ATV Snow sled design for skidding logs

[DGK]

Hello Tug & Chevy,

Thanks for the suggestions. The reason to use the ATV is because I already own it and want to get more use out of it so the tracks seem to be a good way to go. If my bobcat was any good in the bush I would use it but it does not have enough ground clearance.

[chevytaHOE5674]

Only reason I mention an older Tundra snow machine is that you could find a good used one for much less than a set of tracks. I've seen used sleds for sale in the 1500-2000 $US range in good shape, where a new set of tracks is 4000-5000$US.

[Quebecnewf]

DGK

Tail dragging logs will cut the amount you can tow by about half or more. the biggest problem with tailing is you tear up the path and after a few trips you have to fix it back up or wait a day till it sets up again. Long logs 16' and longer are a problem in the woods with narrow and sometimes crooked trails. If you have a crook in your trail and your load is long the back sled wants to cut the corners. I often tail drag long logs out of the woods. I do this on the end of the day so that way my path can freeze overnight. I also do it before a snowstorm that way the new snow fixes up the trail.

I have been logging with snowmobile for the last 15 years and have learned many little tricks to doing it right. Snow conditions vary so much that on any given day you may have to cut your load by half if the weather is warm or you have had a recent batch of snow etc etc.

We haul on the land and across the sea ice so "slob" under the snow has to be avoided at all costs.

Don't get a Tundra for hauling logs. You can haul logs with them but they are just too light and do not have enough HP to do the job well.

No one in this region has tried ATV tracked machines for logging. I looked into it a few years ago but just too cold to drive.

My sleds are homebuilt and it took a lot of trial and error to get them right.

Check out my gallery for all different pics from my logging work

Quebecnewf
 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Sorry I was thinking skandic and typed tundra. The skandics with the 503 rotax have lots of power IME.

[DGK]

Quebecnewf,

I have looked at your pictures and find them very encouraging. It looks a though you have perfected snowmobile log hauling. I think that I will experiment with a few different skidding designs first to see how they work and to assess the trail damage. I have thought of modifying my tub trailer to to use as a forwarder as well. The manufacturer makes skis for the trailer if required. Right now though, I think it is best for me to experiment with the inexpensive ideas while I learn the ins and outs of this type of logging. Then, I can refine my equipment to work in the conditions that I have.

Cheers

[Magicman]

Wow, you guys deal with stuff in the snow that I can't even imagine....

[Coon]

Just think Magicman...... At times we have to shovel the snow away from the base of the trees before any cutting takes place. 

Brad.

[nas]

Just think Magicman...... At times we have to shovel the snow away from the base of the trees before any cutting takes place. 

Brad.

I usually cut the tree first, then dig down to cut off the 12' butt log

Nick

[Magicman]

Just think Magicman...... At times we have to shovel the snow away from the base of the trees before any cutting takes place.  Brad.

You see more snow in a day than I've ever seen in my life.....or probably will ever see in my lifetime.

[Coon]

When cutting in the provincial forestry here you must cut the trees as low to the ground as possible. When the DNR come to check your cut block they check stump height as part of their manditory checklist.  In violation to this you get fines if your numbers of high stumps is above their criteria. Fines are given to both faller and cut block permit holder. After the third offence you are ejected from the forestry permanently with your name put on the Provincial DNR database.  Personally,  I fell timber in the forestry for two winter seasons and had two stumps that were too high. DNR guy made me cut the stumps off and gave me a verbal warning.  I was surprised that he even found these stumps cuz the were buried in snow and tree limbs.  

Brad.

[chevytaHOE5674]

Its fun marking timber in the winter then come ssummer you realize your once breast height paint is 8+ feet in the air. Or for the inexperienced marking in the "non-snow" season at 5-6' high then come winter the paint disappears under the snow.

When felling timber the back end of a snowshoe works great as a shovel to dig to the root flare.

[stonebroke]

Magicman, Snow reduces the fricrion and makes skidding much easrier, cleaner logs too. Ground freezes, no mud no bugs its nice to log in the winter

Stonebroke

[Quebecnewf]

http://www.vidoemo.com/yvideo.php?i=R0doZldycWuRpcUxiRW8&fun-in-the-woods-or-how-not-to-fall-a-tree

Here's what happens in the woods when your not looking up . I have cut a lot of trees over the years and this is the closest I have come so far to ending it all

Quebecnewf

[Mr Mom]

WOW.....Neaver had that happen before.
Did have one chase me around a tree.

Thanks Alot Mr Mom

[DGK]

Looks like a great project and hope it works out for you. Being in the snow country, you have a pretty good idea what tracked ATV's will pull and how they handle in the snow at depths in the woods where you plan to work.  I figure you've made a decision not to go with a snow machine (snowmobile) for a good reason.

Look forward to some pics and some logging. 

Do you have pics of the ATV and tracks?

Here is the ATV installed with tracks. Sled design is soon to start.
 

[stonebroke]

Is it hard to turn with tracks on?

Stonebroke

[DGK]

Hi Stonebroke,

The ATV does not turn as tight and does need a little more effort than with wheels. They have a steering limiter which is adjustable as well as track angle adjustment that affects the handling. I have just installed them and need to play around with the adjustments to get them dialled in just right.

[glk34]

I used a ski doo alpine (2 tracks, 640cc engine) for 6 years along with a small set of bob sleds. Used a box on the sleds for the firewood and took the box off and used bunks when I wanted to haul saw logs (12' best size to work with) The whole set up cost me about $2500 used.

Takes a while to learn to steer the twin tracks but didn't need much snow and it would haul about 1/4 cord firewood or 1/2 dozen logs on the sleds. I will try to find an old pic.

[DGK]

Glk34

A pic would be great!!