Anyone use a Cant

[crazyal]

Does anyone use a Cant, Peavey, or Timber jack on log while out in the woods? I've used a Peavey to load log onto a band mill but they weren't too long, 12' maybe. But what I would like to know is after you limb a tree are they useful to rotate a tree to help get a choker chain around it? Or what about if you have 20 or 30 foot Maple lying on the ground you want to buck up but the entire log is touching the ground. Would one be strong enough to roll the log after you've made some cuts so you could finish them off?

By just looking at the Timber Jacks they don't look like they could lift a large log off the ground so I've never looked too closely at them. I'm thinking a good Cant would be my best bet but I've only used a Peavey. Anyway what are people's thoughts. Good, bad, Peavey, Cant, other.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

I get all my logs off the beach from a skiff and the peavey is indispensable from rolling the log on the beach to get the choker on it, to forming the logs into a train once in the water, to moving other logs out of the way, I would be much less effecient without it. Have broke a couple of handles tho so can't lift/roll too much with them.
Rick

 

[MossRoad]

If I need to lift a log to cut it into firewood lengths I usually just jam a branch under it and pry on a fulcrum made from another branch. However, I have been thinking of getting a steel one just because the hooks grab better than a branch. I'll be watching this thread for suggestions. Thanks for starting it. :thumbsup:

 

[adjusterr]

I use what I think would be called a cant hook, bought at a sale, steel pole with two steel hooks, hard to describe but the pole is curved with a piece of pipe welded at 90 degrees across the bottom. You push the pole against the log, use whichever hook fits the diameter of the log then pull back and allow the handle to go to the ground, now the log is tipped up off the ground in a position for cutting, very handy.

 

[Marveltone]

I've found a timber jack to be very useful when cutting firewood to length. Of course, the one we've been using was cheap (Northern Tool), so it broke, but after a bit of scrap metal and a little welding, it's stronger than ever. As far as the peavey or cant hooks go, very useful for dragging and rotating those pesky 20' logs into place. We also use a two man timber carrier to haul the logs onto the trailer for transport.

Of course, we mostly cut poplar and tamarack, so nothing too big. As always, YMMV.

Joe

 

[crazyal]

There's a company that makes them over in Bangor. I don't get over there too often but next time I do I'll stop in. They only sell them with wood handles. I see Northern has them with wood, aluminum, and fiberglass.

 

[Baby Grand]

I have a wooden handled timberjack and use it often. Saves me from getting the chain in the soil when bucking. You can hoist a good sized piece of wood with one. I replaced the bolt that attaches the "foot" with a bale pin so I can remove it quickly and convert it to a cant hook - very useful for freeing a hung up tree.
-Jim

 

[westbrooklawn]

I have a 5' cant hook that I bought 25+ years ago. It is invaluable for just the use you are asking about. I use it to roll logs while limbing, and also to finish cuts (roll over and keep your chain out of the dirt). The one I have is just like this one.

CM 06260 Cant Hook

 

[MarkV]

These look like nice ones. LogRite Tools, Cant Hook, Log Peavey, Log Carrier, Timber Carrier, Logging Tools

MarkV

 

[20 20]

I use a couple of cants all the time around the mill/woods, nothing beats it to move logs around. I also have the cheapo from northern tool that comes with a metal leg{Making it a timber jack ??} to lift smaller logs for cutting. I have moved locust{one of the heaviest woods} but I doubt highly it would lift a 20-30 foot sizable log onto the leg. I figured if I needed to I could allways cut the long log into shorter manageable logs.

 

[TonyF]

I have one of the Timber Tuff yellow handled cant hooks with jack, it works ok for larger logs in most cases, but for smaller logs not so much. Its hard to get the hook to bite on the smaller logs. I also have one of the blue Logrite cants, with no jack. its works better than the other and is much lighter since its aluminum, not fiberglass. At this point I usually just try to prop up logs with the loader or mini-ex.

I'd recommend to get one with longest handle you can find, big logs are heavy

 

[20 20]

. At this point I usually just try to prop up logs with the loader or mini-ex.

:thumbsup: and there you have it a mini ex{with thumb, or grapple} in the woods is great for lifting logs.

 

[studor]

I found a plan for a log lifter (timberjack) made out of 1 inch pipe on one of the agricultural extension sites and made it.
http://msucares.com/pubs/plans/6379.pdf
I have used it for the last ten years or so and while I stll have it mounted in the carryall, I find that I use it less than I used to since I bought log tongs. Now I tend to hook up the tongs and lift the log and cut it into shorter pieces which I block on a sawbuck. To move really big logs I have both a peavey and a cant hook and find they are usefull for moving the log to get a chain on if I think the log will be too heavy for the FEL. The tool I find really useful for firewood is a pickeroon to lift pieces on to the splitter

 

[crazyal]

I have one of the Timber Tuff yellow handled cant hooks with jack, it works ok for larger logs in most cases, but for smaller logs not so much. Its hard to get the hook to bite on the smaller logs. I also have one of the blue Logrite cants, with no jack. its works better than the other and is much lighter since its aluminum, not fiberglass. At this point I usually just try to prop up logs with the loader or mini-ex.

I'd recommend to get one with longest handle you can find, big logs are heavy

Like this?

It's just not portable enough to get into the deeps woods. :laughing:

 

[beenthere]

These look like nice ones. LogRite Tools, Cant Hook, Log Peavey, Log Carrier, Timber Carrier, Logging Tools

MarkV

Those LogRite tools are the best. A real improvement over the normal cant hooks and peavy's available for years. Northern tool has a chinese knock-off copy of LogRite which seems grossly unfair and illegal to me. They are not well made, but try to be a look-alike.

Best and fastest method I've found is to buck the log partway through, then roll it half around to cut through the remaining part. A short 30" logrite cant hook is what I use to turn the log.

The log jacks are just too cumbersome to use if interested in getting done quickly. Too much setup time for a cut or two.
But if one likes the exercise, then go that route.

 

[crazyal]

These look like nice ones. LogRite Tools, Cant Hook, Log Peavey, Log Carrier, Timber Carrier, Logging Tools

MarkV

I looked at them. I'm normally a non wood handle type of person since every rake or shovel I've ever had with a wood handle has rotted or broke. Bot that's because they get left outdoors, not sure if this would ever get left out since leaving it out would mean leaving it in the middle of the woods.

I was a little concerned that Aluminum may bend if I try to move something too big. But after reading from people that have them I feel more comfortable.

 

[ToadHill]

When I cut firewood I lay the largest diameter piece on the ground and drag the rest perpendicular o it. I then lift one end up and drop it over the first log. I move the tractor to the far end of the second log and cut off the overhanging end. As the rounds drop off , I push the log up further with the bucket loader and when the weight of the overhanging end gets greater than the back half, I just set the FEL on the back end and push down.

You can't believe how much easier this is on my old back. No more bending over to cut the log into splitting rounds. I then slide the rounds into the bucket and move them to the splitter. I can then roll them onto the splitter and toss the split pieces into the back of the truck.

 

[Skyco]

I have two Timberjacks bought at NT, they are shown below- the right one is a 3 ft with wooden handle the other is a 4 ft with fibreglass handle. The wodden one is considerably lighter to tote around.
Oddly they are just about the same length! Apparently NT uses a rubber stretchy tape measure.....
I find them moderately handy to roll a log or pick up one for bucking. The stand will come off both to use as a cant.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

The reason I like the peevey better is the point is straight on, which seems to work better for diggin under the log, or wedging in to pry and definatly for pushing the logs around. Have never used the aluminum handles (thought they would bend and break without the flex wood does) have broke a few of the good hickory wood ones over the years but you can replace the handle and getting the flex sure puts a lot of extra power into rolling a big one.
Rick

 

[TonyF]

Like this?

It's just not portable enough to get into the deeps woods. :laughing:

Exactly! My little ex is a bit smaller, I'm able to clear little paths to get in, then turn the cab sidewards with the log and work my way out. Its just too much work to manhandle those logs. The cants stay pretty much in the back of my truck these-days.

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