What size chain should I use to pull large trees

[Tom4310]

Closeup of the swedged end in the bell. The bell slides up and down the cable so your loop can be as long as you like. When you set the choker, you set it on the side or down low. When you skid the log, it spins the log up so you can "bump" the knots (limbs) off the underside. I am sure there are many options and people have their favorites. These are cheap, light, safe (IMO) and quick to set. As I said, get different lengths and you can skid 3-5 logs at a time to the landing. Hope it helps and I am sure this will generate more opinions. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GregMVT]

Tom, do you have the link to where you ordered the cable? I think they would be a lot easier to use than chain, and could bring down more than one tree at a time. Thanks, Greg.

 

[Tom4310]

Hi Greg

Bailey's online store is:

Bailey's Online USA

Go to store/wire rope grappling/chokers

These are the premade chokers but you can contact them to make longer, different ends etc.

Tom

 

[MMM]

<font color="red"> Synthetics are great for self recovery but have poor abrasion resistance. They don't tolerate misuse like wrapping around sharp edges on equipement to pull.
</font>
With correst termination I don't see the need for wrapping rope (wire or syn)around anything sharp I don't even use a thimble just eye and shackle. With the short length of chain around log the rope doesn't see much ground contact. My 16mm skidding rope has been in use for 6 yrs.

<font color="yellow">Please don't say chain and wire rope are dangerous in a blanket statement. They all have their correct use. Synthetics are dangerous too if you misuse them.
</font>
The thread is about skidding and I am certain which I'd stand behind if I knew they were to part under load. I borrowed the idea from the loggers here They love it. The rope on the drum can be spooled off right at the skidder whithout backlash or a helper. Dragging cable and chain to inaccessible logs hundreds of feet away is tiresome, besides the recoil danger. They also like the extra drum capacity compared to cable. and ease of termination Chain is still used for choker and for binding loads.

 

[penokee]

Tom

Appreciate the pictures. I also have cable chokers from Bailey's, used them when skidding pulpwood logs with my AC H3 a few years back - IMHO easier to work with and safer then chains.

Had a small firewood skidding project this summer and rather then haul the H3, decided to try the Honda Foreman 4x4. Worked like a charm. Trees were pole wood size, up to 10" in diameter and tree length.

Found a few pictures so will post them for what they're worth. I ordered a couple of chokers with a loop on one end, worked good on the ball hitch. Made up a setup for my crawler, will post a picture of that in the future - could skid several logs at one time, from scattered locations.

penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

penokee

 

[penokee]

another pic
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[penokee]

cable choker with loop on one end.
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[penokee]

Last picture - My faithfull Logging Buddy (put in the kennel before the action starts)
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dixiedrifter]

I have an M9000 and have used both a grade 43 and grade 70 3/8" chain and have not broken either one yet.

That includes taking them to a tree that was too big, putting it in 1st gear, putting on the 4wd and locking the diffrentials and digging down about a foot with all 4 tires spinning. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

A 1/2" chain is overkill, IMO. The only way I would see breaking a 3/8" chain is by jerking it.

And I also agree that if your skidding logs a much better choice would be a cable.

 

[stevenf]

I used my new chain today I wish I had pictures it was magnificient I hooked up to an old cedar that was probably 30' tall and 8' around down near the base and just walked it right out of the ground in low low, I'm glad I went with the 30+ feet as it makes me much farther from the action if there is any.
Steve