In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Electric powered cart for hauling logs

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Smaug, Feb 6, 2021.

  1. Smaug

    Smaug

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2020
    Messages:
    270
    Likes Received:
    1,918
    Location:
    Lake Toxaway, NC
    Hello all.

    For years I've been using a Gorilla Cart to haul wood out from the forest around my house.
    (I'm selectively removing dead and hanging trees.)
    The terrain around here has some hills and I'm getting tired of pulling several hundred pounds of logs up the various small logging trails I've been using.

    Does anyone have any experience with these electric carts like the one pictured below?
    I like the fact that it is small enough to get between trees and its quiet, and yeah I'll work the heck out of it since I harvest about 5 to 6 cords a year. Do you think I'll break it?

    I've seen the gas powered 4x4 Yardmax ones but they are out of my budget right now...

    Thank you in advance.
    SmartSelect_20210206-151344_Amazon Shopping.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2021
  2. Warped5

    Warped5

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2014
    Messages:
    177
    Likes Received:
    618
    Location:
    Northwest IN
    There are options .....

    Eltschinger Industries makes one powered by an Echo engine ... Little Helper Cart | PaulHaul

    Don't know that I'd trust the battery one. Looks a bit on the lightweight side.
     
  3. Geoff C

    Geoff C

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2019
    Messages:
    209
    Likes Received:
    1,190
    Location:
    NEPA
  4. Andimus Prime

    Andimus Prime

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2019
    Messages:
    218
    Likes Received:
    1,334
    Location:
    NW NC
    $4k for a 2 stroke powered hand truck? How bout this?
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Smaug

    Smaug

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2020
    Messages:
    270
    Likes Received:
    1,918
    Location:
    Lake Toxaway, NC
    I'd love to have one of those Yardmax machines...
    If they were half the price.

    Right now I'm looking for a (very) used ATV for under $1K.
    I'm a pretty good mechanic and fabricator, so maybe I can work something out.
     
    Horkn, Eckie, Chazsbetterhalf and 3 others like this.
  6. Andimus Prime

    Andimus Prime

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2019
    Messages:
    218
    Likes Received:
    1,334
    Location:
    NW NC
    Sorry I completely missed this part. :sherlock:
     
  7. JWinIndiana

    JWinIndiana

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2017
    Messages:
    1,398
    Likes Received:
    8,318
    Location:
    NorthWest Indiana
    I have been kicking around the idea of finding an old snowblower. Self propelled that the blades are shot but the drivetrain is good. Take the blower assembly off, build a box with a pair of "crazy wheels" under it at the front. So this spring that is on my list of watching on FB or CL or the auctions. Would think a hundred should buy it, worst case scenario another hundred invested and a self propelled wheel barrow for less than 300 easily!
     
  8. Smaug

    Smaug

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2020
    Messages:
    270
    Likes Received:
    1,918
    Location:
    Lake Toxaway, NC
    Great minds think alike!
    I was also looking at those two wheel tractors as inspiration.
    I bet it could be turned into a pretty neat log skidded. Its not like I'm going to be dragging giant trees around...
     
  9. Nitrodave

    Nitrodave

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2014
    Messages:
    1,073
    Likes Received:
    7,314
    Location:
    Grayling Mi.
    Recommend a hydraulic drive one over the friction drive ones.... frictions don’t have a ton of pulling power
     
  10. JWinIndiana

    JWinIndiana

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2017
    Messages:
    1,398
    Likes Received:
    8,318
    Location:
    NorthWest Indiana
    Now that is something I hadn't thought of. Thanks for the information!
     
  11. Stlshrk

    Stlshrk

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2018
    Messages:
    327
    Likes Received:
    3,564
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Smaug , I see that you're in NC. Along the same or similar lines as the snow blower idea, what about salvaging / fabricating from a rear tine roto-tiller? I'm just thinking of the self propelled aspect plus I'd be willing to bet that they are far more plentiful in NC than snow blowers. You could probably get one that doesn't run at all for almost ZERO and put a predator engine from Harbor Freight on it for $99 on sale. Then fabricate away. In fact, it sounds like fun, now that I'm thinking about it! :dremel::stacker::woodsign::axe:
     
  12. Smaug

    Smaug

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2020
    Messages:
    270
    Likes Received:
    1,918
    Location:
    Lake Toxaway, NC
    Excellent idea!
    I'll fire up a browser and see what I can come up with.
    I'm also playing with the idea of getting a wrecked ATV and seeing what I can make out of it.
    A plasma cutter and wire feed welder can do some amazing things.
    Perhaps a walk behind mower could also be used. So many options. Thanks for opening up my mind to other possibilities.

    I'll let you all know if I come up with something.
     
  13. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2019
    Messages:
    27,375
    Likes Received:
    163,247
    Location:
    North Haven, Connecticut
    I know Reloader has one. I think its the DR one. Maybe he can chime in. Ive thought of getting something like that as i use a wheelbarrow to get wood out of my woods on occasion.
     
  14. Lennyzx11

    Lennyzx11

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    Messages:
    586
    Likes Received:
    3,990
    Location:
    Bennington Vermont USA
    I read of using electric wheelchair drives as a basis for one also. I was thinking of powering a wheelbarrow with one. Never went farther than beer thoughts on that project yet though.

    As an add on. A little sulky/trailer to stand on for the ride would be nice.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  15. Geoff C

    Geoff C

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2019
    Messages:
    209
    Likes Received:
    1,190
    Location:
    NEPA
    Anybody looking to fab something up look into old 2 wheel tractors like David Bradley’s
     
  16. amateur cutter

    amateur cutter

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2013
    Messages:
    5,826
    Likes Received:
    46,607
    Location:
    Gun Lake MI
    I had a DR Power Wagon & it was handy. Sold it last summer after buying my third loader tractor.:loco: :crazy: Really didn't need it anymore. I would look at walk behind commercial mowers because the drive line is all there. Fab up a box in place of the deck & go.
     
  17. arizonasportsman

    arizonasportsman

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2019
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    25
    Location:
    Prescott, Arizona
    The price tag of the Yardmax wheel barrow gives me pause, but I think I may end up with one at some point. Much of my property is fairly steep, but I think one of these would make it feasible to access areas I’ve given up on accessing previously.
     
  18. DNH

    DNH

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2015
    Messages:
    695
    Likes Received:
    3,213
    Location:
    Missouri
    The hydraulic motors on some mowers are not made for pulling/pushing loads. My Exmark owners manual say not to pull a cart over 80 pound. I can’t see any problem if you removed the mower deck from a walk behind and put a wheelbarrow size cart on it.
     
    JackHammer, Horkn, Stlshrk and 2 others like this.
  19. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2019
    Messages:
    3,498
    Likes Received:
    24,132
    Location:
    North central Nebraska
    Has anyone ever looked at or tried a concrete buggy? Even a used one is out of my price range but they look like they should be the ultimate. Power dump, easily handle the weight of a full load of even fresh cut green wood.
     
    JackHammer, Horkn, Eckie and 2 others like this.
  20. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,048
    Likes Received:
    95,627
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    BrianK has played with budget friendly power carts