Homemade log arch

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Mives4510

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Amherst, ohio
image.jpeg image.jpeg TI have been moving logs around my property by dragging them with the 4 wheeler and winching them with a comealong or rolling them. I finally decided that was too much work and it's time for some change, so today I built a log arch.

I got done about midnight last night so I have not used it yet, but I'll post pictures as soon as I do
 
Nice. Personally I would of went with taller tires because I have some soft soil. I could see those getting burried in mud and doing some plowing. I have a tractor with a 3 pt hitch so I want to fab a lift. You using an electric winch?
 
View attachment 538278 View attachment 538277 TI have been moving logs around my property by dragging them with the 4 wheeler and winching them with a comealong or rolling them. I finally decided that was too much work and it's time for some change, so today I built a log arch.

I got done about midnight last night so I have not used it yet, but I'll post pictures as soon as I do
Nice I need one of those too !
 
Very nice... I'm sure your going to like it over dragging logs in the dirt.
-I have added a chain grab, for lack of a better word, to the front of this arch replacing a ratchet strap that came with it. (Actually a guy from Allegan, MI on A.S. posted one he cut on a CNC machine for his arch build, and he made me one) The strap was hard to use, to hook and release under pressure from the cable around the log. On this arch the cable pulley is in front of the hook or cable bell. When cabling up, the log wants to twist. When used in single line fashion, choking the log, there is much less twist but the effort to hand crank to raise the log is twice as much. The chain grab is simple, quick, easy to use one handed.
-Also, a photo of grab handles on the rear of the arch to lift, or place it over a log. If you add handles, keep them about where your hands normally hang height wise. These are too low, which means lifting with a bent back.
-The hand winch has a friction brake that I now use religiously after dam near breaking both wrists with a spinning handle. I was in the woods with a quad, saw, arch...and could not use my hands. I just remember sitting, and them being numb for what seemed a very long time, all the while thinking they're both broke, and I'm screwed. I guess I have to just leave everything and walk to the road. Luckily I did not break anything.
-a place to carry a cant hook is good too.
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When I built mine, I was looking for a short, easy to store, no parts bought thing that I could use to drag logs for firewood processing to an easier place to work. So, I was only interested in lifting the end of the log, and didn't worry about making a long body to lift the whole log. Probably a different set of objectives than many of you. Anyway, here are a few pictures of mine, and a quick video of it in action:

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Very nice. You could add two anchor points on the wheel uprights. Pulley on one, hook on the other, in which case it would act as a sling and possibly raise multiple logs higher. Not sure if that would cut winch pull by half or not. I'm guessing not. It would put cross tension on the arch uprights too.
These photos are of the hand winch LogRite uses, a two speed with friction brake.
Large lower lever is brake.
Small top lever is forward/reverse/free spool.
Small lever on bottom is two speed and free wheel for crank. Release it, crank handle shaft moves up/down, to select position. There are two different size gears on the crank handle shaft below the top plate.
You can also look up chokers for logging with 'bells' on them. It is a quick connect/release choker for logging. Looks like the hook works good however.
I have always had trouble putting axle grease caps on stuff without denting them up. Discovered using an old hole saw fits perfectly over the caps and seats on the flange. A few light taps pops them on.
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Nice job! I made my arch several years ago and it has dragged out lots of logs. I use an electric winch with a pair of log tongs hanging from the winch, then I just chain it up.

 

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Log arches all look great, wish I needed one...lol
How did you do your crimps on the quick connects?
I bought a HF hydraulic crimper that works good once you figure out which die to use.
 
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