Skidding logs is just the start. Then what?

[plowhog]

I'm closing in on a tractor and grapple purchase to clean up a forestry mess. Also considering a skidding winch, 3 point grapple, tongs, or $300 poor man's log lift. Or a simple drawbar and chain! Not sure yet.

My question is about processing the logs once I get them to a staging area. Is there a good way to handle them and cut them in short lengths before splitting? It seems that "grappling" logs one at a time, then cutting them when off the ground, is inefficient. Not to mention I have to pick them up again. Are there more practical ways to stack them, but still be able to chain saw/cut them rather than one at a time.?

I have a small dump trailer and an equipment trailer. Maybe hold a log over the dump trailer, and cut rounds that land into it? (Obvious safety concerns.) Or, load logs onto a 20 foot equipment trailer and take them to another area to process? That might have appeal but it introduces the problem of getting them off the trailer to be cut (more work.)

Any help would be appreciated. I have the necessary equipment in mind to grab and transport the logs. Now I'm wondering how to most efficiently process them!

 

[CobyRupert]

I take it your cutting logs into firewood lengths?

Where do you cut the tops and unwanted twigs off?

Most efficient: A wood processor. The skid steer and/or FEL mounted ones look slick. Also the most expensive.

Grappling 2 or 4 at a time if possible would be more efficient than one at a time.

When possible, when using skidding winch with 4 logs hooked on, I raise winch as high as possible to get one end off the ground, then start bucking log at far end, working my way back to the winch.
Good for keeping chain sharp, but I still end up with more pieces on the ground I have to lift and split. It's a better method than nothing and cutting on the ground, but probably not as good using a grapple to do the same.

There's no easy way, unless you have a wood processor or a lot of kids. That's why it's called work. :confused3:

 

[dickfoster]

I'm closing in on a tractor and grapple purchase to clean up a forestry mess. Also considering a skidding winch, 3 point grapple, tongs, or $300 poor man's log lift. Or a simple drawbar and chain! Not sure yet.

My question is about processing the logs once I get them to a staging area. Is there a good way to handle them and cut them in short lengths before splitting? It seems that "grappling" logs one at a time, then cutting them when off the ground, is inefficient. Not to mention I have to pick them up again. Are there more practical ways to stack them, but still be able to chain saw/cut them rather than one at a time.?

I have a small dump trailer and an equipment trailer. Maybe hold a log over the dump trailer, and cut rounds that land into it? (Obvious safety concerns.) Or, load logs onto a 20 foot equipment trailer and take them to another area to process? That might have appeal but it introduces the problem of getting them off the trailer to be cut (more work.)

Any help would be appreciated. I have the necessary equipment in mind to grab and transport the logs. Now I'm wondering how to most efficiently process them!

I think it depends a lot on how large your logs are. So far mine have been two feet or larger in diameter oaks about 16' long. One at a time is plenty good enough due to the weight. These things are pretty heavy. I cut them into round by rolling them up onto smaller logs or poles laid crosswise that gets them up out of the dirt. Some I still have to roll over with a peavey to saw through with my little 18" bar chainsaw. After that it's over to the nearby splitter.

 

[Musdalen]

I used to skid out all of my logs figuring it was easier to drag one log than haul a bunch of cut and split firewood.

But this makes for dirty logs and a torn up woods. I don't like either and the former is really hard on my saw chains. So, now I cut and split in the timber and haul the finished firewood out in a small trailer to be stacked.

No mess of bark and chips up by the house which is also nice.

A grapple would be a nice way to easily bring logs out of the timber for lumber, if the space between trees will allow it. I wish i had one. Maybe I will, but for firewood, it is cut, split, and then haul. YMMV

 

[jeff9366]

My question is about processing the logs once I get them to a staging area. Is there a good way to handle them and cut them in short lengths before splitting? It seems that "grappling" logs one at a time, then cutting them when off the ground, is inefficient. Not to mention I have to pick them up again.

Your question is not clear.

The advantage of "dangling" trunk sections from a grapple is that chain saw will not pinch when cutting 24" billet lengths.

I think an electric log splitter in the driveway is the best way to split billets.

 

[Rustyiron]

I cut the logs where I split & stack it. Sometimes handling it with the tractor grapple. I welded a heavy bar across the upper back (just under the hinge point for the "lids") that allows me to raise the whole log up off the ground to waist height to buck it to f/w length. If I have the loader off for snow plowing duties, I'll use the rear grapple. I'm thinning for firewood and all the stems are about 12" or less and would not be able to do this with bigger wood. Yes it is one log at a time, but I like to buck up a few stems, then split, then stack. I find it easier on my back & mind to break things up, a little saw time, a little splitter time, then a little stacking time. It also saves on steps taken working relatively small piles. When getting the wood out, I'll stack (loader grapple) it off the ground on logs in a handy spot, not worrying about processing it, that's a separate operation for me.
Like dickfoster said, a lot depends on the size of your logs.

 

[arizona98tj]

I used to skid out all of my logs figuring it was easier to drag one log than haul a bunch of cut and split firewood.

But this makes for dirty logs and a torn up woods. I don't like either and the former is really hard on my saw chains. So, now I cut and split in the timber and haul the finished firewood out in a small trailer to be stacked.

You can say that again. I can drop trees and cut wood for several days without needing to touch my chain. However, cutting firebox lengths from logs that have been drug out of the woods....I can tell my saw needs sharpening in less than an hour. The dirt that is ground into the bark eats chains like crazy, IMO.

 

[Rustyiron]

The dirt that is ground into the bark eats chains like crazy, IMO.

IMO? IMO too, that make's it a fact!:laughing:

 

[arizona98tj]

Rusty....I like your setup. That is a nice way to hold the log while you cut to desired lengths.

 

[Musdalen]

It took me a few years to learn this. I went through not just a lot of chains, but also a bunch of bars (not the over 21 type either).

Everyone has their style and preferences, but I like working in the timber, I cut a little, split a little, haul a little, repeat. Works for me.

If you have to skid, do it when the ground is frozen and preferably covered with snow (I vaguely remember this white stuff).