To pick up logs or not ?

Arkyrick · December 11, 2015, 05:01:44 AM

OK here we go again first off, if there is a thread that covers this topic already I couldn't find it, so apologies if I'm posting this in the wrong place. Does anyone have pictures or information on ways that you pick up logs from people who call you and want to give or sell them to you? My phone is ringing off the hook with calls about logs since I started advertising on the internet. Many are asking way too much but some are free and a few are fairly priced. I am currently looking into building a trailer with a winch and ramps for this problem. Has anyone on this forum done the same and have any info or pics they would like to share? Once I get the logs on my property moving them is not a problem I have a tractor that can load and unload.
Thanks in advance
Arkyrick

Kipper · December 11, 2015, 06:35:37 AM

This is how I move them.

[img]https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33597/Grapple_Trailer_first_load.JPG[/img

fishfighter · December 11, 2015, 06:42:39 AM

I have a 20' trailer and I will load my tractor on it. I use a heavy set of hay bale forks to lift the logs over the side and roll them off onto the trailer. Before doing that, I always lay some 4x4's across the bunk of the trailer. Makes it so much easy to unload the at the house. Only problem using the tractor is that I have to make double trips. I have to leave my tractor till I unload the trailer. I do have a backhoe that I unload with.

I saw some people here that use a winch to load logs on a trailer. I'm still looking for a flat bed trailer that the bed goes over the wheels. My plans are to make some side ramps. Mount the wench at the front, install a pulley center of the trailer. The cable will pass under and around a log, back to the center of the trailer. Wench in, up the ramps. ;D

Kbeitz · December 11, 2015, 06:44:00 AM

Yes there is a few threads that covers this topic already.
But I dont know what they called the lifting arms thread that mounts on trailes.

Ahhh.... Found one...

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=35016.0

red · December 11, 2015, 06:54:57 AM

There are only so many hours in the day . Try networking and bartering services. Logs are heavy and need heavy equipment. It has been said many times that cheap winches have cheap cables . Use good heavy duty equipment and Be Safe !

Magicman · December 11, 2015, 07:11:50 AM

I load mine like this.

I now have two small tractor tires that go into the trailer bed before loading logs. Live and learn :P

kelLOGg · December 11, 2015, 07:17:57 AM

I do it pretty much like Magicman.
Bob

warren46 · December 11, 2015, 08:15:00 AM

I get 90% of my logs by picking up logs removed from someone's yard. I use a trailer with a loading arch and a winch. The winch is mounted about 2 feet above the trailer deck so the cable is higher than much of the load when pulling logs for the second and third layer on the trailer.

The reason I use a loading arch instead of par-buckling logs on up ramps at the side of the trailer is because I often cannot get the trailer along side of the logs where they lay. Homeowner yards usually have lots of obstacles. I can winch the logs right to the back of the trailer and the arch lifts them onto the trailer deck.

Kbeitz · December 11, 2015, 08:28:27 AM

About half way down the page is a good video about this log lifting arch.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,60413.20.html

Sixacresand · December 11, 2015, 08:42:16 AM

I load like MagicMan does. If I cannot put the trailer next to the logs, then I move them with a log arch to where I can load them. Some times you have to leave them if they are too big or in a bad place.

Den-Den · December 11, 2015, 08:48:03 AM

I load like Magicman and KelLOGg do. I use a heavy duty manual winch, can load a log heavier than my trailer should carry (I will try to NOT do that again).

Magicman · December 11, 2015, 09:14:52 AM

I have loaded them like this.

I have loaded them like this. Backed the log arch onto the trailer as shown here loading some Walnut for Andy White.

YellowHammer · December 11, 2015, 04:46:41 PM

I used a standard, truck mounted service crane and attached it to a dump trailer. The crane could deadlift 3,500 lbs of logs right over the side into the bed, or I could extend the 3 section hydraulic boom 15 feet in the air, unwind some cable out to the logs, and "fish" them back through the woods using the crane winch.

Kbeitz · December 11, 2015, 04:50:29 PM

Quote from: Sixacresand on December 11, 2015, 08:42:16 AM
I load like MagicMan does. If I cannot put the trailer next to the logs, then I move them with a log arch to where I can load them. Some times you have to leave them if they are too big or in a bad place.

When I made my arch I put a large gas powered winch on top of it.
Any logs in a bad place is winched to the arch. I've winched logs up over a cliff already.
Nothing gets left behind.

fishfighter · December 12, 2015, 06:51:12 AM

Quote from: Kbeitz on December 11, 2015, 04:50:29 PM
Quote from: Sixacresand on December 11, 2015, 08:42:16 AM
I load like MagicMan does. If I cannot put the trailer next to the logs, then I move them with a log arch to where I can load them. Some times you have to leave them if they are too big or in a bad place.
When I made my arch I put a large gas powered winch on top of it.
Any logs in a bad place is winched to the arch. I've winched logs up over a cliff already.
Nothing gets left behind.

Kbeitz, this years award for the best improvement of all things has to go to you. You got my vote. ;D

Kbeitz · December 12, 2015, 07:08:49 AM

Wow... Gee.... Thanks...

Arkyrick · December 12, 2015, 03:17:13 PM

Wow great info and great ideas I'm leaning towards Majic Man's design it goes well with what I have available.
Thanks Everyone!

Alligator · December 13, 2015, 12:27:15 PM

Quote from: fishfighter on December 12, 2015, 06:51:12 AM
Kbeitz, this years award for the best improvement of all things has to go to you. You got my vote. ;D

I second that. Kbeitz is the most creative tinkerer I've ever seen.