Kubotas at play. Er, I mean work!

Very nice.

I have the same tractor and a 5ft cheapo TSC box blade for the same purpose. Works well. A bit tough for final grade trying to "float" the blade. A land plane would be really nice for that

 

..... as he type's with a big smile.

 

They are handy but make sure your common sense is fully engaged when using one. It's length is a pretty big "lever" on the back that can put forces on the tractor pretty high above the c/g of the machine. On sloping ground keep your attachment point as low and close in as possible. Just trying to caution you, not scare you away. I must be getting old, not that long ago they could be had all day long for $60-$80 bucks.

 

Yeah, I've since changed my mind on that.

As stated, too high for the tractor's COG.

So, anyone have any input on this?

Solid Skidder™ 3-Point Skidding Plate - Select a Model | Quick Attach!

Don't know the price point on it.
But they offer financing.


Usually that means

 

Main reason I'm trying to find a log lift for the tractor is because I'd rather not destroy the new lower crossing by just dragging them across. I've got a lot to be brought across.

The gas pipeline project is on hold due to litigation by NY State. I think it'll finally get the "go ahead". When/if they do then all the trees on the right side of this pic will be dropped around 30 ft into the woodline.

I'll need to move a lot of wood.

 

Wait for slow guy blowing snow Pics.. Ain't done yet.. When I start threatening to move South

Haven't seen grass since November

 

It looks like fairly young regrowth and you might be able to pick one end of those trees up to hitch it high. Are you "cleaning" them up before dragging them home in a log form?
One concern is that I don't think that log in their pic was hitched up with the log laying on the ground (picked up first so that the butt plate contacted the end of the log).
I have used a bunch of cheap skate methods over the years including hooking logs in one way or another to a rear blade, a box blade, and even a $25 drawbar that would lower within 4" or so from the ground getting maximum lift height. That butt plate on your link (in relation to the 3 point pin location) looks like it may "cost" you 6-8" of your lift "stroke".


or something like this. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71HrYdeC87L._SL1500_.jpg $80.

 

Keep your eye out, might catch one on c/l or something for $40. You could let it rust in the weeds for that money if your not happy with it.
Seems like if your not looking for what ever right now, they pop up cheap.

 

The lower the hitch, the less leverage you have to flip the tractor over with. The vertical red line is the primary issue, but the horizontal plays a role, too. This hitch is unnecessarily (and unsafely) high.

The blue would be better. And not lifting the three pt so high would be even better.

 

I have little education in tractor's, hence the questions.

The drawbar might do the trick for me.
As stated, there's no seriously large diam trees. I was more worried about logs slamming into the back of the tractor.

I'm not sure when they may be coming through, but I'd like to start tackling a lot of them. There's no damage risk, so it's a great place for me to try and hone my felling skills.

I certainly can't wait till they come through dropping everything, I wouldn't be able to keep up.

I will keep my eyes open, one could still come in handy, just not for log skidding.

Well, to be fair, they were working on some pretty level ground, and the vid does show them skidding it lower as well.

As stated above, I thought the fact that it has a backplate would be beneficial, but not knowing the cost.


I thank you guys for the input. It is not in vain, I'm looking to use the tractor, and obviously do it safely.

 

I’d bet the skid plate is at least two or three times more safe than the boom pole for skidding logs. And I really like the butt plate on it (my winch is older and only has legs, so the logs sometimes slide under it when going downhill).

The JD tractor in the video should be able to safely pull about 10x the load of that little tree, but only if it were attached much lower.

 

I'm not sure that it will be a major issue, but a lot of the skidding will be downhill.

That's why I was interested in something keeping the log away from the rear of the tractor, but that does present a big problem of leverage and moment load.

The one I posted today does seem much safer for skidding logs, but I am leery of the fact that the price point is not presented upfront.

 

Here’s some fun reading for skidding ideas/alternatives. I wonder if a trailer of sorts would be more efficient for you. My winch is essentially/functionally what they show on pg 22. Note the row of chain hooks and lower pulley for skidding relative to the 3pt arms - this is equivalent to the drawbar fuelrod showed.
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/publications/general_publications/farm_tractor_in_the_forest.pdf

 

Humm I think some pics of our hill need to be taking so you can see what he is dealing with. Very steep.

 

"Seat time" Chaz. That's all you need. Get to know how the tractor reacts to....... so you'll know when your starting to screw up. Those cheap old poles usually have 2 (high & low) positions along with your hitch height, and it can be done safely as long as you know your machine and the forces that your "load" will impose on it. Same go's for all and any tractor use or implement. Up hill is different than down and both are different "loaded" vs. empty. Same go's for side hill. Know your machine.

 

"Almost" is better than the alternate.

 

Do you have quick attach on your FEL? Get a set of forks, cut you logs where you can get a set number of rounds of each one and haul them out that way. Won't tear up the ground or get dirt all in them. Example, we cut our wood 18", so in the video I posted about the long trip, we cut logs 6', get four rounds from each log, made getting up the hill a lot simpler. If you are going down hill, fo slow and keep load low.

 

Loading a 6 1/2'- 28" dia oak log using chain and tongs.
Taking a big round to the splitter.


Carrying a 7 1/2' hickory log with the forks to the trailer.

 

No quick attach for FEL, no forks yet.

The hillside isn't something I'm sure the tractor is suited for. The angle is steep, and trying to cross without creating a trail seems foolhardy.

This is about the best pic I have on my phone that shows the steepness.

If you can rotate so the trees are properly vertical, then you can see the slope. Otherwise it's to the creative imagination.