ATV Log Skidder

[KiwiCharlie]

G'day Guys,

Anyone used one of these before.  Looks a bit small on first appearances, maybe could make a larger version for behind a 4x4, although not too large as Im sure a reasonable size log could end up pushing the vehicle about!
Cheers
Charlie.

http://www.norwoodindustries.com/skidmate.htm

[timberbeast]

I've never see one in use,  but I know a couple of guys who skid with them,  I assume you are talking about the "arch" type.  One guy I know just looked at the picture and made his own,,,,,he skids big stuff,  too,  but mostly in  the snow.

[Kevin]

I don`t have one but I saw it at Norwood when I was at their HQ this past Spring.
It`s also demonstrated on their video and it`s a neat invention.
If they made it on skis it would better suit my needs.

[Tom]

It probably works pretty good.  The concept has been used around here since the early 1800's.  Sometimes I still run up on an antique Wheel in someones yard or the log hardware hung on the side of a barn.  There is a farmer north of me about 7 or 8 miles who has an almost intact one in his barn.  These were meant to be pulled by oxen or horses and the wheels are 6-8 feet tall.

The tree surgeons use an emplement similar to the  one you ask about to pull logs from backyards.  Many of these are operated by manpower so an ATV should be able to do an admirable job if you get the log balanced correctly.

I would question being on an ATV hooked to a log going down one of your "hills" Kevin.

[Don P]

Cool.
I think I've got enough Red Green stuff at home to weld one of those up. If you were to make a dump type trip it seems like you could apply the "brakes" if it got hairy.

Tom, the rig you describe was called a Katydid around home. There's one at Mabry mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Bill's post about chain safety brought an early skidding experience to mind. I had cut a 30" Red Oak up the hill and delimbed it. I backed my old 4x4 up as close to it as I could get, a 20' chain and 50' of 3/8" cable. As I made the turn off the mountain onto the sawmill road the log followed,turning and then rolled across the road and continued down the hill. At this point a feeling in the seat of my pants informed me that I was hooked to a falling log that outweighed the truck.  
About the time the ramifications of this were sinking in the cable parted at the chain end. There was a split second of relief as I felt the truck settling forward...till I looked in the rear view and realized luck was taking another downturn. The cable was rocketing at the back of the truck. I dove for the seat as it went over the cab and harmlessly played its length out forward. Talk about DUMB luck. It took several weeks of off and on plotting to recover the log. I always leave a anti-roll limb in those situations anymore.

[Tom]

Don,
I'm sure Red could fix one of those up inside of 30 minutes.  Probably need a washing machine, an old TV, a set of ice tongs, some Panty Hose and a lot of duct tape. Yep, that would work just fine.

Your story of the log is what I think of quite often about you guys up in the Rippley section.  We don't have a lot of rolling places down here and an anti-roll limb would plow a ditch....or a furrow and hill that somebody would plant watermelons on.

I've seen pictures of loggers topping big trees and sending the top away from the hill.  There is nothing out there!! A top must fall 300' feet before it hits any ground and then some poor soul has to hook onto it with something and try to get it out.

I'de rather work in neck deep mud than the side of a mountain.  

If I had trees chasing me down the hill all day, I'd keep the washing machine full of trousers.  Have you got a Maytag?  The TV Maytag man says they last a long time.  

[Ron Wenrich]

Here's a few more ATV skidding sites:http://www.novajack.com/english/index.html

http://www.forestindustry.com/forestrytech/

http://www.futureforestryprod.com/product_catalog.htm

One site said daily production in the 1 Mbf range.  These are good ideas in highly sensitive areas.  Novajack seems to be a highly versatile system.  Lots of attachments.

[KiwiCharlie]

G'day Ron,
Thanks for the links.  Some good info there.  I like the concept, but the Kiwi in me says I could make a few changes and have an even better unit!!  Dons onto it about putting a dump mechanism on it (if it doesnt all ready).  Would be good to sever all contact with it, should it all go wrong!
Will see what happens.
Thanks again.
Cheers
Charlie.

[marc]

I used one last summer behind an argo it worked grate but you have to make sure to get the log at least 10" of the ground so it can go over rocks and things like that.

[Bandmill Bandit]

Yes
I have one that I won as a door prize at a wood lot seminar. works great. you can move some pretty big timber with it but when it get big you have to be carefull of the weight of log to equipment ratio. i big log can push the "tractor" and log arch around like toys.

[coyotencuttin]

this is what i bulit http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1985-09-01/An-All-Purpose-Straddle-Wheeled-Hauler.aspx i didn't exactly follow the instructions but made it pretty close. moved all the logs in my backyard with it(black walnut 18-24" by almost 18' x7) and the oak logs in dads yard (12-21" by 10' x8) without too much trouble.is it a logrite tractor arch,no, but i made mine for almost 200 bucks and that was buying all the metal,spindles,hubs and wheels.

[r.man]

I know of two homebuilt atv arches that have been used for a few years with good results. I do like the idea of a quick release or quick drop for emergency braking on hills. I have hauled cedar out of ponds on a homemade set of sleighs behind a small snowmobile and braking on hills or the lack thereof was always a concern. The horse loggers used to use chains on the sleigh runners to go down hills in control so surely we should be able to come up with a safer way to haul an arch with an atv than hope. The Norwood arch might be self braking with that sliding chain pick-me-up. Who would you ask?

[kderby]

I had a neighbor with one.  He felt it was too hard on the four wheeler.  Of course he does not have a level spot on his entire property.

The common fourwheeler is a motorized wheel chair and not a little tractor.   

Just saying...

[OlJarhead]

I had a neighbor with one.  He felt it was too hard on the four wheeler.  Of course he does not have a level spot on his entire property.

The common fourwheeler is a motorized wheel chair and not a little tractor.   

Just saying...

Hmm...I don't know, a friends 750 4x4 is just that.  His small farm tractor.  Now granted it's not a Case or John Deer tractor but it plows, pulls, snowplows and much more.  With 4 wheel drive it's pretty impressive actually and they make just about any tractor type part for them including buckets.

However, it's not a tractor I agree, it is far less expensive.  I was looking at tractors recently because it would be nice on our 20 acres to have something with that kind of capability but at the pricing of them I'll have to stick to our Honda 420 ATV and use it best I can.  Currently we use it to haul firewood and it's excellent for that.  Next is to get a skidder attachment for it for small logs to be pulled back to the cabin for milling or a trailer for hauling the milled lumber back.  It will make my life easier since I don't have a pickup and the property doesn't always provide the kind of room a truck or my jeep needs to get where the logs are.

The ATV does the job ok and in many ways is ideally suited for small jobs in remote areas.

[John Mc]

The Norwood arch might be self braking with that sliding chain pick-me-up. Who would you ask?

It is self-braking in some conditions. When pulling down hill, if the log starts moving faster than the ATV pulling it, the chain slides forward and down, dropping the front of the log to the ground.

It might not stop the log from pushing you around on a downhill turn.

[Slingshot]

Here is my log arch. It was shop built by the guy I bought my fist sawmill from. He let me have it
with the mill. I don't have an ATV but have used it with this Farmall Cub tractor. Use it with my
4-wheel drive Jeep Cherokee also. It has good size tires on it and pulls easy and have used it with
some fairly large logs. No really big hills to test the brakeing.;

 



 



 



 



 



 



 





__________________________
charles

[Burlkraft]

I have a Cub just like that!   

My Grandfather bought it in 1959 and it was handed down to me.
I rebuilt the motor and changed it over to 12 volt.
I have a belly mower on it.
Great little tractors 

[terrifictimbersllc]

Here is my log arch.
 

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)



__________________________
charles

Like those tree deflectors in front of the wheels! 





[/quote]

[wannasaw]

Terrific, Nice...but if you get tired of skidding with it just put a front tire and twin V on it! Looks cool enougn to ride.

[terrifictimbersllc]

Terrific, Nice...but if you get tired of skidding with it just put a front tire and twin V on it! Looks cool enougn to ride.

thanks but the praise goes to Slingshot