ATV Log Arch/Skidder

[Dr Dave]

If you installed a spring loaded latch on the top of the arch, then when you pull forward, the ring will ride up and latch, by itself. You could also install a rope, to release the latch.

Dave

 

[jwmorris]

it would be much less likely to hurt you if you just made a flat section to the angled rod up at the top so it would sort of stay up unless it was going to over run you. If you ever wanted the log to come down you would likely already be in too much trouble to be jacking around with a latch of some sort. Unless it was an ejector seat to keep you from getting crushed.

 

[rmorey]

Found these photos, hope they help to explain. You can see the flat part at the top. That keeps the chain in place, negating a need for a catch. When you touch the brake on the ATV, the chain slides down and the log acts as a drag, slowing you down further. I have a Honda 350 and could pull a 600 - 700 lb log!

 

[jwmorris]

yep, that is a better idea.

 

[Jeembawb]

Thanks Guys - I have been reading this thread with interest thinking i need something like one of these but a little bigger for some logs that still have rootballs attached and was thinking that the wheels will get in the way a bit (maybe heavy duty fenders would help though) but since I will be dragging these logs off the side of my rocky steep road, the distance beween the wheels could be an issue when going around sharp corners. Anyway, so with all the ideas I have seen here (especially the ramp bar and ring idea) I have come up with a simple solution to use with my old nissan patrol. 1st idea is have no wheels. I will just bolt about 4 foot of 2" heavy wall rhs somewhere around the towbar and coming out on an angle much like the ramp rod. Will have a ring on it with a hook (and maybe a swivel). Then at the top end will have 2 bits of chain going back up front to some seatbelt points or such to hold it all together. Then all I need to do is back up to it and wrap a choker chain around it - hook up to the ring hook and drive off. Why didn't I think of this before!! I have dragged that many logs behind the ole patrol before and yanked out a bunch of lantana bushes .... but with this little device (which only lives in my head and I guess here now) I could have yanked all these lantana bushes out easier I reckon because there would be an upward pull (and it would be cool doing wheelies all the time).

Have attached a pic of what it looks like in my head.

 

[bamboozled]

There is a flat spot at the top of the slide rail, just no ring. He didn't want one.

 

[BowlBuilder]

LogRite Uses Less Power - YouTube

 

[Retired LE]

Here's something I put together some years ago (1980's) after seeing an article in Mother Earth News. I used a boat winch and wheel hubs & tires I found at the local wrecking yard. A spare ammo can came in handy for storing chains and other accessories. I even fancied it up with some running lights I had lying around.

To haul a log you positioned the tongue at one end of the log, wrapped a chain around it, then winched up the other end using the boat winch. The tongue was also adjustable for different length logs to keep the center of gravity where it should be.

It worked pretty well to haul individual logs around without having to drag them through the dirt and risk damaging the surrounding landscaping.

I haven't had a use for it since - so now it sits and gathers dust/rust.

This was before the internet but I see there is a link now to that original article.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/log-hauler-zmaz85sozgoe.aspx#axzz2lb4Z23V5

 

[Rio_Grande]

My dad described this exact method to me a while back but I couldn't grasp the practice. Now I get it. Looks like it is time to build one. I currently cut logs to 6 foot then grab with grapple 4ish at a time. The only issue with that is my property is about 40 miles from my skid steer most of the time. I can haul quad, arch and wood all easily on one trailer.

 

[grnspot110]

I made my own log arch from old garden tractor wheels & scrap I had on hand. Just don't use the tail cart on steep slopes! ~~ grnspot