I can keep going like I have been (chainsaw and my own arms), but looking to be more efficient when I get back to scrounging from the woods. Now, I have a new-to-me Mahindra 49hp tractor but it'll take me a season to figure out the best way to 'harvest' trees. I have been looking at ways to skid logs with a 3pt hitch. From a tractor unless you have a Bobcat Toolcat! Don't I wish! So, there is everything from a $79 Harbor Freight quick-attach gizmo that has a hook on top for a chain or logging tongs, to other brands of the same type attachment, to a gizmo from Norwood for skidding, to this gizmo -- Small Wood Lot Tools - Timber Maintenance, Pre-commercial Thinning, Firewood, Fuel Reduction. And here is a video of it. What I like about it is (if it works as you see) you can hook up a log without leaving your seat. And then unhook. I would think it does not work each time but if it works at all, that is good! What do you think about this? Video... Other than this, and maybe even in lieu of this, I am close to buying a Gorillabac winch. You can put it into any receiver hitch. So, I could use it with my truck, my John Deere Gator and also put a receiver on my utility trailer. Link... Hydraulic Log Splitter Log Lift kit I also own a Honda Foreman 500 ATV. And I spied a very small utility trailer wasting away and caught a realtor at the abandoned home and he said I could have it, so, I will go get it! Small enough for an ATV. Yes, I will take a picture, lol. Might need some work. Of course, a forestry winch is another option (for a tractor owner) and it seems to kinda be the ultimate, but those things are expensive. Not that this other stuff isn't, but a good forestry winch is $4k to $5k. Not sure I want to go that route! But I might. Gearing up for serious aging, lol.
The only thing I worry about with that is getting a stout one because, like right now, I have some stout oak logs! I cut 'em to 8ft cuz they are pretty big, up to 36" diameter. That weighs a bunch. I dunno if I can even skid it with anything, we will see. If not, will buck it smaller. Some boom poles I have seen are not heavy duty. But I'm open. Yet, I find that everybody does not use boom poles, in fact, less do. Most use gizmos that keep the log closer to the tractor seems to me. Now, I did buy a set of tongs, they are 32".
I use a tc40 new holland tractor and all I use is a logging tong or a chain and can drag logs anywhere I want to go.
If you don't enjoy spending dollars and have an extra hour to spare you can build a simple dry that works very well. One nice thing is you can build it to any size; big or small. When I was working in logging and sawmill this is how we did most of our skidding and one does not need a huge tractor to pull them either. The one pictured cost around $10 to build.
Dennis... the dray... do you ever lift the front end if you are using a tractor or does the entire thing always skid? And do you just roll the longs onto the side of the dray by hand? Cool, cheap method.
Here's a pic of how I attach the choker to the box scraper to lift the heavy ends off the ground. I like having the box scraper while backing down the slope and skidding back up the slope. If the front wheels get light its easy to drop the box and try again. Tractors don't like hills, who knew? Brad
That's clever, I wonder if it works as good in real life? Its at that price point where its worth considering but at the same time I have to be pretty confident it will work before dropping that kind of money. Nice find! Brad
I never lift but do cut the front of the skids at an angle so they don't catch. Also yes, I just roll the logs on using a cant hook. In the picture above if you look by the tape measure you will see the bolts stick up. You can use longer bolts if necessary but this size works well as they work as teeth to grab the log as you are rolling it so it doesn't slip. If anyone builds with large runners then a couple ramps would be needed and something in them to grab the log. Of course pallet forks could come in handy for that. Yes, very simple and low cost to build plus not much time needed for assembly.
Thank you. No, most of the time we use it with no snow or frozen ground. But if there is snow you can pull more very easy.
This is what I have. It's my first version. I'd change a few things when I build a second one. I made it from a truck receiver and scrap metal. Second picture is a load of locust posts.
Don't do it like this guy. I just saw the picture on a different forum. I don't which of you guys this is, but the poster mentioned that the fourwheeler has been welded back together and reinforced a couple times now.
Weight on the rear axle is very little. You really don’t want weight on the rear axle of an atv. They’re not designed for it. Even tho the tree sticks way out in back the weight for the most part is centered on the chain. Right over the tires. There’s a limit to that of course. I’ve welded on extra hooks on the frame for the chain. Really big stuff can get hooked a few inches forward of the axle for more forward weight.. Just a few inches changes balance a lot. I didn’t build the original but I’ve redone it a lot. This was the original test after I put a 4500lb winch on it. Came with one of those hand crank boat winches good only for bloody knuckles. Big chunk of red oak. Would’ve done it but I had a hill to go up. A hill so steep we never took the John Deere MT down it because it wouldn’t come back up. I had to shave quite a bit of weight off that log to get up. Frozen roots are too slippery. On relatively flat ground it’ll pull anything I can fit in it.
