Dragging trees. Possible?

7sam15 · Apr 2, 2003

Is it possible to drag fallen Douglas Fir trees with a compact tractor (I’m looking in the 30 –35 PTO HP range). I would need to drag the trees out of my woods, across a creek and up a 8 acre slope to my shop. I have about 15 trees to fall and drag.

What is a safe method for attaching the log to the tractor? How much HP is required? Is this a good idea?

Colin--

Bird · Apr 2, 2003

( Is it possible to drag fallen Douglas Fir trees with a compact tractor )

Yes, if they aren't too big. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Impossible to give a definitive answer without knowing how big those trees are. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I've drug a lot of trees with a B7100 and a B2710, but I've also hooked onto a couple that I couldn't pull; had to get a neighbor's bigger tractor.

( What is a safe method for attaching the log to the tractor )

Unless you have specialized equipment, they can be attached using chain or cables, and should be attached below the level of the rear axle, which generally means to the "swinging drawbar"; i.e., the drawbar sticking straight out behind the tractor and attached to the bottom of the rear differential.

herbenus · Apr 2, 2003

I've both pushed and pulled about 50 trees with my little JD4200. Chaining to drawbar is best as Bird says. I've often just pushed with bottem end of tree in loader, down low. I did this for a couple of reasons: too lazy to go get chain, more maneuvarability pushing (I have a lot of trees to go around), the challenge, and because it worked. Largest tree I dragged (using chain) was about 18 inch at base, oak, about 40 foot long. I dragged it to creek, threw chain across, then pulled it over to make a crude foot bridge. Kids love it. I was near limit (probably well past it) of tractor.

So yes, you can drag trees. My terrain is fairly flat and easy with only trees to avoid. Small place, 6-1/2 acres, so short distances only.

Something to consider if your going to be sawing wood, dragging it will press a lot of sand and dirt into bark, which may not do your saw any good.

MDSteve · Apr 2, 2003

I have dragged lots of trees while I was clearing my land. I started using a strap and quickly realized that was not the best idea and started using chain. Worked much better. What are your plans for the wood? If you are going to do any work with them I would not drag them. I would cut them to length and put them in the bucket. Forks for your bucket would help also.

Steve

frank_f15 · Apr 2, 2003

u should be able to drag a good size tree with 35 hp, just make sure u look on low and go slow, if that tree digs in u colud have the occasion to mess ur pants if u are going to fast.

RET · Apr 2, 2003

I dragged several trees of my property last year with my baby BX. Only had to take one extra step - after felling the ~18" dia trees, had to fire up the chain saw a second time and cut the trees roughly in half. Kept tranny in turtle gear, 4 wheel drive engaged, and chain attached down low on trailer hitch. No problem. Dragged the trees ~500 ft to a large ditch, removed the chain, and turned around with the FEL and pushed 'em in. Neighbors who were helping me couldn't believe that little 'toy' could do that. Made me proud.
RET

Youare · Apr 2, 2003

If you can get one end of the log off the ground you will not furrow your field quite so much. I built a trailer like device that lifts the log off the ground so it doesn't drag on the ground.

If you only have 15 trees then you probably will end up with maybe 3 logs per tree which means 45 trips across the stream and field. These log transport devices can be purchased from a couple different sources.

There are several companies which make logging equipment for ATV's which would work quite well behind a compact tractor also. Some of them are reasonably priced, the one I made cost me about $60.00 for the steel tubing.

Randy

BillG_in_TX · Apr 2, 2003

I remembered this discussion from last year about dragging logs.

Egon · Apr 2, 2003

I've dragged one or two with a B7100 HST. I hook up to the three point hitch and lift to give the rear tires more traction. But I also fill up the front bucket with as many rocks as I can to keep the front end on the ground. So far the tires spin before the front starts to lift. Some have gone up a 20 degree slope at full throttle and dead slow with no problems. These were 20 in. Diam. by 30 ft pine.

Egon

Gary_in_Indiana · Apr 2, 2003

I dragged a few trees with my little JD 4200 (under 30 HP) last fall with no difficulty at all. I even had to attach to the front bumper and back my way out a couple times and still no problems at all. I used chain just wrapped a couple times around one end and it did just fine. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

beenthere · Apr 2, 2003

There are several threads that address your need to drag out trees and logs. Lots of suggestions and lots of safety concerns, as it should be.
The attached pic is how I move logs with an I-match, and logging tongs. Yesterday I hooked onto a similar white oak log as the one shown, which was 18" on the small end and 16' long. I felt it was pushing the limits of what I wanted to put my JD4300 with HST through, but still it handled it without a hint of making the front end light (had FEL on). The woods is a bit muddy now, and adds to the difficulty a bit.

em14 · Apr 2, 2003

I have moved a lot of trees with the JD 790 and quick hitch like the I-Match ... I have never had the front end even come close to lifting but, be careful and go easy and don't lift the log very much, just clear the ground a few inches and again go slow. You can hook the log without getting off the tractor, This works great and is a much easlier pull than a chain .... I think that I must have seen "BEENTHERE's" pictures and tried his approach.
Leo

rdbrumfield · Apr 2, 2003

I do quite a bit of logging with mine. Just cut your timber to a size that your tractor can handle easily, you won't have a problem. I wound up builing a winch that works great. If you do any yarding I would reccomend one.

7sam15 · Apr 3, 2003

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Sounds like it is a do able project.

Colin--

John_Mc · Apr 3, 2003

This may be overkill for just 15 trees, but several companies do make specialized logging winches for use with CUTs and larger tractors. Lots of advantages over a simple logging chain, but at +/- $2000, you probably need an ongoing use for them to make it worthwhile. I'm debating purchasing one myself.

Check out Farmi Logging Winch. For the HP you mentioned, you would probably be looking at the model 290 or 351.

John Mc

tractorhal · Apr 3, 2003

John_Mc, I agree,best way to drag trees. Haven't used one personally, but have used skidders and looking at a farmi now for JD4400. Not that you couldn't but with winch on back with pusher plate it would be difficult to tip over backwards. Just like a skidder you can leave logs,drive ahead,up a hill, what ever, then winch logs up and continue. My checking puts Farmi at top of list.

Youare · Apr 4, 2003

I have an old Farmi JL250 winch on the back of a Kubota L3000DT, which originally was on my 8N. I think it is one of the best ways to pull logs around in the woods.

It will lift the end of the log or logs off the ground making pulling easier. I never use the winch cable to hold the log while driving the tractor, I always use the chain attachments built into my winch.

These chain points are below the drawbar height which makes tipping unlikely and the winch bottom would contact the ground should the front of the tractor start to lift.

These units are not cheap I paid $900.00 for mine new almost 25 years ago, now they are a bit more. I have not seen too many used units on the market either. There are more choices now than before, Norse and Farmi were the two main suppliers.

I have been looking at the ATV log haulers that Nova Jack and Bailey's Online offers, there are a few others also. They have models which have hydraulic log loaders down to hand operarted winch models. They range from less than $1,500 to just under $10,000. One nice feature on some of the less expensive models is you can convert them into a dump trailer with a box they offer and use them for many tasks.

Randy