Log Grabs/Dogs

[Does’ Leap]

Tim, the system is working great. I don’t need it too often, but when I do it works slick.

George

[Anonymous]

Heres a couple of pics of Nova Scotia dogs. An older gentlemen told me there were two types winter and summer dogs not sure which theses are but they worked ok. I set themin with a axe and Niel the LO oldest son used a peavy to pop them out. He would drive the point between the dog and log. I’m told this is the traditional way in Lunenburg county.

Tristan

[Does’ Leap]

Here are some pics of how I set up my dogs. I wanted them adjustable for different size logs and have the ability to hitch as close as possible.
[IMG]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xURYYvC2AX8/TyvYBrD0BlI/AAAAAAAABLI/UkHMB6dZRgw/s800/P1030593.JPG[/IMG]
[IMG]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A0N-kf0o2o0/TyvYGth7VUI/AAAAAAAABLQ/zmm8HYtOCHs/s800/P1030594.JPG[/IMG]

I tried using them on this large beech log (below) that I was ground skidding with a single horse – no go. They kept popping out despite setting them with a 6 lb maul (carried in the britchen ring). Any tips from folks who use them? I also didn’t like the fact that I couldn’t figure out how to put a roll on the log (like I do w/ a choker chain).

[IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0LhMP_WDEY8/TzMfnBNDfuI/AAAAAAAABOU/R65-iodXHZg/s512/P1030630.JPG[/IMG]

As an aside, this monster measured 25″ at breast height and had over a chord of wood in it (http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/firewood.pdf).
[IMG]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lESk2-J7nek/TzMgFYdPXaI/AAAAAAAABPM/99UrR0mdgio/s800/P1030637.JPG[/IMG]

George

[Ronnie Tucker]

i can not type good enough to explain what i want to tell you.if you want to call me 731 336 5185 i think i can help.

[mitchmaine]

George,
I have no experience with dogs like these and only used tongs a few times, but I have worn out several pulp hooks and one thing I know is frozen hardwood will not take a point. I think it must be the sap, which is nothing more than frozen water, and you can drive a point in but the wood keeps the shape of the point and your point falls out. Pitch in softwood doesn’t freeze the same way and softwood closes around the point of your hook and holds and of course in summer all is forgiven and everything works.
Frozen beech will hardly hold a chain sometimes and we have cut a second notch in the butt to hold a chocker from slipping off before. Limbing a beech is a miserable job too, and should be considered punishment in some cultures. But it sure does burn fine. My dad always cut and split our firewood right at the stump. Went in in the late summer with a box cart and brought out the wood.
Have you tried your dogs in softwood? We used to draw out the points of our wood hooks and blunt them on the anvil. If they were sharp they wouldn’t hold. The tip was just blunted with a small bead that helped hold the wood. Maybe your dogs are too sharp? Good luck with them. mitch

[Ronnie Tucker]

the rings i put on my grabs are one half in. and 4in.inside dia.we never have timber froze that bad.

[Author]

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