Arm capacity for logs

[Bill4807]

Hi everybody,

Im new here.
Have been thinking for about a year about getting a compact tractor for general purpose home items. But have been getting some logs over the past year from the property that i need to mill.

I just want to make sure whatever tractor i get has the capacity to lift these logs. No one at the dealers can answer me straight, understandable being logs of different kind are different weights.

But mostly what i have are oak, maple, and ash, i cut them at 10' lengths, they are roughly 18-28" diameter.

Do you know what an estimated weight of these logs would be?

The capacitys of these loader arms are small size 1800lbs, one up is 2600lbs.

Thank you,

 

[rwoods]

http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/calculators/calc.pl?calculator=log_weight

This should help you. Ron

 

[Bill4807]

Ron,

Thank you very much. This is great!

 

[Justsaws]

Thinking you are well beyond the useful limit of most compact tractor loader setups that I have been around with ten foot long 28” large end oak logs.

The spec number is rarely reality depending on how it is derived. At what point on the loader setup are they getting the number listed?

I would suggest joining a tractor forum and searching YouTube for videos on the tractor setups you are looking at.

 

[Derrinx]

I have a NH (LS) workmaster 35. Weighs about 5500 with loaded rears. I wouldn't trust it to lift logs with the FEL. I have used the 3 pt to lift logs with a skidding tong and skid them out to a better worksite. As long as the traction is there it'll lift and pull it. Mine can handle a 28" 10ft log if I'm skidding it. No way it would lift with the FEL though.

 

[andy]

http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/calculators/calc.pl?calculator=log_weight

This should help you. Ron

Thanks this is helpful!

I tested it with a couple logs I have here.... I think it's weights are for dry wood or maybe it's conservative to the lightweight side.
Anyway, a good tool to get a rough weight. Thanks again for posting!

 

[Franny K]

A set of forks on the 3 point hicth will lift more than the loader on the front. Probably should have an utility class tractor. What kind of tires on the front if you are doing the loader, Industrial tires can do more than the other choices.

 

[chipper1]

@Sawyer Rob got some thoughts for the man.
Where you at Bill, I'm just east of GR .
Welcome to AS from another michigander.

 

[Bill4807]

I have a NH (LS) workmaster 35. Weighs about 5500 with loaded rears. I wouldn't trust it to lift logs with the FEL. I have used the 3 pt to lift logs with a skidding tong and skid them out to a better worksite. As long as the traction is there it'll lift and pull it. Mine can handle a 28" 10ft log if I'm skidding it. No way it would lift with the FEL though.

Thats about the size i was looking at 35-40HP. I was planning on putting some forks on the FEL. My neighbor came over once with his skid steer and moved them no problem, but thats heavy duty.

 

[Bill4807]

@Sawyer Rob got some thoughts for the man.
Where you at Bill, I'm just east of GR .
Welcome to AS from another michigander.

Thanks.
I am about 1.5 hour north of detroit.

 

[rwoods]

Here is a chart for green logs. http://www.trees2money.com/green-log-weights/

Ron

 

[Sawyer Rob]

@Sawyer Rob got some thoughts for the man.

YES, forget the compact tractor and buy a FARM tractor!

I wouldn't expect any "compact" tractor to hold up with logs of that size/weight, the front ends just aren't designed to handle those loads long term...

SR

 

[chipper1]

YES, forget the compact tractor and buy a FARM tractor!

I wouldn't expect any "compact" tractor to hold up with logs of that size/weight, the front ends just aren't designed to handle those loads long term...

SR

I know my little Kubota L3800 loader struggles with relatively small logs.
I'd buy a skid or a large mini skid these days depending on how big I was moving. I got the tractor for a few reasons; first was price, second was I wanted full vision around the kids, then I wanted to be able to use the implements. The kids are older so thats not as big of a concern, and I hardly use the implements except the skidding winch, I'd miss that if I sold my little bota, but most likely I'd just add a large mini skid to the arsenal.

 

[Bill4807]

Hmm ok.
I guess i need to rethink the direction i want to go then.
Im glad i asked these questions.

Thanks everybody

 

[Polish hammer]

Bigger is better on tractors and the 3 point will lift lots more then the loader even with a set of forks.. but I would for sure get a set of quick attach forks for the ffront and remember subtract the weight of the bucket or forks off the front.. Check our the LS line of tractors pretty good specs prices and warranty

 

[rarefish383]

Yep, compacts are too small. I have a Massey Ferguson 135 with 42 HP and it will skid logs that big, I wouldn't even think about picking them up with a loader on it.