Log Skidder for CK 30 HST

[knibloe]

I have 20 acres of woodlot about 1/2 mile out back of my property and I have a Kioti CK 30 HST. I would like to skid some logs out to the house. I have looked at the 3 pt hitch skidders and ATV skidders. I like the idea of the ATV skidders that lift the log onto a trailer type rig. Does anyone have experience with these on a tractor? seems like it would be easier and do less damage to the trails to and from the woods. I have skidded some large logs (30 inches X 20 feet) out with chains, loaded small logs on my wagon (12 inches X 8 feet) and even carried a few bruisers out on the bucket, but dragging ruins the trail, loading onto the wagon is hard on the wagon and using the FEL is very rough on the tractor. Any ideas?

 

[old and tired]

Import them from China?

Timber Trailer – China Log Skidder

www.chinalogskidder.com

Import them from Canada?

ATV Trailer - AM Machinery | Blacks Creek

ATV Trailer with Grapple - Comes equipped with Hydraulic 9' Boom, Telescopic Stabilizers, Hydraulic Unit - there is no need for aux power!

www.blackscreek.ca

This one has dealers in USA...

COUNTRY 410-ATV

The Country ATV trailer is specifically designed for ATV use. An adjustable tandem balances the load and the motor is moved to the front of the ATV to further reduce tongue weight. Built of high strenth steel with cylinders placed out of harm's way; the telescopic boom has a 360 degree rotation...

picken.ca

 

[nyone]

How is loading logs onto a trailer hard on a loader/tractor? At 1/2mi I wouldn't be dragging them out.

 

[JJT]

Wait for the ground to freeze and drag them out. How many trees do you need to process? If more than just a few for lumber or firewood, let the big guys do the heavy lifting. A proper skidder will pull more in a day than you can pull in a month.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A log arch would work well for you, and these are the ones I like best, Log Arches - Logrite.com - LogRite Tools LLC

You can use them with your tractor or an ATV.

SR

 

[Rustyiron]

^^^ Rob beat me to it.
Minimal investment and will keep most of the log out of the dirt.

 

[WranglerX]

If you are not going to be winching (huge forestry winch), then as other mention a log arch would probably be best solution.... Seems to me the hydrailic gripper/loader and trailer is quite an expense unless you are doing this professionally to sell the wood..... The layout of my 10 acres actually makes the loader/trailer combination almost impractical to navigate, that is why I recommend the arch....
And there is arch designs that totally lift the log so it does not drag....

log arch - Google Search

 

[John_Mc]

A skidder drags logs on the ground. I believe what you are referring to is a forwarding trailer. I own one, and use it behind my compact tractor. I've really enjoyed using it, and appreciate how it is so much easier on my trails than simply skidding the log out. However, they are expensive: you need to be moving a lot of logs to make it financialy justifiable to own one. In addition, the ones made for use with a compact tractor are not going to budge that 3" x 20' log you mentioned.

I'd have to go with the recommendation Sawyer Rob, Rustyiron, and WranglerX made: Look at a log arch. They will move some good-sized logs relatively easily. Of the arches I've seen, the best made ones are from LogRite (See Sawyer Rob's link). I've seen some good home made ones - you can make one for surprisingly little money, if you or a friend are good scroungers and good with a welder. I've also seen to very light-duty ones for sale that I would not bother messing with, unless all you have is a very light tow vehicle and are just moving small logs. Do put some thought into stopping and handling, especially if the land on which you are operating is hilly. (A good set of chains on your tractor's rear tires can make a world of difference.)

 

[knibloe]

How is loading logs onto a trailer hard on a loader/tractor? At 1/2mi I wouldn't be dragging them out.

It isn't hard on the tractor it is hard on the wagon itself. I have to pick them up with the bucket and essentially dump them onto the wagon. Also, I did pick up one that was too large and now have a blown/leaky cylinder seal on the FEL. I suspect it was from moving that log.

 

[knibloe]

Wait for the ground to freeze and drag them out. How many trees do you need to process? If more than just a few for lumber or firewood, let the big guys do the heavy lifting. A proper skidder will pull more in a day than you can pull in a month.

I'm not doing a lot, but I can see myself doing it often enough to have a rig to help me.

 

[knibloe]

A log arch would work well for you, and these are the ones I like best, Log Arches - Logrite.com - LogRite Tools LLC

You can use them with your tractor or an ATV.

SR

Yes, a log arch is what I really meant. The trailer with the grapple is way more than I will ever need. So the logrite is a good one? As mentioned above, I don't want a cheap one that is more hassle than it is worth. I think it will be easier on the tractor, the trails and they will have less dirt on them, so easier on the saw and mill.

Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions.

 

[John_Mc]

Yes, a log arch is what I really meant. The trailer with the grapple is way more than I will ever need. So the logrite is a good one? As mentioned above, I don't want a cheap one that is more hassle than it is worth. I think it will be easier on the tractor, the trails and they will have less dirt on them, so easier on the saw and mill.

Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions.

Without a doubt LogRite makes the best commercially-made logging arches around. If you are going to buy, rather than make one, the only real question is which of their models to get.

 

[ericm979]

Unless your forest is really open you'll need a way to get the logs to where you can back the log arch over them. You could use chains and a choker to pull them with the tractor but that requires a space for the tractor to run that's in line with the log and the landing you're pulling it to and as long as the pull. Maybe your forest is open enough (and flat enough) for that but many aren't. That's where a forestry winch comes in handy. Most commercial winches are set up so you can pull the logs to the winch then attach the butt ends of the logs and lift them for dragging them somewhere. Thats functionally similar to the log arch only without the trailer.