Tools for getting wood.....

[suprz]

Now get your minds out of the gutter!! Lol

While i was out back today trying to get to a downed black locust that fell about 2 years ago, seeing how it was on the ground, i got creative and used my small floor jack and got it off the ground and put some old punky logs under one end so that it wouldnt pinch my saw when i cut it up. It got me to thinking of what other folks use to move logs, raise logs, etc...

Here is a picture of what i was cutting up, i still have about 30 ft left to get to and cut up. But it is a tangle of brush and thorns....at least i managed to get around 20 ft of it.

 

[Applesister]

Get a chain around that log and pull it out. ;-)

 

[suprz]

Get a chain around that log and pull it out. ;-)

I wish i could, my lawn tractor cant pull it, and the jeep cant get back there cause of too many other trees, and it is at the bottom of a hill, even if i could get the jeep close enough, i just know the jeep would tear the heck out of my lawn....its gonna be a real chore getting that wood out of there....but i just cant let it sit there, it is a black locust in my own backyard! I will be darned if i will let it go to waste

 

[Clarkbug]

I wish i could, my lawn tractor cant pull it, and the jeep cant get back there cause of too many other trees, and it is at the bottom of a hill, even if i could get the jeep close enough, i just know the jeep would tear the heck out of my lawn....its gonna be a real chore getting that wood out of there....but i just cant let it sit there, it is a black locust in my own backyard! I will be darned if i will let it go to waste

Get a come along.... That way you can use another tree as a fixed point to winch it loose. Then cut or tow with garden tractor...

 

[Mr A]

Here is an interesting video
They talk about reading a felled tree as it is positioned (binds)and some different types of cuts to accommodate at about 9 minutes in. I'm not familiar with with this work, but I'm sure out in the woods, they are not bringing floor jacks and improvisations other than wedges and saws. Cut it up, split it, stack it right there.

 

[Thistle]

Cut it in 3-5ft lengths,use heavy ropes,couple log chains,cables,come-a-long..... Lots of ways to make work easier with basic equipment.Get in as close as possible w/ garden tractor or your jeep.I use a JD 110 95% of the time,on very steep slopes that cover most of the 10 acres.Has a surprising amount of pulling power when the ground is dry or frozen without any snow.Just dont try to do it all at once,shorter pieces is the key.

Depending on log diameter (under 9" or so,depending on species) I've been known to park the JD & trailer as close as I safely dare at the top of the hill & carry 2-5ft lengths up on my shoulders to it.Under 100 lbs its not too bad,take your time,dont get in a hurry or you'll trip & hurt yourself bad.

 

[711mhw]

Well if it's locust, you have years to get it! It's almost rot proof.

 

[Applesister]

You dont need to pull it up a hill. just get it out of the puckerbrush.15-20' ? Then cut it like you did the rest.

 

[bogydave]

Cant hook might help
.

 

[ScotO]

I have one of these......and while I don't use it very much it works great for logs that are of smaller diameter (8" to 16") and laying on the ground, even if they are in a position to pinch the bar. Bow bars were (and I believe with some still are) very popular in the South, but never really caught on up North here. This isn't a pic of my saw, just a pic I pulled off of the internet. But if you do lots of blowdown cutting of trees in precarious situations, this bar is hard to get pinched........very hard if you know how to use it.......

 

[Ehouse]

I agree with Thistle on cutting to shorter pieces, but try a block and tackle for a longer pull, or a snatch block if you can position your jeep or tractor for it.

Ehouse

 

[tsquini]

Now get your minds out of the gutter!! Lol

While i was out back today trying to get to a downed black locust that fell about 2 years ago, seeing how it was on the ground, i got creative and used my small floor jack and got it off the ground and put some old punky logs under one end so that it wouldnt pinch my saw when i cut it up. It got me to thinking of what other folks use to move logs, raise logs, etc...

Here is a picture of what i was cutting up, i still have about 30 ft left to get to and cut up. But it is a tangle of brush and thorns....at least i managed to get around 20 ft of it.

Chainsaw, timberjack and carhartt to keep the thorn off me.

 

[Thistle]

I have one of these......and while I don't use it very much it works great for logs that are of smaller diameter (8" to 16") and laying on the ground, even if they are in a position to pinch the bar. Bow bars were (and I believe with some still are) very popular in the South, but never really caught on up North here. This isn't a pic of my saw, just a pic I pulled off of the internet. But if you do lots of blowdown cutting of trees in precarious situations, this bar is hard to get pinched........very hard if you know how to use it.......

View attachment 91997

Shortly after Dad bought his Poulan 3400 in spring '81 I still remember his response to my request wanting a bow installed on it......
"HELL NO!! "

At the time they were still used quite often in the pulpwood industry down South.Said to work great going through those stacks of poles.... Maybe 1-2 times a year I'll see one on Ebay,in good shape they seem to bring $250 to 400.The same basic saw w/o bow was only $250-300 new 30 yrs ago Unbelievable.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Now get your minds out of the gutter!! Lol

While i was out back today trying to get to a downed black locust that fell about 2 years ago, seeing how it was on the ground, i got creative and used my small floor jack and got it off the ground and put some old punky logs under one end so that it wouldnt pinch my saw when i cut it up. It got me to thinking of what other folks use to move logs, raise logs, etc...

Here is a picture of what i was cutting up, i still have about 30 ft left to get to and cut up. But it is a tangle of brush and thorns....at least i managed to get around 20 ft of it.

It all depends upon if you want to cut the log there or move it out. I rarely move them out and simply cut them where they lay. However, sometimes I will cut them into 4' lengths and use this to pull them out by hand if they aren't too large:

If you want to haul out the whole log, then a dray makes it very easy and keeps the log from getting dirt in the bark which will dull your chain super fast.


Most times when a tree drops there will be one or two places at least where you can cut the log. Of course you have to know how to cut to avoid pinching the saw but it is easy. When we do this, I'll simply cut a couple limbs or at least short pieces of limbs and place 2, 3 or 4 spaced along the log. Then using the cant hook:

Roll the log onto those branches and now you can cut the log without hitting dirt with the chain. Another tool you can sometimes use to help roll a log is the hookaroon:


You can also use this to carry out some short logs by simply setting the point in the end of the log and then walking off with the log.