Moving logs

[Bendboater]

Hi,

A row of 100 YO pines, on my neighbors property near the property line, is being cut down :thumbdown:, limbed, and cut into ~12' lengths. They were hauling them away, but when I spoke to the loggers today, they offered them to me. So the logs are now being stacked on my property (they just lift them over the fence with their backhoe with grapple). The logs are probably up to about 16" diameter (I didn't want anything bigger than I can hand split). When all is said and done, I will probably get about 8 cords of wood. The problem is the logs are several hundred feet away from my woodshed across an area of land that I wish to do minimal damage to (high desert country with sandy soil so the land takes a long time to heal). So I am not interested in skidding them out and prefer to haul as much as possible on each trip. I can cut them smaller or haul them the way they are. I don't want the mess of splitting them out there, but I could cut them into rounds. I have a SSQA bucket with hooks, SSQA pallet forks, and a three point carry all. I also have a 5x8 utility trailer with sides that I suppose I could drag out there (I have a three point trailer hitch for the tractor), but concerned about doing even more damage to the land (bushes and such) when I negotiate turns. It would also be a pain to load the logs as they are, into the trailer. Really want to keep the area as natural as possible....without helicoptering them out

My thought was to cut them into about 6' lengths (mainly so I can move them by hand) and load them onto the pallet forks and carry all, then tractor them out in however many loads it takes.
But, perhaps, someone here has a better suggestion?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Steve

 

[CalG]

Many versions of this,

Timber Tuff Log Dolly | Forestry Suppliers, Inc.

I'm liking the idea for my own needs.

 

[senecak19]

Second the log arch. With an appropriately sized one with trailer coupler, you should be able to haul a 12’ log with no issues. Log rite makes them as well and I believe their made in Connecticut (USA).

 

[dodge man]

I’d cut them into lengths that your end loader can lift with the forks. Why load them by hand on the pallet forks, with a little practice you can get the forks under them and pick them up.

 

[4570Man]

I’d cut them into lengths that your end loader can lift with the forks. Why load them by hand on the pallet forks, with a little practice you can get the forks under them and pick them up.

That’s what I was thinking.

 

[CobyRupert]

Seems like:
If you drag 12 footers, you and make fewer trips, but larger impact each trip.
Using a trailer is a huge pain if you have to hook and unhook it at each end of trip to load and unload. I’ve tried that method with 16’ & 24’ long pine poles on a (4 tire) wagon running gear.
Driving back and forth with 12 footers on the forks is probably best bet, perhaps similar results, but more in way of tire track than drag ruts.
Maybe take various route each trip? Or use rear forks on rear 3pth so weight is distributed better than loading smaller front tires?

Outside the box:
Maybe a dolly under one end of 12 footer and lift other with 3 point hitch. Fewer trips with log off ground.
Or a skyline, cable yard, slack line (whatever they call it). Too bad the they didn’t leave you some long logs for your tailspar.

 

[4570Man]

Seems like:
If you drag 12 footers, you and make fewer trips, but larger impact each trip.
Using a trailer is a huge pain if you have to hook and unhook it at each end of trip to load and unload i
Driving back and forth with 6 footers as you say is probably best bet, lower impact per trip, but twice as many trips. Probably similar results, but more in way of tire track than drag ruts.
Maybe take various route each trip? Or use rear forks on rear 3pth so weight is distributed better than loading smaller front tires?

Outside the box:
Maybe a dolly under one end of 12 footer and lift other with 3 point hitch. Fewer trips with log off ground.
Or a skyline, cable yard, slack line (whatever they call it). Too bad the y didn’t leave you some long logs for your tailspar.
View attachment 683231

Ditch the trailer and the unloading part.

 

[CalG]

Ditch the trailer and the unloading part. View attachment 683232View attachment 683233

Yea! A $60K dually makes so much sense to bring $400 worth of fuel wood in over 200 feet! Go for it! You have always wanted a real truck.

I just made a purchase of 7-8 cord mixed hardwood logs (20ft) stacked in my yard .. $800. The logging operation is only a mile down the road...

 

[4570Man]

Yea! A $60K dually makes so much sense to bring $400 worth of fuel wood in over 200 feet! Go for it! You have always wanted a real truck.

I just made a purchase of 7-8 cord mixed hardwood logs (20ft) stacked in my yard .. $800. The logging operation is only a mile down the road...

Well if you feel the need to spend 60k for a truck that’s your own problem. I didn’t pay the first digit of that for either one of those trucks. Sure they’re not pretty or nice but they’re hauling the wood just the same.

 

[MossRoad]

If you have pallet forks, why don't you just pick them up and drive them to their final destination?