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

   / Skidding Tongs for pulling lumber - What else do I need? #41  
Chain comment...

Years ago, probably 15 or more, I bought some Pewag grade 100 3/8" "square link" chain. I use it to drag trees around, I use it to hoist a flat tire tractor into truck, I've used it to pull an International 1066 with cab WITH a heavy duty 10' Rhino mower behind it that was stuck in the mud up to its axle.

I use my JCB backhoe as the muscle.

When I pulled the tractor out of the muck (that I myself had driven it into.....oops) A friend that was watching me/us get it out worked in the steel business. Don't know exactly what he did but when my backhoe & chain manhandled the tractor, he was flabbergasted. He asked specifically about the chain as he said he was internally laughing at me saying that chain is going to snap in a heartbeat once I pull with the backhoe yet it yanked the tractor and mower out like they were its little bit**.

When you use this square link on a tree, the squared edges BITE INTO the tree so it really grabs it. No slipping like you might get with a rounded chain.

Absolutely EVERY time I use this chain, I'm thrilled that I chose to get it. I've got a grab hook on one end and a choker on the other. Chain itself is 25' so it's usually more long than too short.

I can't urge people strong enough to investigate this. Heck, at one time, there was an abandonded (and burnt out) car in the TVA woods near me. They asked and paid me to pull the car out. I wrapped this chain around the entire front end, attached it to the backhoe and literally carried the car out with the rear wheels sometimes off the ground (but usually on the ground, depended on me going over hills or valleys). I DID have to load my front bucket full of dirt to compensate but this chain is a S.T.U.D. Haven't yet met a tree that can't be dominated. (I don't use it to pull tree down, just to move/drag/carry)

 
   / Skidding Tongs for pulling lumber - What else do I need? #42  
Make sure when you pull with chain, cable or strap that you pull from a low attachment point on the tractor, ESPECIALLY if from the back side. I always attach the chain to the front frame and pull in reverse as it also lets me watch the item being dragged. If you pull from the back and a point higher than the centerline of the back tire the tractor can flip front over back real easy if the pulled item gets stuck... that big wheel will just pick up the front end quickly even if you are going slow! You'll be looking at the sky then the ground! Use your roll bar and wear your seatbelt and WORK SAFELY!
skidding_(1_of_1).JPG
 
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   / Skidding Tongs for pulling lumber - What else do I need? #43  
Think you may have quoted the wrong post friend.... I've never used tongs for skidding the logs I've needed to move, though I've seriously consider buying two pair for piling up the large amount of railroad ties the former property owner used for landscaping.
That was my fault. I pushed the wrong button.
 

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