Log arch V2.0

So last winter I made a log arch to pull behind my garden tractor and have been using it this summer. I am fully sold on the benefits of log arching!! Well that got me thinking... Given how expensive these things seem to be, I wondered what I could build them for and maybe sell one here or there on Craigslist, just to have a little spare tractor/saw money. When I built my original, I definitely scoured for parts, like finding used car wheels and tires and having to cut out and recenter the rims, etc. It was rather time consuming and inconsistent! So I decided I'd take what I learned the first go 'round and build a new version out of easily ordered parts and make a few changes in design. Then I can use and test it, and then place it on craigslist just to gauge the interest... If someone wants it, I can just build another; if someone likes it but wants certain changes (like taller, diff tires, diff winch, etc), I can easily build one to those specs. Worst case scenario is I get two log arches!


Here's my first one. After using it, I feel it's oversized for the most part, and just a bit too heavy. The placement of the winch and height of the cable caused a bending moment on the top tube, and the hitch itself was too high, placing it far above the centerline of the axle when the top tube was level.




So, after some parts sourcing and thinking, here's version 2.0:

















As this one sits, it'll hold a 30" log and should easily hold 2000lbs. I have to extend my winch wiring, but I do like the remote operated winch as opposed to a hand cranking one. Of course I could mount either style; same for ball coupler vs lunette eye. Also can easily make the arch frame out of 2x3 box, taller (like my first), and use a heavier spindle/hub/tire combo. That being said, I really like how this one came out size and weight wise! Much easier to maneuver about by picking up to place over log.

Can't wait to use it this weekend!!!


What do y'all think? Think anyone would buy a log arch at half the cost of the majority of online offerings...? LOL

Looks sweet man, how much were you thinking of selling them for?

yea

and how much lead time you need ? i drive out that way twice a year could trailer it home

motoman3b said:

Looks sweet man, how much were you thinking of selling them for?

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Haven't exactly hammered that out yet. Kind of thinking in the 5-600ish neighborhood brand new to cover costs and make it worth the time... Most of the atv/non full sized tractor ones I could find online seem to be north of $1000 :jawdrop:



Thoughts?

cassandrasdaddy said:

and how much lead time you need ? i drive out that way twice a year could trailer it home

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If there was enough interest, I'd likely keep a set of parts on hand (and we always have metal on hand at the shop) which would mean I could easily do a few day turnaround if needed. If there was a different request like taller tires or some such, it still shouldn't put it out more than a week I'd think.

thats real reasonble

and i'd rather do biz with a real person than a company. whats total length? weight? i need to see which trailer i should bring i can't see interstate towing the arch that far

cassandrasdaddy said:

and i'd rather do biz with a real person than a company. whats total length? weight? i need to see which trailer i should bring i can't see interstate towing the arch that far

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Well I suppose length could vary. The one I just made ended up at about 8.5 ft total. I made it with a 7ft top tube before the bend to accommodate a 14ft log fully suspended (or longer if dragging the rear a bit). I could make the top any length though.

BTW, I don't necessarily want this to be a for sale thread as such; certainly don't want to tick off the AS ownership! I can post something in the for sale section in keeping with the rules.



I'm just really curious to hear people's thoughts and opinions here. What could make things better or what would you rather see. Anyone is welcome to call me crazy as well! opcorn:

Looks very professional. I would be interested if I was in the market for such a tool, especially since I could 'special order' any features or modifications from you.

Will you paint them, or would that be up to the purchaser?


Maybe for folks like cassandrasdaddy you could make the top tube in 2 pieces so that it could be shortened for shipping/transport/storage.

Philbert

It looks pretty good! My only concern would be if the wheels were to get lodged in a rut, would the down tube going to the reciever bend if you tried to pull it out of a rut with a long on it? Moving the front brace down a bit would help, as would a gusset going forward at the bottom of the front down tube to the ball receiver.

If the top tube were two different sizes, you could slip one inside the other, drill holes, and use a pin or 2. That way the arch would be adjustable in length.

I would be interested in one. And I am not to far away from you either.






If you wanna sell your old one......

atv log arch

I have a Log-rite fetching arch you can gladly take a look at. I really like your chain slots on the backbone to hold the front of the log from moving. The top on mine is trussed and made of 2" receiver tube. I have a two man handle but it is not useful in the woods, and always tow it. One feature to add is handles for lifting/positioning it over a log. They are very useful when backing in tight spots as well. Very nice job.

Philbert said:

Will you paint them, or would that be up to the purchaser?


Maybe for folks like cassandrasdaddy you could make the top tube in 2 pieces so that it could be shortened for shipping/transport/storage.

Philbert

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Good question on the painting... If I was keeping one around waiting to sell, I'd most likely paint to avoid any surface rust. Ones built to order so to speak, could probably go either way depending on what was desired.

To be honest, I hadn't really heavily considered shipping due to size. Though making the top tube come apart could be as easy as adding in a couple sandwiched plates bolted together. Interesting.

esshup said:

would the down tube going to the reciever bend if you tried to pull it out of a rut with a long on it? Moving the front brace down a bit would help, as would a gusset going forward at the bottom of the front down tube to the ball receiver.

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Good question! May have to test it this weekend placing a tire behind a tree and pulling to see how easily it may or may not bend... I did actually mean to put a gusset between the down tube and the ball coupler but totally forgot when at the shop.

biggenius29 said:

I would be interested in one. And I am not to far away from you either.

If you wanna sell your old one......

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We should chat Yeah, I'd sell the old one, or this one, or a new one Dinger and I were just chatting the other day about a Southwest MI GTG opcorn:

Sandhill Crane said:

One feature to add is handles for lifting/positioning it over a log. They are very useful when backing in tight spots as well.

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Ya caught me! I totally forgot to add those too :bang: I must really have been itching to leave the shop the other night I saw those on LogRite's arches and really liked the idea! I'm glad to hear you find them useful as opposed to just being in the way!

It's a nice design but the down tube leaves me wondering as well. Tests will tell all I am sure. Nice work though

That's what I like about this site. So many good ideas. The arch looks good. Well made for sure and two days later you end up with 10 ways to improve it. I think you have a good idea for sure. Wish you lived closer, I'd like to try one.

that size

would fit in my small utility trailer which is all mommas car will tow well. i hate to bring my truck cause its too noisy. (mom and kid make too much noise whining about riding in the dirty truck). i go to sw minn twice a year and could detour for a good cause. that arch would work behind my jeep too

cassandrasdaddy said:

would fit in my small utility trailer which is all mommas car will tow well. i hate to bring my truck cause its too noisy. (mom and kid make too much noise whining about riding in the dirty truck). i go to sw minn twice a year and could detour for a good cause. that arch would work behind my jeep too

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Actually, it is light enough that you could just put it on your roof. People would think that you are headed to the harness track, but that you race really small horses!

Philbert

cassandrasdaddy said:

would fit in my small utility trailer which is all mommas car will tow well. i hate to bring my truck cause its too noisy. (mom and kid make too much noise whining about riding in the dirty truck). i go to sw minn twice a year and could detour for a good cause. that arch would work behind my jeep too

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Just give me an idea whenever you're coming through next and I'll get ya all set up

Philbert said:

Actually, it is light enough that you could just put it on your roof. People would think that you are headed to the harness track, but that you race really small horses!

Philbert

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Well, I got to play with the arch a bit today. First thing I noticed is how much easier it is maneuvering than my original! The second being the chain hangers. So much more efficient just dropping the chains into place vs what I was doing before. I also really like the winch having a direct pull over the log; before I had a long stretch of tensioned cable that I hated having so close to my face while hooking chains.











The chickens greeted me just about every time I came out of the woods




I still have some of the aforementioned changes to make, but over all I'm happy with it thus far!

Looks good in action. Nice looking house too.

So Nuzzy, you lift the back part of the log with the winch, instead of using the tope tube as a lever?

How do you lift the front part of the log to wrap the chain around it?

Thanks.

Philbert