Question on building a log arch...

[NTG]

I'll be starting my log arch build soon and I was wondering.... should I use the leaf springs that are on the axle or take them off? I didn't know if having them on there was a good thing or a bad thing. They have tabs on them where they were cut off an old trailer so they'll be easy to weld back on to whatever I come up with, but I wasn't sure. Thanks.

 

[bcp]

Most log arches don't have axles or springs, just a spindle welded to a vertical frame.

???

Here's one from the internet.



More:
small logging arch at DuckDuckGo

Bruce

 

[JPRambo]

Here is mine at work.

 

[NTG]

Most log arches don't have axles or springs, just a spindle welded to a vertical frame.

Yes, mine will be similar to that. I saw a Youtube build of one where the guy left the axle in while building it to keep the wheels straight and then after it was welded up, he cut the axle out of the middle. I was going to do something similar but didn't know if the springs would help or would make the log bounce too much.

 

[plumbstraight]

Most log arches don't have axles or springs, just a spindle welded to a vertical frame.

???

Here's one from the internet.

View attachment 585853

More:
small logging arch at DuckDuckGo

Bruce

That is one I built some time ago. Have made a few since. They work well for a quad. I like a small boom one my winch logging though.

 

[NTG]

I'm thinking about that also Plumbstraight. Letting the log be the "tongue" to the tractor. I'm tossing around the idea of a home-made tong arch deal near the middle or slightly rear of the log and a 3 point tong deal to clamp the front so I can drop down on the log and then go around to the front to pick it up and drive off without having to get off the tractor and manually hook things up. I think if y'all don't see any negative aspect to having the springs on there, I'll leave them on just because that'll give me a wider base to weld the axle to my arch. Hope to get started on it next week after returning from out of town.

 

[texasranger556]

I'm a little confused what your setup would be. Do you have a sketch?

If the simple arch example posted above is what you're building, but the arch will be welded to the spring perches I think the leaf springs are going to twist lifting heavy logs. Leaf springs aren't really meant to keep the wheel vertical, the axle is, which you're planning to cut away. What is the donor axle load rating?

 

[plumbstraight]

I'm thinking about that also Plumbstraight. Letting the log be the "tongue" to the tractor. I'm tossing around the idea of a home-made tong arch deal near the middle or slightly rear of the log and a 3 point tong deal to clamp the front so I can drop down on the log and then go around to the front to pick it up and drive off without having to get off the tractor and manually hook things up. I think if y'all don't see any negative aspect to having the springs on there, I'll leave them on just because that'll give me a wider base to weld the axle to my arch. Hope to get started on it next week after returning from out of town.

If you can enlarge the photo you will see there is also a hook on the end of the boom. I use that to hang a set of tongs on. With this arrangement I can hit the ground with the tongs and still pick them up over 4ft as the boom pivots on top of the winch frame.


Arches do not need springs. having the frame extended back behind the tires will create an issue in tight turns. Besides, logs don't need a cushy ride out of the woods.

 

[John_Mc]

Plumbstaight's arch has a cool design idea: it converts to a small dump trailer. It's in the Skidding winch thread. Check out post #83 and the post immediately following it in that thread for info/pictures.

That arch seems geared more toward ATV size than tractor sized, but I thought it was a creative idea.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

For a number of years I have used a short boom pole, about 30 cm long, that pins to the top link point of my trailer mover that goes on the 3 pt. Used to lift the end of a log only, then another chain onto the draw bar to pull the log with. Believe me you do not want to be doing a wheelie while skidding a log. I have carefully skidded logs that weighed more than my tractor with this simple system.

In my "good ideas to remember" sketch book I have been working on a sort of wheeled bunk. This to strap under the trailing end of a log with two or four small wheels on it, then lift the front end with the 3pt. I have seen where people are using essentially two log arches, one on each end to move logs with an atv.

The links to the posts of the arch, trailer, frame in post #9 are ingenious. I can also imagine a frame to attach to the wheeled frame with hay bale spears, some what like what is used on a 3pt, to move large round bales with an atv. Or even pallet forks to move a pallet of small bales or fire wood for instance. This idea will definitely go into my sketch book.