Just finished one of my Spring Projects, this afternoon, and thought that some of the Off Grid folks would like to see what I am going to be using to make my One Man Firewood Logging Operation easier for an Older type guy. I designed, and built, the A-Frame out 1 1/2 Inch Galvanized Pipe. Then made some Weld-on, custom, mounts for the Front Steel Bumper Tubing, out of 2 x 3 x 1/4" Flat Bar Stock. Once I got all the parts fabricated, I sweet talked our Forman into welding up the A-frame, and then welding the Mounts to the Bumper Tubing. 1/3rd of a Can of Flat Black Stove Paint, and a rusty, old Pulley, out of the Boneyard, a couple of 1/2" Stainless Bolts for Clevis Pins, a 1/2 x 6" Stainless bolt for a Pulley Axle, and 15 Feet of 1/2 Poly Rope, and I am in the Firewood Biz, as a One Man Show. I have about 10 hours in the Project, and 2 hours of Welder time. Not to shabby, for a Technology Dude, who is about as mechanical as a turnip.... ..... YMMV....
When we skinned out Momma's 350# Black Bear, for her rug. We used a Cannery Forklift and chained his forepaws to the forks. "Hydraulics is your FRIEND"........
Had a chance to test the rig out, this afternoon. Picks up logs just fine. I was hauling 12 foot x 16" Cottonwood Logs out of the brush with it, and then chunking them up for firewood for next winter. Very slick operation. I still need to make a Plug-in Remote Winch Switch, on a 20 ft cable for it, but other than that, very good operations.
hehehe. Naw, you did pretty good. I was expecting that lil' thing to just spin if you ever tried to haul something.
The Rhino is a beast. Is it a 450, 660, or 700? I guess I'm not up on the log cutting world. What's the A arm for? Can't you just get a chain and drag the logs behind you? If Yamaha would come out with a diesel, I'd swap the gasser out in a heartbeat.
Skidding logs works a LOT better if you lift one end --- Just for s&g, google "log skidder" and see some pix of the biggies. Bruce's machine is a good idea, multiple use machine.
2009 Rhino 660.. Second Owner, came for Aridzonia.....Had 210 Miles on it when it arrived. Now has 1350 miles on it. Best money I ever invested. I also use the A-Frame for lifting logs up off the ground, for chunking into firewood lengths. Saves on Chains, for the Saw, not digging into the dirt while chunking them.
1. Hardwood logs (or even pine logs) are heavy...and heavier still with their entire length dragging on the ground. 2. When the entire log is on the ground, the front edge has a strong tendency to dig in and require even more power to pull...when the front end is raised, the back end on the ground "ramps" itself over rocks, little hills, stumps. etc. If you are pulling with a Cat or similar very heavy and powerful vehicle, it doesn't make as much difference, but with a lighter vehicle, it is a major difference. Great setup BT...
also if you plan to have the logs sawn the less dirt the better some mills charge extra for dirty logs as it destroys the saw teeth btw, its been a while but i used to use a draft horse and a bob or sled works great and you can take them places no wheeled vehicle can go
YouTube - Cyber Warriors - M1A2 Abrams‏ I want to use this to go logging. I miss this old bucket of bolts.
Amen to that ! Followed closely by pneumatics......my shoulder can't take swinging a framing hammer anymore unless I eat a bottle of Excederin.....thank God and Bostich for nail guns. Nice setup on the rig.....but wouldn't it have been better on the back so you could drive with the log in tow ? Here's my skidding winch.....Norwegian made especially for small tractors...driven off the PTO...has 150' of 1/2" cable with it.
The rhino does NOT have a rear bumper, and the winch is mounted on the front. I usually just drive backwards, when skidding logs, and it usually isn't that far out to the trail. Maybe 20-50 ft Max.... YMMV.....
The wife and I depend on wood for heat and other needs...Good idea, I wonder if I could convert my old CJ-7.I would want it set up so I could easily remove it...a skidding winch would sure make my life alot easier...thanks for the idea...
It should be easy to build one for a CJ Jeep, with a winch. If you look closely at the drawings, the A-Frame is attached to the front bumper with two 1/2" Stainless Bolts, that act as the hinges for the A-Frame. Remove the two bolts and the A-Frame comes off and can be stored away, and then you just wind the Winch Cable IN, till the Hook is at the Rollers on the winch.
