[Ronnie Tucker]

i hook my chains to the center of the bolsters.on each end of the bolster i have some short chains that go over the skid poles to help keep them in place.for the next layer they just rest on the first layer of logs. i cut my skids 5or 6ft long.if i feel like i might need them i use wheel sticks on the other side. a wheel stick is a pole about 3in diamater set at a angle from the ground up as high as yourload will be.i chain them to the bolster to keep a log from rolling off.maybe some winter to get away fromthe cold and snow you can come and see how i do it. ronnie

[Ronnie Tucker]

all of carls points are right. i have never turned a wagon load of logs over but it does happen.wagons like i use have a more narrow tread than most auto steer wagons.which is better in getting through tight spots.you must plan ahead on your load size and the route you will use. there is a learning curve. ronnie

[Ronnie Tucker]

i to use auto steer wagons to haul hay.they are better suited for wide frames. in the woods a auto steer would be unhandy at best.some might refer to the wagons i use as road wagons.the bed is usually 4ft between the bolster stakes.auto steering wagons started to be used after ww1.the implement people called them trailer wagons.they offered them with combinationtongues for use with tractors as well.i have two ih wagons made around ww2 that have the holes in the tongue for a hammer strap.long after jd forsake horse stuff their wagons still had the hammer strap holes on their tongues.i was the first one in my neck of the woods to use a auto steer wagon with horse stock that i knew anything about . ronnie tucker

[Ronnie Tucker]

a wagon with a circle iron lets the front axle turn back under to the coupling pole.it can not actually be called a fifth wheel wagon because it has a coupling pole.hear in tn we do call the circle iron a fifth wheel .a auto steering wagon is just like it sounds the axle never moves only the wheels cut around just like a automobile.tongue whip comes on rough ground with a drop tongue you use a neckyoke it will shove back and forth against thecollars as the wheels bump holes or stumps. on a stiff tongue wagon you have two chains on the end of the tongue one goes to each mule it hooks to your breast chain on your hames.these tongue chains are loose except when turning.on each side of the axle next to the wheel is a hook this where your stay chain attaches this chain goes to the double tree the team pulls on these chains which cuts down on the tongue whip.why use two lines when one works better. i can hold my line in one hand and my snaking tongs in the other.after i hook to the log iseldom hold the line the mule will go to the wagon.i use one line when ever i can with 2 or 4 or 6 .i use check lines to the wagon. yes i have to reload a log now and then but i have a method to help keep that from happening.if anyone wants to talk to me call 731 336 5185 i can talk better than i can type ronnie tucker

[Ronnie Tucker]

ira you being from mo you should know about a wagon named mo mule.this wagon is like a owensboro rubber tired wagon but the axles are not hardly as strong.this wagon would be my second choice of manafactured wagons. ronnie tucker

[Ronnie Tucker]

those logs were 10 and 12 ft white oak .i did not measure that load but i did a like load i estimate the load pictured at least 450 ft. you need to haul 300ft at least.the biggest single log i ever hauled on the wagon that i scaled was 500ft it was a long poplar . i did not snake it i just pulled up beside it and loaded it. ronnie

[Ronnie Tucker]

i had it built myself. most wagons that look smiliar to this will work but they are not stout enough to last long.i like wood better but it is outside all the time so it is steel. ronnie tucker

[Ronnie Tucker]

the orginal wagon was wood . the wagon was called a 5t wagon.maybe means 5 ton .it was made by the owensboro wagon company of ky.the axles are really stout made. ihave never heard of one being bent or broken.all wagons in our country were stiff tongue.auto steering is latter day.thewagon has a circle iron it is able to turn much shorter than a auto steer.we always use stay chains which take care of a lot of the tongue whip.the tongue chains are not tight accept to turn.all broke mules are broke to work with one line .it is not hard to teach.i drive 4 muleswith one line as well.if i can get the photos posted i drove 14 mules once with one line.it was not for work just to try it. ronnie tucker

[Ronnie Tucker]

yes it works fine. ijust wanted to take less room on the ends in turning. ronnie tucker

[Ronnie Tucker]

i always use wood hames and trace chains .where abouts do you live. ronnie tucker tn logger

[Ronnie Tucker]

yes the hip drops help hold the traces up ifyou leave theanimals leg a lone when it gets sore enough they will put it back in. mules can be pulling hard and put their foot back in and never miss a lick as they pull.ronnie

[Ronnie Tucker]

what you saw is called lead harness.in pa the amish call it front gear harness.it is also called plow harness.if you will notice a picture of a conestoga wagon and team the lead team and the swing team are wearing this style harness.they all use trace chains.thewheel team will have flat breching on. when i work four mules in the woods iuse these two kinds of harness.i ride on the wheel team and drive the lead team with one line. back to your question this is good harness for farming it is lighter and cheaper.in pa you can get it in beta.there is a part to go on it so you can hold back with this style harness. you use a belly band with this also.this is much better than the old kind of plow gear with the cloth back band and nothing elese.where did you find your wood hames.ronnie tucker

[Ronnie Tucker]

wood hames that are used with trace chains are all i have ever used.the only place they are made is in pa as far as iknow.with the top strap you should make it fit all right. ronnie tucker

[Ronnie Tucker]

in middle tn we refer to ear corn in barrels not bu there are 5 bu to a barrel how wide spread this term is used i donot know ronnie tucker tn logger

[Ronnie Tucker]

i know nothing about logging in snow. but you try to use a low place to place your scoot in for loading yes. you use some skids that help you load the log is this right. it is not that hard to roll it on byhand using a peavy. if it is big cross haul it or whatever you all call pulling on with your horse.this sounds simple to me. i understand trying to making the work less taxing if it was so easy they would not call it work and women and children would do it .carl you have photos show me how it is done.i may have failed to see something. hope your weather improves ronnie tucker tn logger

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