60hp tractor, skidding winch, and inexperienced owner. What could possibly go wrong?

[Gordon Gould]

X2 ^^ what arrow said

Slow and easy - start with smallish and simple to get logs.
I also agree with holycow- the chain saw, especially cutting or limbing logs to free then from a tangle, is the most dangerous aspect.
People do indeed ruin or damage there tractors in the woods. Accidents do happen of course but in general there is no need to stove in your tractor because it is working in the woods especially it you have a winch which allows you to keep the tractor on good ground. In 16 years I have not put a single dent in my tractor and it is constantly in the woods. You just need to pay attention to what you are doing.

gg

 

[arrow]

If I can give one last bit of advice,You didn't say what the "tractor" was but fabricate or have it done but get a skid plate on your machine. Also, having a front end loader greatly enhances the safety of skidding with small tractors as it counterweights rear load.

In general, logging in itself is dangerous work. I logged professionally for 30 years and lived to tell about it (yes 3 hernia operations and some fused vertibrae) but careful observation and tactics make all the difference in the world. A winch in my opinion, only makes the process safer because what you do not have to snuggle up to with the tractor as a danger point (ala hung tree) tends to allow for a continuation of the life process when you extend cabling to keep you out of harms way on the pull down.

 

[powerscol]

Be very careful to not anger the current residents.

View attachment 487046

:laughing:

Bruce

You just made my day - Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[Grandad4]

Can't improve on the good advice already given, but would offer a few additional points.

1. Sizing your winch to your tractor does play a role in the potential for the tractor to get dragged or overturned. I used a modest size winch (7,000 lbs), that would stall the clutch before doing anything to my tractor. The larger the winch, the greater the responsibility for the operator to intervene quickly when bringing in a log; the smaller winches are somewhat less demanding.

2. Pulling off the centerline of the tractor should be avoided. I always tried to be within 5 deg of center (5 deg yaw, in aeronautical terms!); my manual said 10 deg. was OK. Obviously, the more off center the pull, the higher the risk of a tip-over in the event of an unchecked snag. It's easy enough to re-position the tractor a bit when appropriate.

3. Terrain features can help secure the tractor. Nothing wrong using any convenient stump, boulder or tree as a "doorstop" behind the winch when pulling logs.

4. Somersaulting logs and runaway log missiles are something I never came close to experiencing. I can only suppose some combination of aggressive operation and ground conditions contributed to such incidents. Moving logs with a tractor, no matter how it's done, is not a speed contest.

5. As for snapping a cable, that's pretty hard to do unless it has been abused by overpulling or through poor care and maintenance. I stored my winch out of the elements and made sure the cable was cleaned and lubed each season.

6. If there is concern about a log rolling out of control when going downhill, it's possible to prevent the log from rolling by using a pair of chokers, one to each side of the winch frame, when securing the log before transport. Simply keeping the log on the winch cable instead of securing it with one or more chokers is a convenient shortcut but it does allow the log to roll freely during transport.

7. A tractor is capable of pulling some very heavy timber relative to tractor weight. It's up to the operator to apply sound judgement about limiting the weight of the pull based on the terrain.

8. I used a self-releasing snatch block with much success. It enabled pulls from otherwise difficult locations. An expensive but useful accessory from Farmi.

9. If you can recruit a helper, you'll find your productivity improves a great deal. One on the tractor and one on the ground worked best for me. More than one on the ground was problematic because you can only keep your eye on one person at a time. The more people milling about, the greater the chance of someone being in the wrong place where the operator doesn't see him/her.

 

[newbury]

I'm expecting to soon purchase a 60hp tractor and skidding winch. Some basic research shows using a tractor for logging activity is very dangerous work. <snip>

Yup, can be.

I'm hesitant a bit about taking on a high risk activity. But not yet dissuaded from venturing into this. I need the work to be done, whether me or another, as it helps reduce some tree disease from spreading. Fortunately the log mess I need to clean up is relatively flat, with good access from the periphery. And the route to a wide, flat area I would drag logs to is just a very gentle downslope with little or no side-to-side slope.

What other risks do you know of or have you encountered?

One of the biggest risks is investing lots of $$ in the operation and then regretting it when you realize it would have been easier to just pile up one dollar bills and burn them.

Do you have a market for the logs? What is their final purpose? Firewood? Furniture?

If you are working alone in the woods one of the most important things to do is establish comms. If you are lucky you'll have cellphone coverage. If not be sure to coordinate where you are going and when they should come looking for your body. It's real easy to have a log slip and all of a sudden you have a ton dropped on your leg.

What is the enemy wildlife like? Do you have poisonous plants? poison oak? Poisonous spiders? Poisonous snakes? These can also make for a very bad day.

On the actual logistics and operations make sure you have plenty of ropes, chains and chainsaws. I usually go out with the chains I need for dragging etc plus one extra and two chainsaws. It's too often I get a chainsaw "pinched" and the easiest way to get it out is cutting with a second chain saw. Or at least an extra bar and chain so you can take the power unit off and cut the first blade out.

And as others have written- Take it slow an easy until you gain confidence.

And keep us supplied with pictures of your new equipment.

 

[square1]

I'll venture more tractor related injuries occur from just getting on and off the tractor than any other single factor. Now add roots and holes to uneven and often slippery terrain...throw in all sorts of knobs, levers, and what-nots to catch loose clothing and floppy boot laces...finally add a little rain, heavy dew, snow, or ice to smooth metal or plastic surfaces and mix in a small amount (of the previously mentioned) fatigue and / or urgency to get the work done...
Stay safe, live to log another day

 

[jeff9366]

Keep plenty of water or other hydrating liquid on your tractor. I like to use one liter, foam insulated "bottles" for bicyclists. I freeze 2" of water in the bottom of each, before filling with pre-chilled liquid.

POLAR LINK: Google


Becoming dehydrated plus physical exertion in hot weather can lead to temporary lack of reason, a stroke or heart attack.

 

[GMIslander]

Something you may want to consider if you are a one man operation is a wireless remote for your logging winch.

 

[plowhog]

Very, very good advice. Thank you all. The tractor I am considering is a shiny new cab model Kubota Grand L6060. My use for the wood is to burn about 90% of it and get rid of it. The larger stuff I will buck up and split into firewood. But since the wood is pine it is not very desirable for firewood. At least in this area. Hardwoods much preferred. My time is limited, and I can't tackle the job and stay with it until it is done. I will work on it, time permitting, here and there. And, once it is all complete, I will probably use the winch to do general cleaning or firewood production thereafter. So I think I can justify one on a long term basis. I am getting a quote from a contractor ... just to see ... what someone would charge to clean it all up. Then compare that to a $60k tractor/winch investment.

On my shiny new tractor I will add an ugly new skid plate. So many have commented about that. My wife and I are licensed HAM radio operators. I will put a 50watt radio in the cab, and carry a low power walkie talkie. If I need to transmit, the low power walkie talkie uses the 50w radio in the cab to boom out a signal. I think I need someone monitoring the other end of that at all times if I am working alone, but I see already the greatly increased utility of "one in the cab, one in the woods." And the reason to not have others milling around.

Downsizing the winch to make it the limiting point is interesting. Of course I was looking at the biggest baddest winch possible. But sizing one smaller than the tractor could otherwise handle is an interesting approach. And I have pretty much decided on a remote control for the winch-- just in case.

I will have a grapple on the front end. So I can't use a bucket of dirt for ballast. Maybe I need to price some front weights?

I was not aware of the "yaw limit" when pulling but that makes sense, as does the issue of pulling if the tractor is on any side slope. I have good access to the area so I think I can make straight pulls. Then once the log is at the tractor I can maneuver a bit to get it driven to the work area.

The caution about slipping on terrain or just getting on/off the tractor is good advice. I am 60+ years old, a bit fragile from some past medical treatments but not too bad. I can do most anything, its more like when I "hit the wall" from fatigue or bending I am done for the day. Fortunately I have had a lot of years to develop good skills to not fall and be careful with footing and movement. My hobby is fishing in mountain streams, often in difficult terrain, with lots of boulder hopping and picking your way through debris and snags. So I think I will be OK but also need to be vigilant to stay on the upside of logs in case one shifts unexpectedly.

A last comment on hydration. I heard some time ago to NOT freeze water in your drinking vessels. Something to do with it releasing toxic dioxins into the cup you are using. This might be more for the cheap plastic water bottles-- not sure. But you might consider checking on that. Thank you all for great advice.

 

[motownbrowne]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the front weights. I'd just skid out some sticks and buck them to 6-8' lengths depending on what your trail will allow, and carry them in the grapple. So, skid some out, load your grapple, skid more out, hitch them to the winch and go.