Tractor talk - log skidding and quick hitches

[Gullible]

OK I now know enough about tractor driving to understand that I know nothing about tractor driving.

Not wanting to damage myself or my tractor:

why are log skidding tongs readily available in the USA but not here
what are the pros & cons of quick hitches



About log skidding, people say "just tie a chain around the log", yer well how do I get the chain under the log? The USA has skidding tongs at very reasonable prices, but I cannot find any here. Do we not skid here? is it bad practice/dangerous?

About quick hitches for the 3 point linkage. Are they good/bad not worth it. I have discovered that it takes me quite a while to line up my half tonne mulcher, so much so that I am reluctant to take it off the tractor. This is not a good, as I need to swap implements frequently when I do use the tractor. Any tips or advice about quick hitches - preferably one I can get in Australia.

[bblaze]

Quick hitchs are great, you will need to cut off the old ball ends on the arms and weld on the new quick hitch. The ball then fits onto the pins and are left there. Then you basicly drive into implement and raise the arms onto the balls. Tow the logs with the drawbar and not the linkage
cheers
blaze

[Homestar]

There aren't many logs around that are so perfectly round that you can't get a chain under it a try some point along it's length, and if they are that round, they should roll easily enough to roll then onto the chain.

I've never had an issue doing this.

Quick hitches are great, but with a bit of practice you'll find you can swap implements fairly quickly, but not as fast as a quick hitch. :)

[Gullible]

cool, looks like I've got a bit of practicing to do with the logs, and searching for quick hitches. [bigsmile1]

[Sitec]

Hi there. Ok, there are two ways of doing this.. The first (as blaze says) is weld on quick hitch ends like the ones in the pic.. They are available in Cat 2 and Cat 3 options which relates to ball, pin and hook size. Assuming your tractor is somewhere between 30 and 100 hp, then Cat 2 will be fine. The balls can be put on the machine, and then you reverse up and lift the linkage until the hooks catch the balls. Latch the latches, fit the top link (quick hitch hooks also available) and away you go. Places to buy are Sparex, BareCo and the original maker Waltershied. If you choose this option make sure you find someone who is proficient in welding to attach them to your arms.

[Sitec]

The second is the A Frame Quick hitch... The tractor has a 'male' A frame which is setup and lives on the linkage, and then the implement or implements has a 'female' A Frame attached to it. These are available in 'pin on' or weld on guise. The operator backs up to the implement with the A Frame lowered. Once under the implement A frame, the linkage is lifted and locates and a latch locks it on. These are available from Sparex and Burder Industries. They're a little 'up there' in price but very easy and quick to use....

[Sitec]

Re dragging logs about, a simple interlocking drag chain is what we sometimes use.. Set it up like a choker chain on a nasty dog! ;).. Sometime a nick in the log with a chain saw will help the chain locate. Use a cross bar between the lift arms, and a decent Dee Shackle through the middle hole on the cross bar.. That way you can lift the arms and put some of the logs weight on the back wheels.. Make sure you set the check chains up properly if you're doing this so the whole lot can't swing around aimlessly. A word of warning though.. Lift the lift arms no higher than the center line of the back axle when doing this. If you do the front of your tractor might end up pointing to the clouds!

Let us know how you go. If I was a little nearer, I'd be able to supply all the parts and do the job for you. Cheers.

[carjunkieanon]

All I know is, if whatever you have on the back lifts your front wheels off the ground, then unlock the little mechanism that connects the two brake pedals and you can steer by braking either the left or right rear wheel when you want to turn left or right. Works a treat.


(Haven't done that since I was 20 though)

[Don 130]

Here ya go.

Junior Arch - LogRite Tools LLC (http://www.logrite.com/store/Item/Junior-Log-Arch)

Thy've got other stuff too, and cant hooks.

however, if this is too much, get a cant hook to roll your log over your chain.

When towing a big log or load, always pull from a point at or below the axle, and not from the 3 point linkage. pulling from above the axle raises the possibility of flipping the tractor if the log/load snags on a rock or something.
Don.

[Saitch]

Re dragging logs about, a simple interlocking drag chain is what we sometimes use.. Set it up like a choker chain on a nasty dog! ;).. Sometime a nick in the log with a chain saw will help the chain locate. Use a cross bar between the lift arms, and a decent Dee Shackle through the middle hole on the cross bar.. That way you can lift the arms and put some of the logs weight on the back wheels.. Make sure you set the check chains up properly if you're doing this so the whole lot can't swing around aimlessly. A word of warning though.. Lift the lift arms no higher than the center line of the back axle when doing this. If you do the front of your tractor might end up pointing to the clouds!

Let us know how you go. If I was a little nearer, I'd be able to supply all the parts and do the job for you. Cheers.

x2.
We called it "Snigging" logs.

[donh54]

Tongs are reasonable for use on softwood logs, not real successful on hardwood. The idea of using the 3pl is to raise the front of the log off the ground so it is less likely to catch on rocks, stumps etc.

[Gullible]

Thanks for all the tips.

I've gone for 3 point linkage pallet forks and a choker chain set up. The plan is to use the pallet forks to move any short length logs and stumps. For the longer logs I'll use the pallet forks to lift/role the log to get the drag chain underneath and attache the chain to the pallet fork frame for snigging/skidding.

My first opportunity to try this out will be the long weekend. I'll let you know how it turns out...

[Gullible]

Darn it. Rain stopped play. [bigsad]

I did get to pick up the forks but they never got onto the tractor due to the downpour and flooding over the queen's birthday long weekend.

I'll try again another day.