I just wanted to share this experience and maybe give someone else an idea to help them out.
Winching logs is obviously nothing new but it was a new experience for me.
I have access to a massive amount of wood from a logging job. The loggers were nice enough to pile all the cut-offs up for me.
My original strategy was to pull the logs out to a stable area, cut them to length, throw the pieces into the truck, climb into the truck and stack them nicely, then repeat the whole process until I had a full load. Well after a couple of loads my back just couldn't take it anymore and I could barely walk the next day.
I looked into several alternatives including a low trailer and the Lewiswinch but everything was more than I wanted to spend.
I came up with a cheap alternative which is working quite well so far.
I bolted a 2X8 across the bed of my truck from the left top side of the bed to the right side a few inches away from the cab.
I then bolted a 2000lb winch ($75) to the 2X8. I purchased the metal brackets ($15) that you bolt to 2X8 lumber to make ramps.
I purchased a set of jumper cables ($10) which I cut off one end and tied them together with the wiring from the winch to connect to the battery of my truck.
Now I just back up to a pile of logs, pop the hood and hook up the winch, set up the ramps, and pull the logs into the truck. Once they're in the truck they are easy to slide into position if necessary since there is minimal friction between the bed of the truck and the logs.
I loaded two loads the other day in less time with this method but more importantly I wasn't anywhere near as worn out.
When I get the wood home I roll it off the back into a nice pile and cut it when I want. I plan to buy a snatch block and bolt that to a post and use it with the winch to pull the logs off the truck since unloading is the most physical part of the job now.
Winching logs is obviously nothing new but it was a new experience for me.
I have access to a massive amount of wood from a logging job. The loggers were nice enough to pile all the cut-offs up for me.
My original strategy was to pull the logs out to a stable area, cut them to length, throw the pieces into the truck, climb into the truck and stack them nicely, then repeat the whole process until I had a full load. Well after a couple of loads my back just couldn't take it anymore and I could barely walk the next day.
I looked into several alternatives including a low trailer and the Lewiswinch but everything was more than I wanted to spend.
I came up with a cheap alternative which is working quite well so far.
I bolted a 2X8 across the bed of my truck from the left top side of the bed to the right side a few inches away from the cab.
I then bolted a 2000lb winch ($75) to the 2X8. I purchased the metal brackets ($15) that you bolt to 2X8 lumber to make ramps.
I purchased a set of jumper cables ($10) which I cut off one end and tied them together with the wiring from the winch to connect to the battery of my truck.
Now I just back up to a pile of logs, pop the hood and hook up the winch, set up the ramps, and pull the logs into the truck. Once they're in the truck they are easy to slide into position if necessary since there is minimal friction between the bed of the truck and the logs.
I loaded two loads the other day in less time with this method but more importantly I wasn't anywhere near as worn out.
When I get the wood home I roll it off the back into a nice pile and cut it when I want. I plan to buy a snatch block and bolt that to a post and use it with the winch to pull the logs off the truck since unloading is the most physical part of the job now.