Rollover reducing implements

[louiedog]

Hello,
I recently bought a 1983 JD302 Tractor/Loader and was looking for an implement to put on the 3-point hitch to skid logs. This is my first tractor and have been told I need to have arear attachment to reduce rollover. The tractor has ROPs and a seat belt but, I would prefer not to put them to use. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[nybirdman]

They are called log archs.Picks up the butt end of the log.

 

[CliffordK]

Read some notes on the web about towing with tractors.

Apparently it is important where you hitch the load. It must be hitched below the axle, for example to the middle drawbar. Hitching the load high is supposed to cause the tractor to do very dangerous wheelies.

The tow behind Arch would have the benefit of picking up the end of the log to reduce friction, and still could be towed behind the tractor attaching at a safe place for pulling.

It won't necessarily keep you from rolling sideways, although it might provide a little buffer between the log and the tractor.

 

[imgone52]

The most important factor in Roll Over Prevention, is knowledge. Knowing your equipment and all the safety factors before use, is a must. I would suggest you look for training and/or reading materials from state or county extension offices or contact the local 4-H offices. Seek out as much information about the equipment you buy, or are shopping for, from the manufacturers or on the net. Educating yourself is step one to years of safe and enjoyable operation.

 

[louiedog]

Thanks everyone for the information.

 

[Willl]

The tractor has ROPs and a seat belt but, I would prefer not to put them to use.

So what's the plan ?, jump clear just before it goes over ?

Keep your will up to date.

 

[louiedog]

Sorry I was not clear. I use the seatbelt. What I meant was I hope the seatbelt and ROPs will never have to save me.

 

[kdm0811]

Sorry I was not clear. I use the seatbelt. What I meant was I hope the seatbelt and ROPs will never have to save me.

That is like me. I always wear my dirt bike helmet, but I have only "used" it one time. One might think that hearing gravel and shale scraping against a helmet that you are wearing would be an awlful sound. In my case, (when I finally came to a stop, and looked at the damage to my helmet), I realized what a pleasent noise it truely was.

 

[Willl]

Sorry I was not clear.

Had me going there for a bit....

 

[Reg]

Read some notes on the web about towing with tractors.

Apparently it is important where you hitch the load. It must be hitched below the axle, for example to the middle drawbar. Hitching the load high is supposed to cause the tractor to do very dangerous wheelies.

The tow behind Arch would have the benefit of picking up the end of the log to reduce friction, and still could be towed behind the tractor attaching at a safe place for pulling.

It won't necessarily keep you from rolling sideways, although it might provide a little buffer between the log and the tractor.

Lets not be so tentative about this ?
NEVER tow from the 3 pt and especially not the top link attachment point.
From the ROPS - again, NEVER.
The very low gearing and incredible grip that that tractors have just about ENSURE that they will flip over backwards if you attempt to tow a load that provides enough resistance above the rear axle center.
The correct term for this is that the tractor "rotates about its rear axle".

To the O/P;
The log arch is primarily to prevent the end of your logs from digging into the ground if/when you go into a dip and then climb out.
You want to carry anything/everything as low as possible for stability, but if the butt end of a tree is being carried on the 3 pt and is too close to the ground it can dig in when at the bottom of a dip in the trail. It is then POSSIBLE for it to pivot up and over you - depends on the size of the tree, e.g. a 140 ft pine won't flip over the top of a little 25 HP yard tractor (-:

I have some general concerns about you being new to tractors and wanting to skid logs as a first or early project.
DO READ UP generally on logging with tractors, snaking tree lengths through the woods is kinda tricky to put it mildly.
Down grades can kill you if the tree starts to push the tractor. If you have any serious down grades you would be better off with a Farmi winch (or similar). You can DROP that as an emergency brake if you have to, wheeled log arches just keep on coming at you.
Farmi used to have a lot of good general forestry tips on their web site, not "training" per se, but informative.


You would be MUCH better off with a Farmi winch ANYWAY !
Dragging is orders of magnitude more risky than winching.

Not cheap, but injuries are SO much MORE expen$ive.

 

[rmorey]

[The correct term for this is that the tractor "rotates about its rear axle".]

"Mater" calls this "tractor tippin'". Not a good thing.

Reg has a good point. If you are going to do any amount of logging, then get yourself a skidder winch. You can get a "beater" at an auction for $300 - $500 ($3,000 - $4,000 new). Put on a fresh 1/2" X 150' cable for $50 and away you go...carefully.

Also. get a "snatch block". Its an opening block that the cable runs through, which is fastened to a standing tree. Used to pull out logs from tight spots that you cant get a direct pull on.

 

[Reg]

SO many places you can get a 150 ft cable to where the tractor can't get to, though getting STUCK seems to be a pastime with some folk here.

Then there is the "getting back through the muck" problem.
Too wet and mucky to drag the load through, so drop it on the dry side, freewheel the winch, drive across, lower the winch, bring it to Ya.

 

[Ted Summey]

I can't begin to count the times I've heard that so-n-so flipped a tractor on themselves skidding logs. Even veterans manage to flip over backwards. Often they are skidding too fast and the butt end of the log hangs up on a stump, another tree or in a ditch. The front of a tractor comes up mighty quick in a situation like that!

Having the rear tires drop into a ditch can cause the tractor to go over backwards if too much weight is transferred to the rears. Then there's going over sideways when a rear tire runs up onto a stump.

Do follow the advice above .... Learn all you can before you get in the woods and in a situation that surprises you.

 

[Reg]

I agree Ted, it IS a whole skill set unto itself & I am NOT good at it.
I do try to consciously foresee every possibility and fortunately every unforeseen one so far has not had dramatically BAD consequences.
IOW, with just about everything that has gone an unexpected way I have "lucked out" on, either minor accidents or lucky breaks (failures that resulted in better than expected results).

I am still very concerned for anyone new to tractors taking on even minor logging as an early project.
Just too many variables that in combination can add up to disaster.
I hope the O/P can get someone to go out with him a few times, even someone who knows less than he does, just as another pair of eyes that can criticize constructively and has a cell phone handy.

 

[rmorey]

Another point to remember, ALWAYS align the back of the tractor directly to the log you're going to pull. If you try to pull with the tractor at angles to the log, it will pull the tractor over.