Wanted to test my new chain mounts and attempt getting up the hill with them. As always when I test something I go to extremes. No problem moving chunks on flat ground this size but up a frozen hill. Nope, still not working. Tires spin and turns the dirt to ice. By the time I got to the top this is all I had left LOL. Had to cut off rounds on the several different attempts. Learning real fast it’s not worth going down that hill. I’ll clean up the rest of that oak but I’m not going looking for more wood down there. Stacked the shag hickory I got from the bottom of that hill. Never had any shag before. Might not ever have it again. Kept it separate of course. Split a load of oak today. I’ll leave stacking for a different day. Took a load of bark to fill the soft spots in the new trail. While I was there with the little wagon I decided to pick up a couple pieces down that hill I had cut off to get up. Some Black Birch my sisters cutting too to fill the wagon. I’m not lifting those big rounds in the wagon. Tilt and roll in. So only one big one per load
jo191145 I am missing something, why are you trying to haul logs up the hill with a four wheeler when you have a winch on your splitter, is it too long of a straight pull for the winch? I have a couple acres where if trees go down they stAy there as it’s swampy and not worth it
I think this is why some people use a winch on the back of the tractor to pull a log up a hill rather than use the tractor. Course, that log was a fattee !
Actually not a bad question. Comes down to the equipment I have and what is easier for me. I could buck and split at the bottom of the hill. And I’ve definitely been considering it. Not quite there yet One, I’m not crazy about bringing my splitter into the woods. It has a low hydraulic filter on it. One wrong move and I see it getting ripped off. Yes I could be careful and get it down there. I prefer to be stubborn in my tactics as once I start doing that I’ll make a habit of it Two, even my tractor with larger trailer won’t get up that hill. Therefor I’d be stuck taking up splits in that little wagon. Too time consuming. The splitter hoist is connected to the atv winch. Would have to jump back and forth taking the splitter off and putting the trailer on. Or drop the splits and then pick them back up later. By getting long logs out of the woods I can buck them in the processing area and lift the bigger ones with the splitter winch. Never lifting anything until it’s split and no unloading trailers. I’ve taken lazy to a whole new level.
I do have a JD farm tractor. Not only will it not pull a log up that hill but I’m doing my best to stay off the tractor. It’s not designed for easy personnel access. I’m too gimpy to be climbing up and jumping off that thing all day.
I was thinking the same thing. Polaris, right? What model? Also, if traction is the issue, rear v chains will help a ton. Nice log arch! Could you post up some details about it? I do most of my woods work and hauling from the woods with an ATV as well.
Like these.. In winter, whether it's snow covered, ice covered, or dirt, the v bar chains on back make all the difference. I've seen some guys use chains in front too, but I think that's far less as effective as the rear chains are
2018 Sportsman 570 Utility edition. The utility has lower gearing. A front hitch which I use for the splitter. Allows me to use the winch on the splitter without buying another. Came with Bear Claw tires. Purty aggressive tread pattern for stock. I forget the rated towing capacity. 1250lbs I think. I’m surely beyond that at times. One reason I wouldn’t bother with tire chains. I’m already pulling more than I should. Add extra traction and I’ll tear the rear end off it. Lighter loads will be the key for this hill. All the rest of the property is flat. No problem there. Arch I bought used. Replaced the hand crank with a 4500lb winch and deep cell battery. Just welded some new chain anchoring points a few inches farther forward than the usual balance point. Put a little extra weight on the quad for traction. Bottom line it’s just too much weight to pull up that hill. Wanted to try tho.
That’s how I got the big hickory log up that hill. Not fun. This was a test of the new hitch points. See what happens.
Went back down the hill today. Took four loads out. Only got pics of two. First load some small sticks. No problem, walked right up the hill. Second load was three sticks. Still not bad. Spun a little. Third load was a trunk section. Not good. Dug a lot of holes now that the frost is out of the ground. Gotta say that’s some nice dark topsoil in that wet hole Eventually gave up, Dropped it and cut it there. Went and got the little cart got it out in two loads. I’ve decided no more arch in the hole. Have 2 acres in the hole and 38 flat. I’ll use the cart for this tree and move on.
When I started to read this, I didn't think it was going to be a "feel good" story. As it turns out, I do feel good about myself knowing there are others that experience the same learning curve as I do. Thanks for the rescue and boosting to my ego...... Looks like you were adding "mud weight" as you went along. My trails got all tore up this past year too. I'm just too damm stubborn to find a new access route. What is it about us guys that we keep resisting change? Must be wood cutting thing.
Your welcome for the boost In reality it’s all new to me. Oh I’ve been cutting for years but all new strategies and equipment. And it’s even a new access trail. Built a bridge just to make one central access trail into the heart of the property. Neither my father or I in all the years we cut have ever ventured down this hill tho. Never was a need. Still isn’t except this big tree came down and it’s visible from the road. Womenfolk don’t like that So it was a challenge. One that almost got the best of me LOL
Nice bridge! I've got the same thing going in my timber as well. My crick crossing is good going one way, but the way back a winch is needed. Lots of mud on the bank. It's a little wider than yours and the spring floods would move any type of bridge. I have to get a CAT and breaker run in there this year. There's 20 acres on the other side that hasn't been harvested for firewood for over 30 years. A couple walnut tree harvests took place.The skidder crosses the crick with no issues. There's lots of wood over there, but plenty of easier pickings on the accessible side. I haven't started burning wood yet, but am trying to get a jump on a 3 year plan. I did just get an email this afternoon that the stove I want is now available at the dealer. Headed there on Saturday to take a look at it. I haven't taken the plunge on a log arch yet. I have a DR Versa trailer (pictured in my avatar) that I bought for hauling logs, rounds and splits. It's fine for rounds and split wood with the cargo box, but when the box is off and it's supposed to be log mover, the jury is still out. I tried it a little and wasn't impressed. It seems everything I buy, needs to be modified.
