log arch

[Rockman]

I finished my log arch today(except for the winch), it is modeled after the old Hyster arches of yesteryear. I used a set of come-a-longs for the test hitch, seems to work great.

 

[crazyal]

Nice. Have you thought about adding a box to hold your chains?

 

[Rockman]

Nice. Have you thought about adding a box to hold your chains?

I am planning on adding hooks to hang the chains.

 

[beeforty]

Looks great:thumbsup: I've thought of building one but don't really need one, not enough trees or distance to haul home to make it really needed. Do your tires rub in tight turns?

 

[R W]

A Well Built Piece Of Equipment.

 

[Baby Grand]

Nice looking arch. That should make bringing in the wood a lot more productive. What did you use for the axles?
-Jim

 

[Rockman]

Beeforty, yes the trees do rub the tires in tight turns, not a problem so far maybe I should think about adding fenders.

Baby grand, I went to the junk yard not knowing what I was looking for and came home with the rear axle from a Mercury villager mini van, I cut the axle on the bandsaw leaving 4" stubs on the hubs, works perfect, plus 15" tires.

 

[yomax4]

Interesting...I ususlly just wrap a chain around the end of the log and lift it with the 3 pt. and away I go. Is there an advantagemto using the arch?

Thanks.

 

[Rockman]

Interesting...I ususlly just wrap a chain around the end of the log and lift it with the 3 pt. and away I go. Is there an advantagemto using the arch?

Thanks.

Yes, there are a couple advantages I know of, 1) the arch carries the weight instead of having it hang of the rear of the tractor 2)it lifts the tree/log off the ground making it easier to pull and keeping it out of the dirt mud.

Kevin

 

[blueone]

Nice Job! :thumbsup: Are you adding a manual boat type winch or are you going 12v electric? Is that 2" or 3" x 1/4-1/2 tubing?

I just tested this yesterday for the first time. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/196275-i-need-cut-some-wood.html

I think that your arch will serve you well. Don't forget to make a place for your saws. Like this http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff436/brickdust1/DSCF1953SmallSmall.jpg or what ever works for you

 

[kawman14733]

nice job :thumbsup:

 

[TraderMark]

Very nice job!
:thumbsup:

 

[plumbstraight]

Nice Arch. Will make skidding much easier for your tractor.

Something you might want to consider for a winch. Works well for me and can be used with or without the arch. This is before paint and all.

 

[Rockman]

plumbstraight, thats a nice winch, how big is it? Your tractor looks just like mine, is it a ck20?

 

[magicheater]

Beeforty, yes the trees do rub the tires in tight turns, not a problem so far maybe I should think about adding fenders.

Fenders won't solve that, more a geometry problem. Nice fab job:thumbsup:, do you lose traction with the weight not on the 3PH?

 

[plumbstraight]

Hello Rockman,

The winch is a 10,000lb electric and it is a ck20s Kioti.
I did build myself an arch back in the 70's that converted to a trailer for a kubota. I have one now for my quad. It works well bringing in the wood. Will have to get out now and make one for the kioti. they do make a difference.

 

[Jeff Lary]

very nice job

 

[Rockman]

Fenders won't solve that, more a geometry problem. Nice fab job:thumbsup:, do you lose traction with the weight not on the 3PH?

Well, I was thinking of fenders like on a cable skidder. As for traction, The traction is better with the arch. My tractor is 4x4 and with all 4 wheels on the ground all the time it works great.

Kevin

 

[Rockman]

Plumbstraight, I thought your tractor looked like mine, my little ck20 is a work'n fool for it's size.
That is a nice winch, I would love one, but I don't see it in the budget for awhile.

Kevin

 

[Chilly807]

Nice looking job, a log arch is one of the best tools I have for firewood and fence posts. I use mine behind the ATV, it was built to follow in the ATV tracks.

You might find a set of deflectors in front of the wheels very handy. I added mine after a year or so of getting hung up on trees in tight corners. Now the arch just bounces to one side when you hit a tree, and keeps on going.

Where you mount the axles plays a big factor in weight distribution when you have a log hung from the arch. Mine are about 8 inches behind the arch, and actually add weight to the hitch when loaded.

I've been contemplating a bigger version for use behind the tractor, but for the stuff I cut the ATV is a lot more nimble around the woods. I've had wood up to about 16 inches on mine and it handles it with no problems. I used Chrysler stub axles, and 1.5 inch x 1/8 square tube for most of it. The boat winch is used for bigger stuff, small wood I can handle.

You can actually back up to the log, disconnect the arch and pivot it so the tongue is upright, then hook the choker and use the tongue for leverage to pull the log off the ground. Works very well.

Sean