come alongs

/ come alongs #1  

randy41

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i have some fairly large logs on the ground on a downhill slope. the slope is steep. i want to pull them up to where i can cut them and use them for firewood. i have no tractor here to work with. so will a come along do this? any come along recommendations?
 
/ come alongs #2  
It would be SLOW, TEDIOUS work! My first come along was a cable type given to me by a friend. I thought he liked me! What a piece of garbage! I always wanted a chain one, and bought a C&M 1000 pound one at an on-line auction a few months ago. When I got there, I cold not believe it. The thing would fit in the palm of my hand. I thought it was bigger.

Can you not at least use a 12 volt winch? Even a portable one. Meaning it does not have to be attached to a vehicle. I bought one of those as well recently.
 
/ come alongs #3  
You will work *** off. I'd look else were for firewood.
 
/ come alongs #4  
Agreed, it's way too much work. If you're determined to get these logs I'd find another way. And depending on what your definition of fairly large the come along might be out anyway.
 
/ come alongs #5  
i have some fairly large logs on the ground on a downhill slope. the slope is steep. i want to pull them up to where i can cut them and use them for firewood. i have no tractor here to work with. so will a come along do this? any come along recommendations?

Come-a-longs are not designed to pull large logs uphill. That task would require some heavy duty equipment. Best way to eat an Elephant is one piece at a time. Cut the larger logs in smaller logs then use a winch to pull them uphill.
 
/ come alongs #6  
These are what the Arborists use as a “hand tool.” They have 101 different uses and the rope is more than the winch itself. Anyway for $130 or so you get a winch and rope. Check out the video at the bottom- it’s not a typical come-along. You will want a sling for the anchor side as well.
TreeStuff - Maasdam Rope Puller Kit
 
/ come alongs #7  
i have some fairly large logs on the ground on a downhill slope. the slope is steep. i want to pull them up to where i can cut them and use them for firewood. i have no tractor here to work with. so will a come along do this? any come along recommendations?

I have moved logs out of some complicated terrain using a pulley high up in a tree to act as a fairlead, and a long logging rope. Attach rope to log with a chain, run rope up through fairlead and over to your tractor/truck/car/etc (which would be on manageable terrain). The logging rope will be expensive though -- I think I paid about $250 for 200' of 5/8 rope about 5 years ago (which is now in two shorter pieces because I was lazy, didn't reel it in after pulling a log out, and accidentally tagged it with a chainsaw while bucking).
 
/ come alongs #8  
It will work. So will you, a lot.
After breaking, jamming, otherwise making inoperable 2 or 3 MIT/Bronco Tool quality come-a-longs, I took a slight step up in quality to Tekton brand at about double the price of the cheap ones. It's not industrial grade, but it hasn't let me down yet in about 2 years of use. I spend a good share of every winter weekend in the woods so it does get used. I've also winched several vehicles onto my trailer (very steep loading ramps) with it.

How's it go? Fast, Good, Cheap. Pick any two.

Most times I'm in it for the exercise anyway ;)
 
/ come alongs
  • Thread Starter
#9  
i'm not looking for speed and i don't mind work at all. i'll post a pic later of the logs i'm looking to process. maybe i should get the 4wd pickup involved somehow.
 
/ come alongs #10  
i'm not looking for speed and i don't mind work at all. i'll post a pic later of the logs i'm looking to process. maybe i should get the 4wd pickup involved somehow.
...and if the grades on your property are anything like mine, you'll still need a come-a-long ;)

That old jeep was like a goat, could go more places under any conditions than any vehicle I owned before or after it.

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/ come alongs #11  
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/ come alongs #12  
I have moved logs out of some complicated terrain using a pulley high up in a tree to act as a fairlead, and a long logging rope. Attach rope to log with a chain, run rope up through fairlead and over to your tractor/truck/car/etc (which would be on manageable terrain). The logging rope will be expensive though -- I think I paid about $250 for 200' of 5/8 rope about 5 years ago (which is now in two shorter pieces because I was lazy, didn't reel it in after pulling a log out, and accidentally tagged it with a chainsaw while bucking).

This is the method to use. Come along, winch, vehicle or tractor. Object is to keep the end of the log from digging in. Cable can also be used & a couple of snatch block's help.
 
/ come alongs #13  
any come along recommendations?

When I first got my Wyeth-Scott puller quite a few years ago I tried pulling a log out of the woods with it and although the log came out easily enough, it was slow going. Mostly I use the puller for getting trees which are leaning the wrong way to fall in the right direction when I cut them. Here is the link:

The More Power Puller®, Portable Winch, Cable Puller, Come Along Winches | By The Wyeth-Scott Company

I would heartily recommend this puller to anyone.
 
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/ come alongs #15  
I have moved logs out of some complicated terrain using a pulley high up in a tree to act as a fairlead, and a long logging rope. Attach rope to log with a chain, run rope up through fairlead and over to your tractor/truck/car/etc (which would be on manageable terrain). The logging rope will be expensive though -- I think I paid about $250 for 200' of 5/8 rope about 5 years ago (which is now in two shorter pieces because I was lazy, didn't reel it in after pulling a log out, and accidentally tagged it with a chainsaw while bucking).

That plus one snatchblock on the log doubles the pull. I did a lot of black locust dead and down logs out of a mini canyon using just my F150 2x (actually only 1x as the positraction doesn't work). Usually had one snatchblock in the tree, one on the log, sometimes two on the log to get 4x the force.
 
/ come alongs #16  
That plus one snatchblock on the log doubles the pull. I did a lot of black locust dead and down logs out of a mini canyon using just my F150 2x (actually only 1x as the positraction doesn't work). Usually had one snatchblock in the tree, one on the log, sometimes two on the log to get 4x the force.

Now you're talking!!
 
/ come alongs #17  
Depending how BIG are the logs and length your trying to pull make sure heavy duty rated also chains.
Some time auto hood or type sled under end of log pulling from can make it easier.
 
/ come alongs #18  
What kind of terrain are you dealing with? Cutting and splitting in place and hauling out with an ATV might make more sense.
 
/ come alongs #19  
If you want to do it by hand these are the best type of hand winches I have used. You can put as long a piece of cable you want so you don't have to unwind and start again like a regular come along. Longer handle for more leverage and different sizes for different applications. Spendy but at least their Amazon prime;)
 

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/ come alongs #20  
i'm not looking for speed and i don't mind work at all. i'll post a pic later of the logs i'm looking to process. maybe i should get the 4wd pickup involved somehow.

How large are the logs?
How far do they have to go up the hill?
Is there a solid tree at the top of the hill where you could hook a pulley to?

I have pulled at least a hundred of 12"-18" trees out of woods using 300' or 3/8 and 5/16" cable using pulleys to direct the tree and pulling with a 4wd truck while the truck is on the flat. A helper would be nice so he could guide the log because the will want to run into objects. Your truck will not break a 5'16 or a 3/8 cable and they can be purchased on the internet fairly reasonable.

You would have to get the cable anyway with a come-a-long and I can guarantee you that after pulling the log that way for 10 feet you will find it will not work at all.
 
 
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