Customized Logging Arch

I bought a used Forest logging arch a couple of years ago and have been satisfied with its ability to efficiently move logs with minimal draft but found it woefully inadequate in other respects. Here are a few pictures illustrating what I have done to make it more functional.

One of the biggest drawbacks when I initially started using it was where to put my saw (I understand you can now purchase this as an extra). My first attempt was a welded slot that held the plastic scabbard for my saw. The scabbard got torn up and it was awkward. The saw-holder pictured is a 6×6 piece of hemlock which I plunged through and attached to the cart with screws and a welded bracket.

The original seat on the cart was unusable unless you were traveling down a paved road. No suspension – a real lumbar cruncher. I replaced with a cushioned seat with suspension that I use on other implements. The steel backing of the seat was an ideal place to weld hooks for miscellaneous items and a couple of brackets to hold chains. I hated having chains on the deck of my arch. They made it awkward to stand and interfered with the release mechanism.

The tool box is a great place to put chaps, water bottle, hat, gloves, etc. I welded some threaded rod to the cart, drilled holes in the tool box and fastened her solid. Pictured is also a smaller box for wrenches etc.

I modified the evener set-up by having a hook whereby I can easily remove it for ground skidding. The original set-up had the evener pinned through the pole and it was difficult to pull the pin b/c of the tension between the cart and pole. I also ground off the rings that attached the single trees to the main evener and replaced them with clevises to skid single.

Tired of getting my lines caught on the pole, I made a “plug yoke” designed by Les Barden of New Hampshire. There is a pin that plugs into the end the pole (reinforced with steel). I design cuts about 6″ off the end of the pole which gets me in tighter places and I haven’t had my lines caught on the pole since. The chain between the two yokes is a good thing to grab a hold of while hitching and prevents lines from getting caught on the single yokes.

Part of my motivation behind this post is to encourage others to share things they have done to make working with animals more pleasurable and efficient. What are other folks doing in logging, farming, or other venues?

Cheers.

George