Skidding logs like this worries me as it can flip the tractor if the log catches something like a root or rock or digs down into the dirt.
I think the log should be towed from a lower point such as the drawbar… And the log’s leading-end should be carried off the ground.
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I just got a skidding winch (which is sweet BTW) but before that use a variety of stuff on the 3 point of various tractors to skid logs, most commonly either a drawbar or pond scoop.
There are a couple of options depending on preference and circumstance.
One is pull low and leave the log on the ground. Using a scrap car hood or something similar to keep the front of the log from digging in is helpful with that method. You are correct, potential for getting caught on relatively immovable objects is a potential peril of that method. If those are numerous or unavoidable, probably should consider doing something different. Also, skidding on a tractor is not a high speed endeavor. Catch a stump at 3mph: irritating. Catch a stump at 12mph; something probably broke and if you’re lucky you can fix it after you recover from eating the steering wheel.
Another method is to use the three point to lift the front of the log off the ground. That minimizes damage to both the ground and log as well as avoids the potential for hanging up on immovable objects. Pulling high creates the potential for backward rollover or loss of steering due to front end lifting. If the front end is off the ground or too light to steer, you can still steer with the brakes so that’s not a real problem. Rolling over backward is a real problem. Another situation where speed is not your friend. You better know what your plan is if the tractor starts rotating around the back wheels; hit the clutch, lift off the HST pedal, and simultaneously drop the lift would be the most obvious for the ones I’ve skidded with. And to help mitigate the rear rollover risk, don’t lift the log any higher than you have to. Front weight helps quite a lot with the rear rollover as well.
The pond scoop was actually pretty good at combining those two methods. Have the open end facing backward and set the top link long so it would fit in backing up and slide on the ground going forward. Back it under the end of log(s) to lift them, then chain to the top of the frame. When things are going well (flat ground) run with the front of the log lifted. Things not going so well (pulling hard and front end too high) drop the scoop and let it drag the ground for a bit.
I generally stay away from this topic, even though I’ve done quite a bit of skidding with tractors, because it can be done, but it ain’t exactly mowing a flat field. It isn’t flying a plane either, but if you’re going to do it you better have your brain in gear and not be prone to panic if things start going squirrely. Because of that, I hesitate to recommend or discuss this topic on a public forum.
Only reason I’m posting this now is that picture you posted of the guy on the JD happily dragging a log chained to a trailer mover on the three point. I don’t know whoever that is so I am not making a general statement about him, but what he’s doing in that picture is absolutely stupid. He’s combined the downsides of not lifting the front of the log with the downsides of pulling high to successfully maximize his risk for an adverse outcome. He’s left the log on the ground so it can catch on immovable objects and is pulling high so if it does catch, the tractor is highly likely to attempt a backward rollover. THAT guy is exactly the type operator that should NOT be skidding logs with a tractor. And if that’s the way he routinely thinks about the physics of equipment operation, he should restrict his operation to mowing flat fields. Hopefully that was a one off bad moment he was having.
Again, mostly in case that’s you or someone you know, not saying the guy on the JD is stupid in general, but what he’s doing there is stupid and dangerous and unnecessary and totally the wrong way to skid logs.
Edit: And if you want or need to move logs with a tractor at 10mph: trailer or log arch.
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