Timber Jack: good to use? What brands?

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Cedrusdeodara

Cedrusdeodara

Member
Dec 3, 2008
146
New Jersey
I'm thinking about picking up a timber jack to use for bucking smaller trees and limbs. We are fortunate to have a backhoe for picking up and bucking large trees (curled in the hoe), but for smaller trees and logs, I usually do the "cut 2/3 on one side while log is on ground, roll log 180 degrees and cut the other 1/3 on the other side technique". These timber jacks seem to be pretty handy. Anyone else here use one and swear by it? Also, what is a good dependable (durable) brand and model to consider? Thanks for any info.

Here is one I am looking at:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200357988_200357988
 
thats a pretty slow technique but it can get you out of a pinch and help roll the 180 degrees and ever once and a while its works good as a timber jack
 
I had/have one.
I've had the 'T' sink into the ground - the forest floor here can be rather soft and eventually I snapped the 'T' right off.
Makes a nice peavey now , though. :)
 
Most swear at the things. I got one as a gift and found it to be almost worthless. You can't even use it as a cant hook. Rolling the log is much quicker and in the end, easier.
 
Don't buy one that is made of metal as they bend when trying to move something that the metal ones cant handle. Found out the hard way. :roll:

Shipper
 
For a minute from the "Timber Jack", I thought you were considering buying a skidder.
I would recommend a solid wood handled cant hook, or just a good bale hook.
 
Shipper50 said:
Don't buy one that is made of metal as they bend when trying to move something that the metal ones cant handle. Found out the hard way. :roll:

Shipper
Click to expand...

Depends upon the quality of the metal handle! My Logrite cant hook with timber jack attachment is made from 2" aircraft aluminum and guaranteed for life. They aren't cheap, but they are built hell for stout--I seriously believe that I could use it to lift the rear end of my Tacoma out of a hole if needed. This is NOT a Northern Tool special........the Logrite's are the real deal!

NP
 
I am a Timber Jack fan but find it just about useless with small logs. If its limb wood, block it while its still attached to the tree. If they are just small trees, check out some of the saw buck threads. That said, it is a very useful tool to have around any time you are working with larger logs.
 
I bought the heavy fiberglass handle one from Northern tool and like it,i did research on Northern's website and read that thier brand metal handles bend.
 
Nonprophet said:
Shipper50 said:
Don't buy one that is made of metal as they bend when trying to move something that the metal ones cant handle. Found out the hard way. :roll:

Shipper
Click to expand...

Depends upon the quality of the metal handle! My Logrite cant hook with timber jack attachment is made from 2" aircraft aluminum and guaranteed for life. They aren't cheap, but they are built hell for stout--I seriously believe that I could use it to lift the rear end of my Tacoma out of a hole if needed. This is NOT a Northern Tool special........the Logrite's are the real deal!

NP
Click to expand...

Agreed. I've got the 60 inch logrite cant hook, and no one's ever gonna bend that pole. Pricey, but will last for generations.
 
Cedrusdeodara said:
I'm thinking about picking up a timber jack to use for bucking smaller trees and limbs. We are fortunate to have a backhoe for picking up and bucking large trees (curled in the hoe), but for smaller trees and logs, I usually do the "cut 2/3 on one side while log is on ground, roll log 180 degrees and cut the other 1/3 on the other side technique". These timber jacks seem to be pretty handy. Anyone else here use one and swear by it? Also, what is a good dependable (durable) brand and model to consider? Thanks for any info.

Here is one I am looking at:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200357988_200357988
Click to expand...

How about some chain and a couple hooks? Wrap tree, wrap bucket, lift. Easy and cheap.
 
Bigg_Redd said:
Cedrusdeodara said:
I'm thinking about picking up a timber jack to use for bucking smaller trees and limbs. We are fortunate to have a backhoe for picking up and bucking large trees (curled in the hoe), but for smaller trees and logs, I usually do the "cut 2/3 on one side while log is on ground, roll log 180 degrees and cut the other 1/3 on the other side technique". These timber jacks seem to be pretty handy. Anyone else here use one and swear by it? Also, what is a good dependable (durable) brand and model to consider? Thanks for any info.

Here is one I am looking at:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200357988_200357988
Click to expand...

How about some chain and a couple hooks? Wrap tree, wrap bucket, lift. Easy and cheap.
Click to expand...

I must admit I missed the part about the backhoe, still, using a timberjack you can lift the log in about 10 seconds as opposed to messing with wrapping the chain, chaining to the bucket, and then repositioning the chain as you cut to avoid binding........

NP
 
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