Firewood Yarder

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jaystomp

jaystomp

ArboristSite Lurker
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Jan 26, 2009
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14
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Oregon
Hey guys, i was poking around on the internet and came across this. http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/deaton0601.html
Pretty smart idea. Do you think a guy could build a similiar unit but bigger? Something that could yard a large madrone, say 1000-2000 lbs. Sure would be nice to make something trailer mounted that you could leave at the jobsite or commercial forest lot to yard firewood. Has anyone seen or have pics of something larger scale, but similiar idea? Thanks for the input!
 
371groundie

371groundie

ArboristSite Guru
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Nov 15, 2008
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681
Location
Pine Tree State
i used a scaled down tower yarder to clear some vistas in a national park. i cant take credit for any of the design or building.

i doubt i can get any pictures or designs for it. but i think it ran on a 25hp kohler. only had one powered line. and we really only used it for yarding brush. i have no idea what its capacity was. it was built onto a tandem axle trailer.

ill do some diggin and see if i can come up with any pics.
 
rdbrumfield

rdbrumfield

ArboristSite Operative
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Feb 10, 2009
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118
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western Washington USA
Gentlemen, take a good look at the winches.
They are worm drive, not good in a production type logging situation.

As he mentioned having to use reverse to back off the mainline and clutch. You cannot get the clutch on a wormdrive to disengage unless the jawclutch has slack to relieve pressure on the drum.

One other thing, is that most likely the bull gear in the winch is brass. They are great for use on the front of a truck for recovery, but high speed is not ideal for them.
 
Metals406

Metals406

Granfodder Runningsaw
Joined
Sep 18, 2007
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10,126
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NW Montana
Gentlemen, take a good look at the winches.
They are worm drive, not good in a production type logging situation.

As he mentioned having to use reverse to back off the mainline and clutch. You cannot get the clutch on a wormdrive to disengage unless the jawclutch has slack to relieve pressure on the drum.

One other thing, is that most likely the bull gear in the winch is brass. They are great for use on the front of a truck for recovery, but high speed is not ideal for them.

All good points... That's why a guy should use a rear-end from a truck or car to build a winch. :)
 
JungleMist

JungleMist

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Joined
Sep 17, 2008
Messages
40
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Belize, Central America
The US Forest Service's Missoula Technology Development Center (MTDC) developed a couple of small yarders. Some basic plans and manuals are online.

The Bitterroot Miniyarder was intended for mounting on a trailer or on a truck:
attachment.php

http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_num=8351 2504P
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_num=8351 2305


The Clearwater Yarder was designed for larger trucks:
attachment.php

http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_num=8151 2602
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_num=7924 2509

The site will ask for a password and user name although it is a public access site It is "t-d" for both.
 
Metals406

Metals406

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Joined
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Messages
10,126
Location
NW Montana
The US Forest Service's Missoula Technology Development Center (MTDC) developed a couple of small yarders. Some basic plans and manuals are online.

The Bitterroot Miniyarder was intended for mounting on a trailer or on a truck:
attachment.php

http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_num=8351 2504P
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_num=8351 2305


The Clearwater Yarder was designed for larger trucks:
attachment.php

http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_num=8151 2602
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/php/library_card.php?p_num=7924 2509

The site will ask for a password and user name although it is a public access site It is "t-d" for both.

I called the Center in Missoula 3-4 times to try and get plans for the Bitterroot mini yarder last year... They are no longer available, and there's only one guy left working down there that was on the development team.

I'm going to try again this year, as there was a 'master set' of plans, but they wouldn't allow those to leave the office... I'm going to see, again, if they'll make a copy and send it to me. If I get a set, I'll try and get them digitized and I'll post them here.

The Forest Service said they still use the original yarder they build over 20 years ago... They've rebuilt it a couple times, and it was out on a job when I called.
 
JungleMist

JungleMist

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Belize, Central America
I called the Center in Missoula 3-4 times to try and get plans for the Bitterroot mini yarder last year... They are no longer available, and there's only one guy left working down there that was on the development team.

I'm going to try again this year, as there was a 'master set' of plans, but they wouldn't allow those to leave the office... I'm going to see, again, if they'll make a copy and send it to me. If I get a set, I'll try and get them digitized and I'll post them here.

The Forest Service said they still use the original yarder they build over 20 years ago... They've rebuilt it a couple times, and it was out on a job when I called.

If you get a hold of any plans please let me know. I was needing to try to track them down soon myself.
 
jaystomp

jaystomp

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Messages
14
Location
Oregon
If you get a hold of any plans please let me know. I was needing to try to track them down soon myself.
Great find Junglemist, i called them this morning and they are mailing out both sets of plans to me. I didn't have any problem at all getting ahold of them. Very Nice people. They will mail directly to you no charge. I can't believe how good of a thread this has turned out to be. You all have been very helpful. Thanks for all of the helpful input.:greenchainsaw: The phone number i used was 1(406)329-3900. i never thought to ask but they could probally fax you plans as well as mailing. She said they would go out in the mail today. FYI
 
Metals406

Metals406

Granfodder Runningsaw
Joined
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Messages
10,126
Location
NW Montana
Great find Junglemist, i called them this morning and they are mailing out both sets of plans to me. I didn't have any problem at all getting ahold of them. Very Nice people. They will mail directly to you no charge. I can't believe how good of a thread this has turned out to be. You all have been very helpful. Thanks for all of the helpful input.:greenchainsaw: The phone number i used was 1(406)329-3900. i never thought to ask but they could probally fax you plans as well as mailing. She said they would go out in the mail today. FYI

Well I'll be jiggered!! They must have printed more of them? One thing though... They had a building 'guide', but I wanted blueprints with a material list... Two very different documents. I have the guide already.

Is she sending you 'blueprints' or 'shops'?
 
jaystomp

jaystomp

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good question. i never thought to ask if it was blue prints or guide. i will let you know as soon as it gets to me. Give em a call they are in the office, just got off the phone with them 10 minutes ago.
 
Metals406

Metals406

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Joined
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Messages
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Location
NW Montana
good question. i never thought to ask if it was blue prints or guide. i will let you know as soon as it gets to me. Give em a call they are in the office, just got off the phone with them 10 minutes ago.

Here's what she originally sent me... Good to have if you already have the yarder... Not enough info to build one though. Hopefully you're getting shops and prints?

Download here: http://www.mediafire.com/file/izzzymjlruz/mini_yarder.pdf
 
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