Skidding Logs with tractor.

houser52 · Dec 3, 2020

I worked for our neighbor in his sawmill back in the late 60s when I was 15-16. We skidded everything with 8n Ford tractors off the drawbar. Each drawbar had hooks at the ends of the chains that would be hammered into the logs. We then lifted up the logs with the 3pt and dragged back to the mill. Most of the steering was done with the brakes.
Looking back I now realize that wasn't the safest thing to do but that's the way things were done. As far as I know no one was ever injured.

deezler · Dec 3, 2020

When I was 12 or 13, my dad found a decrepit old Farmall Super A, and had it fully restored. The next year we had a severe storm blow through the Pocono mountains in PA and level numerous trees. Not ones to leave all that good wood to rot, we cut in some skidding trails and hauled out dozen of long logs behind the super A. I think we typically chain hitched them off the hydraulic lift arms, so that we could lift the butt end. This meant we were pulling from 4 feet in the air, behind a clutch trans tractor with big rear wheels and no ROPS. Often pulling through deep mud and steering with the brakes as well.... I guess neither of us considered the inherent danger either. I can't recall ever panicking to slam the clutch down as anything got hung up, but hopefully that would have been my instinct....

Sawyer Rob · Dec 3, 2020

If doesn't bother me when the front end of a tractor comes up, I've had it happen many times for a lot of different reasons...

When I was young, I was plowing 10 to 12 hours a day with an IH504 with a mounted plow, It spent about 60% of the time with the front end up in the air, with me riding the brake to keep it in the furrow. Even plowing with the diesel 560 with a mounted plow, it would have the front end up a fair amount.

And yes, I do understand why the newbs here get so excited when it happens, and yes it could be dangerous if you aren't paying attention.

SR

ericm979 · Dec 3, 2020

When I was a teen I met a man in his 20s who was paraplegic due to a tractor rollover. He wasn't dealing with it well either.

Pulling from the drawbar makes rolling over backwards less likely because the drawbar is below the axle and is a solid extension behind the axle. The load would have to move towards the tractor to allow the front end to come up. Pulling from the lift arms does not do that, so it's easier to roll over that way. I see it like cutting towards your other hand with a knife. It does not guarantee an accident but it makes it more likely. Rather than doing something the dangerous way and depending on my physical skills to prevent injury, I'd rather do it a safer way.

Industrial Toys · Dec 3, 2020

I guess it also has to do with reaction time and whether a person just freaks out at the first hint of something going wrong. Ideally, appropriate reaction should just be second nature.

I do think it's funny when some newbies think they almost rolled their tractor when a front wheel comes off the ground.

trueg50 · Dec 3, 2020

CalG said:
Well

It's a good thing I didn't drive up to buy the Igland 3501 yesterday. The dealer doesn't have any, and won't have any till after Christmas.

So is it A Fransgard 3507, or a 3004? Two of each in stock, and they have a $150 rebate! ;-) Or "wait till Chrstmas.........?

Dads4by I take it?

I had a chat with them yesterday looking for the smaller 2001/2501 Iglands. I'll likely be paying them a visit after Christmas when they get Igland 2501's back in stock. Essex Equipment sells Farmi's, but the prices on those were far above the Iglands/Fransgard.

For me with how hilly my area is there are few flat places to drive to pull logs, so a winch is the best/safest method I know of.

bcp · Dec 3, 2020

Anyone know where this load was attached?

8N Ford tractor rolls over backwards - YouTube

Bruce

Industrial Toys · Dec 3, 2020

What's with the guy running with his hands on his head? lol

Clearly something was done wrong and I can't believe no one caught it. Shouldn't officials notice how and where attachment is made?

CalG · Dec 3, 2020

trueg50 said:
Dads4by I take it?

I had a chat with them yesterday looking for the smaller 2001/2501 Iglands. I'll likely be paying them a visit after Christmas when they get Igland 2501's back in stock. Essex Equipment sells Farmi's, but the prices on those were far above the Iglands/Fransgard.

For me with how hilly my area is there are few flat places to drive to pull logs, so a winch is the best/safest method I know of.

I could have written those exact words and not moved an inch off truth! Sometimes I think a sky line is the better method, but that winching hardware doesn't come cheap.

There is a lot of useful hardware in a logging winch!.