New Owner - 3038E with 305 Loader

[Tunguska]

I am looking at dragging some fallen trees out of my woods to cut up and sell for firewood and having not owned a tractor before I am unsure of how to do it and what potential risk of damage there is to the tractor.

(Really what it comes down to is I don't know the limitations of the tractor)

I pull logs out of the "bottom" with my 870 and had a pretty severe learning curve. Initially I pulled them with the drawbar but by the time they finished rolling around in the dirt the bark was stuffed with mud and that was murder on the chainsaw. Also the front of the log digs in and really cuts down the size of log you could pull. I came up with this gizmo to pick up the front of the log a bit.

But like most things, there is a downside-

My tractor pulls like a mule and the temptation to pull too big a log is always there. A load that's fine on level ground will quickly bite you in the behind going up a hill. Don't even think about going across a sideslope. If one of these guys decides to start rolling your tractor probably will be right behind.

Don't pick the log too high. 3-4 inches is plenty (early on, I found myself looking at clouds when the front end got light.) I usually cut a 5 foot log to put in the bucket to help keep things where they belong.

Wear your seatbelt and take your time.

Don't overload your tractor. I'd rather make a few more trips than pay for $$$ drivetrain repairs.

Here's a neat website that allows you to calculate the approximate weight of a log:

Log Weight Calculator at WOODWEB

Have fun and stay safe!

 

[TGF]

Agreed about staying on the seat when operating the post hole digger...thats where you belong.

Also, while I would want one of those big augers to plant trees too (nice)......be careful when using it that you don't screw it in the ground. Then you gotta dig it out. That is one BIG auger for your tractor....and you don't have any reverse on the PTO. You have been warned.

When operating that auger....just take little bites at a time....then clean it off by lifting it up to sling the dirt off the flighting. (At least that is my memory from many years ago with a big auger.) You prolly need to dig away the sod before you start too.

If I end up doing this I will post pictures so you can laugh at me. Thanks for the heads up, those are the kinds of things you don't think about, or at least I wouldn't think about it. As for planting the trees in the orchard I think its going to speed things up greatly. We will use a piece of plywood with a 40 inch circle cut in it so the dirt will pile on the wood and be easy to push into the hole.

You guys are all very friendly and knowledgeable quite different from most my other internet forum experiences. Thank you.

 

[TGF]

I pull logs out of the "bottom" with my 870 and had a pretty severe learning curve. Initially I pulled them with the drawbar but by the time they finished rolling around in the dirt the bark was stuffed with mud and that was murder on the chainsaw. Also the front of the log digs in and really cuts down the size of log you could pull. I came up with this gizmo to pick up the front of the log a bit.

But like most things, there is a downside-

My tractor pulls like a mule and the temptation to pull too big a log is always there. A load that's fine on level ground will quickly bite you in the behind going up a hill. Don't even think about going across a sideslope. If one of these guys decides to start rolling your tractor probably will be right behind.

Don't pick the log too high. 3-4 inches is plenty (early on, I found myself looking at clouds when the front end got light.) I usually cut a 5 foot log to put in the bucket to help keep things where they belong.

Wear your seatbelt and take your time.

Don't overload your tractor. I'd rather make a few more trips than pay for $$$ drivetrain repairs.

Here's a neat website that allows you to calculate the approximate weight of a log:

Log Weight Calculator at WOODWEB

Have fun and stay safe!

That looks like exactly what I was looking for. How many horse is the 870. The 3038 is only 38 horse, that log looks pretty big.

 

[Tunguska]

That looks like exactly what I was looking for. How many horse is the 870. The 3038 is only 38 horse, that log looks pretty big.

The 870 is rated at 28 HP and weighs 2670 lbs.

The 3038E is rated at 37.1 HP and weighs 2087 lbs. (Both w/o FEL.)

All things being equal, (through the magic of gearing), the heavier tractor will usually pull a heavier load. (Not busting your machine, of course.)

The log in that photo was actually run of the mill.

Here's one that made the old girl pant-

 

[TGF]

The 870 is rated at 28 HP and weighs 2670 lbs.

The 3038E is rated at 37.1 HP and weighs 2087 lbs. (Both w/o FEL.)

All things being equal, (through the magic of gearing), the heavier tractor will usually pull a heavier load. (Not busting your machine, of course.)

The log in that photo was actually run of the mill.

Here's one that made the old girl pant-

One of the neighbors suggested I take a full bucket of dirt or sand and keep it in the loader while towing a log to balance the tractor.

 

[Tunguska]

One of the neighbors suggested I take a full bucket of dirt or sand and keep it in the loader while towing a log to balance the tractor.

That'll work. Anytime you're stressing one end of your tractor it's a good idea to throw some weight onto the other end.

I like to kill 2 birds with one stone.

Rather than pull an 18 foot log up the hill, I saw 5 or 6 feet off and put it in the bucket and drag the remaining 12 footer up the hill.

Same amount of timber delivered, much easier on the tractor and safer.

Keep that loader as low as you can.

Adjust your wheels so that they are at the widest setting that is feasible.

Low gear is your friend.