Quickie log-drag, (paper-thin MIG weld)

[Shield Arc]

I'd use a wire rope come along, with slip hook on the wire rope. Two wraps around the log, clip the hook on the wire rope with bail of hook facing tractor, and working end of come along at top of picking frame.

 

[Jim Timber]

10' chain will handle a 30" log depending how much tail you need to get on your implement and how close you can get the tractor.

I have an 8' and 12' with slip hooks for skidding. 12'er mainly helps when I can't get close enough. Then I have chains with regular hooks to extend with if needed.

 

[Sodo]

I have four 20 footers. Every time I go out I wish i'da cut one into a couple 10s, always forget to do it when I get back. This post is my reminder.

 

[Big Barn]

For a quick way to shorten chains, make up a couple of these and keep one in your tractor tool box.







Terry

 

[Sodo]

Thats great, thanks! Saves me the pain of 'cutters remorse'.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

For a quick way to shorten chains, make up a couple of these and keep one in your tractor tool box.

View attachment 422579



View attachment 422583

Terry

I don't know why I never thought about this - but I'm sure glad you did

Thanks for posting :thumbsup:

I'm constantly picking stuff up with chains that are too long and have to be wrapped to take up slack.

 

[k0ua]

Well, darn! That is a pretty good idea! I am going to make one of those.

 

[dragoneggs]

So simple! Thanks for sharing Terry. Gonna make me one too! :thumbsup:

 

[CNC Dan]

For a quick way to shorten chains, make up a couple of these and keep one in your tractor tool box.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=422579"/>

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=422583"/>

Terry

If your skills are up to it, you can weld two weld-on hooks back to back. Much smaller, could even fit in a pocket. Just be sure the weld is sound. Or you could cut a similar shape out of steel.

 

[aczlan]

If your skills are up to it, you can weld two weld-on hooks back to back. Much smaller, could even fit in a pocket. Just be sure the weld is sound. Or you could cut a similar shape out of steel.

Or, pull the pins holding them together and hook the two clevises together. You will need to replace the pins with a grade8 bolt that is just long enough to have the "shoulder" for the whole clevis area.

Aaron Z

 

[Sodo]

Haha Dan that sounds like a challenge! It should be arranged such that it's a long weld in shear. Welded from both sides (and wrapping the ends) it's pretty easy to make it stronger than the chain. A 3/8" plate with a 1 1/2" hole, and two slots ( like the planet Saturn ) would do it too.

Lots of ways to put that together, and I will certainly get a few of those setup. Thankful that Terry thought of mentioning it, I will definitely put some of these in my toyboxes.

Here's another simple unit ( called a "clevis claw") that you could pin to a link, and less likely to get lost.



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What about just carrying a single grab hook and positively attach it to the chain where needed? Same idea as the clevis claw above, but a simple grab hook. Where you replace the cotter pin with a spring clip, or just bend the cotter such that it acts like a spring clip. Of course those small parts can be lost out in the woods.



Or if you want another 'link' can use an eye grab hook and this double clevis link




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Lots of devices available, heres a bunch of them from Grainger

 

[Sodo]

Or, pull the pins holding them together and hook the two clevises together. You will need to replace the pins with a grade8 bolt that is just long enough to have the "shoulder" for the whole clevis area.

One bolt thru all four clevis holes, thats a good way. Using a nyloc too. May have to grind the clevises a little but yep that's an easy way to do it. or Clevis hook and eye hook together - not sure if these actually fit but I will find out this morning at the store.

View attachment 422710
View attachment 422709

 

[Big Barn]

One bolt thru all four clevis holes, thats a good way. Using a nyloc too. May have to grind the clevises a little but yep that's an easy way to do it. or Clevis hook and eye hook together - not sure if these actually fit but I will find out this morning at the store. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/welding/422710-quickie-log-drag-paper-thin-h5-16_med-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/welding/422709-quickie-log-drag-paper-thin-eye-grab-hook-aisi-316-a"/>

I tried it that way originally and it will work,but for me, I found the flexibility with the few links in between made it a little more "user friendly".
(And I'm not a very friendly user. )

Terry

 

[CNC Dan]

A 3/8" plate with a 1 1/2" hole, and two slots ( like the planet Saturn ) would do it too.

I like this idea best so far.
The "Sodo-saturn link".

I have some chains that the links don't give you enough room to attach anything except at the ends, so that cool clevis claw wouldn't work.

 

[Sodo]

I found the flexibility with the few links in between made it a little more "user friendly"

Agreed you want to be able to turn the 2nd grab hook any which way to engage. In cases where you want to pull up all the chain tension you need to be able to rotate it any which way. Terry your original is a good way!

I like that the saturn unit can slip in a back pocket, 'cept my wife will kill me when it goes thru the wash.

 

[k0ua]

But the trouble with the Saturn plate is you have to take time to stuff all the excess chain thru it. I think the original may be the best and quickest.

 

[BukitCase]

You guys are needlessly over-complicating this -
bungee cords are nearly ALWAYS the right length
:

 

[bcp]

I thought everyone knew about chain shorteners.

I walked out the the tractor shed to take inventory.



The one on the right was factory made.

Bruce

PS: The third one may not qualify, but is good for hooking something besides a chain to a chain.

 

[k0ua]

I thought everyone knew about chain shorteners.

I walked out the the tractor shed to take inventory.

View attachment 422744

The one on the right was factory made.

Bruce

PS: The third one may not qualify, but is good for hooking something besides a chain to a chain.

Nope, but I do now!. I bought the stuff and made one today. I had to buy a foot of chain they would not sell any less. I made him cut me 3 links though.

 

[Sodo]

Grab hooks (3/8" size $3.99 for 2) atHarbor Freight. With 1 foot of chain you can make a couple shorteners.

The 1/4"size $3.49/2 will "grab" 3/8 chain (pay attention to your loads!!) but the clevis only fits up to 5/16" chain.