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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Logging Skidder

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fergienewbee

04-19-2008 14:51:49




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I have some good sized "22-26" diameter white oak and a few walnut. I'm contemplating a timber sale, but I would like to cut the logs myself and have them hauled to a landing area to put them up for auction. Most logging operations leave a mess. Is there a piece of equipment like maybe a Pettibone that would be able to pick up 8' lengths with out dragging them?

Thanks for any advice or help.

Larry in Michigan

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jlmtractor

04-20-2008 16:07:10




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
when I cleared the field around my pond it was alot of blown down timber mostly pine and scrub oak but more pine i used my t190 bobcat loader with a root grapple i picked up probably 16 foot logs with ease and it leaves no mess other than tracks but if they are really big go to your local bobcat dealership and rent like a s300 or a t300 that is sure what i would do plus they are really easy to run

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RodInNS

04-20-2008 16:00:46




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
What kind of mess are you talking about? Do you not like clear cuts that leave a pile of slash on the ground, or do you not like the ruts associated with narrow tires, skidders and repeatedly using the same trails?
If you're bothered by the former and you prefer a selective cut then a skidder is about the only sensible way to go. Drag the wood out tree length to a landing and load it there. If you're working with Veneer or even high grade saw logs then it will pay you to have somebody knowledgeable cut that stuff to length. If you only have a small amount of the stuff then you'll probably waste your best wood on YOUR education. If you're going to do a lot of this then it's worth your time to learn.... but just be aware of that fact. That's one game that has a very steep learning curve and the line that separates firewood from veneer is only inches....

If you're bothered by the ruts and associated mud and mess then go with a porter and flotation tires or full walking beams front and rear. machines with 66/44-2 tires don't make too much mess if you refrain from using the same track too often...
TJ 230A and 610's are good machines along with various others. I wouldn't waste my time in the woods with an old Pettibone or any other type of wheeled loader. The right gear will not cost you any more money.

Rod

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Bruce Hopf

04-20-2008 15:49:41




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
I took an old single axle, manure spreader, scrapped it right down to the frame. I then put to cross members made of channel iron across the frame, and then put 2 uprights on each side. I then hook it up to 1 tractor, and haul it to the bush. I then use the forklift bucket on my loader tractor, and load 16' to 24' on it. I can put 3 logs the size you have, 2 on the bottom, and 1 on the top. I haul out the logs, unload them, and then cut them to length. No mud, or ground on the logs from skidding. Maybe a little bit of back damaged from loading, and unloading. Hope this helps.
Bruce.

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TGIN

04-20-2008 04:42:02




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
If vener you may find out that the buyers will give more if they can buy standing and have there pros cut them . They like to see things they cant see laying on the ground . Or atlest they can tell you where to cut the butt log , they`ll all be differant and thats where your money is . They dont charge to give you a offer of purchase . Mark them with your numbers and tell them to leave there paint in the truck . Let several guys come look . and it can be in the contract that they come back in with a dozer and straiten things up and you`ll have good roads to get in to cut all that firewood .

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2x4

04-20-2008 01:07:38




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
big (100 hp +) farm tractor with forks on front end loader works for me. Wide front-end of course. NH TV140 or similiar works very well but dont lift it up high. It takes a lot of skidding with big bunches of logs to tear up this ground. No more than you have it shouldn't tear up the ground. I didnt, skidding them, with logs that big but 19' long. Having a winch or arch to lift the front end of the log makes a big difference.

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farmerjohninpa

04-19-2008 20:25:51




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
before you cut those logs at 8`,,it would be wise to call whoever you have in mind to buy that wood and see what they want the lenght of these logs to be. my friend,here in pa., is a logger and gets the lenghts they want, for as the wood is different so is the application it is used for and quite often when you "buck em up" to thier specs. the money per foot is greater !



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Dave_Id

04-20-2008 06:05:00




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to farmerjohninpa, 04-19-2008 20:25:51  
In the NW, logs are cut 33ft, or 16.5 ft. The mills don't like to mess with 8 ft logs, because they are too short for the forks (8ft wide forks) in the yard. You get the most for your money with the 16.5 over the 33 because they measure the small diameter.



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mtuck

04-19-2008 19:03:48




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
Just chain the logs across the dozer blade pick up the blade and drive off, the only mess is the one the tracks make



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Hugh MacKay

04-19-2008 18:43:33




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
I've been logging better part of my 65 years, we skidded with horses, we skidded with tractors and we skidded with a John Deere forestry skidder. I've also used forwarders, as well as other means that picked logs up

Without question, you'll get faster regeneration of the forest from skidding. It does the same job on soil as tillage in a farming operation. Might not look pretty, but it unlocks all those seeds, burried too deep for germination.

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Hoss in Me

04-19-2008 18:10:37




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
C-7 Treefarmer,gotta 4-53 detroit in it.Have lots of fun and makes mucho noise.Real good bout 7 on Sunday morning. Have a good day,Hoss



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Bryan in Iowa

04-19-2008 16:53:47




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
Sound like perfect job for a Log Arch . There are several differant kinds. I built one that will lift and carry logs up to 12 ft , longer ones can drag or attach tail wheels , works pretty slick. Can use 4 wheeler on small stuff, or tractor or pick up on bigger stuff . it looks something similar to trailer used to haul propane tanks. I have under $300 in mine including winch .



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ispud

04-19-2008 16:23:55




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
518 cat



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jbruce

04-19-2008 15:27:29




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
Yes, I have logged with a 4WD Pettibone with forks. And like you, I preffered to carry them out, especially if they were going to my mill. You might want to check around about which lenghs are preferred, but if possible don't limit yourself to one length. Look the tree over to see what lengths the tree naturally cuts into as far as crooks and also try to cut at the optimum diameter as each log is measured at the small end. Also cut a few inches longer than even feet. You probably already knew all this if you are planning to cut logs, but if you didn't, hope this helps. Stay safe.

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Roy Suomi

04-19-2008 15:16:48




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 Re: Logging Skidder in reply to fergienewbee, 04-19-2008 14:51:49  
How about a crawler loader pulling a sled to keep the logs clean ??



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