skidding logs with a tractor? or?

[oifla]

Hello all, doing some homestead logging in Owen County, Indiana (very hilly country). I'm mostly dragging downed trees out of the hills and hollers at this point. Looking for a tractor with a loader and 4wd to handle traction issues.

Recommendations? I can buy new (but somewhat limited by budget and really hate the idea of getting a diesel with Regen and all the emissions junk on it) or used but wouldn't want to spend more than $15K.

Or should I be looking for something else (ski loader? skid steer? dozer?). I know some of you guys are using professional machines. Again, this is a homestead operation, not doing it as a business.

Thanks!
O.

 

[TheLazyBFarm]

I don't skid logs anymore:

 

[slowp]

Now, back to the real world. Friends of mine do just fine with a little Kubota. I did have to remind one of them, who was complaining about not being able to pull a large log, that unless he actually needed it to be long, he could cut it and make it a shorter length. They are limited to flattish ground because the other ground is quite steep. They also mow, plow, and haul stuff around so it's good to have a tractor for that.

A winch on the tractor would be handy to have. You could pull line out and up onto the steep ground if you had a winch. The tractor would stay on the flatter ground and winch the logs in. But we're starting to get into skidder territory....so keep it simple and be aware of the tippiness of your choice.

The manly rifle is not a requirement in the woods out here.

 

[oifla]

I don't skid logs anymore:

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What size Kubota is that?

O.

 

[sean donato]

I use my B7510 for skidding/ moving logs. It's a bit light in the pants at times. I got it for a steal, but I was looking for something a little bit bigger. My dad has a full size L series kubota, other then being straight gear drive (no shuttle shift) It does really well. Both punch above their weight class when it comes to loader work and using around the woods. Attached a few pics, my little B series, unloaded the trailer with no issues. Used dad's L at the site to land them. I try to stick to 8-10 foot for the larger rounds when using the loader, it will drag a much longer log though.

 

[James Sawyer]

I don't skid logs anymore:

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coyotes?

 

[StihlsawuserMS361]

I don't skid logs anymore:

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With that much weight on the loader, make sure your front axle pivot bolt is regularly checked and torqued.
Ask me how I know

 

[ning]

Consider a log arch / log hauler.

 

[Hermio]

Hello all, doing some homestead logging in Owen County, Indiana (very hilly country). I'm mostly dragging downed trees out of the hills and hollers at this point. Looking for a tractor with a loader and 4wd to handle traction issues.

Recommendations? I can buy new (but somewhat limited by budget and really hate the idea of getting a diesel with Regen and all the emissions junk on it) or used but wouldn't want to spend more than $15K.

Or should I be looking for something else (ski loader? skid steer? dozer?). I know some of you guys are using professional machines. Again, this is a homestead operation, not doing it as a business.

Thanks!
O.

Just be aware that tractors are not designed for this, and are vulnerable to damage from debris in the woods hitting oil filters, etc, under the tractor. I have a Mahindra 5035 HST, and I had a custom-built belly guard that is removable for servicing the equipment. I drag trees out that weigh several tons, basically for firewood.

 

[Mad Professor]

Not huge logs or trees but been using a 9N Ford since the 1980s. No steep hills, mud, etc.

But I've pulled out 16' X 25" logs. I lift one end just off the ground and proceed carefully. Foot near the clutch if the log tries to hang up, or front starts to lift. That size is the outer limits for that tractor. Smaller 8' stuff is no problem at all.

 

[Philbert]

Consider a log arch / log hauler.

I was going to suggest the same thing. Easier on your towing / skidding vehicle (whatever you choise); easier on the ground; less dirt / mud in the log.

Many varieties. Commercial versions available. Many are ‘homemade’.


Philbert

 

[Hermio]

I was going to suggest the same thing. Easier on your towing / skidding vehicle (whatever you choise); easier on the ground; less dirt / mud in the log.

Many varieties. Commercial versions available. Many are ‘homemade’.
View attachment 1210580

Philbert

I use a quick hitch. I put a drawbar on the lower links to pull the log until I can get the tractor to it, then I use the upper link to lift the front of the log off the ground. A log arch might be better, but you still have to be able to get it to the log. Generally, my logs are off trail until I drag them a bit.

 

[TheLazyBFarm]

What size Kubota is that?

O.

L4330, about a 40 hp tractor.

 

[Oletrapper]

I don't skid logs anymore:

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Interested in knowing what you have on the 3 point in the back for ballast? Thanks, OT

 

[ElevatorGuy]

I’m not sure you can buy a new one anyway with a 15k budget anyway. Not from any major brand anyway. I love my 1025r, most small tractors don’t have any regen stuff unless that has changed in the last few years.

 

[Patrick62]

I have been there, done that.
Tractor "worked" but it was really not suited for the task. in Sage draw, I rigged up a old CJ5 with a winch, and hoist on the back, improvised a skidder. Tore out all the brake lines the first week, fan came off and went thru the radiator, and I lost count on how many tires I plugged. Rolled it twice. but it skidded logs.
Tractor was more useful for loading them. But there were limitations on it's offroad ability, and the front axle was not really strong enough. Snapped off the spindle... All of this was pushing the equipment way way past what it should have been doing!

Later on I borrowed a CAT skid steer for a load or two out here. Now, this is what I should have been using!
Finally spent a PILE of $$$$ to get the CASE skid steer, and this year built the grapple for it.

Advantages of NOT skidding logs is that they stay a LOT cleaner, much less dirt in them, and the area that is worked stays looking a lot nicer.

my two cents worth

 

[Lionsfan]

I’m not sure you can buy a new one anyway with a 15k budget anyway. Not from any major brand anyway. I love my 1025r, most small tractors don’t have any regen stuff unless that has changed in the last few years.

Agreed. I purchased a B2601 Kubota a month ago at work and it was over $18,000 with no loader and no implements.

 

[Hermio]

I have been there, done that.
Tractor "worked" but it was really not suited for the task. in Sage draw, I rigged up a old CJ5 with a winch, and hoist on the back, improvised a skidder. Tore out all the brake lines the first week, fan came off and went thru the radiator, and I lost count on how many tires I plugged. Rolled it twice. but it skidded logs.
Tractor was more useful for loading them. But there were limitations on it's offroad ability, and the front axle was not really strong enough. Snapped off the spindle... All of this was pushing the equipment way way past what it should have been doing!

Later on I borrowed a CAT skid steer for a load or two out here. Now, this is what I should have been using!
Finally spent a PILE of $$$$ to get the CASE skid steer, and this year built the grapple for it.

Advantages of NOT skidding logs is that they stay a LOT cleaner, much less dirt in them, and the area that is worked stays looking a lot nicer.

my two cents worth

The reason I skid mine out is safety. I generally have to cut firewood alone, and the footing is better in the open field where I buck the logs. Dirt is a problem sometimes.