Dragging logs with my JD 4400

[CountryBoy]

I have a draw bar on my tractor,any good ideas/easy solution how to drag logs and lift the ends up off the ground so the tractor is carrying the end of the log instead of dragging it,instead of having the end dig into the dirt while pulling the log?

 

[sewells]

I use my JD 790 for the same things. I went to a loggers supply store and bought a cable that makes this easy. First, I put a clevis hook on my draw bar. The cable I bought (sorry I don't know the name of the cable arrangement) was originally designed for the cable skidders loggers use to drag logs up or down hillsides. I put the clevis hook thru one end of the cable (there a roundish opening in a steel eye kind of arrangement on that end of the cable). The other end has a sliding piece that adjusts basically anywhere along the length of the cable. On the other of the cable there is a steel collar that will fit into the sliding piece. It is all arranged so that you take a loop around the log with the cable and then insert the steel collar end into the slider. THen you use your 3ph to lift the end of the log up. I think I spend about $16 dollars for the ready made cable and it works like a charm. When I'm skidding smaller logs I sometimes have to take two loops around the trunk with the cable to make it short enough for the 3ph to be able to lift it.

My little 790 skids some logs that you wouldn't think it would skid as easily as it does. You just want to be careful to keep the log end as low as you can while still having it off the ground enough to clear obstructions. Also, drive slow while skidding. With any speed, it would be very unfunny to get the butt end of that log jammed into a tree trunk or something. Would bring you a stop in a rather unpleasant way.

But, a tractor makes a great skidder as long as you use some common sense about the slopes you're working on and the terrain your skidding across.

Hope this helps.

Steve Wells

 

[Slamfire]

I use a 6' length of log chain, just like the previous poster uses the cable. Sometimes it is pretty difficult to get the chain around the log, then I give it a lift with a set of tongs. They look just like ice tongs and work just the same. I don't drag a log with the tongs, I can't lift high enough to clear all the ground obstructions. Another thing some folks use is a skid plate that slips under the front end of the log, and when the chain to the tractor comes tight lifts the end of the log a little.

 

[frank_f15]

hook up as the others have suggested but i add one of those plastic snow sled with the curverd front,kids use them all winter, let the end of the log rest on that and it will not dig into the ground. if it is a really a heavy log fill the bucket with something and keep it low and slow.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I guess I cheat a little. I lift one end of the log with my FEL to get the chain around it (always from a safe spot) then let the chained log down. A lot of time I'll just hook the other end of the chain onto my front bumper then and just back out. That way I don't have to worry about weights, etc., or flipping my tractor, either.

 

[rozett]

Sewells, any chance you could show us a photo of the cable your talking about?

 

[sewells]

I'll take a picture and post within the next hour or so.

Steve Wells

 

[sewells]

First, here's a completely gratuitous picture of my little JD 790. I love her and she gets jealous if she's not first.

Steve Wells

 

[sewells]

Here's pretty much the whole rig I use for skidding.

Steve Wells

 

[sewells]

Here's the end that goes around the log butt.

Steve Wells