good cant/log jack to purchase?

[Ducksnuff870]

I have my eyes on a woodchuck. anyone have any experience with one? any other suggestions?

 

[ShermanC]

I have my eyes on a woodchuck. anyone have any experience with one? any other suggestions?

I have several tools, namely a two man log tong, a wood handle peavy cant hook and the orange metal pry bar cant hook combo. The orange metal pry bar is great in the lift basket for bucking trunk cuts when necessary but as a cant hook it is too small. The old fashioned peavy cant hook is great for moving big trunks. We seldom use the tong which was a gift and I draw knifed a hickory limb for the handle. Tools are getting so high in price you will be wise to shop and check eBay. Maybe an estate sale would have one to offer.

 

[740jsmayle]

I agree with treetopguy estate sales are a good place to find tools. That's where I found mine it's a Leach Co. retails for $100+ I picked it up for $42.

 

[Toddppm]

Had to look up the woodchuck, pretty expensive! I've had these kind for yearshttp://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...i_sku=119050&gclid=COefu-KZvbwCFRPxOgodhxAAIg , don't use them all the time but they work good.
Bought this kind http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612315_200612315 for my father, it has the same looking flat bar with cut out point like that woodchuck. Doesn't work worth ****. Wrong angle, point won't dig into the bark or wood hardly at all. That other one might great, never had one, just pointing it out.

 

[Philbert]

I bought the Peavy brand timberjack: the original. The ash wood handle was beautiful. The forged hook I was less impressed with: serviceable, but crude looking. Dixie Industries Forest Products (same as Columbus McKinnon in link above?) also makes good, serviceable cant hooks and timberjacks if you want the classic wood handle (hickory) versions.

I have seen a lot of cheap looking ones at home centers, farm stores, etc., with metal handles that look like they won't hold up, or with wooden handles which are too large in diameter (2"?) to grasp!

If you want a lighter, more high-tech/modern version, check out the LogRite ones with the aluminum handles (also sold in STIHL orange, if you don't like blue). Reviews on the similar looking but cheaper copies of these have not been as good as on these versions.

Philbert

 

[Hinerman]

I have the woodchuck. It is excellent quality and useful at times. It works best as a log jack. The legs get in the way for use as a cant hook. For turning logs you need a dedicated peavey/cant hook.

I think log jacks, in general, are over rated. The woodchuck is useful for smaller logs that may be in the dirt, as it lifts the log out of the dirt. For anything 8" or more (and not stuck in mud) I would rather cut 6-7/8s through the log and roll it over with foot or cant hook (depending on size of log), and finish the cuts without ever using a log jack.

The problem with log jacks, including the woodchuck, is you have to constantly move it to get more cuts. For instance: jack log up, make 2 cuts, put saw down, roll log off jack, reposition jack, lift log onto jack, pick saw up, make 2 cuts.....rinse and repeat. But for logjacks, the woodchuck is a solid piece of equipment. I haven't seen any that are as well made, other than some home made ones on here.

As far as cant/peavey hooks go, logrite is the industry standard as far as I know. I like mine and use it more than the log jack. They are made in USA and pricey, but very good quality.

 

[Philbert]

Ditto on the idea of a timberjack / log jack over it's usefulness. In practice, I have found it just as easy to roll the log onto a few large limbs with a cant hook or peavy, to get it off the ground. The attached foot can be clumsy.

Philbert

 

[Hinerman]

Ditto on the idea of a timberjack / log jack over it's usefulness. In practice, I have found it just as easy to roll the log onto a few large limbs with a cant hook or peavy, to get it off the ground. The attached foot can be clumsy.

Philbert

I like that idea. I will put it on my list of things to try. Seems so simple and obvious,,,why didn't I think of that?

 

[Ducksnuff870]

i've used floor and bottle jacks and automotive jackstands before in the woods to get logs up off the ground.

 

[Ducksnuff870]

a guy could make a ramp by cutting a block of wood into a wedge shape. Using the cant, roll the log onto to wedge to get it off the ground. Slide another wedge under on the same side of the cant handle to prevent the log from rolling back. Kaaa bamm your log is off the ground and ready to saw.. If you are me you will shimmy a jack under to get the log even higher.

 

[c5rulz]

Here is a busted up one I re did. It was missing the cap on the end and it was hollow, I don't know why. So a railroad spike is inside it and a metal band is welded to that and tied to the hook part with a muffler clamp and then the whole thing was filled with expoxy. I haven't been able to break it yet and is probably the best cant I have used. (the one on the right)

I just got the blue one and haven't used it yet. I took off the log jack as I find them more bother than they are worth.

 

[Philbert]

I just got the blue one and haven't used it yet.

Is the blue one a LogRite or a copy?

Philbert

 

[dave_376]

I purchased a CM Dixie from northern, the first thing I had to do was file it so it would dig into the wood. Same thing with the hookeroon I got from them, had to file and shape it until it would sink into the wood.

 

[ShermanC]

Great photos

Here is a busted up one I re did. It was missing the cap on the end and it was hollow, I don't know why. So a railroad spike is inside it and a metal band is welded to that and tied to the hook part with a muffler clamp and then the whole thing was filled with expoxy. I haven't been able to break it yet and is probably the best cant I have used. (the one on the right)

I just got the blue one and haven't used it yet. I took off the log jack as I find them more bother than they are worth.

Great clear photos C5! Did your dog want out of the picture?

 

[chuckwood]

I have my eyes on a woodchuck. anyone have any experience with one? any other suggestions?

I made something like that, it was one of my very first projects when I was learning how to weld. I built it out of scrap I had laying around. The handle is heavy galvanized steel pipe. It doesn't look too good, but it works ok. I've never thought of naming it, but now I think I'll call it the "chuckwood".

 

[ShermanC]

I made something like that, it was one of my very first projects when I was learning how to weld. I built it out of scrap I had laying around. The handle is heavy galvanized steel pipe. It doesn't look too good, but it works ok. I've never thought of naming it, but now I think I'll call it the "chuckwood". View attachment 332682

Whatever works, as my former partner Chuck Daniels would say. To that, I say "How much chuckwood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck woodchuck?"! This craziness comes from cabin fever in snow and ice and more expected next week. Y'all please pray for my buddy Chuck, inTreatment for prostate cancer at OKC. He is a good man with the right beliefs and a good family pulling' for him too. We worked on and/or took down a lot of trees together from 2001-'07.

 

[mainewoods]

Healing prayers sent for your friend, Chuck.

 

[artbaldoni]

I have a Woodchuck Dual and only use it as a cant hook. The nice thing about the Dual is you can use it as a peavey or retract the point to use as a cant hook or pin on the foot for a log jack. I dont use the log jack . Its essier to cut part way through and use the cant to roll the log.

 

[Woody912]

I have my eyes on a woodchuck. anyone have any experience with one? any other suggestions?

I found a peavy hook for $12 and cut a BIG ash limb for a handle. Weighs a ton but I use it for big stuff, I have heard of people bending the LogRite handles. I usually just pound a wedge when I am bucking to force a big log up off the ground

 

[c5rulz]

Is the blue one a LogRite or a copy?

Philbert

It's a copy, but is the heavy duty one. Since I haven't tried it yet I'll wait, but most likely I will sharpen the hook point and the bottom so it bites better.