Using Tractors for Cutting/Handling Firewood

[Colonel Monk]

Howdy All:

Relatively new to the forum with our "inherited" Kubota 2550 with FEL and BB....

I've hauled a few standing dead logs to "sawbuck acres" where we cut and store our wood. Sure a heck of a lot easier than cutting a log in the woods/swamp and humping it one piece at a time to the truck.

Yesterday I chained a 30 ft elm to the bucket and lifted it to cut height and use it as a sawbuck... Had to cut a few pieces off each side at a time to keep it balanced. Was pretty happy with the process, but it got me wondering if others had more solid ideas of how to use the bucket to lift and cut log lengths/tree lengths....

What kind of "crude" attachments have you made to make this easier? A grapple would be cool, but seems like alot of money if you aren't processing wood commercially..... We get most of our wood from a friend that logs 7 acres a year on his land, and we take the tops. Most of that we cut at the source.

We don't have enough timber here on our property to cut live trees, but there is alot of standing dead and we do use it. So this isn't an everyday deal. Chain worked well enough, but I'd like to know what other options exist.

So, please: what simple ways do you use your tractor to harvest firewood, tips, tricks, methods, and tips on using it to get the wood up off ground for comfortable cutting.

Thanks!!

CM

 

[dbaer78]

If money puts a grapple out of the question front forks do wonders for woods work. I have a 3pt skidding winch but I started out with a home made log hitch for the 3pt that would lift the but ends of logs off the ground so I could skid them to the landing. I've spent a lot of time with a tractor in the woods....it's probably my favorite hobby.

 

[k0ua]

I have a grapple now, but forks as noted above are quick and easy.

 

[nybirdman]

We purchased a used L3000DT to do just what you are doing.The previous owner had used it for exactly this purpose.It already had hooks welded to the bucket,we fabricated a skid device for the three point with chain attachments and a ball for the trailer.I have a bucket grapple on my large tractor but it is cabbed and tough to get in the woods.If we had the "Green's Machine" thumb on the small tractor it would be perfect.

 

[dbaer78]

One of the coolest ways I've seen to get a log off the ground for cutting is a hydraulic 3pt skidding grapple. These can be pricey too tho. Look up a company called keina I think. They make a simple one that's not outrageously priced. They have a good action video too.

 

[Baby Grand]

Here's my present method (until I get a winch):

Notice the shorty logs set under the one hanging from the boom pole - this gets my bar out of the dirt enough to cut to splitting length (22").
No where near ideal and still rough on my old back.
The boom pole is not an ideal way to skid logs, either, as the attachment is high and the pulling load is transfered to the tractor high; thru the top link. This presents a real "oportunity" for doing a back flip, with me getting crushed under the tractor, as well as creating roll instability when turning.
For this reason, I only lift with the tongs and always pull with a separate chain or rope attached to the frame mounted drawbar:

 

[kco]

I try to avoid dragging logs so as not to get dirt in the tree(which quickly dulls the chain), but I do often drag them short distances out of thick bush.

I find the toothbar handy for lifting logs. Just drive under it, curl and lift. It is possible to lift and balance medium-sized, 70' fir and pines across the teeth and then cut from both ends so it stays balanced across the bucket. This works particularly well if cutting with a neighbour. We mark the entire log and each cut on opposite ends, maintaining the balance. It takes just a few minutes to cut up the entire log.

If the tree is too large I just raise the butt using a tooth or two.

I also have a log jack where it is impractical to lift with the tractor:



And a Smart Holder for cutting smaller wood:



I'd like to make a bracket to attach the Smart Holder to the tractor bucket. It improves safety, particularly when cutting those smaller tree ends and branches--much better than holding them with a foot!

I don't cut a lot of wood at one time and don't have far to haul. So I mainly just use the bucket(about 1/8 cord) for hauling and split each day's haul at the storage shed. However, if cutting larger trees I stack them in the bush and get them later with a carryall(about 1/2 cord including 1/8 cord in the bucket).

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Chain and hooks on the bucket work well for me and that big heavy tree trunk.

 

[catskinner]

I skid all of mine to a area setup to cut. I have a bunch of different log holders, so far my favorite are the wood dock for <6'' limbs and if I have a helper i put my 3pt log splitter on set in vertical and use it as a log holder. I can back up to a log on the ground, run the wedge to clamp it and then lift it upwhile someone cuts.

 

[JGL]

I cut and trim the trees in the bush, haul them with my 3pt.winch to a clearing. Once my quota of 4-5 cords is met, I go in with my cordsaw and junk the wood to 16''. Once that's done I'll split and cord the wood , later on I'll put plastic on top.