How to pull logs with a backhoe

[Tractorguy24]

I heard that you're not supposed to pull logs with a backhoe when you have attached them to the shovel. Before knowing this I pulled maybe 10 logs for short distances and it worked quite well. I wrapped a chain around the log, attached it to the shovel and lifted them up on the front so that only the rear was dragging.
If I don't hook them to the shovel, where then?
Machine is a 1986 case 580 se
Thanks

 

[Industrial Toys]

I do it all the time. Not much else on the back of my Kubota R510 to hook to. A hoe is a pretty robust rig. Your 580 is not a TOY, that's for sure!

I re-read your post. By shovel, do you mean front bucket? If you use that, hook them in the middle, to prevent twisting. Also not to be done in difficult/dangerous terrain, never pull from the side and keep the loader low to the ground. But why not use the back hoe? It's nicer driving forward and sometimes you can reposition the log by extending and moving the hoe to the side.

 

[TractorNH]

The only reason we don't pull logs like that with our 1970's 580CK is that the thing is so balanced anyway that adding weight on the backhoe, especially the bucket that far behind the rear wheels means we'd just be driving a wheelie the whole time unless we had a full loader bucket of dirt.

 

[Tractorguy24]

I do it all the time. Not much else on the back of my Kubota R510 to hook to. A hoe is a pretty robust rig. Your 580 is not a TOY, that's for sure!

I re-read your post. By shovel, do you mean front bucket? If you use that, hook them in the middle, to prevent twisting. Also not to be done in difficult/dangerous terrain, never pull from the side and keep the loader low to the ground. But why not use the back hoe? It's nicer driving forward and sometimes you can reposition the log by extending and moving the hoe to the side.

I meant the backhoe shovel.

The backhoe swing pins are quite loose on my machine so I though maybe the previous owner also did that and that might be a reason for them being so lose.

 

[Tractorguy24]

The only reason we don't pull logs like that with our 1970's 580CK is that the thing is so balanced anyway that adding weight on the backhoe, especially the bucket that far behind the rear wheels means we'd just be driving a wheelie the whole time unless we had a full loader bucket of dirt.

Yes, the case 580’s are quite front end light:laughing: