Skidding Tongs for pulling lumber - What else do I need?

[CobyRupert]

Looks like the tire over the cable does very little to stop the destruction of a snapped cable.
Video showing various cables snapping:

 

[Gee Ray]

How to determine a chain’s working load limit​

The WLL of a chain is determined by both the grade and the diameter. Chain is embossed with both the grade and size so you can determine its WLL using this chart.

This chart will let the OP pick a chain that suits his needs.

The light weight of the 1/4 Grade 70 chain is a lot easier to drag thru the woods and is stronger then a common 3/8 chain.

 

[LD1]

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The light weight of the 1/4 Grade 70 chain is a lot easier to drag thru the woods and is stronger then a common 3/8 chain.

And a complete waste of money for pulling logs with 5000# of old iron in my opinion.

 

[CobyRupert]

With a front end loader and loaded tires he might be closer to 8000lbs. Tractordata says a 2155 weighs 5-6K lbs.
If he’s on a flat spot but pulling the logs uphill that will pull down on the rear of the tractor, increase traction and increase the pulling force way beyond the weight of the tractor…depending on tires and soil.

 

[plowhog]

Sorry if this question has an obvious answer, but what else do I *need*?

btw, check the bottom of your logs before skidding. Sometimes a side branch will impale straight into the ground and become an anchor.

Not much fun trying to skid a log with an anchor attached ...

 

[bcp]

Buying chain: Around here, the price of bulk chain + hooks is considerably more than equal size packaged tow chains.

I haven't used my 5/16 chains since finding 1/4 G70, but my logging skidder is a Kubota BX.

Bruce

 

[LD1]

Buying chain: Around here, the price of bulk chain + hooks is considerably more than equal size packaged tow chains.

I haven't used my 5/16 chains since finding 1/4 G70, but my logging skidder is a Kubota BX.

Bruce

1/4" G70 is about a perfect match for the BX and maybe even a B. 5/16" pairs well with the smaller L's and bigger B's. But when you get to the Big L's and MX's and M's, thats pushing 4000 pounds bare tractor. Couple that with a loader, loaded tires, etc and its easy to get to a 6000# tractor, and in the right conditions drawbar pull can equal or exceed bare weight. I wont use anything less than 3/8" G70 behind my MX. Have broke too many 5/16" chains in my life to one a hook flying at my head

 

[Buggs67]

"1/8 or 3/16 chrome what?

1/8 and 3/16 is smaller than 1/4"

I guess I learned the New Math; 8 is bigger than 4 and 1=1 so 1/8 is bigger than 1/4. 8 is smaller than 16 and 1 is smaller than 3 so 1/8 is smaller than 3/16. I breezed thru enginear school and currently design roundabouts for the state.

 

[FTG-05]

I replaced my 28" Log Rite logging tongs with a grapple. I haven't used the tongs in 5 years or more.

Anyone wants it, come get it. I-65 near the AL/TN border.

 

[ericm979]

I've been using a cable choker. They cost less than tongs, they grip hard and don't come loose. Since they are stiff they're easier to poke under the log than chains.

I have some long chains that I use to hook to the tractor, and also a 65' cable that's sold by HF as a winch cable replacement. I got some clamps and a ferule and made a loop on the bare end. The winch cable was the cheapest way to get a cable that length.

This works ok when there is room for moving the tractor while pulling the log. My land is steep and wooded so there usually isn't room to run the tractor to do the pull. I now have a forestry winch on order.