Moving trashed logs

[K7G]

We had our pines thinned last year and the 98% of the limbs and tops were mulched down by a forestry mulcher. In the pile of mulch, I have come across some small logs and limbs that are slightly too large to move by hand but child’s play for a tractor.

My personal dump in on the back of our property - probably 550 ft away. This may be a dumb question but, I don’t know what I don’t know so……

Can I put a shackle on the drawbar and drag them safely to the dump with a chain and choker cable? It’s probably no more than five or six pieces that the mulcher covered in the process of mulching the rest.

 

[Fordtech86]

Permission granted

 

[Russell King]

I don’t think I would pull more than one at a time. I would worry about catching them on a rock or something and not being able to get it loose.

There would be no reason you wouldn’t be able to drag them as you described if there is no danger of them getting caught up on something that would stop the tractor suddenly.

 

[K7G]

Thanks! I’ll go slow. Not much to catch them on!

 

[Trustable]

i Also have an l2501 and do the same thing occasionally. my shackle barely fits the bar so I have to persuade it with a hammer though. If you find your moving logs a lot you may want to look into a 3pt logskidder. i Have been looking online for one for me but the designs are usually for one log only. They are relatively affordable as implements go, at least the ones out of china.

 

[woodman55]

NO! You need to tell your wife that you need a bigger tractor, to handle these MASSIVE logs, with a cab with a/c to protect you from the heat as you are slaving away to beautify the area for her. You will also NEED, a grapple/brush rake to go on the front, this way you can be protected from poisonous snakes and murderous rabbits. A 3pt implement of some form also to act as a counterweigh, will be a good idea also, to keep you save and protect the tractor. A new larger chain saw would also be a good idea.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

one option ...
cut them up into 'footlongs', haul in bucket then burn in your 'camp firepit'.

 

[Biker1mike]

Whether it is right or wrong I have been doing this for years. I lift the 3 pt just enough so the log does not dig in.

 

[K7G]

i Also have an l2501 and do the same thing occasionally. my shackle barely fits the bar so I have to persuade it with a hammer though. If you find your moving logs a lot you may want to look into a 3pt logskidder. i Have been looking online for one for me but the designs are usually for one log only. They are relatively affordable as implements go, at least the ones out of china.

Thanks, trying not to buy anything that won’t get heavily used.

Then again, my childhood home, built by my father, lost every tree at the 6’-8’ level when a tornado went over it. That acreage which was very similar to mine lost every single tree. In a weird way, I’m glad my parents aren’t around to see it. That would have broken the old man.

If we were to experience something similar, clean up will not be fun. Our home is almost dead center in the picture below. Something like you described might be handy. Or, my nephews and daughter can deal with a like-new, unused one when I’m gone. Lol

one option ...
cut them up into 'footlongs', haul in bucket then burn in your 'camp firepit'.

These aren’t fit to burn…buried too long!

Our area -

 

[N3BP]

That method of moving multiple logs at one time has never worked well for me. They always seem to catch something, sepearte, and come out of the choker chain. I find that cutting them to manageable lengths and using pallet forks is the best way.

 

[Flintknapper]

Thanks, trying not to buy anything that won’t get heavily used.

Then again, my childhood home, built by my father, lost every tree at the 6’-8’ level when a tornado went over it. That acreage which was very similar to mine lost every single tree. In a weird way, I’m glad my parents aren’t around to see it. That would have broken the old man.

If we were to experience something similar, clean up will not be fun. Our home is almost dead center in the picture below. Something like you described might be handy. Or, my nephews and daughter can deal with a like-new, unused one when I’m gone. Lol



These aren’t fit to burn…buried too long!

Our area -

View attachment 107356

Looks like you live right in the middle of a bunch of 'Planted Pines'?

A 'grapple' might be useless in those conditions.....so 'skidding' as you allude to is the best option. Give it a shot. Go slow....be careful.

 

[DustyRusty]

Leave them there where they are, and in a couple of years, they will have rotted away.

 

[ve9aa]

I hauled logs, heck, entire trees like this around my property for 17 yrs with my 18HP TG1860 lawn mower (garden tractor?) before I ever bought my H-U-G-E BX2380.

If I needed to haul tiny 8' logs only 550' today, I'd just pick them up one (or 2?) at a time with the pallet forks and transport. No tearing up the yard.

But, I do agree....a larger tractor with A/C and cab are much better, heh heh

 

[Trustable]

Thanks, trying not to buy anything that won’t get heavily used.

Then again, my childhood home, built by my father, lost every tree at the 6’-8’ level when a tornado went over it. That acreage which was very similar to mine lost every single tree. In a weird way, I’m glad my parents aren’t around to see it. That would have broken the old man.

If we were to experience something similar, clean up will not be fun. Our home is almost dead center in the picture below. Something like you described might be handy. Or, my nephews and daughter can deal with a like-new, unused one when I’m gone. Lol



These aren’t fit to burn…buried too long!

Our area -

View attachment 107356

Completely understand holding off on buying occasional use stuff. when your pulling see if you can put a piece of plastic or metal under where the choker chain is on the log, as it helps not to rip up stuff as bad.

 

[The Evil Twin]

I have done this very thing a number of times. 40-50' sections of pine. The only thing is that sometimes the end will plow in. Just keep an eye on it.

 

[Creature Meadow]

I'm sure your method will work fine but I prefer to cut up and haul with my pallet forks.

If you have forks this is an option. I try to keep my burn pile to about 10' around, trees longer stick out and it is a pain to round the pile up as it burns with trees sticking out of the pile and it is hot as well.

For me just easier all the way around to cut and haul then to burn.

best of luck

 

[D2Cat]

Push the logs on an old car hood and drag from draw bar.

 

[Smokeydog]

No problem. A gully is a wonderful thing. We have tons of trees and brush per year. Piled into a gully. I would think it would take forever but surprisingly quick how it digests them. Better than burning. Home to many woodland animals. Valuable asset to the farm.

 

[Jchonline]

We had our pines thinned last year and the 98% of the limbs and tops were mulched down by a forestry mulcher. In the pile of mulch, I have come across some small logs and limbs that are slightly too large to move by hand but child’s play for a tractor.

My personal dump in on the back of our property - probably 550 ft away. This may be a dumb question but, I don’t know what I don’t know so……

Can I put a shackle on the drawbar and drag them safely to the dump with a chain and choker cable? It’s probably no more than five or six pieces that the mulcher covered in the process of mulching the rest.

If there are only a handful do the first 2 solo then you can decide how to handle the others. Please put a damper on the tow line if you are pulling...just in case it snaps.