How do you safely deconstruct a log-length pile without a tractor?

[trucklyhow]

In the category of problems I'm happy to have: for the first time I have a towering pile of log-length wood to process (a gift from the power company and their arborist subcontractor.) I've nibbled at it with the use of a cant hook/timberjack but now it's getting tricky. The pile is probably about 10-12 feet high and some of the logs above head height are massive. I don't have a tractor or other equipment like that (but could probably borrow one if need be.) Is there a safe approach to deconstructing this pile without deconstructing myself?

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

Gonna be a tough order to do safely. But can be done dangerous as long as you are careful. For getting logs off the pile id pull it off with a long strap so I am nowhere near that mountain of unpleasantness.

 

[johneh]

When I got log length they came off the stack one
at a time finish one then decide which one is next
Roll it with a pickaroon or a hookaroon to roll the
log I have 2 a short handle and a long handle
Take your time and pick the logs for the way they will roll.

 

[4x4prepper]

Having done tree removal and from heating entirely by firewood, I have found bumper and truck bed winches handy for saving effort and emergency room visits. Pictured is a pile of logs from a skid steer the tree company dumped over my fence from a neighbor's yard. It saved him about $2000 in removal fees.

I cut what I could by hand, but, then dragged the log pile down using the bumper winch into one spot, cut them into rounds, then split them there, and created a firewood pile that I picked at to stack when I had a chance.

Steel 1/4" choker cables work best as they cut through the bark and into the wood for a good grip when pulling from a pile. Start at the top WITHOUT climbing the pile. Work from the sides of the pile (butt end).

Use a steel probe (can be bent #3 rebar) to push and grab cable ends without getting your hands under (rattlers or cotton mouths) a log or between two pieces.

Use a remote so if the cable breaks or slips off the log, you are 10 feet away from the recoil travel line.

A winch weight bag is a good option.

I wear a hard hat while winching.

You can use a big 4x4 truck with good mud tires and a beefy bumper (never use a trailer ball) to pull down log piles, but, it is safer and easier just to use a winch. I usually have a 15T pintle hook front and back. The strap or cable goes under the pintle and the ball only acts to stop the attachment from sliding off, the strap is not around the ball itself. Though I usually have two 1/2" thick pull rings welded or bolted onto the bumper, so, no real need to use the pintle hook.

 

[MongoMongoson]

This summer I had that problem. We pulled logs off the top with a truck.

Come alongs are cheap and would do it, but they are slow. If you only have this problem every couple of years, it would get the job done like a winch for a lot smaller investment and would take up a lot less room to store. If we did not have a truck, I would have used a come along.

 

[Heart Rot]

I helped my buddy work on a log pile over the course of a couple years. Our process started off as rolling them down off the ends with cant hooks and pickaroons. Then it turned into pulling them off with a stationary winch. Then it evolved into pulling them off with a long sling (using a choker) pulled by a UTV. One thing that helped the winching and pulling with the UTV was working down the top layers to create a low area that could be used as a work surface to roll higher logs down to, before hooking them up (that made them easier to access, but also reduced the dive angle down to the ground when pulling them off the side of the pile so the nose of the log didn't dig in so bad. Another thing that helped was laying down an old 4x8 sheet of plywood where they landed, again to help prevent the nose from digging into the ground. If a log is too high/big or heavy to get a choker on, you could potentially use long screw-in hooks on the end (we did this at first) but they could turn into a missile if they tear out so beware.

A few other friendly safety reminders similar to what others have said - keep a safe distance from lines under tension and don't put yourself between a vehicle backing up and the log pile. Also when you roll a log down, before you start bucking it I would move it further away from the pile in case another one ever rolls down on its own accord you'll be clear.

 

[trucklyhow]

I've been making good progress using a rope puller and a couple of snatch blocks. I appreciate the advice I've received here. I did discover a new variant of Murphy's Law: when pulling down logs from a pile, the log _will_ land on top of the rope making it as difficult as possible to remove and re-rig. 😄

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[d.sebens]

I don’t know if it’s been said but if the logs all ends at about the same point just cut the rounds out of the pile. Any over cuts into other logs would probably be near to where you will cut anyway. This has the advantage of not having to bend over as much while cutting.

 

[MRD1985]

I cut what I can with the saw as it sits and use a big cant hook to roll the logs to where I need them.

 

[Highbeam]

Our log trucks deliver 40 foot long logs 1-2 feet across so I just get up and cut from the top or chew on one end. They're too heavy to roll down .