Log rite BTS Hauler

[Jehinten]

The tough part is finding a rental with the grapple. The mini skid is relatively easy to find

You can actually get a lot done with a smooth bucket or pallet forks, however the grapple is faster. Back when I was searching for a mini, I considered buying the grapple first, then running it on rentals. I ended up finding a good deal on a used mini, so I never went that route.

 

[Jehinten]

You can actually get a lot done with a smooth bucket or pallet forks, however the grapple is faster. Back when I was searching for a mini, I considered buying the grapple first, then running it on rentals. I ended up finding a good deal on a used mini, so I never went that route.

You'll have to load these into the bucket by hand, but it's not too bad picking up one end at a time. Certainly carries a lot more than I can by hand, giving you the benefit of a mini even without a grapple, should you rent one.


I know you've got your hauler ordered, but I thought I'd share this in case you decide to rent a machine for a job that the hauler isn't ideal for.

 

[southsoundtree]

Get forks and bucket with the rental.

If you're creative, you can extend the bucket with small diameter logs sticking forward, like forks, that are pointed against the top, inner part of the bucket with other logs. This will be for manual loading.

A rope-choker to drag limb piles will help.

You may be able to set the limb butts on the chipper tray, if you have his techniques. You may want to jack up the chipper tongue to lower the tray height.


Thin (3/8-1/2"), shop-grade (discount, defect) or scrounged plywood works effectively and economical for a turning platform if you have lawn/ hardscaping, etc. to protect. 4x4' can work.

 

[evo]

I wound up buying the rental yards mini. I bought a receiver Mount for it, something like $100 shipped to my door. Next I took some heavy square tubing and welded up a bollard on the end of the tubing.
Basically a boom with a bollard for about $150 total cost. It worked a treat for slinging giant brush piles and yarding logs/small trees.

It’s not much effort to lay out some slings and drop or lower limbs across them, fish out the ends and bundle them up.
Now that I own it and a grapple, I still find uses for it!

 

[southsoundtree]

I've wanted a boom for various purposes. Got a pic?


Lighter and closer to the machine than a grapple.

 

[TimberPro]

Update: the BTS Hauler was a great purchase. Super smooth and great leverage. Really impressed with all the grease zerks on it.

Also, I ordered this off Sheldon Hill Forestry out of NY. It was free shipping and it got to Colorado in less than a week.

 

[flushcut]

Congrats!

 

[TimBr]

Buy it.
Upgrade to the wider float tires. Throw in the Logrite Peevee. I ordered both items directly from Logrite. The platform to haul logs like a traditional ball cart never gets used so if you can save money skip that option. I remember total cost of BTS and peevee was around $850 shipped around 5 years ago. Worth every penny
I have never used the AT, but the BTS can definitely haul more material
I work solo and strap the hauler in 3 pieces to my chipper fender
Some of our Colorado landscapes (flagstone walkways) and small gates make a mini challenging
I started lurking on the Buzz after researching this hauler purchase. Back then, Chad? from Bees and Trees in Longmont had the BTS Hauler. I read that his employees preferred the AT. You might contact him to save money on a used hauler

Hello, @Mike H!
Welcome to the TreeBuzz forum! Congratulations on making your first post here on the TreeBuzz forum. It was a good one!
Remember to use the forum's search utility to find older threads of interest on just about any tree work related subject you can think of. The threads go back for years.
I look forward to reading more from you. Take care. Tim.

 

[Mike H]

I had been looking forward to my official greeting. Thank you @TimBr

 

[Mike H]

The vertical stays can be installed for narrow mode or wide depending on the access width