Grapple handling?

I have broke so many chains it's not funny. I have some bigger chains that shouldn't ever break on timber but they are so heavy I can't stand to use them much. I have also broke cable, I don't think they carry as much power as chain. They will still kill and maim but I figure there is a reason they use cable on tow trucks and oil rigs. I refuse to use rope on a tree pulling it over. That stretch can be bad voodoo and they break more often than chain.

I have an 8K winch on my S-10, and an 8K on my Jeep Unlimited. At the start of a grapple load (top of pile) I choke 3 - 5 logs and pull them about 1/2 way off the pile. Cut rounds from those that stick out. When my feet begin to feel cluttered, out comes the tractor & splitter. When the splits start flying, the Mrs starts stacking. Repeat as necessary.

Good luck with a garden tractor for pulling. I've had 20 foot oak logs with knots that hung up on the pile and drug my Jeep across the lawn with it parked & locked in 4 lo.

My grapple loads are placed between a couple of large trees. When the pile gets down low, the bending over becomes an issue as well as nicking the dirt with the saw. I put a tree strap in a tree 8 foot up, attach a winch pully & use the winch to hoist the log partially off the ground. Nothing better than cutting at waist level.

This thread has some pics of my processing area:

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/woody-mustash.110700/

Just buck those suckers where they lay.
No sense moving that crap more than necessary.

Hogwildz said:

Just buck those suckers where they lay.
No sense moving that crap more than necessary.

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+1

That's what I'd do if the pile is stable.

Highbeam said:

I broke a 1" nylon rope while pulling a tree over with a bulldozer. Boy was I glad for the cage on the rear of that dozer which was of course put there for just this reason but still, that rope slammed into the dozer like a missle and it was loud!

I pull with heavy chains and have never broken one. I would like to think that they are the best thing to have break on you.

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I have broken 3/8" chains with my Mahindra 5035. But they fly under the tractor, not near me, as I am well above the chain in the operator's position. I have also broken a 20,000lb rated tow strap. That is more scary! Nylon stores more energy than steel.