I found that my quad works to pull logs out of the woods. (I didn't think it would)
![[Hearth.com] Any one use a 4-wheeler as a skidder](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/imgp0804-webp.179570/ "[Hearth.com] Any one use a 4-wheeler as a skidder")
Kinda cool I think. Now I just need a better saw!
Kinda cool I think. Now I just need a better saw!
Any one use a 4-wheeler as a skidder
- Thread starter skinnykid
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I've used our quad to haul out rounds on a trailer before but not log lengths. I take it you stay in low gear and just ease them out btw now they have dual axle trailers that would serve you better. Thing is ...with a 4 wheeler you can't lift the front part of the log ...like with a 3pt hitch so be careful.
savageactor7 said:
Actually, what I did was put the tow rope around the log and attach it to the quad. While in 4-wheel drive I put it in hi gear and just drove out like regular. All those logs you see are from an uprooted tree that lays across a old pathway that used to be a railroad bed.
I had to cut some other down trees to make a clear path out. The whole log does get dragged and the tow strap gets chewed up, but thats life when you gotta make do with what you have.
- Jun 12, 2006
- 1,053
Yes -
I try to keep the smaller diameter stuff say 14" on down. I also made a heavy duty "Nose Cone' from the bottom half of an old swimming pool filter housing. It fits over the but end of the log and keeps it from catching the odd rock or root once the log is moving. It also reduced the amount of damage to the trail.
I also use a modest sized trailer and prefer to buck the logs up in the woods and haul wit hthe trailer, no muddy logs that way. Cleaner and easier on chains.
ATB,
Mike P
I try to keep the smaller diameter stuff say 14" on down. I also made a heavy duty "Nose Cone' from the bottom half of an old swimming pool filter housing. It fits over the but end of the log and keeps it from catching the odd rock or root once the log is moving. It also reduced the amount of damage to the trail.
I also use a modest sized trailer and prefer to buck the logs up in the woods and haul wit hthe trailer, no muddy logs that way. Cleaner and easier on chains.
ATB,
Mike P
Yes a few years ago we pulled out enough tamarack logs to frame and deck a 1500sqft post and beam home. We used a 93 polaris and a home made log arch w/hand winch. It worked surprisingly well, we sawed out a #of 8"x8"x12feet long so there were some large logs involved.
Skinny Kid, I think what Savage was leading to was:
If you can't get the front end of the log off of the ground, or do not use a cone on the front, it is possible that while moving, the front of the log can catch on something. This can/will cause bad stuff to happen. Stopping the quad very fast, throwing you off, the log making wild swings, tipping the quad backwards and worst of all, causing the far end of the log to "poll vault" up and over (and hopefully you are not in the way). These are some things to watch out for. Be cautious, it can happen faster than you can hit the breaks.
I have heard the old timers talking about skidding logs and tipping over tractors (backwards) doing this.
If you can't get the front end of the log off of the ground, or do not use a cone on the front, it is possible that while moving, the front of the log can catch on something. This can/will cause bad stuff to happen. Stopping the quad very fast, throwing you off, the log making wild swings, tipping the quad backwards and worst of all, causing the far end of the log to "poll vault" up and over (and hopefully you are not in the way). These are some things to watch out for. Be cautious, it can happen faster than you can hit the breaks.
I have heard the old timers talking about skidding logs and tipping over tractors (backwards) doing this.
![[Hearth.com] Any one use a 4-wheeler as a skidder](/talk/data/attachments/8/8509-a7123b1fe25420e2b648fb1f27a6854d.jpg?hash=G2Q0gYTFd3)
I don't like to skid logs because you can't help but get dirt into the bark which chain saws do not like at all. However, I have skidded a few out but only when we had a good snow cover. I have considered building a logging dray and still might. If built right I could use it for hauling logs or for moving deer blinds.
I do haul all of our wood with the atv and either a trailer or a small wagon. I've done this for many years now and at present use a Yamaha Grizzly for the chore.
I do haul all of our wood with the atv and either a trailer or a small wagon. I've done this for many years now and at present use a Yamaha Grizzly for the chore.
I pull a lot of logs with a tractor but some of the same principles apply. So long as you are pulling from a hitch point on the quad which is below the centerline of the wheels, there will be no wheelies. That's why I chain to the drawbar(big fixed hitch) on the tractor and not the 3ph. My logs get muddy being dragged and I end up with distinct ruts where the nose of the log plows the ground. I typically drag the whole tree though so that I can limb off the slash at a central burn pile. Then end up with a deck of logs to easily buck and load onto a trailer. Dragging the whole tree allows the branches to smooth out the trails too.
Here's a tip. Go to harbor freight or even home depot and buy the premade 5/16 G70 "tow" chain which also might be called a binder chain. It is about 20' long and has grab hooks on each end. Pretty cheap. This chain is relatively light weight, strong, wear resistant and is easy to attach and unattach to the logs.
I could skid logs with a riding lawnmower if the log was small enough. Meaning you can certainly use a quad so long as you know your limits.
Here's a tip. Go to harbor freight or even home depot and buy the premade 5/16 G70 "tow" chain which also might be called a binder chain. It is about 20' long and has grab hooks on each end. Pretty cheap. This chain is relatively light weight, strong, wear resistant and is easy to attach and unattach to the logs.
I could skid logs with a riding lawnmower if the log was small enough. Meaning you can certainly use a quad so long as you know your limits.
Highbeam, you might consider putting a slip hook on one end of that chain. Works best using that around the log because it will tighten the chain. With a grab hook, if you don't get it just right it can slip on the log. Just a little hint here. That's the way we always skidded logs when I worked in logging. Works like a charm...as long as you get the hook pointed the right direction.
![[Hearth.com] Any one use a 4-wheeler as a skidder](/talk/data/attachments/8/8517-9ae23143b343c911538211033a6ab0c8.jpg?hash=Xk031kjocR)
A friend of mine supported himself with his 4-wheeler (2WD) for a couple of years back in the early 80's. He used a metal sled that he rolled the logs onto and used chain binders to keep the logs on the sled. Still use the sled for getting firewood during sugar season now.
You could also make up a small dray to do the work and mount a hoist on it to help lift the logs onto it. Not fast but it will work, also they sell log drays for about $10,000 that are self contained. A guy at where I work is planning to get one and do small time logging operations and use his Ranger to pull it out with.
I'm still thinking our colleague skinnykid would be better server by a high quality trailer...one that actually dumps and doesn't get hung up. For one thing he'd get more use out of the trailer, it's easier on the 4 wheeler, it would haul more rounds per trip...and safer for him.
When your dragging logs... S!!t can happen faster than you can react.
Money spent on splitters, trailers, wedges and saws are an 'investment'...not just another luxury expense. They pay themselves off over time and labor saved.
When your dragging logs... S!!t can happen faster than you can react.
Money spent on splitters, trailers, wedges and saws are an 'investment'...not just another luxury expense. They pay themselves off over time and labor saved.
savageactor7 said:
Thank you, you are right but, I'm thinking skinnykid has no more money left over from his house purchase but would LOVE to get lotsa stuff
Titan said:
Sorry Titan, but I think I will keep the old dog. It is a TRUE 4x4 (meaning no hard roads in 4 x 4 mode). It is completely DOT legal, but I do not license it. At a top speed of 53 miles per hour, I don't think I would want to run it on any main roads anyhow. It is really geared low and only has a little 4 cyl. for the power plant. She pulls like a tractor though. Load the bed up with some firewood and hook on to the ring bumper (don't know if it was originally designed for skidding or not, but sure works good), and let her grunt. Its kinda like a baby unimog. Runs like a dream, and for such a little thing, is very capable.
They can still be found, but are getting more rare. Lots of them are getting into "collector" hands now. I don't "collect" nothing that can't still be put to work. Ask any of my old stuff.
I always wanted to get one of these. Kinda pricey, but practical.
(broken link removed)
I guess if you're gonna be dropping that kind of jack on an ATV, what's another $800?
(broken link removed)
I guess if you're gonna be dropping that kind of jack on an ATV, what's another $800?
Here's a couple other ones they sell (no, I don't work for this company).
(broken link removed to http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/icat/Cat59/full.asp?page=111)
(broken link removed to http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/icat/Cat59/full.asp?page=111)
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