Before I go trespassing again in the logging forum, I thought I would asked my question here and show off my latest attachment to my fork lift rack. First the question, I bought a pair of the largest skidding tongs Northern Tool sells. I never could get it to bite into the wood enough to move a log (even a small log). I figured it was because I work alone and have no way to preload it. So I built a boom attachment to my forklift rack, thinking that I could lift the log first and then pull it. Well I tried it out today on the only "log" I had at the house - a small half rotten black locust snag. I could lift it but I couldn't pull it. I even hammered the points into the wood and was able to pull it a little ways before the tongs just pull loose (the wood is not tearing out - the tongs just aren't pinching). I was a little boy when my dad logged but I remember he would just lower the tongs over a log, lift and go. I also believe his tongs had more of an upward angle to the points than mine. Is it just me or are the tongs defective? Thanks.
Here are the pictures of my detachable log boom. I have a pair of forks that simply hang on the bottom rail of the rack. I use the forks for moving, lifting and stacking logs.
Ron
Log is simply hanging from the tongs - points are not dug into wood. Wood isn't too heavy as tractor can lift entire snag off the ground by pivoting it against the bottom of the rack. Nor is log too hard as I can drive the points in without much hammering.
Shot of boom attachment.
Shot of tong points.
Another shot of setup.
Another shot of tongs.
View attachment 240194View attachment 240195View attachment 240196View attachment 240197View attachment 240198
Here are the pictures of my detachable log boom. I have a pair of forks that simply hang on the bottom rail of the rack. I use the forks for moving, lifting and stacking logs.
Ron
Log is simply hanging from the tongs - points are not dug into wood. Wood isn't too heavy as tractor can lift entire snag off the ground by pivoting it against the bottom of the rack. Nor is log too hard as I can drive the points in without much hammering.
Shot of boom attachment.
Shot of tong points.
Another shot of setup.
Another shot of tongs.
View attachment 240194View attachment 240195View attachment 240196View attachment 240197View attachment 240198