nova Jack

I've never seen that before, looks interesting. I didn't dig too far on the link you provided, what does one of those run?

I had looked at, and priced the trailer a few years ago and didn't go for it. I can't remember what it was selling for but I didn't feel the type of loging I was doing was conducive to this set-up. That said, I went with their logging cone, pulley, rope and real and I could not be happier. This is mostly for fire wood and I might take out the odd maple log to have sawed into boards.
I used to log for a living back in the '80's so I wasn't sure how I would make the transition to loging with a four wheeler but it works fine. I have a 100' x 100' yard in the middle of my wood lot and I also skid to the edge of some fields I have. Not more than about 700'. As long as your not pulling up hill very far it's fine. If a tree has to come up to the trail, say from over the edge of a ridge, I'll rig the pulley so I'm pulling down hill with the wheeler and the tree and cone come right up. I might go with anything from few small trees, to one 8' log, whatever I can pull. So far I've mostly taken diseased trees or blow-downs.
I have about $300 invested not counting the wheeler or saws which I had anyway.
I've added a few pics to give an idea of how it works.
By the way, the Lab's name in the picture is Diesel and it's his job to keep the local squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits from organizing an assault or ambush. So far so good!
Dan.

SloFr8 -

Where can one get a skidding cone like that?

I'm really in need of one of those. We have limestone and it really stops a log/4Wheeler fast when you catch a ledge all at once.

Thanks,
Mike P

thanks for the insight..So you dont actually use a winch, you just hook straight up to the wheelers ball??and then pull it out/up??

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That's right. When using the long white rope on the reel, I hook to the ball and pull the tree to the trail. Then I wind up the rope and use an 8' green rope with a loop on one end and grab hook on the other to pull to the yard. The long rope also has a moveable automatic release on it that makes the rope jump off the pulley before the cone gets to it. Works like a charm. I included a few more pics. to show you.
Dan.

http://www.novajack.com/en/0101_04.htm

That's the automatic release. You position it where you want the rope to jump off the corner block. Can see the thing inside it? Thats a link like a large bike chain. You kink the rope with it and insert it into the auto release. The block (pulley) has one open face on it allowing the rope to to come off when this hits the corner block. I'll put it close to the cone, as in the picture. When I'm pulling, the tree is coming at a right angle towards the trail. When it comes off I'll go a little further before backing up and the whole tree is in the trail headed in the right direction.
This picture shows the trees after the auto release has "de-railed" the rope. Then I backed up and reel up the white rope replacing it with the short green rope. I could just use the white one but it's a much better rope. I have a lot of the green stuff and it's less expensive. If I can back the wheeler to the tree I don't use the white rope and corner block at all, but it allows me to easily reach trees quite a ways from the trail or even over the side of a ridge.
Dan.

slofr8, that's a cool setup there.How would you rate your Big Bear?Just curious cause I'm thinking of buying a bike and I hear that Yammy Big Bear is bulletproof.

What did you say that you paid for the complete Skidding Cone kit? I just got my quote back. For the whole skidding cone kit its $360..Not including shipping

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I paid around $300. I can't remember exactly, but I got the polyester rope instead of the kevlar, and I didn't get the pulling plate.

How would you rate your Big Bear?Just curious cause I’m thinking of buying a bike and I hear that Yammy Big Bear is bulletproof.

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Don't go by me. I bought this one third hand and cheap. Just to use on the property. I changed all the u-joints when I got it and it has an oil leak but it's been tough and reliable. I also like that it's gear and not belt driven for what I do with it. I might get a set of chains for the rear to try and keep it from spinning so much. I could probably use more horsepower but a machine this small maneuver around the trees quite well.
Dan.

Titan said:

slofr8, that's a cool setup there.How would you rate your Big Bear?Just curious cause I'm thinking of buying a bike and I hear that Yammy Big Bear is bulletproof.

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Thought you guys got a indirect tax break when you bought a Bombardier????

Well Vintage our government is adept at handing tax breaks and other monetary incentives to Bombardier...no such luck for me though.

Yeah a buddy of mine is a honda diehard; he lent me a Foreman and a Rancher,they are definetly reliable bikes.I have been thinking 600cc. or more-I'm235lbs and the wife will likely want to go for the odd romantic ride with me-acouple good wheelies should change her mind!I like the Bombardiers but they're overpriced and more for play than work.I think in the end, I'll pick up a big-bore Japanese bike(yam,hon,suz,kaw,)based on the best warranty(hard to get a real warranty on a quad).

I spent some time in the "highlands" up here on a 500 Sportsman....no real engine braking....that thing was scary downhill.I hear good things about that new Grizzly cw powersteering but it's pricey.

I have driven the Rubicon;the rincon is pretty sweet looking though....it's got these new forged aluminum castings incorporated into the independent suspension.I'll have to test one out.Any reviews I've read trumpeted the handling as excellent.

I had a 2004 Yamaha Rhino for a couple years. It was 660cc. Had engine breaking ( which worked great). It was a beast. It could haul ALOT of weight. If your not afraid of spending $8500 Then without a doubt get that thing. The only down fall is the overall size (and price). Plus it's wider and way longer than a standard 4 wheeler.


-Mike