First time buyer for a Timber Jack ???

[Todd 2]

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

 

[nate379]

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.

 

[paul bunion]

Go all the way....



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.

 

[Todd 2]

Whoops wrong size guys, the hand powered model www.woodchucktool.com Timberjack lol.

 

[MasterMech]

Check out the LogRite tools as well. Add the stand to their cant hooks and presto, instant timberjack.

http://www.logrite.com/store/Category/Cant-Hooks

Oh yeah, they paint them orange and sell them at Stihl dealerships too.

 

[nate379]

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.

 

[MasterMech]

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.

 

[jeff_t]

Logrite tools rock. Top quality stuff. Never bought the stand, though.

 

[TreePointer]

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

 

[Backwoods Savage]

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.

 

[bogydave]

I have the Stihl cant hook & added the stand/shoe.
I have some situations where it comes in handy.

 

[nate379]

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.

 

[Ashful]

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.

 

[jeff_t]

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.

 

[TreePointer]

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.

 

[Todd 2]

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.

 

[jeff_t]

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.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

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.

 

[Scols]

I like using the timberjack, I found that the extra 6 inches of lift makes a difference in how my back feels after a day of cutting.

 

[nate379]

That's what she said. (sorry... I just had to... It's Friday and beer thirty!)

I found that the extra 6 inches makes a difference in how my back feels

 

[HDRock]

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

 

[HDRock]

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

 

[MrWhoopee]

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.

 

[TreePointer]

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.