This is the story about my micro skidder. It started out as just a bent length of bar metal with an eyelet at one end, to tie a rope to, and the other end slips into the sleeve hitch of my garden tractor.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/First_Hitch1.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/First_Hitch.jpg)
That was simple and it did lift the end of the pole off the ground a bit.
But I got greedy and wanted a log arch with a winch so I could pull more.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/Arch.jpg)
I made it light weight so for backing up I could disconnect it to position it near the log. Also, the pull point was forward of the rear cart tire axle so that helped to put a bit of weight on the rear drive axle of the tractor. I called this "load forward". :o The trees in my stand are very close together so backing up was a pain so I gave up on the arch.
But I really like the winch so it was added to the next Thing-A-Mo-Ging.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/Skidding_Hitch.JPG)
That works nice and puts a lot of weight on the rear drive axle. It also eliminated the cart tires, less stuff to maintain. I also put larger diameter tires on the dead front steering axle. This helped a bit going over rough ground. One of the negatives it that it's easy for the front of the tractor to go air born.. ::)
Now the next version is combining a cart with the tractor or an articulated cart tractor combo....
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/TreeCub_1.jpg)
Well, to much clicking around tonight , it's time to hit the hay... ;)
Keep the ideas coming,you will get it the way you want it.
One of the equipment companies sells a small atv arch that has a strap winch on it. To backup in tricky places you winch the arch into the air by attaching to the atv back rack. When you get backed up drop it into place. Looks well built and practical.
That last pic is kind of neat, it is starting to look like a mini Gafner Iron Mule. That is how they made them, take a Massey Ferguson tractor, take of the front, make the rear axle of the tractor the front axle of the skidder, put a drive line out the back to another axle that has the winch/arch or a bunk with a loader on it, for the forwarder version. That looks real cool!
Starting to add the winch.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150313_171715.jpg)
Looks good and sturdy should do well, my 10yr old grandson wants me to either build him one or buy it! Keep up the good work thanks for the pics.
Can you put up more pictures of the connection between the tractor and the arch?
When you have a log loaded on the arch will it be adding weight or removing weight from the tractor wheels?
The hitch point is a bit forward of the 50% point between the rear axle and the ball hitch. So at rest it adds weight to the drive axle. When pulling if this subtracts weight from the dive axle I could rest the log on the frame and strap it down. My cart was set up this way and I always thought it worked.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150315_144205.jpg)
Hinge point.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150315_144107.jpg)
One more.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150315_144040.jpg)
Cleaned out under the hood.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150315_172844.jpg)
Will move the engine back and level.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150315_173653.jpg)
Strap points for serious winching.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150315_172757.jpg)
Top view.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150315_173040.jpg)
Gas producer location.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150315_173946~0.jpg)
Now that is creative, I LIKE IT. ;D
Okay, mother always said my curiosity got me into trouble, so how do you steer this thing ?? Put your foot down like Fred Flint Stone ??
Well, Fred steering wouldn't work out because a belly pan will be added, of some kind. It does well as a wheel chair, in the shop. I thought of brake steering but passed on it for a few reasons. The first try at it will be pulley and cables up to steering levers like on a dozer but might have to go with a steering wheel/cable-drum for more pull distance on the cables. Just might be the biggist problem. :-\
Haven't had time the last two weeks for this project but below is the beginnings of the steering.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150329_150715.jpg)
Jeff
Really cool. Really cool. Hum... I wonder...
I could open the shop doors to day so I though I'd make some room by pushing the tree cub out side to get some sun light on it. I think the steering might like to change direction fast with a mind of it's own because of bumpy ground. So so damping might help like the cylinders on a hatch back SUV. The other option would be a worm gear like winch to lock the steering in place. But I'll see how it works first.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/IMG_20150403_141256.jpg)
Jeff
Been getting the first generation tractor ready for Argos next week. So I thought I'd post a vid of today's work out.
http://youtu.be/S1LSuf3lHJM (http://youtu.be/S1LSuf3lHJM)
Jeff
Nice run bringing the log in, and even shifted up the gears into 3rd. Didn't seem to lack for power.
Great paint job. And the old wheel horse looks like the vintage of my old 8hp '68 wheel horse. I sold it, but the buyer still mows with it and plows snow with it.
Thanks for the video, and hope you have a good show.
That is real neat!! Wood power skidding more wood 8)
Quote from: mad murdock on May 24, 2015, 08:29:08 AM
That is real neat!! Wood power skidding more wood 8)
Thanks Mad Murdock..
Jeff
Since the end of last winter I have not had any real time to work on this project. Might have been a good thing because the steering has been a real bug a boo. It kind of came together when I stripped all the sheet metal off and that gave me some room and changed things a bit.
Below is a poor vidio of the steering. Sorry about the poor quality.
http://youtu.be/g24HZ11eEJs (http://youtu.be/g24HZ11eEJs)
It will be interesting to see it's maiden voyage.
The first test run was today. Not on wood gas, that will come later. I just have an old engine C-clamped on because I picked up the wrong size v belt do i'm using an old long belt.
http://youtu.be/YMBEFHNNsws (http://youtu.be/YMBEFHNNsws)
Still have a long way to go...
Added steering snubbers so it doesn't buckle too far, when turning, and damage it's self. Used chain for that. Second test run I got into the woods. It's nice to be able to steer out of a spinning wheel..!! So far so good. Next is to find the right belt length and mount the engine more rearward.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/Tree-Cub_LD1.jpg)
And
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/Tree-Cub_LD2.jpg)
pretty much what you got there is a ride-on self propelled arch, pretty cool creation! I can't wait to see it pulling wood 8)
What a cool machine. But is there anything left of the Cub?
Quote from: enigmaT120 on February 03, 2016, 04:13:12 PM
What a cool machine. But is there anything left of the Cub?
It's really built out of a wheel horse but if this works out I might also build one from a cub cadet. Don't ask which ones best, pros and cons for both of them.
It worked out once I got rid of all the junk that makes it hard to work on. So at this point I'm just using the trans axle, frame, steering wheel and seat. I'll add some sheet metal later.
Picked up some v belts so I should get the engine put in a better spot this weekend. Need to weld the rear portion more before I try pulling some wood. It's just tacked right now. Part of it is galvenized so I need to do that out side in the cold rain and snow..... And then the new gasifier build will be next.
Moved the engine back and welded the back axles up. Running out of time, I headed out into the woods and hooked up to a pole. Of course things are c clamped on and the wrong winch in the wrong place, etc etc. Had to give up taking a video just too many things to deal with. Long story short is that I can not turn too sharp because the log will hit the back wheel and act like a big brake. Poor thing took some abuse before I figured out what was going on. Well, I got the log out after that then dragged it around the barn about half a dozen times. Need to make some kind of rear bumpers for the rear tires.
The jury is still out as far as traction goes. Just need to try it more and learn how to use my new tool.
Still a long ways to go.....
Photo in the woods with the first log/pole.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/first_skid_LD.jpg)
A photo of the hood just setting over the engine...
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19539/sheet_metal_LD.jpg)
At least I didn't break it..... 😉
Awesome machine I really like the gasifier. I have been running Biodiesel I my truck and all my diesel equipment for 12 years now.Alternative fuels are cool and cheap, no war required. 8)
Dad is running the Chomper and I'm feeding them some blow down stems. Longer than I should skid but the rig did it. But the stem was close along the drive way, that helps.. the saw logs were skidded with the skid steer not the tiny rig.
https://youtu.be/d-qJbHeMzWo
That is quite the rig you have there. You can seek that through the woods and not much of a need to cut a road if you hauled some short stuff out. The wife has a 30hp tractor. I use that in the woods just a little.She won't let me use too much. Mostly I put a trailer behind and I load wood on to that. She don't want me bang up her tractor. I would like to have a small tractor to haul out small wood. Can't really tell I been there with the wife's tractor.
I'm intrigued by the design but wonder if it has enough weight in the front end to help counterbalance pulling a heavy log. Otherwise a real neat looking outfit.
Quote from: WV Sawmiller on July 06, 2016, 10:14:31 AM
I'm intrigued by the design but wonder if it has enough weight in the front end to help counterbalance pulling a heavy log. Otherwise a real neat looking outfit.
The pull point is about in the mid point between front and rear axle. So it tends not to nose over.
that's a pretty neat rig you got there 8) 8) 8) now you have to work on a forwarder :D :D
Quote from: coxy on July 08, 2016, 06:52:48 AM
that's a pretty neat rig you got there 8) 8) 8) now you have to work on a forwarder :D :D
A forwarder has crossed my mind but I think a cart for the rear end of the log would be the next step. After that a utility vehicle with a cab would be usefull. For the rear cart would a walking beam or just larger single tires be better?
Quote from: thecfarm on July 05, 2016, 09:52:15 PM
That is quite the rig you have there. You can seek that through the woods and not much of a need to cut a road if you hauled some short stuff out. The wife has a 30hp tractor. I use that in the woods just a little.She won't let me use too much. Mostly I put a trailer behind and I load wood on to that. She don't want me bang up her tractor. I would like to have a small tractor to haul out small wood. Can't really tell I been there with the wife's tractor.
If you want to be able to drive through the woods, I know a guy who logs with a pretty beefy ATV (sorry, don't know size) pulling one of Logrite's arches. That's probably better than a tractor. I don't think he has to pull downhill very much though!
This is about the limit under ideal conditions but going up an incline. Dead pine stem.
https://youtu.be/dxBiRHH6GqU
That is a very respectable load for the size of that machine, IMO! Good job on it, the coolest part is the woodgas power.
How about a 12 v actuator from surplus center for steering . Should stay rigid .
Thanks mad Murdock.
Gearbox, sure I think a12v actuator could be used. Ok