Logging Tongs......

Hey hoarders. What is your recommendation on tongs? Most of the wood I cut is 18" and below, preference to the stuff that is 12" if I'm being picky.

I skid logs with my tractor, and my initial thought was to get a 16" tong since it was cheap, and most of what I cut is probably 12-16"... but the whole point of the tongs were to grab stuff I didnt want to wrestle a choker around. Im afraid that as soon as I buy the 16, I will be tugging on logs that have it maxed out, and the 16 looks like a crap grab angle when its maxed out.

I could just get the 20, but the way the spikes are orientated, I wasnt sure how well it would grab stuff that was 12" or so. Probably overthinking it, but figured I would ask first. May buy a smaller one and a larger one, but if I can just buy one that would be great.

Skidding Tongs with Ring Red 16 Inch Steel Log Lifting Dragging Log Tongs 193420009415 | eBay

 

For 38 bucks on ebay why not give it a try? That would probably cover 90% of your needs , might have to just deal with the choker for the other 10%.

I do find that the tongs do sometimes slip ( at least mine do ) , the choker although sometimes a pain to deal does not fall off.

Mine are from Northern Tool so probably close to what you are looking at.

 

Not concerned about the price, would rather just buy the right ones the first time. May buy them and buy a bigger set too. Wanted to make sure the 20's would grab smaller stuff just fine.

I already choke everything, I really just want these for the stuff that is a PITA to get a chain on.

 

Have you considered this... ? ... and still use choker chains?

Timberjack

 

Have you tried cable chokers ? They can be pushed through the dirt under a log, between gaps and even up hill.

 

If you're set on tongs, try to find some spring loaded, so they stay where you want them while you saddle up on your tractor. Mine are sometimes a fiasco when using them with a forklift. I have to try to keep tension on them while raising the forks. A guy could hammer them in, but I found that doesn't work 100% of the time for me.

I would agree with Stinny, get a peavey, or cant hook and roll the log over the chain and choke it. 12-16" is still small wnough tk move around for most people.

 

My chain choker has a rod on one end that you can use to get under a log

 

I was just looking at this exact setup. I think I might go this route.

 

Not completely what I wanted to hear, but why I posted. Thank you for the feedback.

 

Ive been looking at them. Either going to try one, or that logging chain with the poke on it.

 

When I use tongs to drag logs off the trailer by myself a lot of times I am on and off the tractor more often than I would like.
Tongs on log , connect chain , get on tractor , tongs fall off , swear a little ( or a lot) , off tractor and try again.

If you have a good hooker to help you then they work great.
No idea the even came spring loaded.

 

Here's the one's I was looking at, but in a 28". This would be your extra set of hands holding it in place.

I do not have experience with them, and haven't bought them yet, because my forklift is down, but they're what I was going to try.

https://www.northerntool.com/produc...spring-skidding-tongs-model-tmw-22sss-5117734

 

I bought one of these at the Paul Bunyan show a few years back, but I suppose one could fashion their own? I feel your pain on choking. Just had to dig a hole under a hickory last weekend to get the chain under it. (didn't have my fancy tool with me and couldn't finagle the log with the tractor where it was)

Grab Rod for Chain Chokers - 3/8" x 38"

 

I wouldn't waste my time with a set of 16" tongs if you're planning on skidding 18" diameter trees. I have a set of 23" and a set of 32" and I think you would find out very quickly that the 16" are too small for the larger diameter trees you're skidding (but might work for light duty with the 12"). I could only find one picture where I have a set in use but I think these were the 32" tongs to give you an idea. Always good to have two sets (one small/medium and one medium/large).

 

This is what I was going to suggest!

 

If we lived closer I would lend you mine!

 

Looks like a giant beetle is grabbing you!

 

You left out the get frustrated start rushing black fingernail part.

 

One reason I like tongs, I've fished many logs out of brush I didn't want to wade in to get a chain around. We have medium and large size tongs. Keep points sharp, never had much trouble with them slipping, unless the bark was loose, then just reset. Before we got the grapple, used them alot. Still use them when wood is too big for grapple or pulling logs in certain situations.
Before we got the grapple. Chain and large tongs, 46 " white oak
Smaller tongs on 12-14" oak logs. Carried many logs like this, keeps them cleaner.
This log was bigger than the grapple.
Pulled this 27" dia pine with the smaller tongs the other day...

 

Those look like the same ones I have. Use em with the skid steer to handle the big rounds. Works best with a man (or granddaughter) on the machine and one on the ground.