3 Point Skidding Plate

[Lee192233]

Good morning everyone. Last night I got started on my log skidding plate for my tractor. I almost pulled the trigger on a 3 pt forestry winch. The 3k was just too much.

My plan is to add grab hooks and maybe a d ring or two. There is also going to be a receiver for a draw bar hitch between the lower lift arms.

Here's a couple pictures of my layout. It's two 3' square 1/2" plates. Between them will be a 4" I beam frame. The total weight in steel should be about 450 lbs. I'd be able to add ballast between the plates if I wanted to as well. Any thoughts? I'll post pictures of my progress as I go.

Have a good day,
Lee

 

[cantoo]

Curious why you need weight? I've made a couple 3 pth pulling rigs and just made it heavy enough to not pull apart. The log usually adds enough weight. I'm using smaller tractors though so the more weight I can lift the better it is. I finally took the tie to build a rear grapple a few years ago so don't use the skidding plates anymore.

 

[cantoo]

Here are a couple pictures of 2 I built. Orange one is on a 22 hp Kubota, The frame is off a ditching bucket. I buy them at auctions for $20 or so then add hooks and a receiver. The other one was for my 35 hp Kubota and was a work in progress, it has a bunch of other hooks and receivers on it. It's laying under a bunch of snow I seldom use it anymore.

 

[Lee192233]

Curious why you need weight? I've made a couple 3 pth pulling rigs and just made it heavy enough to not pull apart. The log usually adds enough weight. I'm using smaller tractors though so the more weight I can lift the better it is. I finally took the tie to build a rear grapple a few years ago so don't use the skidding plates anymore.

Thanks for the input! I was hoping to add some weight for loader ballast. I really like using the loader with the snowblower on the tractor. That weighs 900 lbs.

I really like your grapple setup. It looks pretty impressive.

Lee

 

[cantoo]

That will help when using the loader but you will lose 3 pth lift capacity. I've added a couple more pictures of the 3 pth lifter and another attachment for it. I have a 3 pth weight box but I don't want to have it on all the time so I made that top steel tube that goes into that receiver. I back up to the weight box, lower the arms and the tube goes thru the weight box, the lower hitch keeps it centered then I lift it up and use the loader for whatever I need the ballast for. Now I use my rear grapple but I use big stones for ballast. Just back up to my wife's flowerbeds and grab one of her big stones and away I go. I also use it for big rock picking in the fields.

 

[Lee192233]

Got the attachment points welded on. Welds aren't too pretty but they're functional.

 

[Lee192233]

Coming along...

Next is the chain box and cutting out the hole for the hitch receiver.
Lee

 

[Lee192233]

I'll see how it works this weekend. If it works well I'll give it a nice coat of New Holland blue.


I'll have a report and hopefully some pictures after this weekend.
Lee

 

[Lee192233]

Here's a picture with my little trailer on it.

 

[Lee192233]

Here's some pics as promised.
I'm really happy with it so far. It's nice having options to hook up.

 

[sirbuildalot]

Looks nice! Have you considered adding a winch to it to retrieve far away logs?

 

[Lee192233]

Looks nice! Have you considered adding a winch to it to retrieve far away logs?

Thanks! Definitely a step up from using a clevis on the drawbar! I've definitely thought of it. I feel like an electric winch would be pretty slow. Also how many pulls can you get out of a battery charge? I don't think my little 40A alternator wouldn't appreciate it!

Lee

 

[motorhead99999]

Thanks! Definitely a step up from using a clevis on the drawbar! I've definitely thought of it. I feel like an electric winch would be pretty slow. Also how many pulls can you get out of a battery charge? I don't think my little 40A alternator wouldn't appreciate it!

L

You could build a pto winch. The one on my doodle bug is driven off the second tranny so I have in and out by changing the first transmission. You would just have to find one with a gear box on it or a free spool mode.