First time buyer for a Timber Jack ???

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Todd 2

Feeling the Heat
Sep 17, 2012
418
NE Ohio
Hi Guys, Put off buying one of these long enough, never owned one so I could use some advice on whats good and not. I tend to buy the best I can afford the first time around.
It will be used mainly for fire wood, seldom 20" and smaller.
The Wood Chuck timber jack caught my attention ? dont know much about what makes one a good one, some help would be great, Thanks, Todd
 
Pretty sure Timber Jack was bought out 10-15 years ago, I take it your looking for an older machine? Looking for an older cable/choker setup or one that has a grapple? John Deere 440 is a fairly small machine, probably would work out all depending on how many acres your cutting.
 
Go all the way....:)

800px-Timberjack_460c.jpg

I did buy a Northern Tool $30 one a while ago and it is a piece of junk, I think you are on the right track with Wood Chuck.
 
Ah, never heard a Peavy called a "Timber Jack"... and I grew up in logging country.

I bought one same time I got the power broom. This http://www.logrite.com/store/Item/Xtreme-Duty-Peavey in Stihl flavor. With the log stand it was about $140. Lifetime warranty on the Stihl units.

I looked at a few sold at the big box store and I had to laugh. Would have lasted maybe a week before it was junk.
 
Ah, never heard a Peavy called a "Timber Jack"... and I grew up in logging country.​

Technically they are converted cant hooks, but attaching the stand to a peavy would work too.

I haven't given in to temptation and bought a stand for my 48" hook... yet.
 
Logrite tools rock. Top quality stuff. Never bought the stand, though.
 
I had one of those timberjacks and found it to be the most worthless tool I've ever had. It will also take you a lot longer to cut the wood using one of those. An easier plan is to either cut, say 3/4 or more through the log and do this all along. Then use a cant hook to roll the log and then finish the cut. Even better is to find a spot where you can cut the trunk all the way through. Then use a couple of the limbs you've already cut off. Lay 2 or 3 or 4 of them and roll the log onto them. Cut away and fear not hitting the ground.
 
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I have the Stihl cant hook & added the stand/shoe.
I have some situations where it comes in handy.
Log stand.JPG
 
Suppose it's all on how you process wood. Maybe doesn't work for you... I guess same way I think vertical splitting is ridiculous.

I had one of those timberjacks and found it to be the most worthless tool I've ever had. It will also take you a lot longer to cut the wood using one of those. An easier plan is to either cut, say 3/4 or more through the log and do this all along. Then use a cant hook to roll the log and then finish the cut. Even better is to find a spot where you can cut the trunk all the way through. Then use a couple of the limbs you've already cut off. Lay 2 or 3 or 4 of them and roll the log onto them. Cut away and fear not hitting the ground.
 
Another vote for the LogRite cant hook, and I agree with Dennis.

1. Fell
2. Limb
3. Mark
4. Cut 90% thru all marks
5. Roll log with cant hook
6. Cut last 10%

I can't (no pun intended) imagine any faster way, using hand tools.

I read several reviews on the LogRite stand, and several pointed out that they bought it with their cant hook, then later decided it really wasn't worth using.
 
Suppose it's all on how you process wood. Maybe doesn't work for you... I guess same way I think vertical splitting is ridiculous.

I have to agree on the vertical thing. I tried it for a day and could hardly walk. All the wiggling around and reaching really made my hips hurt.

On the other hand, I'm a big fan of the cut and roll. I have never tried the stand, though, so I can't say it sucks. I can see some usefulness in the wide open. I think it might be a PITA in the woods.

The Timberjack would be sweet, but possibly overkill for my operation.
 
Most of the time I cut the log on one side and roll it over to finish the cuts from the other side. For this, I use the timberjack to roll the log, but any cant hook or peavey will do for that purpose. There are some times when it's nice to roll the log onto a timberjack (as opposed to just turning it with a cant hook or peavey) to get it off the ground.
 
Thanks Guys, the LogRite style with the add on shoe seems to be the most universal tool, more uses than one. The stihl flavor needs a white handle :) Thanks again for all the info.
 
Another advantage of the LogRite is that the parts are replaceable if you manage to break something. The handle has a lifetime warranty, as well. I'm not sure how it would break, but anything is possible. I'm a good size feller, and I've rolled (or attempted to) some pretty big logs. And used it more than once as a pry bar.

You can also change from a peavey to a cant hook and back, by punching out a spring pin.
 
Hi Guys, Put off buying one of these long enough, never owned one so I could use some advice on whats good and not. I tend to buy the best I can afford the first time around.
It will be used mainly for fire wood, seldom 20" and smaller.
The Wood Chuck timber jack caught my attention ? dont know much about what makes one a good one, some help would be great, Thanks, Todd

I recommend putting off buying one, forever. They're a superfluous tool: any log small enough to be "jacked" can just as easily be rolled, and logs that are too big to "jack" are too big to jack.
 
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This log jack will lift a big as$ log, but re positioning it is a PITA, pick up log, 2 cuts put it down, pick it back up

IMG_20121205_155711.jpg
 
There are some times when it's nice to roll the log onto a timberjack (as opposed to just turning it with a cant hook or peavey) to get it off the ground.
But I also agree with this, case in point, with my tool, I lifted trunk off that stayed on stump
 
LogRite sets the standard.

The Northern Tool Timberjack with fiberglass handle is another model to consider. I've been using mine for 4 years and have been very pleased.

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


I, too, have the Northern Tool unit. I bought it for the cant hook (on sale for $39). What I didn't realize when I ordered it is that the handle is SOLID fiberglass, almost 2 in. diameter. You will never break that handle! Haven't tried it as a timberjack yet, but expect to soon.
 
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I, too, have the Northern Tool unit. I bought it for the cant hook (on sale for $39). What I didn't realize when I ordered it is that the handle is SOLID fiberglass, almost 2 in. diameter. You will never break that handle! Haven't tried it as a timberjack yet, but expect to soon.

Yeah, the picture doesn't do it justice. That handle is BEEFY.
 
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