Picking up logs, grapple or thumb? Advice please.

[4570Man]

Your loader is going to be stronger than the backhoe at least mine is. If you're expecting to pick up logs that size then you're going to disappointed. That log weighs more than your whole tractor.

 

[George2615]

looks like a grapple isnt gonna do me any good then. even if I had a compact tractor I still would want more power lol. So any recommend then a good thumb for the backhoe? Also where is fizikgeek at. he said he has a thumb on his loader, I think we all would like to see that thing in action, I have looked all over the internet and have yet to see it with something big on It.

I have the thumb which I can use on my forks or bucket. I recently cleared some downed trees at a friends house. However, I don't think a 1720 would pick up a full length tree. Adding a thumb to your BH would be much easier than chaining.

 

[Ooklaa]

Thanks for the pics george. I was looking into like a pallet fork thumb combo for my Gc. But i think the most economic option woukd be a backhoe thumb. But if the backhoe/thumb option dont work then dont mind spending on the thumb with all the hydrolics for the loader.

 

[roadhunter]

I built a pipe table that I can sit logs on and cut. I like to grab about 10+ 8 ft logs from the pile and sit them on the table and cut them all at once. Cutting 1 log at a time is really slow and requires the machine to run while you are cutting. This method is much more efficient.

 

[4570Man]

A lot of the backhoe thumbs are fixed position. I'd way rather have hydraulic, but this is a lot cheaper.

 

[AxleHub]

Axle What do You mean by a true fork set? Im really hoping i can just pic up the dam log with a backhoe thumb.

Ooklaa, a true fork set is a fixed implement that either is pinned on to your fel or is attached by a quick attach unit. It doesn't adjust in fork width and it doesn't bolt on to a bucket etc.. there is a framed back that is typically 18 inches to 28 inches high.

The reason I stated this as a good option is it is much stronger and rigid so the weight of the log does not bend or deflect the unit.

As an example you can get ones that are heavy and strong . . or you can get units that are equally as strong but designed for aub compacts . . as the one I got from mytractortools.com. it can be used with my quick attach on the front or used on my three point hitch too. As an example mine is 110 pounds and will take any weight my gc1715 can safely handle.

 

[Ooklaa]

A lot of the backhoe thumbs are fixed position. I'd way rather have hydraulic, but this is a lot cheaper.

They are adjustable. The ones i have seen have 3-4 different opening positions.

 

[Deere Dude]

Ooklaa,

Those are big diameter logs. If you used a true fork set and a chain (not clamp on forks) , , you could either lift and relocate the log and cut left side, right side, and then center cut (between the forks). Then if the log isbig and long you could just pick up one end to cut the log smaller so you could lift and relocate.

But chest high seems too high a lift height . . Plus too tall a drop for logs that size. Jmho

That is the way I basically do it and it works great. I will spear all the logs I can get with the 48" forks, drive to the pile and cut 18" pieces from one side until that side seems light, then go to the other side etc. When the logs get maybe 6' long or to close to the forks for the chainsaw I then dump them on a 8' buck. Then I either cut then into 18" pieces then but usually wait until I get the next fork full of logs. Then I cut the all at the same time. Works for me and is pretty stable.

 

[4570Man]

They are adjustable. The ones i have seen have 3-4 different opening positions.

I meant non hydraulic. Mine has 3 positions, but I refer to it as a fixed position thumb.

 

[JWR]

Your loader is going to be stronger than the backhoe at least mine is. If you're expecting to pick up logs that size then you're going to disappointed. That log weighs more than your whole tractor.

Amen ! It was a HOLLOW log, though, you notice in one view. In general his backhoe feet will be resting on the ground when he picks up that size log if his backhoe would pick it up in the first place, which is doubtful. Otherwise he does a wheelie. Conceivable you might hold the log there in order to cut it up into smaller lengths but a solid log the length you show -- you are not going anywhere with it. Some will say you are barking up the wrong tree ?