3-point log lift & skidder on small tractor

[CalG]

S219 thats a beefy unit. I should have welded my receiver on the bottom like yours then it wouldn't need the gussets (on my little b2710). But I had some kind of a wild hair. But those fellas sure gusseted yours!

I wonder how much lift capacity the burliest CAT1 can produce.

I've not done a survey, but the 1200 kg three point capacity of the Hurlimann 435 is right up there in the "compact and orchard" tractor catagory. ;-)

Sounds like a challenge!

 

[plumbstraight]

Just another example.

 

[Sodo]

the 1200 kg three point capacity of the Hurlimann 435 is right up there in the "compact and orchard" tractor catagory.

If 2640 lbs lift is a big number for a CAT1 3-pt then just wondering why a unit like S219's would need to be so beefy that's only 1-1/3 ton. My tractor lifts 1665 lbs (3/4 ton). These are not big numbers.

 

[Jim Timber]

View attachment 420334Just another example.

I'd love to see more of your winch if you have any pictures.

This is what I came up with for skidding "quick and dirty" - it works well though.

The top is 3x3x3/8" angle welded across some 2" channel and a hunk of 2x3" tubing up the middle. The bottom is a 2x4x3/16" jeep bumper I built about 10 years ago and never sold, so that served as the foundation for the implement.

 

[s219]

S219 thats a beefy unit. I should have welded my receiver on the bottom like yours then it wouldn't need the gussets (on my little b2710). But I had some kind of a wild hair. But those fellas sure gusseted yours!

I wonder how much lift capacity the burliest CAT1 can produce.

I think it probably looks extra beefy on my old B2920 in that picture just because the tractor is small. Looks a whole lot more natural on my larger L3200. When I was shopping for these, I remember liking that particular design because it had some protection for the tractor from the diagonal tube sections, which also give very good gusseting.

Having the receiver on the bottom does make that stick down, which could potentially grab on something, but it hasn't been a problem in my use. However, now that I finally have a welder, I plan to weld up a "skid plate" that will slide in the receiver and provide an angled flat plate below the unit, like a proper skidding plate or logging winch would have. That will give extra protection from logs that hang low when skidding, and keep the receiver out of the dirt. I figure I will make the plate about 6-8" high, give it an angled lip on the bottom edge, and then weld a 2" tube coming out the back to slide into the receiver and pin on.

 

[PatMcD]

My attempt at basically the same thing:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I actually like the design of this log tong much better than the old design,

This design grips much better and I never have to bang the sides in, to get a better grip...

If the log is bigger than 24 or so inches, I can put a small chain under the log and hook the ends to both sides of the tong and drive away... The chain makes the tong grip like crazy on those over size logs...

SR

 

[pat32rf]

I have found that a few things work to make the job easier.
You should be pulling from a beam over the log so you can make your turns without jamming. This is safer with a HST than a clutch....
When you make your 3pth assembly, position the pins so the whole thing can sit on the ground while you hook up your pins to the arms. In Sodo's case I would make a concrete block with a few pieces of 1/2 allthread sticking out of the top to bolt it to the 2x2. (actually cast the concrete in place) This could add ballast and provide a base to set the assembly on when not in use while still keeping the receiver free for trailer balls or winches...

 

[vtsnowedin]

I have found that a few things work to make the job easier.
You should be pulling from a beam over the log so you can make your turns without jamming. This is safer with a HST than a clutch....
When you make your 3pth assembly, position the pins so the whole thing can sit on the ground while you hook up your pins to the arms. In Sodo's case I would make a concrete block with a few pieces of 1/2 allthread sticking out of the top to bolt it to the 2x2. (actually cast the concrete in place) This could add ballast and provide a base to set the assembly on when not in use while still keeping the receiver free for trailer balls or winches...

It is late at night and I'm well into my wine so forgive me if I can't visualize what you are talking about. please post some pictures that show your set up.

 

[plumbstraight]

I'd love to see more of your winch if you have any pictures.

This is what I came up with for skidding "quick and dirty" - it works well though.

The top is 3x3x3/8" angle welded across some 2" channel and a hunk of 2x3" tubing up the middle. The bottom is a 2x4x3/16" jeep bumper I built about 10 years ago and never sold, so that served as the foundation for the implement.

Looking for a better pic,

 

[plumbstraight]

another angle without boom.

 

[Sodo]

When you make your 3pth assembly, position the pins so the whole thing can sit on the ground while you hook up your pins to the arms. In Sodo's case I would make a concrete block with a few pieces of 1/2 allthread sticking out of the top to bolt it to the 2x2. (actually cast the concrete in place) This could add ballast and provide a base to set the assembly on when not in use while still keeping the receiver free for trailer balls or winches...

I think I understand the base but not the reason for it. This thing only weighs 15 lbs, you can set the pins in the lift arms with one hand. Its built lightweight because the tractor can only lift 3/4 ton.

 

[pat32rf]

My assembly consists of a couple sections that stack together via 2" receiver couplings. The first is just a battery holder, chain boxes, some cast steel weights, beyond this I can plug in either a simple draw bar OR a 8000lb winch, beyond the winch goes a frame for chain anchors for skidding and then a simple draw bar behind this. The whole thing can weigh over 300 lbs. I can lower it to the ground and slip it off the 3pth by setting it on the steel weights that are bolted to the bottom... I can also back into the wood shed, throw a chain over the beam and suspend it from the beam on the chain by lowering the 3pth. This allows me to swing it into position when I wish to reinstall it.

 

[farm boy00]

My assembly consists of a couple sections that stack together via 2" receiver couplings. The first is just a battery holder, chain boxes, some cast steel weights, beyond this I can plug in either a simple draw bar OR a 8000lb winch, beyond the winch goes a frame for chain anchors for skidding and then a simple draw bar behind this. The whole thing can weigh over 300 lbs. I can lower it to the ground and slip it off the 3pth by setting it on the steel weights that are bolted to the bottom... I can also back into the wood shed, throw a chain over the beam and suspend it from the beam on the chain by lowering the 3pth. This allows me to swing it into position when I wish to reinstall it.

Got any pictures

 

[Buggs67]

Maybe I'm crazy (I am new to tractors but have been harvesting wood with the ATV and pickup for years) but I'm planning on using my boom pole. Since my tractor is small I think I won't overburden the pole or 3pt.

In this case since the log was small and I had an equal sixe on the bucket we carried it out of the woods. My brother is going to make yard furniture out of these red oaks knocked down by a storm.

 

[PapaPerk]

Maybe I'm crazy (I am new to tractors but have been harvesting wood with the ATV and pickup for years) but I'm planning on using my boom pole. Since my tractor is small I think I won't overburden the pole or 3pt. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/build-yourself/421057-3-point-log-lift-skidder-boom-pole-jpg"/> In this case since the log was small and I had an equal sixe on the bucket we carried it out of the woods. My brother is going to make yard furniture out of these red oaks knocked down by a storm.

Is it me or does that boom pole looks like it's twisting?

Boom pole works for little logs. When pulling on big logs that are dragging it may damage boom pole.

Nice pic. Thank u!

 

[PatMcD]

I folded a TSC boom pole while pulling a log. Don't grab one too big.

 

[PapaPerk]

I folded a TSC boom pole while pulling a log. Don't grab one too big.

Yep. That really long boom puts ALOT of bending stress on boom and supports when pulling something hard.

 

[TomSeller]

Be careful about pulling from much higher than the rear axle if the log hangs up on something, or over backwards you may go.

 

[Buggs67]

I folded a TSC boom pole while pulling a log. Don't grab one too big.

All good comments and thank you. If I drag with it I'll be attaching the log near where the top link attaches. And only lift it enough to clear the rocks. I used to drag with the quad but it's very jarring to hit the "iceberg" rocks. We lifted this one cuz it was small and my brother didn't want to scar it up much.

I'd like to have more attachments but since I won't be doing a lot of any one thing I need multitaskers. Looking into a box blade now.