieve my LogRite vice bending over and rolling a round 4' to the splitter .

Harry K

 

[DrRod]

Tcreeley, could you possibly post a picture of a pulp hook, I've never heard of one before. What dose the peening do, I've heard of that method welding cast iron.

I bought a hookeroon from Baily's and it is a real helper. Its like extending your arms and hands and gaining leverage at the same time.

A pulp hook lets you hold a log while moving your hand more to your center line, sort of the power spot. Tried to post a picture but failed -- someone will but also check google images.

 

[bcp]

 

[sixdogs]

Some of the things labelled hookeroons are actually pickeroons. A hookeroon has a hook to help the log stay on while you twist and pull it into position. A twist of the wrist knocks it off. Here's a modern and exaggerated picture of a hookeroon so you can see what I mean. The hook shown here is actually too big for simple wood handling so maybe it was used for a specific purpose.

 

[DrRod]

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Thanks for filling in the gaps of technical skills.