My Log Lifter Invention

[Wood Doctor]

I got this idea when I noticed that gas springs do a really nice job lifting LOML's Toyota Celica liftback. That trunk lid is heavy. So, I thought, "Why not harness a pair to lift heavy logs onto my truck's tailgate?"

So, I bought a pair of 90-lb gas springs, found some 3/4" oak, and went to the workshop. Here's what I built. The Pic shows a log on the end of the lifter and in postion, ready to be lifted.

At this point, the gas springs are completely closed. There are two retaining pins on each side that keep them in check while the log is rolled on the end. Note also that I have a counterweight on the other end. I use three 8-lb splitting wedges for that, but sometimes I use a 25-lb concrete block.

When the retaining pins are removed, all I have to do is get the log started, which is about half of its weight. The gas springs help more amd more, the higher they go. So, at the half-way point up, the springs completely take over and lift the log to this position:

As you can see, the springs are holding this log all by itself. There is a wooden lip that sticks up about 3" above the sides to keep the log from rolling during the lift. All you have to do now is roll the log onto the tailgate.

Here's another Pic showing a log that weighs half again more--nearly 180 lb. The springs are barely able to hold it by themselves.

When the log is on board, I use my body weight to close the lift back up and secure the two retaining pins so that it is then ready for the next lift. I have successfully lifted logs weighing as much as 260 lb with this little contraption. It's a nice alternative to the winch and ramp system that I built to drag logs on board that weigh 250 lb and up.

OK guys, WDYT? Any questions?

 

[mimilkman1]

You ideas never cease to amaze me, that is a wonderful simple, inexpensive idea. I will have to try that.

Kyle

 

[mga]

nice!!!!!!

 

[Wood Doctor]

You ideas never cease to amaze me, that is a wonderful simple, inexpensive idea. I will have to try that.

Kyle

Thanks, Kyle. Here are a couple of more things that really make this thing neat. First, it only weights about 10 lb and is only about 46" long. So, it fits behind the seat of the truck. Second, I used a pair of ordinary loose pin door hinges for pivots next to the counter weight box--nothing fancy.

It is important to make good joints to hold the lifting and base frames. There will be stress on them. That's why I used oak hardwood. Ash or hickory would be good second choices.

The position of the springs is somehat crucial so that they will close all the way and open all the way, stopping just short of a right angle when open. That may take some experimenting, depending on which springs you buy. Anything less than 80-lb is not going to be strong enough. The Surplus Center usually has them really cheap but I imagine a car parts shop, such as O'Reilly's would also.

 

[KMB]

Nicely done.

Kevin

 

[retired redneck]

Use it to lift to logsplitter.would last longer if frame was made of steel or alumnim......;..

 

[avalancher]

That is really a neat idea. While I generally haul my wood in a trailer, there have been a few times that I have been out with just a truck and a device like that would have come in real handy.
I would think that a device would have some real market value, you could use it to lift a lot of things besides firewood.
Great job, I admire your engineering!

 

[irishcountry]

Very smart! You had to have watched macgyver as a kid!! Good idea nicely put together.

 

[abohac]

I got this idea when I noticed that gas springs do a really nice job lifting LOML's Toyota Celica liftback. That trunk lid is heavy. So, I thought, "Why not harness a pair to lift heavy logs onto my truck's tailgate?"

So, I bought a pair of 90-lb gas springs, found some 3/4" oak, and went to the workshop. Here's what I built. The Pic shows a log on the end of the lifter and in postion, ready to be lifted.

At this point, the gas springs are completely closed. There are two retaining pins on each side that keep them in check while the log is rolled on the end. Note also that I have a counterweight on the other end. I use three 8-lb splitting wedges for that, but sometimes I use a 25-lb concrete block.

When the retaining pins are removed, all I have to do is get the log started, which is about half of its weight. The gas springs help more amd more, the higher they go. So, at the half-way point up, the springs completely take over and lift the log to this position:

As you can see, the springs are holding this log all by itself. There is a wooden lip that sticks up about 3" above the sides to keep the log from rolling during the lift. All you have to do now is roll the log onto the tailgate.

Here's another Pic showing a log that weighs half again more--nearly 180 lb. The springs are barely able to hold it by themselves.

When the log is on board, I use my body weight to close the lift back up and secure the two retaining pins so that it is then ready for the next lift. I have successfully lifted logs weighing as much as 260 lb with this little contraption. It's a nice alternative to the winch and ramp system that I built to drag logs on board that weigh 250 lb and up.

OK guys, WDYT? Any questions?

Thinkin' will keep you young!

 

[iCreek]

You darn 'ol smart cornhuskers !!!! That is a slick device and would come in handy picking up wood in neighborhoods when your by yourself. I like the portability of it also. Great Job !!

Go Big Red !!! I was in Lincoln a few weeks ago and stopped by the University book store and bought some red 'N' gear, hats, shirts, etc. What a great state Nebraska is, hope you get the football program turned around for some wins.. Also ate a Valentino's (spelling?) pizza their by campus, great place to eat.

 

[cjk]

Will it launch smaller pieces over the truck? :biggrinbounce2:

A wood catapult. :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Wood Doctor]

You darn 'ol smart cornhuskers !!!! That is a slick device and would come in handy picking up wood in neighborhoods when your by yourself. I like the portability of it also. Great Job !!

Go Big Red !!! I was in Lincoln a few weeks ago and stopped by the University book store and bought some red 'N' gear, hats, shirts, etc. What a great state Nebraska is, hope you get the football program turned around for some wins.. Also ate a Valentino's (spelling?) pizza their by campus, great place to eat.

You spell as well as I do. The reason I like this invention most is because I never assume that someone else is going to be there to help me lift anything, especially heavy firewood logs. Most people today are running around with a cell phone plastered against their ear. They can't lift anything.

I cannot promise that Bo Pellini will turn around the NU football program all by himself, but I can promise you today that this log lifter works and that it helped me load 1,900 lb of fuel wood on board my truck, wood that I also unloaded and stacked, ready to be split. I did all of that by myself, and I also wore a scarlet red hat while doing so.:greenchainsaw:

 

[bore_pig]

Use it to lift to logsplitter.would last longer if frame was made of steel or alumnim......;..

I thought the same thing. Make it of aluminum and sell it to Northern Tool.

 

[retired redneck]

I thought the same thing. Make it of aluminum and sell it to Northern Tool.

You think the chinks will coppy this and sell it to northern first???

 

[Wood Doctor]

I thought the same thing. Make it of aluminum and sell it to Northern Tool.

Bore and Retired Redneck, I really considered a patent last year when I designed it from scratch. You probably noticed the extra holes in the frames. Well, those are "beta" holes. I was sneaking up on the optimal location to maximize (1) the lifting power of the gas springs and (2) the ability to lower it again. The mounting holes have to be on the nose for both (1) and (2) to work.

Originally I drew the plans up a dozen times on scratch paper, the computer, and in my head (of course). I imagine it could be patented, and yes, I have used it to load the truck with a few other things, such as 80-lb bags of salt and pre-mixed concrete.

The best payload that it ever carried, however, was LOML, who sat on it last year at one of our favorite restaurant establishments. I lifted her straight up nearly 3' and off the ground with ease and most of the patrons' jaws dropped a foot.

(Forgive me, LOML, I know you weigh less that 120 lb and now the forum does too.)

 

[iowawoodcutter]

WoodDoc, are those dovetails on the end where you lift the wood? Hard to tell from the pic, but if they are, cudos on the extra effort!!

 

[retired redneck]

Make this out of metal do away with weight box,and make a tongue to fit in traylor hitch to hold it in place??????

 

[beerman6]

Make this out of metal do away with weight box,and make a tongue to fit in traylor hitch to hold it in place??????

Good thinking,the metal would make it heavier though,might need some stronger shocks,you could mount a nice winch to the top of a ladder rack...

 

[Wood Doctor]

WoodDoc, are those dovetails on the end where you lift the wood? Hard to tell from the pic, but if they are, cudos on the extra effort!!

Cory, no, these are not dovetails, but they are 3/8" box joints that I cut using the tablesaw with a jig that I made for doing just that. Box joints are actually stronger than dovetails if there are enough of them and if they are well made with light press fits and good yellow glue.

I also drove in a 3" #10 wood screw straight down these joints to pin strengthen them further because I knew I would be working outside and the glue joint might weaken. So, I guess there was some extra effort. :yourock:

 

[Nailsbeats]

Neat yes, practical no. I think that would be more work then just lifting the pieces in the truck. Maybe my back isn't bad enough yet.