3 point log skidder/multi purpose

[RAF]

This is my first implement I made for the new to me L3750. Not finished yet but had to try it out. I'm going to put a receiver on the bottom and some angle braces. Next is a set of forks for the FEL to load the trailer. I drug these two logs about a 1/4 mile down the road.

 

[Egon]

Looks good.

 

[farmboy12]

Very nice!

What state did you buy that tractor from? Because we sold one a few years back to a guy in VA.


Kyle

 

[ToadHill]

This one's been working fine for many years.

 

[RAF]

Very nice!

What state did you buy that tractor from? Because we sold one a few years back to a guy in VA.


Kyle

The tractor has been living across the street from me for at least 7 years.

 

[RAF]

ToadHill, Have you had any luck with tongs? I tried a set today. It did ok with the first log (very straight piece 24' long). Second log (not very straight 26' long) couldn't get them to stay. Kept coming off when log rolled. I think I'll stick with chain for the most part.

 

[RonMar]

At a minimum, you need a second chain from the bottom of that log forward to the drawbar. The way the log is rigged in your pics, with the 3PH up in the air, if the log hangs up on something, all the pull force from the tractor will be directed to a point well above the toplink on the tractor. This is a recipe for disaster and could cause the tractor to wheelie over backwards. I have drug enough logs thru the woods to know that they can and will get caught on things.

The rear overturn videos down the page a ways on this website show the situation pretty well.

Tractor Overturn, H.J. Sommer III

A chain attached to the drawbar should give a lower path for the pull force and help to reduce this risk/slow the speed at which the front end comes up. If both chains become tight however, the pull force will be somewhere between the two attach points, but still lower than just being attached to the top alone. Ideally, your rig should apply ALL the pull force to the drawbar. This should cause any hangup to exceed the traction available from the tractor and cause the wheels to spin(non event). The above website shows a properly rigged drawbar pull(loss of traction)... If I were regularly dragging logs, I would use a setup that only attaches to the drawbar when pulling.

I could show you a sketch of how I would do it if you like.

Be safe.

 

[ToadHill]

RAF I've had no luck with tongs, the chain on the hitch has one large end that will allow the chain to slide through it acting like a cinch. I lift the log only about a foot off the ground and that keeps the weight at the same hight as the draw bar.

 

[mcd176]

Ronmar,

If you could provide the sketch I am sure we all would like to see it, I have a similar skidder attachment and hook the chain to the top and then another onto two hooks that I have in parallel to the drawbar.

-Mike

 

[rhett]

hi mcd176, I believe this picture shows the rigging that Ronmar is describing. All the pulling force is applied to the True drawbar, only the weight lifted effects the front ends want to rise. Actually when pulling, the force tends to help keep the front end down = advantage of the low pull point.

 

[Egon]

It would be interesting to see a force vector diagram for that set up.

 

[RonMar]

It would be interesting to see a force vector diagram for that set up.

Well that wasn't exactly what I was talking about, but it does illistrate the point. You don't need a force vector diagram in this case. The length of chain between the hook up to the boom, and the base of the tree provides a nice line of force. You will note that if you extend that line, it points up behind the seat. If the connection up to the boom wasn't there, the line of force would be straight to the drawbar. If the chain was only conected from the boom end down to the tree, the chain angle would be much higher, indicating a line of force well above the tractor. A chain to the drawbar lowers the effective connection point, but is not as good as going right to the drawbar.

I will post a sketch of what I am talking about for dragging logs tonight.

 

[RAF]

RonMar, I think I understand. It makes sense, I would just add a second chain around log and go to the draw bar. The front of the log was high enough to clear anything I was going over but the log being 24' if it got caught in between two trees in a turn, that could of hurt.

Thanks

 

[RonMar]

RonMar, I think I understand. It makes sense, I would just add a second chain around log and go to the draw bar. The front of the log was high enough to clear anything I was going over but the log being 24' if it got caught in between two trees in a turn, that could of hurt.

Thanks

Here is what I was talking about. Basically it is a steel skidplate that goes under the log to keep the front end of the log from digging in or hanging up on something while pulling. This plate is attached to the drawbar with chain so it is allowed to flex and move with the log as you maneuver the tractor. It could even be chained to the log. You back up to the log and use a 3PH mounted structure such as a boom pole, or something like the rig Toadhill posted about to lift the log. Then you put this plate under the log and attach it and the drawbar pull chain to the log. Then you lower the log down onto the plate and haul away. The 3PH is in the down position with it's lift chain slack while dragging, so all the pull force goes thru the drawbar. The lift chain is still connected if you should need to lift the log for some reason, or to disconnect the rig when you reach your destination.

If you really want to get the log up off the ground, then something like a log arch would be better than anything that has the potential to have any part of the pulling force going thru the 3PH while dragging. But it has the disadvantage of behaving like a trailer and being more difficult to maneuver thru the trees than just the tractor.

Good Luck

 

[Egon]

Here are some commercial versions.

Logging Equipment

I always found the when pulling logs with my little B7100 I needed the downward pull to have sufficient traction to move the log. The bucket full of rocks also helped.

 

[sizzami]

heres mine

 

[Egon]

That is a nice setup Sizzami.

 

[sizzami]

I have put a lot of wood with my little 1910 with this set up I dont understand what all the fuss is about if you use your head the end of the log is off the ground, it shouldnt break your three point hitch ,a backhoe puts way more stress on the top link, no? if in doubt make more trips ie less time fussing with chains more time doin what we all love ,drivin it.

 

[RonMar]

I have put a lot of wood with my little 1910 with this set up I dont understand what all the fuss is about if you use your head the end of the log is off the ground, it shouldnt break your three point hitch ,a backhoe puts way more stress on the top link, no? if in doubt make more trips ie less time fussing with chains more time doin what we all love ,drivin it.

Breaking the 3PH isn't the issue. Pulling the tractor over backwards with a high attach point is the issue...

 

[sizzami]

personally my tractors three point hitch wont lift any thing heavy enough to tip over bacwards if the front end starts to come up wouldnt you push the clutch or drop the 3ph? its a long way over backward.