Hookaroon/Pickaroon-Potato/Potahto??

OK, I’ve been using a axe to stick into the ends of some fairly large rounds to get them to the tractor loader bucket and to move rounds closer to the splitter. Because of some pretty significant back issues that will likely require surgery (I’m 72 and resisting stubbornly ) and the fact that bending and picking up these rounds over the years has most definitely contributed to the back damages, I am looking at one of these tools.
The reading that I’ve done and the searching of posts here on FHC have me confused as to which tool is the best for my application. The axe has been OK, but some white oak and dead and down larger cherry the axe just would NOT stick in the ends.
I am partial to a wood handled tool and probably 36” long. I’m 6-2 and being able to stand up as much as possible is important to me. I still have pretty good upper body strength so being able to stick the round and either drag it or pick it up with both hands on the axe handle seems to work OK.
Back to the title: Do I want a Hookaroon or Pickaroon and some brand suggestions if y’all would be so kind?
Thanks So Much!!

 

I believe a pickaroon is a shorter tool designed more for pulling slabs in a sawmill setting and the hookaroon is a longer handled tool that you are wanting. I would look at Council tools and Peavey for wood handled models.

 

Here ya go.

What is a Hookaroon, Pickaroon? | Timber Therapy

Lenny


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Great article and explanation. Thanks for sharing that, I learned things....

 

Thanks, that’s likely the best explanation that I’ve seen!

 

I bought the Husky hookaroon and find it extremely useful and effective. Relatively cheap too.
Husqvarna 31.5" Hookaroon OEM #596292502 | Safford Equipment Company

 

Thanks! That’s the tool that I have been looking at but then got sidetracked by not realizing what the difference in the two tool’s really was! I have been guilty of buying tools in the past that ended up not being the right fit for the task.

 

OK, Thanks for all of the information! I’m considering the Council Tool and the Peavy Hume. There is a difference in the head weights and for what I want to do it seems the heavier head might be an advantage? Like to hear your experience and suggestions..
Thanks!

 

I have the Council Tool hookaroons, 1 with fiberglass, and 1 with a wood handle, both 36", and for what you're after, these are what I'd suggest. No experience with the Peavey.

I'm 6'5", and use mine for basically the same reason you want yours, moving rounds. I find the hook more aggressive and it keeps stuck in better than a pickeroon might. Especially, if you are dealing with large rounds and have to lean into it a bit. I use to run a Fiskars, which is more a pickeroon and for this task, it's not as good. I'd actually had it come unstuck, if I really leaned into a round to get it on edge sometimes.

 

I don't go wood cutting without my 36" logrite pickaroon. There's no real head weight to it and I don't see a reason to want it different. It's a real back saver for loading the truck.







 

What is a Hookaroon, Pickaroon? | Timber Therapy I like mine to be light, nimble, sharp and sticky. So according to this article, it is a pickaroon. I have a heavier Hookaroon and don't like anything about it. Something a Troll would use. I use the pickaroon most for moving splits around or adjusting and pulling rounds under the crane hoist of my trailer. An absolute must when working the hydro or unloading the trailer. When I am out to gather firewood, I would rather go home than be without my pickaroon!

 

Sounds like my back is related to your back and we do similar work.
From my experience you’re better off building your own. None of the aforementioned tools are really designed for picking heavy rounds.
This tool will hold 200lbs of wood hanging off it and release with a good slap on the handle. This one’s an 18” Estwing camp hatchet. I’m short. I liked the Estwing because of the steel handle. The blade is rather thin though which doesn’t grip as well. The original I built on a cheap 14” hatchet gripped even better. The handle just couldn’t take the beating.
I tried longer pieces, didn’t care for it much as the handle seems to get in the way slinging stuff onto the splitter. You may be doing something different tho.

 

Thanks for this! I seem to remember your build thread on that tool. I’m primarily grabbing up rounds to get to the splitter or tractor bucket so not lifting them very high. We split mostly vertical so getting the rounds up on the splitter isn’t done very often although I will split horizontal occasionally if the rounds aren’t very big.

 

I have two of these but they are orange and have stihl labels. Same thing though.

 

This reminds me of something a Klingon from Star Trek would use if he were a fire wood hoarder!

 

Made a double claw out of a $17 axe. Looked very intimidating. Didn’t last 10 minutes tho LOL

 

Log rite pickaroon for me. Have a few. Don’t go to the woods without it , like ever. Especially this time of year - rather the logrite take a snake bite than my hand ! Killed many a snakes with mine.

 

Fiskars hookaroon for me. Got it about 9 months ago. Wish I had bought it 25 years ago.

 

yup, the Fiskars hookaroon is great for moving large rounds and emptying the pickup.

 

Used Log Rite pickaroons for years. When I replaced the tips on both of them, I made a new long handled one for unloading the rounds out of the 8' box on the truck using the old tip .