Skidding Big Logs?

[TaylorJohnson]

Scott ,
I have used some of the rope you are talking about and all the time thinking ” man I wish I would have had this running cable skidders . Sometimes I ran as high as eight chokers and by the end of the day you did not want to carry one more plus the wire though the finger or hand once in a wile was always nice LOL. I would say the rope is a much better choice and easier to deal with . Taylor Johnson

[Does’ Leap]

Turns out the mill where I am selling my hemlock is not buying pine right now, but will start up again this spring. So I will have some time to develop a plan. In the meantime I will keep plugging away at the hemlock (price seems decent at $275/mbf).

So far the sheave seems best suited to my situation as many of these trees are down a steep bank. Bobsled also seems to be a good logging tool. Mark, I am a big fan of the cradle hitch and always use it on my bigger logs.

George

[near horse]

George,

For what it’s worth, Greg Caudell has a segment on his horse logging DVD where he uses a snatch block (same as a sheave, I think) to deck some logs he’s skidded to a landing area. Really shows the benefit of using a simple pulley. Good luck.

[Donn Hewes]

True confessions. This thread really makes you want to go out and cut something big! The combination of teamster and engineer is great, so many variations. What about a sled fitted with an arch instead of a bunk. Low point of draft, weight centered on the runners, easy to hook / unhook. Maybe even three removable wheels for summer use. Two in the back and one dolly wheel in front. My goal for this winter is to get myself a little training and add horse logging to my resume. Donn

[Iron Rose]

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here’s an apparatus that I used on some large logs. The fifth wheel bunk allows you to maneuver in tighter spaces without tipping over. To load you just lay the skid on the side of the log secure the bunk to the log, hook team perpendicular to the log and roll log on to the skid. This apparatus works best on flat land or up hill skid, down hill it will run (rough locking it helps).

[Does’ Leap]

Iron Rose:

Nice unit. Did you build it? If so, how did you bend your runners or are they cut and re-welded?

George

[Iron Rose]

I built these runners by cutting and re-welding . Usually using two or three angle cuts to make the bend. They can also be bent by making cuts about a inch apart on the top and sides and heating the the bottom and to make the bend then rewelding (lot of work).
This skid works good , but if I were to make another I would make the turning plate larger and possibly try to fit a pole attachment for downhill work.

[Jim Ostergard]

Nice rig. I have a very old iron, “devil dog,” with out the fifth wheel. I seemed to always turn it over so the fifth wheel is a great addition. I will add one and give it a try. I like smaller stuff I can load in the truck or trailer myself and take to the job.
Jim

[Barw]

Iron Rose you could put a pole on the go deveil to keep it from running
up on the horses.
BarW

[near horse]

Could also use 2″ pipe instead of sq tubing – can be bent on pipe bender.

[mitchmaine]

hey george, hemlock is way heavier than pine. if the wood you moved already was close to the size of the pine you may have already done it. use a single set of sleds under the butt and wait for 6″ snow on top of frozen ground. if you have any downhill you’ll have to use chains around your runner to hold the load. good luck. mitch

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