Have been considering using a log arch to get logs out of the woods. But the question remains... why not just continue doing what I've been doing... buck the log where it dropped and haul it out. If it's thick, I manually clear access with machete, loppers and chainsaw. So, for those who have used a log arch, what is the advantage?The log has to be bucked anyway once you get to your splitter base! A negative is my tight trails would need to be further widened or made more sweeping curves. Granted, I have a side by side to get rounds out. A concern is limited Gator payload, although, at my age, maybe filling a Gator bed is enough! Not sure how many rounds worth of a log I could pull out with log arch. I also have a Honda Foreman 500 atv. Of course, I also have been considering a trailer behind either the Gator or the Honda. For rounds. Or there are some coole trailers that you could put logs in but you'd need a way to get them in there... winch or grapple. Each time I think through all of this, I'm thinking that simply bucking in place and hauling out is faster. Wondering if I'm missing something. Another reason for even considering a log arch is hauling logs out for sale, not to buck for firewood. If I could find a market!
I use an arch and it’s a huge work saver. I doubt I would still be capable doing wood without it. The arch picks up the wood. No rounds to pick up, no trailer to load. Simply imagine never having to load and unload your trailer again. I buck right next to my splitter which has a log lift. Bigger rounds I can roll on the lift. Smaller ones I use hatcharoon or a timberclaw to move them. IMO it’s a no brainer unless you enjoy the hard work.
I'd love to have some form of an arch system. I think anytime I can have wood staged together for whatever purpose, it makes that function faster. Ie, when I used to cut and sell a lot, I would buck wood to "x" length, and take the biggest size I could physically move into truck or trailer. Then pile at home for processing....reasoning - there were lots of times I could find 20-30 minutes to go out and split, where I wouldn't be able to go to a tree somewhere and cut in that timeframe. To me, same general concept for skidding log lengths and them being able to process at will.
The timberclaw was the first hand tool I ever bought to aid in firewoodin. Awesome tool. Then for years I no longer needed it and it got lost. I know it’s around somewhere Just bought another because now with the log lift I can use one again. Same as the first one. A little too blunt. Use a grinder to sharpen those hooks up a bit. Get the point longer/narrower. Then for the piesta da resistance, give those sharp points a little tap inwards just like a fishhook. Night and day performance upgrade Once you get the hang of it they’re very handy. Not just for rounds. I used to load the dumptruck with splits all the time. You can toss splits a Good distance and pretty accurate once you get the hang of it. Can’t do that with a tong or pickaroon too well.
Very valid point. Normally I like to bring the logs right to the point the splitters log lift will be, buck them there. Enough to run the splitter for an hour, maybe two. There are times when I can’t do that. Too wet in the processing area,,,muck up the grass. But I can drive in the woods and fell and retrieve. I have a stash of logs just inside the forest. Yeah overall it’s slower because you’re picking them twice. But the other option would be doing nothing at all so in some aspects it’s faster. Then there’s species or quality seperation. Sometimes you’re acquiring logs you don’t want in a specific pile. You store them until the splitter and conveyor is ready for them. Lyme disease hit me good. I work in short spurts. All my processes have been tailored for that.
Good info on the arch, Joe. I use my Lockhart Firewood Grippers all the time. They are like the Timberclaw. When we buck a tree, we use them to get the rounds to the vehicle/trailer. Unless they're too big. We dolly or roll huge ones.
I mostly prefer to skid to a yard. Second preference is to split at site. Sometimes hauling rounds just works out best.
I like to skid to the yard as well. In the last couple of winters we haven’t had the deep freeze and snow cover, so I’ve been doing a lot of grapple lugging of logs. I cut all of my logs to 8’ for stacking in the wood yard, if I’m lugging with the grapple I cut the trees into 8’ sections in the woods and pile the brush for chipping at the same time. I’ve tried bucking rounds in the woods and piling them up, the problem has been getting back out to them and getting them to the wood yard. I’ve forgotten about random trees that were cut up and stacked for about a year or two. I’d rather forget about a brush pile that needs to be chipped than a pile of firewood. It takes longer to lug logs with the grapple but it keeps the trails nicer. I need to build an arch setup to pull behind the skidding winch. Thinking I can use the skidding winch to lift the logs and then chain them in place, no electric winch or hand crank needed.
Personally, I think a log arch is handiest if you get wood from a property that is not your own and it has to be gone by a certain time, or you have an area where you only have access to for, or at, certain times (wet areas, farmers fields, etc) otherwise, I'd probably just cut on site, as long as you can get a truck/trailer/hauler right close to the wood. Love my Timberclaws! Between those and a couple pickeroons, that's how I carry most wood now. Being able to carry a log on each side keeps my back much happier!
You must be cutting on your own property; or at least the same property where you are processing. A log arch would work in that scenario, but if you are traveling somewhere to cut, I don't see the log arch being as effective; Unless I am missing something?
No I think you’re right. If I’m traveling for wood I use the “trailer arch”. Almost the same concept.
