Its a really good idea to actually pick the log up. Especially if you hope to mill it with a band mill. Even if it will be cut into firewood, the dirt and sand ground into the bark will complicate your life. It would be real nice to drop the tree, cut the log to desired length, paint the ends, back over it with the U trailer, winch it up, etc, and drive it to the mill without dragging it. My Dad and I use a Lucas mill. It is a swing-blade mill design, which works quite differently from a standard blade mill. See Baileys for more info. We don't skid logs because it is MUCH easier to move the Lucas to the log. One day we moved the Lucas to a large cottonwood that the DNR had pulled out of the river 8 miles from our house. We set up, and cut a couple hundred 12 foot 2x4s out of it, cooked some hotdogs over a fire, talked to a few passers-by, had a great afternoon, and hauled it all home. Quite a slick deal. $10K. Ultra portable, sharpener on-board, cuts plain or quarter-sawn without ever lifting, turning or handling the log at any time. Almost no limit to the size log you can cut, approx 6 feet across would be max diameter, and length is unlimited, although 20 feet with standard rails, rails extendable to any length you want. Mention my name to Baileys if you call them, it helps. Thanks.
