FEL is even better. Do you have hooks welded on top of your bucket? We have 2 welded on top, we hook a 6' chain between them with the log tongs attached. I hook logs off center a little, let log rest under bucket, and pick it off the ground. No dragging. Since we cut our wood 18", we cut most logs 10'6", which will yeild 7 rounds per log. Unless they are really big logs, it will handle them fine. Big logs we cut shorter, I will try to post pictures later today when I get home. For the small stuff that the tongs won't hook on, I use my forks.
In the first two pics, the oak log is about 2' dia and 10'6" long, the next pic is a 44-45" block that a tree service cut down, had about 7 off that tree, the last one is a 44"×6' white oak log, I do have a 800# counterweight I made on the back of the tractor, easier to manuever in the woods, but a heavy box blade would work as well.
I'm here . Lots of ways to skin a cat. I use the skidding winch and I also use a chain on the hooks of the bucket as well as some cheap screw on forks. I had used a set of tongs that were junk, I would get some references on which set to by if that was the route taken, mine didn't work for me on a tube arm like for an auger(and I bent that too). As far as the tool I would certainly try to see if I could try it out, I would also ask why he is getting rid of it, if he decided to get another setup such as a skidding winch you can ask about the benefits as well as the drawbacks of this system. I would hope that just as on here most have tried many different setups that work well for them, and have tried others that have not and they will be forward about both; that being said this guy should have a little experience to share with you as well as us, so be sure to invite him to FHC . Remember not everything works well for everyone, and sometimes what doesn't work well for one person works great for another(am I repeating myself ).
Yes! I have hooks welded on bucket. Very handy. I don't take my bucket or forks into woods unless I really need to. That extra length to front of tractor really affects my maneuverability. When I get to smaller stuff I slide pintle hitch into receiver and use a chain to drag out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When I first got my tractor I used a quick hitch with log tongs hanging from the top of it this works very well .A few months ago I bought a three point logging winch and just like others have said here I am spoiled don't ever want to be without one .
I like having my bucket on in case I need to push small bushes, briars or piles of limbs out of the way. My bucket is a pin on, so removing it is a problem. If I had quick attach and extra hydraulics, no question I would have a grapple. I try not to drag as much to save soil disturbance and keep logs cleaner. Just some ideas, brother.
Thanks. I don't cut much wood from my home property as it was extensively cut in '07. So in true country boy fashion, we figured out how to "get-er-done." I've pulled some that I had to set one end on the trailer and hook the other end and push it on. I enjoy our FHC site. Maybe I can find some more pics of our crazy antics...lol
I try to get most of my skidding done when the ground is froze, it will be a rutted up mess if you keep dragging on same trails so I know what your saying. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Me either, most of what I cut here is just 14" black locust that are dead standing, and then whenever I clear things out. I've hauled plenty of logs my tractor wouldn't come close to picking up just as you said, by loading one end at a time. If you have a skidding winch and the tractor is at the house you can also double back off a tree and pull logs right off the back in a more confined space. I do similar with a rope and a pulley when my tractor isn't there; I tie the rope onto the log, then thru the pulley on a tree, then back to the trailer, I can make a pretty nice pile like that with no equipment at the house if my tractor is on the other end. Just a few thoughts/options.
I bought my winch from Reed Supply Company ,St. Johnsbury,Vermont They had the best price it is an Egland 3501
Yup , that about sums it up in a nutshell lol I've got 3 logging winches , all used from local sales , a Norse 180 for my MF1020 , a Igland 4001 that gets run on my MF135 and the YM336 plus I just picked up a unknown hydraulic logging winch of Scandi origin that I think I'll run on the Yanmar . I found a 5 ton Austrian winch last week for my Blaw for 1500$ , mine were 700$, 900$ and 1000$ , it'll be a cold day before I sell one of mine unless I score a deal on an upgrade
FWIW, I've never had a problem with the 3 pt attachment above and a choker chain. I only lift the log 3-6" off the ground. If I ever were to tip backward, it would only go 3-6" and then the chain would go slack. No Problem.
We unloaded almost the same way, I have a 10-12' choker cable around an oak tree about 7' up. Back the trailer up to it, hook tongs or chain to log and pull trailer out from under it. Roll log down slope with cant hook and repeat. Finally got older and smarter and bought the dump trailer.
This is our counterweight made from an old metal table turned upside down and welded to old implement frame. The rollers are from a D8 dozer undercarriage. Makes a nice place to store chains and tongs, axe and a great bumper. I can pull with the ball or move trailer around. Our splitter frame is made to hook up to top angle iron if I need to take it somewhere on the trailer. I'll post pictures of that later. Hope all of my FHC friends have a blessed and wonderful day.
That's great. I've never had a cant hook, but there have been a few situations that it would have been helpful, but I've made it this far. A dump trailer would be nice, but then I would have to graduate to a real truck and I'm not there yet. If i sell my tractor and get a mini skid then I will have less reason to get one as mine will continue to work for a while longer. I been doing what I can to avoid the jump, but most likely it will happen, the question is how soon. I'll get some later, unless someone posts a picture from the gtg last year at Dennis' place lol. I don't use mine for skidding as much as i had hoped, but it makes a great ballast and a strong bumper, but the things I bump into don't fare well .
