millpro
ArboristSite Lurker
I used a tractor some, but the ass end kept coming off the ground . Skid steer is balanced better for big loads
Loading a sawmill with a skidsteer?
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psgflier
ArboristSite Member
I just got a Bobcat 220. I decided on it over a tractor because it is short coupled and can get around better in tight areas. You need a pretty good sized tractor to get the lift capacity of the bobcat. Because it is short coupled. it tips forward with a big log. You need counterweights to take full advantage of its capabilities. One other disadvantage is the heavy weight and low ground clearance. One with tracks gets around pretty good, but wheeled machines get stuck pretty easy. I got a wheeled one so I could use chains for plowing snow. Tracks suck on snow and ice.
I wasn't sure if this was the right machine for me, I've watched the work over the years and wasn't too impressed, but now that I have it, I wish I'd have gotten one years ago. It's handier than a six legged mule.
I can switch from the bucket to forks to grapple to blade in seconds. I got a plate with a receiver hitch mount, and move trailers and equipment around, and I mounted a mile marker hydraulic winch to it that is handy for skidding logs. This is a ling to us using the bobcat to skid out a yellow cedar log last summer. logging time lapse mitkof island alaska - YouTube
A grapple is the way to go for moving logs, also useful for handling slabs and brush
Carl
I wasn't sure if this was the right machine for me, I've watched the work over the years and wasn't too impressed, but now that I have it, I wish I'd have gotten one years ago. It's handier than a six legged mule.
I can switch from the bucket to forks to grapple to blade in seconds. I got a plate with a receiver hitch mount, and move trailers and equipment around, and I mounted a mile marker hydraulic winch to it that is handy for skidding logs. This is a ling to us using the bobcat to skid out a yellow cedar log last summer. logging time lapse mitkof island alaska - YouTube
A grapple is the way to go for moving logs, also useful for handling slabs and brush
Carl
Cody Colston
ArboristSite Member
If your mill will be stationary, then build a log deck and load the logs onto it. You can then roll them off the log deck onto the mill. Most folks will incorporate pivoting or removable deck extensions on the mill end to allow walking between the log deck and the mill.
A log deck also lets you stage several logs at a time so that your sawing isn't frequently interrupted to load a log with a tractor or skidsteer.
A log deck also lets you stage several logs at a time so that your sawing isn't frequently interrupted to load a log with a tractor or skidsteer.
Guido Salvage
Supreme Saw Whoreder
A log deck would be the way to go. I had a live deck on my Frick, but also have one that is made out of a couple of frame rails from a school bus. This is the live deck buried under stuff:
You can see the other deck in the upper left side of this picture.
Or you can just build one out of wood. Cut off 4 pieces of a large telephone pole and plant them in the ground. Bolt a couple of oak 6 x 6 runners on the top with long lag bolts and you are all set.
You can see the other deck in the upper left side of this picture.
Or you can just build one out of wood. Cut off 4 pieces of a large telephone pole and plant them in the ground. Bolt a couple of oak 6 x 6 runners on the top with long lag bolts and you are all set.
Dave Boyt
ArboristSite Guru
Probably a little late on my reply, but here goes... I have used an old 8N Ford with a trip bucket to load my Norwood mill. As long as the mill is well supported so that a dropped log doesn't bend the frame, you can get by with it, though it is hard to imagine anything bending the Norwood frame.
My objection to tractor loading is that you have to stop milling and be a tractor operator each time you finish a log. It saves a lot of time to load a half-dozen logs on the deck at a time. I use a flatbed trailer to bring in the logs and bridge across to the mill with a couple of 6" by 6" beams. It works like a portable log deck so I can load it up with logs out in the woods, bring them up alongside the mill, and roll them across the bridge right onto the bed. In the photo below, I'm getting ready to cut them two-up.
My objection to tractor loading is that you have to stop milling and be a tractor operator each time you finish a log. It saves a lot of time to load a half-dozen logs on the deck at a time. I use a flatbed trailer to bring in the logs and bridge across to the mill with a couple of 6" by 6" beams. It works like a portable log deck so I can load it up with logs out in the woods, bring them up alongside the mill, and roll them across the bridge right onto the bed. In the photo below, I'm getting ready to cut them two-up.
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