DAPNet Hook?

[Donn Hewes]

I have always used mostly 5/16th chain with a few 3/8 thrown in. I am hoping to order some hooks on Friday, after a Thur night approval! The heat treating turns out to be not a huge expense, but more for the short run (minimum charge). They will heat treat the whole thing which is good for the clevis parts as well. I have increased the over all size sligthly (1/2″ diameter) and that will accommodate a thicker handle, a slightly larger handle opening, and slightly deeper slots. I am definitely going to make one heat treated version. Mixed feelings about the slot size. Doesn’t seem to be a game changer either way. I guess I am leaning toward the 3/8 slot as I have used lots of hooks like that. After it is hardened it might not be so simple to just grab an angle grinder and open the slots. They really aren’t that easy to get an angle grinder in anyway. I will keep you posted.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by Donn Hewes.

[Hopewell Farm]

Hey Donn,

I am sure you are knee deep in hay at this point, but just wondering if you had an update on the hooks?

John

[Donn Hewes]

Finally got to spend some quality time with the hooks. Here is my report. They are awesome. We had a workshop of 15 beginning teamsters here this past weekend and we use four hooks with singles and a team all weekend. I own Four! the prototype, 2 originals, and the only DAPNET Hook 2.0. While I think these are super useful around the farm, I think there best attribute is picking them up. It is so important to me that beginning teamsters learn to walk on the ground and drive and this tool helps them do that.

As with any new thing there are some slight improvements that could be made. The hook slot could be slightly deeper, (I didn’t find this, but it has been reported to me by others), and the slots might face directly forward, changing their angle slightly. That would help with hooking a second chain with out dropping the first. I also think with a little practice a technique would help with hooking a second chain.

Anyway, just wanted to alert folk to the new lower price of $45 that have will have this weekend at the Annual Gathering. Or just email me and I can send you one. Today I plan to hook a couple of bigger logs that are in my way. I will try using two chains and a cradle hitch; something usually done with a cart or arch.

[Carl Russell]

Hey Donn, glad you are using the hook. I haven’t put it to use directly, but I did get to see it in use by John Haney. It seems to be a good design in many ways.

I personally have had so few times when I have ever felt I needed…. let me rephrase…. I have never felt the need to hitch two chains at the same time (when ground-skidding), so I am not as concerned with that aspect as others may be…I see it mostly as a convenience of not having to switch the hook around to find a slot… one is always available no matter which hand you are using, or which side of the log you are on. Also, I am uncertain that the cradle hitch will work without a cart….. may be a lot of extra chain handling for no benefit… there will be no lift from a loose wiffletree.

I will be getting it soon, and I will put some time on it. My concern with all logging equipment is not the average hitch, but the one that counts, because that’s the one that will either add to the checkbook, or detract from it. In that vein, I will be focusing on how the off-center pull affects the weld and clevis. If those straighten, or chafe, then I expect that will be the limiting factor.

The new price sounds great….. maybe that means that some extra could be added back on to use slightly heavier gauge steel…..

Anyway, it is nice to see this project come to fruition. I’ll get back to you once I’ve hooked it a while.

Carl

• This reply was modified 10 years, 2 months ago by Carl Russell.

[Brad Johnson]

I have a DAPNet hook as well, and I will be putting some logs on it this coming week. I like the design overall, though did have the same question as Carl about having the pull off set to one side or the other. Also, I think both bolts ought to be grade 8 bolts, particularly for use with a team on larger sticks. I really like the handle.
-Brad

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