Was going to build a log lift for my Swisher splitter

[Raul-02]

Was.
But somewhere in the last couple days I decided not to.
Got my DK47 delivered last week. one of the implements I got with it is a grapple. I trundled the thing on over to my log pile. I get a triaxle of honkin huge logs from up north-east of the state where there are lots and lots of 200+ year old oaks and other big trees dying off around the cities and this old Italian guy runs a tree service specializing in taking down dangerous old trees in urban and suburban settings. Most of 'em were dead and more or less already seasoned. He's my go-to log guy.
First log I selected off the top was a 20 foot by 30"Dia oak beast. My tractor hefted it nicely enough. I drove that to my splitter and then picked it up by one end and proceeded to cut blanks as the grapple held it up for me.
Then with the grapple, I picked the log sections about 27" long and placed them on my splitter. Then with the wide open grapple a couple feet behind me as a handy table I can split 'em.

I rather like using the grapple to lift the logs, so I don't think I'll be doing a log lift. Using the grapple I don't even have to roll the heavy suckers around. It just picks 'em up and puts 'em where I want.
I was considering using a chain or cable snag to pick 'em up, but the grapple is perfect.

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

One day I imagine I'll stop wanting one of these. Not the orange tractor.

 

[Gordon Gould]

To bad you didn't take some pictures of that operation. A DK47 with a grapple holding up a 20' long oak log 30" in diameter by one end while you sawed off blocks from the other end would make a fine picture!!

gg

 

[Raul-02]

One day I imagine I'll stop wanting one of these. Not the orange tractor. View attachment 719447

Yah that's what I want too.

 

[Raul-02]

"To bad you didn't take some pictures of that operation. A DK47 with a grapple holding up a 20' long oak log 30" in diameter by one end while you sawed off blocks from the other end would make a fine picture!!"

I was busy keeping the rear wheels on the ground. My Ballast is a huge old wood stove filled with rocks, but still.

Here are some of the splitting in one the grapple is my table the other I am using it to contain the log during an imperfect split then I take it and drop it on the ground a couple times and it comes apart.
I can't tell ya how well I like the grapple for this task.

 

[4570Man]

To bad you didn't take some pictures of that operation. A DK47 with a grapple holding up a 20' long oak log 30" in diameter by one end while you sawed off blocks from the other end would make a fine picture!!

gg

Do you have to actually lift it off the ground for the picture to count?

 

[nyone]

I also had a truck load of oak delivered. I plan on bucking up the really big stuff and useing my micro mini ex to put them on the splitter. I used this method on a 3ft maple a few years ago and it worked ok.

The bucked up wood is so heavy that once the round in flat on the ground theres no standing it back up or moving it. The really streight grained oak I have also been useing a splitting wedge on to break it into smaller pieces that I can lift.

 

[ericm979]

A good cant hook or peavy will make it easy to move those big rounds. It won't lift them on to the splitter though. I got a Woodchuck Dual convertible cant hook/peavy that works really well. The Northern Tool cant hook does not work well, I don't recommend it.

I "noodle" big rounds with the saw to get them into small enough pieces that I can lift on the splitter.

 

[nyone]

I own two Peavy. But theres not much point in rolling them around if you cant lift them. I prefer hydraulics over wear and tear on my body.

 

[Raul-02]

To bad you didn't take some pictures of that operation.

I took this vid

Kioti DK4710SE HST Cab Tractor - The Axlotal Tank

I'm having fun

the-axlotal-tank.smugmug.com