Chain chokers

[Frickman]

Are any of you cable skidder guys using chain chokers? I will be replacing my main cable this summer or fall and am considering switching over. I've been using cable chokers all my life, as do most of the guys around here. How hard is it to get the chain under a log? I've seen pictures of a long, curved hook you use to pull the chain under a log. How well does that work? I would like to stop carrying so many different lengths of cable chokers with me. I have to keep 6', 7', 8', and one 10' with me for different size logs. I was thinking of keeping one slide for a cable choker if I need it and switch the rest to chain.

[Ron Scott]

All use cable chokers here.

[Ed_K]

 I use chain, I buy 14' 3/8s tow chain and cut in half. I leave the grab hook on and add a slidder hook to the other end. Its sometimes hard to get the chain under a log if its dropped on slash. If I need longer length I just use the grab hook and add another chain.

[Jeff]

Never seen any here used other then cable. How do ya push a chain under a log?

[Tom]

Directional felling, Jeff.  Directional felling. :D

[J_T]

Man walking down the road pulling a chain when he met a guy that says why you pulling that chain an the man says you ever try pushing one ???. Jeff tie chain on tree then cut it ;D. Bet it would be a real trick to keep up with that stif rod and chains hanging around. I use to hang four or five chokers  on bell and leave them  on the skidder all time.

[Swede]

I´ve NEVER seen anyone here put or pull anything under a log!
Every one here use  "domäsaxen" or any other type of grabber.
How big are the logs you´re pulling things under? Must be a terrible work?

Swede.

[Brian_Rhoad]

     I've used both chain and cable. I like chain better. There are special hooks made for chain chokers that have the opening just big enough for the chain to slip through. That will keep the chain from coming unhooked. I use a pear shaped ring to hook the chain to the skidding cable. That way you can hook the choker as short or long as you need. I have a rod about 3.5' long with a T handle on one end and a hook bent into the other end to pull the cain under the log if the log is laying on the ground. You hook the rod to the chain, not the hook.  I've had more trouble getting a cable choker under a log than a chain choker. Usualy the splice knob on the cable is bigger than a chain. Check at a logging supply shop for the specisl hooks and pear rings.

[Norm]

I like the chain chokers better, they aren't so stiff and store easier than a cable. Mine have a steel rod on one end and an open C on the other. Every logger I know uses the cable, it must be cheaper.

[redpowerd]

im with norm,
cables arent as handy as a chain on the farm. i got chains everywhere, and when and if i get a winch, ill still use chain chokers

Must be a terrible work?

oh, its horrible, jam a rod under a log and pull :D

[Corley5]

I've used em both also.  They both have there own merits but I guess if given the choice between the two I'd choose cable ones.  Cable ckokers are easier to get under a log.  The push rods on the ends of the chain ckokers get bent up and defeat their purpose.  We kept a short handled shovel on the skidder or tractor to get the chains under logs easier.  Didn't need it with cable chokers.

[slowzuki]

I've always used chain when dragging stuff with the tractor.  I hate working with stiff old cable.  Of course 30 ft of 7/16" chain ain't fun to haul around.
Ken

[Swede]

"oh, its horrible, jam a rod under a log and pull  (^__^)"

redpowerd; I understand that, with or with out reading this discussion. ;)
Do you pull the whole tree? How big are they in Ø? Why shouldn´t a grabber work?

 Swede.

[Frickman]

Swede, I'm cutting some big trees, and some small ones too. Today ranged from 6" birch to 32" red oak. What's getting me riled up about the cable chokers is I have to keep seven chokers with me in different lengths, and I've only got three slides. If you use a long choker on a small log the log drags the ground, and of course a short choker won't go around a large log. I'm not on a marked timber sale now with consistently sized timber, I'm working on some family owned property that we've been managing for close to a century. Black birch and soft maple are trying to take over, so I'm cutting them pretty hard where they're competing with oak, poplar and cherry. Thus I'm getting alot of small, 6" to 12" trees for firewood or blocking. In the same patch on the next trip I might get 30" red oak or 36" poplar, so I need to keep long chokers with me. On a chain choker you can keep 8' chokers with you and pull out most anything. As Brian said you can take up the slack on the pear shaped slide you put on the line.

Brian, can you hook two chain chokers together to get one long one? One of the reasons I want to keep one slide for cable chokers is so I can use a 10' choker when necessary. Usually that's once or twice a day. 16' of choker chain would be pretty long, but maybe I can keep an extra 3' chain on the skidder to give me extra length. The front bumper of our loader truck has cable choker ends attached for pulling the truck into the woods with the skidder and a cable choker. Maybe that hook on a chain choker would attach to it instead.

[Slofr8]

Frickman,
 We use to use one or two lengths,  6' or 7' and wrap twice around the small ones and use two chockers for the real big ones.
Dan.

[Stan]

Norm, what air the steel rod fur? I got a chain hook mounted on my drawbar, and just hook the chain up close, then lift the 3 point, and drive away.

[Norm]

It's used to push the chain under the tree Stan, kind of like a needle on thread, if there's any gap between the log and the ground you don't really need it

[slowzuki]

It can keep your hands a lot drier too!  I've only used em one day when working for a neighbour but they are nice.

It's used to push the chain under the tree Stan, kind of like a needle on thread, if there's any gap between the log and the ground you don't really need it

[Frickman]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm seriously considering going this route this summer.

[beenthere]

Chain chokers, with the "primer" pin, are used by the Farmi winch system, and can be seen on this "assessories" site,
http://www.northeastimplement.com/newpage2.htm
I thought with all this talk about the pins on the chains, seeing one might help others know what the talk is about.

I see that the "primer" pin is about 9" long. I like them for poking the choker chain under a log, but they do take a beating and get bent around a bit while winching in logs.  

[Ron Wenrich]

Most guys in our area use the chains.  I always hated when the cable would wow up or get those nastry barbs.  

My understanding of the hook is you put it under the opposite side and pull the chain through, not push it through.

[travelr64]

Hey Frick

All ya need is a couple different lengths of cable chokers.  Ya can wrap it around the log  as many times as ya need to to get it short enough if need be.  If ya need to make a longer one, ya just use a shackle,

Pretty simple

Coop

[wiam]

I have worked in the woods with a skidder with cables and chains.  When working with a skidder I would definetly use cables.  On the other hand when using my 3 point hitch winch I would rather use chains.  There is my 2 cents.  Keep the change. :D :D

William

[Sawyerfortyish]

Before I got my timberjack I used the chain with the small rod on the end. But since I only use choker chain the chain that I had with the rod on the end is not strong enough to use on my skidder I would snap them in a day. I tryed grade eight chain and would snap them in a short time. Now I use 3/8 grade 100 with square links and don't have a problem. The square link bites into the bark and wood and doesn't seem to slip as much as the normal chain. I have never tryed the cable before but it would seem to me that after pulling some big trees with them they would get freyed or retain a circular shape and generaly become a pain to work with I don't know. Do they straighten back to there origanal shape after use?
  I have 5 sliders on my skidder and carry 6 choker chains one chain has a choker on one end and a regular grab hook on the other. If I come accross a big tree that my 8' chain won't reach around I use the chain with the grab hook as an extension and adjust the chain through the slider on the skidder so i'm able to pick up the end of the log. As for getting the chain under the log I use that rod with the T handle and hook on the other end. Just push it under the log and hook the chain link on the oppsite end of a choker chain and pull.
  What size cable do most of you use on your skidders? I use 3/4 swaged to 5/8 and have 100' but always seem to be a couple feet short.

[Ron Scott]

Cable "a few feet short" is a common problem.  ;)