Ideas for moving logs in yards?

[Steve Connally]

I am a small company and have always had the challenge of moving logs for the timber guy to pick up and take to the mill. I have seen the future forestry products but at this pint its just a little too much for me. Dragging doesn't work because the front end of the log digs in and causes major damage. I know you guys have had to come up with some innovations over the years. I would love to have you share some ideas. Not looking for your trade secrets, I'm just tired of saying to myself, "there has to be a better way to do this".

Thanks Steve

 

[Tom Dunlap]

FFP does make the primo log arch. If you can weld you can build a log arch for yourself. If not, sketch something up and get it to a welding shop.

do you have an ATV? They can move a huge load.

 

[Steve Connally]

no, don't own an atv

 

[Kevin]

Dig up the parts and get a local welder to build you what you need.
This isn't a trade secret, they have been using these things to move steel pipe around the steel mills for a long time.

 

[Tony]

I know it sounds stupid (famous last words?) but, I have jacked up a log with a left over toyota jack. Drilled holes. Then used lags to hold leftover wheelbarrow tires to the log and drug them out by hand. Its cheap and I must say it worked.

 

[stickman]

Hey arborcare look at rental for the day.I rent mini skids and bobcats and price it in the job. speeds things along and saves the back.hope it helps.

 

[Mark_B.]

Paul Howard, a friend and arborist in Munich came up with this concept (see attachment). We've been calling it the H-Booster. It's beautifully made by a mate of Paul's in Bavaria, and I can tell you it's bomb proof! Talk about massive! It's really ideally suited for work in european urban environments, where we often don't have sufficiently wide accesses for machines.

In it's basic configuration the H-Booster is a log dolly, you can extend the handles by about 1,5m to increase leverage. There's two different hook designs, one to transport logs standing and the other to load them sideways.

The first picture shows the H-Booster in it's basic configuration. The hook also doubles as a cant hook. Handling logs is really easy. You're really only limited by the width of the access.

 

[Mark_B.]

But it's more than just that... you can convert it to a trolley, see the attachment. I reckon we've halved tidy-up time on jobs with a clear access. The job we did in the picture was the fell of a spruce, 20m high. I could load all the braches in one go, the climber comes down to a clear work site, we roll out the Booster an tip it... job done. One trip per tree, now that's what I call sweet.

 

[Mark_B.]

You can also get all your gear onto the site in one go, saves you those trips back and forth humping heavy arborist packs.

On another note BTW I've decided that in a next life I'm going to be a professional tiddlywinks (sorry, don't know what the US equivalent is, google it if you want to know) or badminton player, definitvely some profession or occupation that involves light gear ! Why are arborist's bags always so heavy?! I challenge anybody who can boast a light pack to speak up!

/forum/images/graemlins/boohoo.gifAnyway, I digress, we were discussing the H-Booster...

 

[Mark_B.]

...and to finish off with a view of the H-Booster as a trolley. It's really a bit like Thunderbirds! (Sorry, google it again if you really want to know... actually don't, it's a bit sad)

Anyway, great job Paul and Steffen, thanks for the time and effort invested, this baby rocks - and my back loves it too!

 

[Rupe]

That looks ideal for our small back garden jobs! Any chance of some more pics of how it assembles etc, and full technical drawings would be nice!

 

[Mark_B.]

Hmmm... sorry, Rupe, I think that might be a little bit tough on Steffen who's making the Boosters.
But yes, I agree they are ideal for this kind of work.

Also, for any further specs, I'd suggest you contact Steffen direct:

Tel. +49 88 06/95 94 13
Mob +49 1 79/1 35 18 93
Fax +49 88 06/95 94 15
info@der pfau.de
www.der pfau.de

See you in Copenhagen next week - I hope?!

 

[Rupe]

Yes you will see me, I'll be competing this year!!

 

[Mark_B.]

Yo! Well done! Which one - of the many TCC in the UK - did you win?

 

[jamie]

we have an iron horse, wide but it works, a quad with a basket trolly (the crane can lift the basket, bang a lever off of the side of the big box trailer, the bottom swings open and the stuff drops out), logging arch with 1 ton winch and some rear boogie wheels are being made for it. oh and we also have a wheelbarow

jamie

 

[Rupe]

Erm, none! Highest combined runner up score after Scotland and Ireland, I think! Looking forward to it, well very excited in fact!

 

[Steve Connally]

My major dilema is getting timber length logs to the streed for the logger to pick up. I have reverted to the ancient methods of rolling onto a smaller log for a pivot but oddly, there are just a few logs I can't budge. I tried spinach but it didn't work. Tried kicking the log but it still wouldn't move. Tried to pull it with the truck, dug a trench. Just can rent a bobcat for every job and it seems the trees I get are never #1....small, #2....."no problem just drop it". So much for beginners luck!

 

[Mark Chisholm]

Here's our log cart. A friend made it and it will move up to 36" dbh logs.

 

[Steve Connally]

Mark,
How do you get the logs between the wheels?

 

[Mark Chisholm]

Push the cart over top from one end. Just roll it in place, lift the handle and insert the pins under the log. Then push the handle down and secure the front of the log. Then push it out to the curb.