Moving logs

[mass_burner]

OK, what's the cheapest, easiest way to move heavy logs/trunk sections about 50-75 feet. I have a JD tractor, but I don't want to tear up the grass on the way. I don't want to cut them up where they lay. Its not something I do very often so I don't want to buy an expensive log hook.

 

[wahoowad]

I have wondered about the same thing. My plan until I hear of something better is to bring my cordless drill with a socket on it and pass a 3 or 4 inch lag screw down through the chain and into the log. That is from the woods to the trailer, but not across the grass (in my case moss)

 

[jeffesonm]

I made a log sled once...

 

[BoiledOver]

Why not dice them in place? If worried of debris pile, it is easy to work a tarp at the ejection site.

 

[Fred Wright]

If you can, borrow a hay wagon for the duration. Or maybe rent a dump body or flatbed. Otherwise, I don't know of a way to move that much weight without damaging the lawn.

 

[Knots]

Wait until it's well below freezing and make a pathway out of ice? I dunno - that's all I got...

 

[flyingcow]

If you got a piece of plywood, roll one end of log onto plywood, hook both plywood and log to tractor. Separate ropes. Should slide when pulled. The plywood will minimize damage to ground, but not eliminate it.

 

[BoiledOver]

Wait until it's well below freezing and make a pathway out of ice? I dunno - that's all I got...

Yeah, what Knots said. Wait till frost will bear the weight and lay down an ice road. Honk Honk

 

[ADK_XJ]

I made a log sled once...

Really like the look of that sled you made - thinking of making one myself for pulling stuff out from the deep woods my Jeep can't reach. Have any rough plans or tips for knocking on together?

 

[Poindexter]

I second the idea of tarp where the logs are to catch the chain saw dust.

Cheap, easy, one time only.

 

[mass_burner]

I have wondered about the same thing. My plan until I hear of something better is to bring my cordless drill with a socket on it and pass a 3 or 4 inch lag screw down through the chain and into the log. That is from the woods to the trailer, but not across the grass (in my case moss)

Hmm...I wonder what type of rig one could do to get the log to roll behind the tractor.

 

[billb3]

Bucket forks ?
Lift 'em up and dice 'em at a convenient height right into a wheel barrow or tractor cart ?

I'm considering getting Artillian forks/rig for mine as they are supposed to be a bit easier to maneuver rocks around than the bucket. ( a little bit more than a cant hook )

Even with turf tires I can leave marks in the lawn especially when it has been wet.

If your bucket has hooks you could lift the logs with chains too. Cut them in the air same as with forks.

You can roll them with a winch too.

 

[Hogwildz]

These may be helpful, or give ya some ideas.
http://www.countrysidemag.com/articles/minimal-impact-logging/
http://fwdirect.arrows-uk.com/zero-barrow-log-sled-accesory-ID-595

 

[hman]

If your tractor has 3 point and you have a draw bar for the 3point,back up to the end of the log,big end,drop the draw bar on top of log,take a log chain under the log up to the draw and hook it up ,raise up the draw bar,this will pick up the log,and go with it.It will not plow into the ground,cause you have it raised up.We pull like this all the time with a tractor.Adds weight to the tractor tires, easy pull,and no plowed ground.The log acts just like a sled,but a lot less to pull.

 

[mass_burner]

If your tractor has 3 point and you have a draw bar for the 3point,back up to the end of the log,big end,drop the draw bar on top of log,take a log chain under the log up to the draw and hook it up ,raise up the draw bar,this will pick up the log,and go with it.It will not plow into the ground,cause you have it raised up.We pull like this all the time with a tractor.Adds weight to the tractor tires, easy pull,and no plowed ground.The log acts just like a sled,but a lot less to pull.

This sounds good, a few questions though, what's a 3 point and draw bar?

 

[mustash29]

3 point hitch & Hitch for towing stuff. If you asked, then most likely your JD does not have them.

 

[billz]

I use one of these after the wood is cut up.

 

[BoiledOver]

I have to ask you. Were you serious with the original question? 75 feet?

 

[WiscWoody]

This winter would be good to skid logs up here. The frost is already deep and the snow is shallow. They sell these hoods to help skid logs I'm sure you've seen them.

 

[firefighterjake]

This winter would be good to skid logs up here. The frost is already deep and the snow is shallow. They sell these hoods to help skid logs I'm sure you've seen them.

View attachment 147027

KInda looks like a condom for a log.

 

[mass_burner]

I have to ask you. Were you serious with the original question? 75 feet?

Yes, 50-75' I didn't measure. Some are portions of the trunk, very heavy.

 

[gzecc]

OK, what's the cheapest, easiest way to move heavy logs/trunk sections about 50-75 feet. I have a JD tractor, but I don't want to tear up the grass on the way. I don't want to cut them up where they lay. Its not something I do very often so I don't want to buy an expensive log hook.

What JD tractor do you have?

 

[Highbeam]

If your tractor has 3 point and you have a draw bar for the 3point,back up to the end of the log,big end,drop the draw bar on top of log,take a log chain under the log up to the draw and hook it up ,raise up the draw bar,this will pick up the log,and go with it.It will not plow into the ground,cause you have it raised up.We pull like this all the time with a tractor.Adds weight to the tractor tires, easy pull,and no plowed ground.The log acts just like a sled,but a lot less to pull.

That works for a tractor and is what I do to with my tractor. Some folks call their lawn mowers tractors. I'm thinking that we have a JD lawn mower here.

No tractor? Then cut in place and haul the wood one wheelbarrow at a time. You can rake up the chips and the area will look great afterwards.

 

[mass_burner]

What JD tractor do you have?

JD 170

 

[tsquini]

How big of a log are you talking about?