Need log winching advice

[dkmlever]

My property is enrolled in a forestry program to improve the health of the forest. I have a Kubota 30 hp tractor but do not have a three point hitch PTO winch not do I want to buy one ($ too much). So I was thinking of using the tractor, driving on flat areas or established logging roads that I have, to pull logs out of the hilly areas that are to steep to drive on, with a cable and pully blocks. What I need to know is what size cable to use, or is a strong rope better? Where to buy it cheaper, and what kind of pullies to get? Pros and cons of this approach? My trees are pondi pines and mid sized.

 

[beowulf343]

Pick up a few chains and just keep shortening them up. You on the tractor and someone who knows what they are doing on the chains=no big deal.

 

[perchhauler]

3/8"

If you are going to use a block, get a block that is rated for some weight... Most blocks take 3/8" cable.... 3/8" cable holds up on skidders for guys I know... I use heavy horses to skid and all I use is 3/8" so I can use any of my cable on a block.. No sense in using two different sizes of cable..... Good luck-n-have fun.....

 

[1953greg]

unless you

1. weight the tractor to >4000lbs gross
2. are pulling <12-16" logs depending on length
3. are on < 8% slope or going downhill

you will need a 5/16 cable, and block for double pull.
30hp will not pull a 5/16 into!
that 30hp kubota needs all the help it can get. if it is 4wd w/ loader then keep the bucket low and full. also if you can hitch onto a 3 pt implement, instead of drawbar, you will have more traction. just keep the hitch point low to keep tractor from rearing up and keep your hand on the lift lever to let it down if it does.

 

[slowp]

How steep is steep? 30%, 80%? If you use cable, do you know what your logs will weigh on average? Wire rope has different working loads for different sizes of the lines. It is called the Safe Working Load. Sounds scary to me. I'd have somebody who is a bit knowledgable look at it. If a cable/line snaps, it can whip around and cause some serious damage. To you that is. Good luck.

 

[2dogs]

For a 30hp tractor I would go with 3/8 wire rope and fittings. ALL your fittings have to match when it comes to strength. Most hardware stores don't have quality alloy parts like shackels, hooks, etc. You will need to visit a rigging shop for that. We use my old Kubota M5950 logging when we aren't using the horses and the tractor can break 3/8 wire rope in a hurry.

BTW we match a Perch and a Belgian. They work well together.

 

[dkmlever]

Thanks guys for the advice. I have been using an atv, and just cutting all the slash off the trees and dragging bundles of slash out then cutting the tree log into what ever length the atv could pull (read sometimes very small!). Now I have the tractor and I was looking at a way to get the entire tree out to my staging area with only one or two trips. I know I can not take the tractor all the places I took the atv so that is why I was looking at the cable to drag it out to an flatter ground. Currently I am having all the slash removed from the property in stead of chipping or scattering so that is why I need to drag it out also.

 

[perchhauler]

2 dogs

I have three Percherons, I use a gelding, and a mare as my primary team.. My other gelding is for sale, he's not square enough for a logging horse, too much action.. His calling is in a show hitch, really tall bugger..... I was considering a Belgian, I've seen local pullers with a Perch and a Belgian... I found a nice square 18hh boy, but "the board of directors" (better half) said naaaahhhhh not to jump breed LOL.... Aaahhhhh, I imagine we'll just stick with a Perch when we get another alternate horse.....

 

[2dogs]

We were talking today about starting a saddle horse guided rental operation. My suggestion, which has really no expertice to back it up, was to add a couple of Percherons for the big guys to ride. I have a cow horse but I've ridden a Percheron in the Sierras at a rental operation. We have a young gelding who shows promise under saddle. What do you think?

 

[redprospector]

I used a Bobcat to drag out trees & logs the same way you describe for several years. It will work ok. Your trees in Colorado shouldn't be much different than ours. On trees over 20" dbh you may have to skid 2 or 3 logs, and the top. Just remember diesel is high, but not as high as parts and down time, make an extra hitch and don't overload your tractor.
I would recomend an expanded metal screen on the back. I broke the back window out of my Bobcat with a snapped cable, scarry to say the least.

Andy

 

[treeman82]

Maybe look into buying a log arch. I've got one that I picked up home made and used for $450 about a year ago. On level ground a 16 hp, 2wd tractor will move it no problems when carrying a 1000 lb log.

 

[Urbicide]

Welcome to AS. Is your Bota one of the B-series? I would suggest that you get your tires loaded and add wheel weights if you have not already done so. Tires are critical too. A lot of guys like the R4's (industial) because they are much fatter (and have a heavier load rating) that the traditional R1's (agriculture). R1's will outpull the snot out of R4's darn near every time. It doesn't matter what style tire you are running if you can't keep your tires from spinning and digging 4 nice holes. I would recommend that you set your wheels to the widest possible setting for added stability. Steep hills and tractors can give one a rather spooky feeling. Always pull with the swinging drawbar and never pull above the level of the rear axle. I have been using 3 chains hooked together for pulling stumps and trees with good results. The problem for me is that I am running ot of areas that I can comfortably access with my tractor (L5030) and the length of chain. I am looking at buying a 3-point logging winch and have gotten some good feedback from the members here.

 

[IndyIan]

I use my atv for logging and I borrow my neighbors log arch. My record so far was a 1400lb white oak log, 9' long. It was on mostly level ground though. Flat skidding with an atv I found was very frustrating and unless I had perfect conditions,(frozen ground with no snow) I couldn't get much done.

My woodlot has the main trail in the valleys so its relatively flat and nearly every tree is uphill from the trail. If you can setup your trails this way, then skidding a tree down to the trail with a pulley block, cable, and skidding cone should be easier. Then if you have an arch to lift the front of the log and alot of weight you should be able to move some pretty big stuff in one trip.

You might find that taking 800-1000lb chunks with the atv and an arch is faster than all the rigging though if you can drive right to the logs.

 

[Gumnuts]

R / Them sweetest logs hardest to gets

14mm plated rope
- 10mm cable .Robe will be easier to block.2 : 1 or 3 : 2 pully up the steeper incline.Ebay or even trash and treasur markets for old farming or old sailing ship pullies.You can pay $5 to $50 .Cheaper than buying new rated
ones.They generally have a rating on them anyway.Once on road tie close to your tractor hitch, this will lift this end lift somewhat, lessening diggins.
Good luck - MY BACK HURTS

 

[cantcutter]

Find a used hydraulic winch of an old tow truck or something and mount it to the front of the tractor.... use it to drag the trees to the trail and then hook them to the back of the tractor for skidding.

 

[Billy_Bob]

If you drag the logs on the ground, they are hard to pull. However if you elevate the front, they are easier to pull.

Here is a picture of an "Arch trailer" which will do this...
http://www.drpower.com/prdSell.aspx?Name=atvloggingarchtrailer

 

[cantcutter]

If you drag the logs on the ground, they are hard to pull. However if you elevate the front, they are easier to pull.

Here is a picture of an "Arch trailer" which will do this...
http://www.drpower.com/prdSell.aspx?Name=atvloggingarchtrailer

The three point hitch will lift the logs up with just the push of a lever.