3-Point Hitch Log/tree skidding with your quick-hitch

[Hermio]

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I do the hard pulling with the chain attached to a drawbar at the bottom of the quick hitch. This transfers the pulling load almost entirely to the bottom links. Only when I have the log on my logging roads, which are bush-hogged, do I transfer the load to the top of the quick hitch so I can get the tractor close to the log and lift the log off the ground. This is pretty much the same way that folks with winches do it: they use the lower pulley position for dragging to the winch, then the upper position to lift the log. Some then drop the choker chain into slots on the winch. This is a good idea, unless you know you will cross a very muddy area or go up a hill, in which case you may need to let the winch line play out as you cross the bad spot with the tractor, then winch it in again when you are on better ground.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Altho this linked thread does not directly address skidding there is good info ... and links within that deal with skidding safely.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/292873-stump-pulling-3-point-any.html

 

[Hermio]

I have had some fun trying to pull stumps over the years. I just pulled one out today with my F350 crew cab pickup. In general, I don't like to pull stumps with tractors. Usually, the stump wins, unless you really go around and cut the roots. Even then, trees with taproots can be really tough. If you plan to pull it, leave about 4' of height so you can get leverage. If you are patient, cut it down to the ground, let it dry a year, and then drill holes in it and pack them full of potassium nitrate, then burn them out.

 

[Hermio]

One other thought: if the location of the upper pulley is above the location where the top link is attached to a skidding winch, then the load on the top link is actually GREATER than it would be on the top hook of a quick hitch, which is pretty much level with the top link. This is due to leverage; the load on the top link equals the line pull times the ratio of the distance from the pulley top to the lower link to the distance from the top link to the lower link. So, if the distance from the top link to the lower link is 18", and the distance from the top of the top pulley to the lower links is 24" the line pull is multiplied by 24/18, or 1.33, on the top link.