skidding logs

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Why not simply push them off to side of the trail to rot? If someone wants them for firewood they're welcome to cut & haul away.
That's what I do.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

That is a great way to move logs without a lot of "new equipment". I've been doing it for years.

If things get dicey, just drop the load.

It's not rocket science!

Thats the way I've been doing it. The saftey is always in pre-planning to drop the load. Just drop the load and re-pick when neccessary.

 

[charlessenf]

using a quick hitch and tongs.

Looks doable. I've been using the arm for the post hole auger. I use some 1/4 on 5/16 chain to drag logs about with the 4 x 4 and found I can 'thread' it trough the hole meant to hold the auger in place and lift an end and drag the log - up hill so far ' to where I section and split them. I am using a Kubota B7800 tractor with loaded rea tires and I've been able to drag logs up to about 18" diameter and roughly 11 feet. They are tough to lift very high - but I only need to get the cut end/edge up enough to make it work.

I think it is not designed for lifting too much weight - but an amatuer and just don't know.

The togs might do, but a pair large enough for the Walnut I dealt with would be pretty expensive and heavy.

 

[MikeH-OH]

I wrap a log chain around the frame of a 3 pt hay spear and have pulled a 32" x 23' green red oak log up a grade with an RK55. I needed to fill the bucket to keep the front end down. Most of what I pull is smaller and longer and down hill. I've never had a log push me. It surprises me how much a tractor will drag. If your 3 pt will lift it, the tractor should pull it.

 

[Thereisagod]

That is a great way to move logs without a lot of "new equipment". I've been doing it for years.

If things get dicey, just drop the load.

It's not rocket science!

Exactly, I'd have thought it would drop like a stone - er, log!

 

[charlessenf]

use a sling chocker.

OK, I'll bite. What's a sling choker?

Anything like a Henway?

 

[Thereisagod]

Looks doable. I've been using the arm for the post hole auger. I use some 1/4 on 5/16 chain to drag logs about with the 4 x 4 and found I can 'thread' it trough the hole meant to hold the auger in place and lift an end and drag the log - up hill so far ' to where I section and split them. I am using a Kubota B7800 tractor with loaded rea tires and I've been able to drag logs up to about 18" diameter and roughly 11 feet. They are tough to lift very high - but I only need to get the cut end/edge up enough to make it work.

I think it is not designed for lifting too much weight - but an amatuer and just don't know.

The togs might do, but a pair large enough for the Walnut I dealt with would be pretty expensive and heavy.

You can't just use hvy duty chain with a hook on the end? It'd be a bit of work tunneling it under the end you're lifting but I would think it would offer similar lifting/dragging dynamics to tongs.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I think that for those who are not willing or want to drop coin on fancy smancy forestry winch setup. A 3 point logging tong setup is cheap and easy, together with a possible solution like this with a heavy set of wheels and an arch like construction was on my mind. But my fabrication skills are not up to this level quite yet.

 

[WranglerX]

I think that for those who are not willing or want to drop coin on fancy smancy forestry winch setup. A 3 point logging tong setup is cheap and easy, together with a possible solution like this with a heavy set of wheels and an arch like construction was on my mind. But my fabrication skills are not up to this level quite yet.


View attachment 826101

Might be time to push the envelope, fabrication wise....

 

[charlessenf]

You can't just use hvy duty chain with a hook on the end? It'd be a bit of work tunneling it under the end you're lifting but I would think it would offer similar lifting/dragging dynamics to tongs.

Right.The chain is slid under the log, brought up around it and hooked to itself - forming a noose. "Tunneling" under the log, when it's flat on the ground is often accomplished by sliding a branch where you'd like to put the chain. The sma diameter of the flexible (green) branch makes it rather easy to bore a 'tunnel' large enough to slip my chain through - only need about a 1" diameter hole. Then use the branch/stick to push teh hook and chain through. Remember, a 24" diameter log is only tangent to the ground for a short distance (technically one point) so it ain't like boring for a highway or RR!

 

[TractorTYMe]

Might be time to push the envelope, fabrication wise....

Just lack of time and I don't have my own shop. BUT I do have a logging winch for my tractor.

 

[CalG]

I think that for those who are not willing or want to drop coin on fancy smancy forestry winch setup. A 3 point logging tong setup is cheap and easy, together with a possible solution like this with a heavy set of wheels and an arch like construction was on my mind. But my fabrication skills are not up to this level quite yet.


View attachment 826101

Man! I would love one of those right now. I've got a dozen hemlock sections that I could like to move about a mile down the way to a neighbor with a band saw mill just to get a stock of 1 inch boards out of. Not worth the price of a log truck, And too far to carry cross wise on the bucket .
That and a half dozen of them need to go across the grass yard. Not looking good to the wife on that front ;-)

 

[Jstpssng]

Man! I would love one of those right now. I've got a dozen hemlock sections that I could like to move about a mile down the way to a neighbor with a band saw mill just to get a stock of 1 inch boards out of. Not worth the price of a log truck, And too far to carry cross wise on the bucket .
That and a half dozen of them need to go across the grass yard. Not looking good to the wife on that front ;-)

Just go buy one. Or pick up a bandsaw and do it yourself. I am always willing to tell other people how to spend their money. Meanwhile I am taking a week off this month to cut wood so that I can pay myself back for some of my own toys!

 

[CalG]

Just go buy one. Or pick up a bandsaw and do it yourself. I am always willing to tell other people how to spend their money. Meanwhile I am taking a week off this month to cut wood so that I can pay myself back for some of my own toys!

At this point in my life, I don't see the sense in spending $1000=$3000 so I can work my butt off for $250 worth of hemlock boards.

I've got a 1000bdfof hardwood stacked and stickered that I can't see using in my lifetime.

 

[Rockbadchild]

OK, I'll bite. What's a sling choker?

Anything like a Henway?

cable chocker, or logger chocker

 

[John_Mc]

NOW I CAN TURN CAP LOCK OFF... Thanks to everyone else that contributed to this thread. like I said in my last post everything went smooth and all of the logs are banked up waiting to be hauled to the mill.

Glad to hear that you got some good advice from those who have actually used similar equipment to get the same type of work done you were asking about, and that you were able to get done what you needed to. While it's good to use some caution and seek out advice when trying something different, sometimes you also need to know when to ignore those who feel the need to be insulting when they know absolutely nothing about you or your level of experience

 

[cmyoung2]

Here is a fairly small logging arch, built to handle a 25" by 16' log. Started off for a 2wheel BCS tractor, but I also made the hitch so I can pull it with a regular tractor or a truck(slowly) I usually use tongs to lift, but I can also use chains or chokers. Built the arch out of 2" tube, old trailer hubs and leftover tires/wheels. Just a hand winch on top, I think I'm on the second one so far( I tend to try to pick up stuff that may be too heavy)
I now have a Farmi winch, but the arch is still useful.

 

[Jstpssng]

I once used a middle buster, mounted backwards with the blade removed to bring out an 8 cord load of tree length fir, using 3 chokers hooked into grab hooks mounted on the implememt. It worked very well,except that I had to back up to each tree.

 

[CalG]

I once used a middle buster, mounted backwards with the blade removed to bring out an 8 cord load of tree length fir, using 3 chokers hooked into grab hooks mounted on the implememt. It worked very well,except that I had to back up to each tree.

I've removed the bucket from the scrape bucket from time to time and used the arches to lift the log butts using chains.

 

[Jstpssng]

I've removed the bucket from the scrape bucket from time to time and used the arches to lift the log butts using chains.

Anything to get the end of the log up is helpful. My winch works best for me, yet a lot of people including the OP can't justify that expense.