Author Topic: ATV Log Arch (Read 4534 times)

mitchash · « **on:** April 10, 2006, 10:28:30 pm »

I just found this site and am really inpressed with all he info! We have been doing small logging jobs on my fathers land (just getting the wind damaged trees out before they go bad) the last couple of years with 4X4 ATVs and a small (16hp)4X4 tractor, we barrow a 550 John Deere dozer for the big stuff. We are interested in getting ATV log arches. How well do they work? How are they for getting in a tight spot? What about one with a winch? Is there any plans out there to build your own? Thanks, Ash

Part_Timer · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2006, 10:51:08 pm »

Welcome to the forum

If ya go to the search button on the top tool bar and type in log arch you will find several threads. Also go into the image archive and look around. There are lots of pictures.

Here is one of one I made.

I use it mostly behind the truck but it works fine behind the quad

There is enough info on here to make one yourself

Tom

RSteiner · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2006, 08:07:08 am »

I made one 20+ years ago to go behind a small tractor. My son has used it behind his ATV many times the biggest log he has transported this way was a white pine 12 feet long 14" at the small end, it was the second log after the butt log.

The only problem you need to watch out for is the log weight when going down any loose steep ground. I guess tongue weight would be a consideration also not wanting to over load the tow point of the ATV.

Randy

blueox · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2006, 11:05:57 am »

Ash,

Welcome to the forum. I've seen the Future foresty log arches. They are well built and he has small to big. To go behind ATV's, snowmobiles, your car!! Etc...They're website is www.futureforestry.com

Good Luck

Laurel

solodan · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2006, 11:38:09 am »

I called Future Forestry last week and was going to order one of their arches. I talked with Mark and he told me to wait till he sent me the video. Well I watched it yesterday, and now I am gonna order 2 of them

Their arches do well in tight spots, where as all the others I have seen do not. You can back up with their arches loaded. The video is pretty cool, especially the 50" log one guy picks up and pulls down the road with a Volvo

IndyIan · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2006, 09:56:25 pm »

My neighbour made this one up and it is just about right for an atv, light enough to lift over a log and the tires follow in the atv tracks. There is a cable attached to a boat winch which picks up the log and I used a chain to take the weight off the pullies and into the middle of the arch. This gave some extra tongue weight which helps out an atv quite a bit.
The biggest log I've moved is a 9' 20" on the small end white oak... 1500lbs and it could probably do a bit more.
Here it is with a smaller white pine log

Onthesauk · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2006, 10:50:38 pm »

I watched Mark from Future Forestry do a demo at a DNR class a couple of years ago with a Honda 400 and one of his arches. Light enough to throw over a log but sturdy enough to haul a pretty good sized log. I've got one of their smaller hand arches but kind of think I've got too much slope for the bigger one.

solodan · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2006, 08:17:13 am »

Onthesauk ,

How about their fetching arch? That one seems that it would work well on slopes. Well I guess I will find out when I get one, cause it is plenty steep down here.

Frank_Pender · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2006, 10:00:30 am »

The photos with the Volvo are he and his car. The car is now history, as his daughter got sideswiped and the care was totaled. His doughter was not injured. No, she was not hauling a log, at the time.

solodan · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2006, 01:27:02 pm »

I figured it was Mark in the car ,I just didn't know if it was really his car or just a marketing tactic to show that you don't need a huge vehicle.

Well, I'm waiting for him to call back, so I can order a fetching arch and the little JR arch, and the extension handles for both. I would have overlooked the little one, based solely on the price, but after watching the video I think I would use the small one quite a bit.

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2006, 04:51:26 pm »

I had a guy build one for me . Mine is about the same as all the rest. I just have a ring with a hook attached to it on over a sloping piece of pipe that runs down at about 30 degrees. Back up over the end of the log choke it with a chain and hook the hook into the closest link of chain. Then as you move foward the strain on the log causes the ring to slide up the pipe lifting the end of the log of the ground. and away you go. When you get where you want just back up and the ring slides back down the pipe lowering the log to the ground. Remove the chocker chain and go get another one.

Works great but the only thing that I have found is that you must be real good at backing up in order to place the arch in just the right spot over the log, I think there is a picture of this in my gallery.

Quebecnewf

HARLEYRIDER · « **Reply #11 on:** April 18, 2006, 09:59:11 am »

I just built myself a logging arch for the ATV. It's simular to one of the sponsors arch, but I built mine the same width as my wheeler, and put a 2000lb electric winch and battery box on it. I have a twist-lock plug that plugs into the atv's battery for charging. I welded chain hooks all over it, to give me many options for securing the log for transport and tounge weight. I have about $400 into it including the winch. I'll try it out this week.

sbishop · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2006, 08:29:03 pm »

here are pics of the one I made a couple of months ago...hauled some big logs with it!

Please use The Forum Gallery for photos. IM's are legal too.
admin

I got the plan from this address, I think I got it from someone here!

Good luck

mitchash · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2006, 10:17:50 pm »

Couldn't find the pictures or plans for the log arch. Ash

HARLEYRIDER · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2006, 05:52:36 pm »

Finally got around to taking pictures and putting them on here.

getoverit · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2006, 09:47:34 pm »

Nice looking arch !

HARLEYRIDER · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2006, 09:55:23 pm »

Quote from: getoverit on April 25, 2006, 09:47:34 pm

Nice looking arch !

Thanks.
I just have to weld in a guard to protect the winch now. ...and maybe put in another pulley to get the cable out of the way. The tires and battery was free, and I have just over $400 into it...... including the winch. I'll plug into the ATV's 12v, to charge the winch battery.

Work smart, not hard

Part_Timer · « **Reply #17 on:** April 26, 2006, 10:36:56 pm »

That is a nice looking arch. How wide is it between the wheels?

Tom

HARLEYRIDER · « **Reply #18 on:** April 27, 2006, 08:57:48 pm »

Quote from: Part_Timer on April 26, 2006, 10:36:56 pm

That is a nice looking arch. How wide is it between the wheels?

Tom

Thanks Tom

26 " between the verticles. I figured anything bigger than 24" shouldn't be pulled by a 800lb ATV

. ...and Its the same width as my ATV....50"

Part_Timer · « **Reply #19 on:** April 28, 2006, 07:33:02 am »

Makes sence to me.

We had mine behind the truck and were pulling log out this winter. A buddy of mine decided that he wanted to help. We got the log in the arch and I backed the truck up he hooked it up and got in. We started out of the woods clanking and banging all the way. We started up the last hill and I stopped the truck. He asked what's wrong. I told him look back there. He turns around and there is the tongue of the arch sticking straight up in the air. Cory forgot to lock the tongue to the ball.

Oh well newbies.

Tom

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Author Topic: ATV Log Arch (Read 4534 times)