Building a Traditional Go-Devil

Hi Ron:

Thanks for the reply. Where are you located? Can you describe your roller set-up in a little more detail. I am planning on a 1/4″ chain with an 1 1/4″ pipe slid over it. It is hard to tell from the crude drawings in those logging documents, but it looks like the pipe (which is slid over the chain) is about 2″ from the inside edge of the runners. I suppose to give the runner plenty of play. I could weld a ring on that pipe, but I fear that if I used it to secure the load as you described it would collapse the runners inward.

At this point, I am planning on bolting a ring to the center of the bunk securing the load as pictured in these two diagrams: Securing a Load of Logs
If you have a better way, please let me know.

Regarding you other comments, I do have the runners beveled at the back end and I think I am going to go for hardwood stakes. I have had problems bending stake pockets and braking stakes on my bobseld and scoot as large logs occasionally slam against them (especially in snowy conditions). This is going to be a lighter duty rig so wood stakes should be fine.

If you have any pics of your go-devil and how you chain your load, I would like to see them.

George

Here is a link to some pictures of the finished (mostly) Go-Devil: Go-Devil Pics

Runners are 3.5″ (at the fat mid-section) made of yellow birch. They are about 40″ on the flat not including the sweep at either end. Runners are “full moccasin” as most of the logging I do is on snow. I plan on installing either 1.5 or 2″ flat-bar shoes eventually, but I want to see how it runs for a while before installing the shoes. Bunk is 3″x5″ ash, 3 feet long with welded stake pockets. One stake/skid is built to lock into the stake pocket via a steel plate bolted to the stake and equipped with welded anti-slip steel for rolling up logs. Bunk is secured to runners with a “scoot irons” – angle iron with 3/4″ threaded rod drilled and welded to the iron and bolted to the runner. Bunk is counter-sunk to accept the 3/4 inch rod and nuts. Logs will be secured with a 16’x 1/4″ chain attached to a clevis in the middle of the bunk. For now, I plan on using a chain binder. The Go-Devil is also equipped with light bridal chains to keep it from running up on the horses. Sled and gear weigh about 80 lbs.

I plan on getting it out today for a test-drive.

Happy New Year to all.

George

Hi Ron:

I finally understand. Thanks for the description. It is certainly easy to weld on a ring and I will give your system a try. If you can post some pictures, I would like to see your sled.

Josh, I bought my bobsled (think go-devil on steroids – used generally with a team) from as master sled-maker named Duane Langmaid. He taught me to hog out as much material from the runner as possible without weakening it. I bet I shed 20 lbs of wood by doing this – nothing for the horses but makes a difference to me moving the sled around trying to get it in an ideal position for loading. I also like the way it looks.

I yarded a few loads on Thursday with the go-devil. So far, I like it a lot. I also log with a bobsled and scoot – both great tools in their own right. Compared to those sleds, the go devil is much easier to load and maneuver. It is small enough (80 lbs) that I can put it right where I want it without using a peavey to muscle it around. Also, the top of the bunk in only 9″ from the ground. This makes it much easier to load compared to the two-horse sleds. Since their is no pole, it is easy to have the horse load larger logs since he can swing tight in front of the sled. I give him a little extra slack and he rolls it right on. Unloading is also easier – pull a stake and swing the horse in the opposite direction and you’re unloaded. Maybe one of these days I will get my son to take some video footage.

George