Log skidding,Never done it, tips, and advice

[HDRock]

I'm not sure this is the right place to post this but


Until three weeks ago ,I didn't even know what skidding was, but now I need to drag some stuff out into the open to cut n load, split at home ,elect splitter.

I don't plan on buying a bunch of stuff to do it, except, I'm going to see. a guy tomorrow with used chain and cable, at a very good price,I have 100ft of big fat rope, and a jeep.

Any thing U can think of I should know ,Does,Don'ts, what ever, Thank You

 

[shawnw]

I'm not sure this is the right place to post this but


Until three weeks ago ,I didn't even know what skidding was, but now I need to drag some stuff out into the open to cut n load, split at home ,elect splitter.

I don't plan on buying a bunch of stuff to do it, except, I'm going to see. a guy tomorrow with used chain and cable, at a very good price,I have 100ft of big fat rope, and a jeep.

Any thing U can think of I should know ,Does,Don'ts, what ever, Thank You

You're gonna want some way of elevating the end closest to the tow vehicle, otherwise it will stuff into the ground HARD.

Don't use chisel...DO use semi chisel chain. Even if you have to buy a loop or two the time saved not sharpening chisel will be worth it.

 

[slowp]

[video=youtube;rVJ4DT9dEoI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVJ4DT9dEoI&feature=share&list=UU9mFXlXjEJvJoCImQvFXVSg[/video]

 

[slowp]

On steeper ground one end suspension is a good thing. Hook the logs, get out of the way preferably behind a stout tree.

[video=youtube;PecwCY0aHG8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PecwCY0aHG8&feature=share&list=UU9mFXlXjEJvJoCImQvFXVSg[/video]

 

[OH_Varmntr]

Truck, chain, choker cable. Jeep will work, but has much more limited capabilities than a 7000+lb truck.

 

[EXCALIBER]

I agree, the bigger heavier the truck the easier it is to pull logs. I used to use a jeep wrangler when I was in Montana, but had to cut the logs smaller if it was a large diameter tree. I could have probably pulled the tree in the video with the jeep. Just hard to tell from the video. Truck sound Purdy good though. Good chain, hook the big end of the tree, and 4low and pull.

 

[HDRock]

You're gonna want some way of elevating the end closest to the tow vehicle, otherwise it will stuff into the ground HARD.

Don't use chisel...DO use semi chisel chain. Even if you have to buy a loop or two the time saved not sharpening chisel will be worth it.

Would it do any good to shape the end of the log ??

I am thinking ,I can cut into maybe 7 ft or so, logs and drag em out into the open , biggest diameter would be about 20in, most are smaller.
Is my thinking right or wrong

 

[HDRock]

Truck, chain, choker cable. Jeep will work, but has much more limited capabilities than a 7000+lb truck.

I agree, the bigger heavier the truck the easier it is to pull logs. I used to use a jeep wrangler when I was in Montana, but had to cut the logs smaller if it was a large diameter tree. I could have probably pulled the tree in the video with the jeep. Just hard to tell from the video. Truck sound Purdy good though. Good chain, hook the big end of the tree, and 4low and pull.

The ZJ is about 3800lbs but ,I have to also drag em past other smallish trees

 

[OH_Varmntr]

Would it do any good to shape the end of the log ??

I am thinking ,I can cut into maybe 7 ft or so, logs and drag em out into the open , biggest diameter would be about 20in, most are smaller.
Is my thinking right or wrong

I'd say you're on the right track. Hook it up, if you can't move it, cut it down and try again.

Shaping the end of the log seems time consuming. I didn't worry about which end I dragged from, since my truck handled everything I hooked to it with ease. With a lighter vehicle I'd hook it from the smaller diameter end (lighter end).

 

[MGoBlue]

Just my advice...not a pro here by any stretch of the imagination.

I'd hook it up and pull. The largest log dug in less where my wedge was cut. I could have pulled much bigger, this was my first attempts.
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qPwRztyRc3Y?list=UUmAX9myX4TPAAp_xWuzEFLQ&amp;hl=en_US" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



It was a wet, rainy day so I aired down my M/T 33's to about 8-10 psi and I have selectable lockers front and rear...

Here's a pic of the Jeep

 

[MGoBlue]

another one

Problems getting 2 vids on one reply..
http://youtu.be/IpTt4kNpM7U?t=2s

 

[OH_Varmntr]

I forgot to add there are commercially available products to aid in skidding logs. Google "log skidding cone". Baileys has them, and they are a sight sponsor.

The same thing can be made from a bent sheet of steel. Bend it into a shape like a sled so the front of the log rides on the sled.

 

[MGoBlue]

I've been all over Baily's and all I found were arches that I couldn't justify. Google here I come....

 

[MGoBlue]

$160-180 is not in my budget right now. I'd like to try it though. Thanks for the tip!!





<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KczelbFpDYQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Icehouse]

Don't ever let anyone get in the "bite of the line". If that chain would break it could wipe around and hurt that boy real bad. I know he wants to help but please have him in a safe place and enjoy your outing with your kids, great way to grow up, in the outdoors. Be safe.

 

[MGoBlue]

Don't ever let anyone get in the "bite of the line". If that chain would break it could wipe around and hurt that boy real bad.

Advice I will heed... After I watched the vid I thought about winch line snapping and realized my ignorance.

 

[fubar2]

You don't absolutely need an arch and other doodads. Chain em close to your Jeep and the law of physics will lighten the closest end. Don't go fast while dragging them and keep an eye out for exposed roots or big rocks for them to catch on. Think before you make any sharp turns near standing trees too.

 

[Patrick62]

Been there, done that.

I just finished skidding about 100 cords with a jeep. it will work. It is terribly hard on the jeep. 1958 with a V6 cobbled in there.

If you are careful you will be able to avoid all the problems I encountered. Rig up a way to elevate the front of the log. Might be able to do something like I did. Stick a pipe over the trailer ball and run some horizontal bars to the roll bar. I then rigged up a electric winch to a pulley on the pipe. Worked good. What I could not back up to, I winched to the jeep! 1 log isn't much of a challenge, it is when you got 3 or 4 on there that the little guy worked for it.

My problems:
Rough terrain and stumps. Got hung up numerous times. broke the brake lines in several places, decided that they were a accessory. wedged slash into all sorts of odd places. Trashed both mufflers. open headers sound better anyway. Blew out atleast a dozen tires with the slash. 2 ply sidewalls are quite vulnerable. laid it over twice with logs not wanting to move or hanging up in transit. Larger stuff resulted in "wheelies" being the normal. Due to the fact that I was using a less than perfectly maintained piece of equipment the water pump hub cracked sending the fan thru the radiator. Cobbled that back together and stuck a radiator without fan on front View attachment 268045View attachment 268046

sharp eyes will notice the red can. The fuel line got smashed, had to go to a can. Ignition switch shorted out, push button and toggle switch. Oil pressure gauge is dead, ammeter is also dead. Temperature gauge works, no fan... boy did it work!
Cheap china winch is about done. Bushings are gone it don't roll so free now. Brake inside it was trashed in the first week.
all in all, this was good practice for a demolition derby!

 

[Icehouse]

Must be why they keep us old farts around. Sure wish I could try burning some of that hard wood. Live happy live long!!

 

[stihly dan]

That boy can't get hurt. Did you see him pull that jeep like it was nothing. Thats a strong little dude.