Timberjack Recommendations

IMO they are a superfluous tool. They don't work well on the big stuff and I don't need one for the small stuff.

fabsroman said:

Bigg_Redd said:

IMO they are a superfluous tool. They don't work well on the big stuff and I don't need one for the small stuff.

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So, what works well on the big stuff other than a large tractor to push the log over?

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Peavy

I've been using that model for about 3 years. It's beefier than it looks and and has taken my abuse. Essentially, it's a cant hook with a foot bolted onto the bottom. If you work it right, you can roll sections larger than 20".

Sometimes it's used to elevate logs, but it's mostly used as a cant hook or peavy to roll logs after I cut one side. Everybody needs a timberjack or peavy.

I use that model also, only mine has a steel handle. Since a 20' long, one foot diameter green oak weighs about 750 pounds, I find it difficult to hold up with one hand while bucking with the other.

In addition to levers to buck the wood, I use wheels to help get my rounds out of the woods. But I come by that naturally. Some of my ancestors used wheels and levers when working at the ironworks. Not all, mind you, some. Fortunately, I descended from the tool using side of the family.

I used a short handled Peavy to bring the logs off the pile. It's pretty rugged, so you can pull on it pretty good.

I'd love to mod one of those so that the stand clipped in and out easily. It might come in handy at times, but it would be awkward and get in the way the rest of the time. A peavey is a much better tool. If I had one of those I'd also have to have my peavey there, too. Two somewhat similar tools on the job? Superfluous like BR said.

I've been making good use out of the log arch I just built. It works so well I'd recommend anyone who handles logs to make one. Yesterday I was able to move a pine log about 16" diameter and 12' long about 50' all by myself. The peavey to roll them off the pile and the arch to lift or move them is the setup I like now.

Before that, I just used the peavey to roll the log up onto a small split and kept the chain out of the dirt that way. You could take the time to build a ramp out of a couple 4x4s spiked together and roll the log higher if you wanted to. The peavey is a versatile and powerful tool. I've been using mine to stand huge blocks of pine (16-20" and 4-5' tall) on end for carving. Just stick the hook in the end and lever her up with the point.

Bigg_Redd said:

fabsroman said:

Bigg_Redd said:

IMO they are a superfluous tool. They don't work well on the big stuff and I don't need one for the small stuff.

Click to expand...

So, what works well on the big stuff other than a large tractor to push the log over?

Click to expand...

Peavy

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Agree, My jack been off for years... :lol:

TreePointer said:

I've been using that model for about 3 years. It's beefier than it looks and and has taken my abuse. Essentially, it's a cant hook with a foot bolted onto the bottom. If you work it right, you can roll sections larger than 20".

Sometimes it's used to elevate logs, but it's mostly used as a cant hook or peavy to roll logs after I cut one side. Everybody needs a timberjack or peavy.

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Every timber jack I've ever seen or used was completely under-built and not a suitable replacement for a Peavey

fabsroman said:

Just learned about a Timberjack a couple of weeks ago. 25+ years of cutting wood, and I just learn about this thing now. Of course, I am the one buying the equipment now, so I am paying a little more attention to this stuff.

Thinking about going with this from Northern Tool:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200357988_200357988

Problem is it says it is only large enough for 12" logs. Is that the case with all Timberjacks? If so, what the heck do you guys do for logs that are larger in diameter than 12"? Heck, things smaller than 12" don't give me much trouble in turning them.

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I got one of those at Tractor Supply on sale for $25 a year or so ago. I find it very useful and it goes with me any time I'm cutting.

I have that model from Northern Tool. I've never used it with the jack, but it is great for rolling large logs. I've used it for larger than 12", but the main worry with a log is the length. Even a 12" can be a bear to roll if it's long, or has a bend, or a fork, or is on uneven ground with lots of rocks (my situation). I use it to roll a log up on top of a smaller log placed perpendicular, so I can cut it without "sharpening" my chain in the dirt.

Whatever you do, don't buy the steel handled timberjack because the metal handle will bend and rip apart on heavy logs. The wood or fiberglass handled models are much better.

I mostly use my timberjack as a peavey, so I'm better served with a peavey. When I need to roll and elevate a log, the timberjack is nice to have, but that just doesn't happen that often.

fabsroman said:

Alright, what do you guys recommend for a peavy? Doesn't look like Tractor Supply carries them. Northern Tool has a couple that I could buy and one that I am thinking seriously about. What do you guys recommend/prefer? Might be able to get the peavey and electric chain sharpener both from Northern Tool for Christmas.

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Baileys also peaveys with replacement parts and accessories.

fabsroman said:

Alright, what do you guys recommend for a peavy? Doesn't look like Tractor Supply carries them. Northern Tool has a couple that I could buy and one that I am thinking seriously about. What do you guys recommend/prefer? Might be able to get the peavey and electric chain sharpener both from Northern Tool for Christmas.

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Logrite. You can get a jack that attaches to their cant hook or peavey if you want. Really heavy duty, lifetime warranty on the handle. Worth the extra coin, in my opinion.

Fabsroman, I've had a timberjack for many years and have tried to give it away many times but the stupid thing is still out there in the barn somewhere. I rate it quite high in the things that are the most worthless.

Let's say you use one. You effectively lift one end of a log up and make one or two cuts; maybe 3. Then you have to get the log down and get another bite with the timberjack and roll it. During this rolling of the logs you will find that it is not very easy to do at all unless you are a whole lot stronger than I am (which would not be too difficult). Besides the hard work rolling and lifting that log, imagine the time it takes to keep getting new bites on the log after cutting only a couple short firewood lengths. A huge time waster for sure.

Easy work? Either a peavy or a cant hook. I prefer the cant hook. Unless you have really big logs, one with a 3' or 4' handle should work just fine. Then what you do is to go along the log making cuts down to just above ground level. After making the cuts, just use the cant hook to roll the log enough to finish the cuts. Or if you haul logs out before cutting, the cant hook takes away a whole lot of the work you have to do to load big logs. It makes hard work easy. I rarely go to the woods without my cant hook. In fact, here is one picture of what I go to the woods with. Main tools are saw, cant hook, axe, trailer and atv.






When loading logs to haul out to the open, the cant hook helps load them and makes the job easy.

So, what works well on the big stuff other than a large tractor to push the log over?[/quote]

:lol:

Anybody know who makes Stihl's logging tools? I've used some of them and found them to be very durable.

http://www.stihlusa.com/handtools/logging-tools.html

fabsroman said:

Got any pics of this log arch? I am having a hard time understanding what it does, much less how to make one.

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https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/76823/

MasterMech said:

Anybody know who makes Stihl's logging tools? I've used some of them and found them to be very durable.

http://www.stihlusa.com/handtools/logging-tools.html

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As near as I can tell they are made by Log-rite. Only difference is the color.

jeff_t said:

fabsroman said:

Alright, what do you guys recommend for a peavy? Doesn't look like Tractor Supply carries them. Northern Tool has a couple that I could buy and one that I am thinking seriously about. What do you guys recommend/prefer? Might be able to get the peavey and electric chain sharpener both from Northern Tool for Christmas.

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Logrite. You can get a jack that attaches to their cant hook or peavey if you want. Really heavy duty, lifetime warranty on the handle. Worth the extra coin, in my opinion.

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++1.

I got the Logite Cant Hook, that tool is built like a tank (Made in USA).

Where to get a Peavey? You could always get one from the company that came up with the original tool as they are still in business.

http://peaveymfg.com/products-logging-tools-standard-peavey

Dennis, does your home built sled dig in and make ruts on your trail when the ground is dry, as in no snow or ice? I have a bunch of landscape timbers with which I could build a sled but I hate for it to dig up my trails when it's loaded with a heavy log and being pulled by my tractor.