Set Up a Simple Low Cost Log Yarding Operation
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- For many years I have used Ford pickup trucks as logging machines. I use them for yarding and skidding logs. They are not as productive as real logging equipment, but they are low cost and more practical for many people who don’t have the budget or need for heavy equipment. My small scale logging operation produces logs for my firewood business, and for saw logs for my Woodmizer LT15 Start sawmill. In the past I have also done logging to send the logs to the commercial mills on a log truck. Most of my logging is just a way to manage my own forest land.
Here is the list of the log yarding rigging I am using:
1 100” long 7/16 choker
3 10’ 1/2” chokers
1 8’ 1/2” choker
1 5’ 1/2” choker (could be. 7/16” or 3/8”
1 6” block (should be 5”)
1 5” block
2 1/2” shackles
1 short chain or hook to attach line to vehicle
4 10’ 5/16 chains with hooks (only need 2 chains. Chains could be shorter)
1 break away block (luxury item)
I use the bowl from an old wheelbarrow to drag logs so they bounce off stumps, and don't dig into the dirt. Cut a hole in the front face of the wheelbarrow for the cable/chain to enter, wrap it around the log, and haul away. Kind of a skidder.
Great video packed with VERY useful Information !!! A unique channel for sure. Thanks ...
Thank you, I appreciate the comment.
Very well thought out, great knowledge passed on, common sense, practical uses that everyone should know. Stay safe and God bless
Your always bringing the valuable content, thanks!
Thank you, I appreciate your comment.
I'd add tree savers(lifting straps) and ratchet straps to divide the load on the king post to multiple trees around it , less wear and tear on the trees.
I usually select stumps or trees that I don’t want to keep. But yes you make a good point. I do have a strap made for that. I should probably start using it more.
Who says that you can't learn a old dog new tricks. I just learned something new. I hate when people takes other people stuff
I don’t like people who take other people’s things either. Too bad we can’t teach those people some new tricks like not taking people’s stuff.
@@WilsonForestLands right.
I carry an old choker when I fly , if it goes down that chokers gonna sure as hell catch on sumpin .!
I know how that feels
Nothing worse than a crook.@@WilsonForestLands
Cool ! Great info and thanks for showing the breakaway block, it's so simple, simple is good!
Yes simple is good, I try to add simple to as many things as I can. Always appreciate your comments.
You do know that it is ok to bragg about your chainsaws once in a while, especially if they're orange and white in color. They are, after all, the lungs of your operation.😂
Great videos. 👍
Great vdo im 67 and hope to be buying some land need to no all these tricks. Also setting up my new sawmill. I no rt at 67 this seems kinda dumb but like learning knew things.
Too bad you didn't bring your mill, that Grand Fir would have made some fine lumber.
I'd like to add two more "essentials": Experience and Good judgement, (aka Common sense.)
'Course experience is sometimes only won by surviving poor judgement or lack of common sense!
Another good 'un.
Cheers from Linn County.
Yep well said. I always liked that last line, and different variations of it I have seen.
Love it. Super cool seeing the stump drop back into the hole.
Love the ingenuity of the yarding.
Yep I was hoping that stump would give us a good performance. The one I did down the hill from it didn’t move at all when I cut it off.
Your system is way more effective than mine. I use a big chain, which dances the logs around too much. Great part about Logging solo, you don't have to worry about hitting anyone, or another cutter hitting you. Also, I think I am going to get a beater truck, not an every day driver that's too nice.....lol
Broke my heart when you junked those beautiful logs up… Thought you were going to mail them in the lumber! Either way, great video!
Great video. Thank you for the info. On one of my 6' chains I actually did put 2 different size hooks on one end, about 10" apart. One small one for grabbing onto chain and a larger one on the end of the chain that'll hook onto the ball on my hitch or the factory D rings on the front of my f250 (the ball and the d rings are my only attachment points for dragging, so its nice to have a hood thatll fit them both ) I didn't know if it was a dumb idea to have two different size hooks on one end but I use it all the time now.
Great list of gear. You're in Oregon right? Where are you buying that, cause we're here too in the Silverton area, and are trying to figure out where we can get stuff like that made.
We've been working on acquiring and milling up all the beams and lumber we need to build a timber frame house, so watching you turn those beautiful, straight, thick douglas fir logs into firewood rounds has me literally crying...😭
Great video though. Many thanks, and hope to learn where you're getting your gear! ✌
I get most of it from Oregon California Supply here in Southern Oregon. If it makes you feel any better, I have only cut the knotty low grade parts of most of the Doug fir into firewood. Most of what I cut was grand fir, which you probably wouldn’t want for that anyway. The high grade Doug fir is still there. But yeah I get it, it’s a sad thing.
Really appreciate all the knowledge 😊
Just found your channel and I'm watching intently , 4yrs ago I purchased Some Property with a lot of woods and some Big Trees , Only one problem a kinda big problem I'm in my 70s .I think young and I can just about do everything I used to do just not as fast .Lol Thanks for the tutorials Wilson.
You sly, yet grizzled poet. Nicely done.
Next time you got a root ball put a garden gnome under it
I used what ever cable I could find changed out from a yarder . They used to change lines on yarders in the woods . They'd hook the old line to a cat and drag the cable down the road and abandoned it that was 40+ years ago . You could find a 7/16 straw line a mile or more long. Loggers would change out yarder lines do to wear . Osha requirements unsafe for big wood in high speed logging but they are fine for years of yarding firewood . I remember m y brother a d his partner ran a lattice boom bu30 Skagit yarder they used for firewood big shows . All the lines were abandoned used yarder cast offs. They would yard 20 to40 cords s day 2 choker setters a yarder operator that chased . A cutter and 2 guys splitting.
That is a good idea. I have a few chokers around that loggers left behind. They are still mostly good.
glad to see the gloves being worn when handling those wire rope chockers.
those rope wickers are instant razor blades and a trip to the er.
Block and Tackle are so fun to use. Moving trees, pulling out cars from the ditch, etc. Always kinda feels like cheating the work is so easy.
It's cool to see your process man ... good stuff
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback.
I love your knowledge and especially your humour!
Excellent info, appreciate and thank you for sharing this.
And thank you for commenting.
You should rig up a little spar tree and a haul back.I did the same thing about 45 years ago with my old 66 Chevy short box.292 6 cylinder with posi track that thing was amazing
I retired from the local power company, and we used this stuff quite often.
It's all in the know how,I ran 2 9000 lb winches for years.pulled tons and cleared many lots.
Heart-lung made perfect sense, got your meaning. Have seen videos of our neighbors north of the border, the fellas that talk funny and use the strange measuring system, using hard plastic nose-cones slipped over the log to guide it. Do you think that’s just a gimmick or are your logs too frickin’ big? Good video Michael, learned a lot 🇺🇸
Oh yeah those funny talking guys. I haven’t tried the cones but I can imagine something like that could be helpful. Sometimes even cutting the top of the log at an angle can help redirect it around obstacles. My dad had a grapple that would grab the top of the log instead of using a choker. It was designed to help redirect the log around obstacles. I haven’t seen that in many years I don’t think he still uses it. I will have to ask him about that now that I just remembered it.
We have one of those cones and love it, although we do have smaller diameter trees on our property and I'm not sure it would even fit around the logs he pulled out in this video. What we've found is that it not only helps logs slip around things with out getting snagged, it keeps the log from gouging into the dirt and gravel which prevents not only that added drag, but also keeps the log up out of the dirt so it doesn't get encrusted with dirt/mud and stones that will ding your mill blades when sawing them up for beams or lumber. It just keeps that end of the log from snagging on things, including the ground itself. It's extremely sturdy too. I suppose you would wear through one if you used it full time, but for us managing our woodlot (50 acres) for the past three years, it's been fantastic. Since our "logs" are generally 20" or less in diameter (usually under 16"), I don't really know how big a log the one we have could handle.
Be cool to have a hook welded to one of the trailer ball holders that goes in the 2 inch receiver.
What you do with a truck and yarding equipment is amazing. Thank you for your guidance. I appreciate your humor as well.
I built my 4000 square foot home and fed a mobile dimension mill with all the same gear. Plus, a trailer. Thanks for sharing. Low cost is right.
I found a 6’ long 5/8” cable chocker on our property about 10-12 years ago. I was clearing an old logging trail and it was in the dirt. Definitely not in the back of your truck. Your too young. 17:58 We’ve had the property 22 years and it was probably last logged in the 1960’s?. Its in good shape and the bell and ball fit and work fine but the cable is rusted solid with several curls and pretty much inflexible. I have had it hanging in the shed weighted down and it hasn’t straightened and is still inflexible. Do you know of any way get it flexible. I’d use it if it was flexible?Or should I leave it hanging like museum art?
I really enjoy your videos and presentation humor.
Please suggest the best chainsaw and bar length. I would like to start logging on our acreage.
As an old time logger. I found this video very good. Much thanks from timber country. Oregon.
I call it logging on s shoe string, and when i climb and use wedges i attach them with a shoe string. Cheers.
I must admit, I am not a fan of Skidding Timber. At one site I have about 80 tons of trunks that are full of stones and dirt from skidding. It makes them impossible to be cut into firewood. I have tried using a wire-brush to clean a path for the saw-chain, but even if I miss one embedded stone, it ruins the saw chain.
I had a really good tow chain, hooks on each end and d ring in center, it done same thing for me ! I reckon they somewhere drinking a beer together
where can I buy a block like that small one.....i am only seeing harbor freight snatch blocks
I've been trying to find and order the "break away block" that you have but google and amazon give no results that are what you have, is there anywhere in specific i can order them or a different name for them i can search for?
What do you think of dynema winch rope for skidding logs? I can get it easy off ebay.
Thanks for the video. Appreciate you.
good stuff, using two blocks in a system can really be a game changer. Also getting them up as high as possible helps keep the nose of the log up. thanks for your work
Yep height is very helpful. Most of the time I haven’t been bringing up enough material in any one spot to justify hanging the block up in the tree or scarring up the tree. But when I do that would be something good to make a video about.
You can use a strap on the tree doesn't mark it up as bad or put some heater hose on the choker you put on the tree it will help love the videos thank you for making them
It looked like the pickup was just standing and logs were crawling on their own where they need to be.
Skidding logs for firewood works good, but it can be hard on the saws chain.
I love yarding wood. I got some 12,000 pound test rigging rope that I go out with. The mechanical advantage of using a block is so simple. A guy can land alot of wood pretty easily with a setup like you have demonstrated.
I haven’t used rope. I hear some of the new ropes can be really good.
12ooo lb test is what we used for rigging and rappel ropes, the world has shrunk ,but , what we could drag with it we call twigs . LOGS start at 1/2 " choker 5"8 tug pull. When I set choker in 79 it was 5/8 chokes 1 &1/2 or 2 on mainline on D8 cat . That was tonka toy stuff then . I weighed 140 lbs. The cat hook weighed 90 . I could only pack 3 chokers as opposed to 5 Jeff or brother Dave packed. Both 240 ,6foot plus .
Awesome video man. You do a great job presenting.
I do the same thing. Your information is spot on.
Good job on that rigging... Fun to watch it in action
Thank you for going over the chains and cable's. I am in a place i don't need one offton but about a month ago a chain would have been handy..
I keep two of them in my truck toolbox. They have got me and a few others out of some binds when we needed them.
a good truck running bull line hitching post knot with snatch block equipped with a industrial pully got your self yarder lmao nice job and smart thinking
You pretty much just summed my whole 18 minute video up in just a few words. Well said.
@WilsonForestLands 🙂thank you very much for that. and i, too, know from my own experience with using that excat set up that it works great.
Great gear breakdown - thanks!
Thanks for the comment.
Always lots of good information .
Could you do a demonstration on using the pulleys to gain the mechanical advantage ?
I have done some videos where I have shown more about that. Here’s a link to a playlist that has a couple videos where I focus more on that. I think it’s the first one or two in the playlist.
th-cam.com/play/PLzlG-SyEfaDzbIk6si3PwZmf6xFNg3LRN.html&si=nlvV7iBhelcwVwQM
Have you tried straps for pulley block anchoring to trees to avoid messing them up?
In the video I did about a year ago where I was wrestling the big cedar up out of the canyon I used the one I have for the first time. It’s hard for a West Coast guy to accept the idea of using any kind of rigging that isn’t made out of steel. I didn’t bring it here with me on this trip but I am trying to get into the habit of remembering that I have it and put it to use for that reason.
@@WilsonForestLands I tried a wide strap...first try the strap rotated a couple inches and girdled the tree...second try the strap snapped.
I love you vids!
Why cut them so small?
I’m thankful for this knowledge and his video I just found it and I’ve learned so much I’m about to watch it again and again and again thank you
Thanks for breaking it all down. Very well done! Do you ever use bull rope or is it not strong enough for what you're doing?
I use much of the same equipment except I prefer to work with rope. Certainly not a durable as going all steel but I find the versatility of being able to tie knots works better for me. I do use cable chokers on my logs though. Great stuff!
What kind of rope do you use that doesn't stretch and/or break??? Where to get one like that? Thanks
For light weight stuff I use a Samson 1/2" rope and for the big stuff I use a 5/8" bull rope. I think it is a Samson too but I can't remember. My local arborist supply store carries both but you can find it online too. @@carolewarner101
Do you use Dyneema rope? If so what knots to hold that slippery stuff? I really like Zeppelin knots, but haven't yet tested them on Dyneema. I got an 80 ft Dyneema from Harbor Freight which is replacement winch line for their 12,000 winch. I wanted it for extension.
I use 1/2 Samson rope for light stuff and pulling trees over etc and a 5/8 Samson arborist bull rope for the heavy stuff. I use a couple of different knots but mostly bowlines and bowlines on a bite.
How much does rope stretch compared to steel? What are the pros & cons of the two in terms of safety, durability, longevity, etc. I have almost no experience with these things, but we bought acreage with lots of trees on it, so I need to learn quickly!
great video. thanks for putting this out there !
Thank you, this is very interesting and useful information.
😂 u can have yr cable , dog to handle an work with 🍻 cheers mate 👍
Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge !
Very informative. Thanks!
Another good one boss. Thankyou
Ps. Those showa gloves are the best. Outlast leather gloves by 4 x. And you can use your fingers better.
And they have a good grip.
Them chokers always growing legs 🦵
Another great video,thanks.
Love your channel! Invaluable info and a little humour. Cheers.
I like your videos but my God man, how old are you? You have tremendous energy for anyone much less an older gentleman. I could do the kind of work you are doing until about age 55. Then things started to go down hill.
You are engaged in the most dangerous work in America. Do you work alone? If so who is going to come around and scrape you up if you get hurt?
May you never suffer the ravages of age.
Just turned the big 50. If my dad and grandfather are any indication, I should have another two or three good decades left. I do work alone most of the time. It is the most dangerous occupation but the average timber faller probably cuts more timber in a day than I have done in the last year. It’s not something I do all the time. Not that it takes anything away from your point but my exposure is comparatively low. Working alone has those obvious potential’s but with the impracticality of hiring someone to help me with my situation, it’s matter of do it alone or not do it at all. I just got out of the business where I was trying to get people to do labor. The stress of that was probably more hazardous to my well being than what I am doing now.
Awesome, found it!thanks
Hey buddy, great video.
I had a big wintch on my 08 Duramax that pull a bunch of logs out of the bush.
Or forest i guess your south enough to be in the forest stihl 😅😂😂😂
Yeah that would be another good way to do it, setting up a winch. I remember a long time ago my dad doing that with his old Warn winch. It would overheat after pulling very long. Maybe they have better ones now that wouldn’t do that. Instead of saying pulling it out of the bush or the forest, we would be more likely to say pulling it out of the woods here. Good to hear from you.
As usual, good job!!!
Thank you Ron.
Cheers! Thanks for the deets!
Any chance in setting up links to buy from?
I would have to do some research on that. I bought almost all of it from our local logging supply store.
Also, when working with cable, it is best to wear cotton gloves such as White Ox gloves. Do not wear leather gloves. Cable will have some of the wire strands break over time. This allows the sharp ends of the wire to pop out where it will bite you. Leather gloves, and the hands inside, can get sliced open like a sharp knife through a tender steak. Cotton gloves will not get cut. The wires will snag on the cotton and will prevent some very nasty cuts. This is the voice of experiencing.
Huh.
I'm listening, just have a hard time understanding from lack of experience.
I know of the strength of cloth and cotton/hemp, but I just wonder the line here.
I'd imagine cotton just snag, and still cut; I suppose it's all in the grip you are applying.
Noted though. So leather, with cotton above, when working with questionable metal materials?
The pulley effect you speak of is: a “mechanical advantage”
Yep, I have a video or 2 where I use that term.
great info, thanks
The pulley effect lol 😂
it jumped out and ran away 😂
Great video! Is a Grand Fir also known as a white fir or as some call it a "piss fir"?
It is a true fir like white fir is. White fir grows more in the higher elevations, Grand fir is more along the coast and in lower elevations. There are some differences between the trees but the wood is very similar.
I would like to order some of that stuff. Any online place you know of I can go to?
Bailey’s probably has a lot of that stuff. The breakaway block I got from Northeast Implement. Everything else I buy from our local logging supply store.
Rain is back! Time to head back to Applegate?
I’m getting some things finished up here and will soon be going back. I am actually not in Applegate, more in the north end of the county.
Amazing! Three thumbs up!
Thank you sir. 👍
I noticed in one of the shots you have your license covered, is that for security reasons, not that it means anything to me, just a curious observation, You are pretty caddy with your setups but then experience goes a long way, I do enjoy your videos and context.
Yes I cover my license plates for privacy. I’m not sure if there’s a good reason to do that but a lot of people on TH-cam do. Thanks for the comment as always.
Remember you are a public person and anyone can see you so I definately understand keeping your plate(s) covered@@WilsonForestLands
that root ball looks like it has a face on it it is facing the camera
I went back and looked at the video, at one point I think I see what you are talking about. I didn’t even notice until you mentioned it.
Would you think this size cable block and chain would also work well with good size hickory, oak and walnut or should I move up in size?
That depends on what you are pulling with. If you are using a pickup truck like I am, the truck is not strong enough to break this equipment. I have used this set up with Tanoak, which is probably comparable to your hardwoods. The limiting factor is not breaking the equipment, it’s just whether or not the truck can pull it. If not it just means I either have to put more blocks in or cut the logs shorter. I hope that made sense.
@@WilsonForestLands that definitely makes sense. I would be using about a 6,200 lb tractor or an old cat d6b dozer. Tanoak would be a similar weight. I guess the real question is, can I trust my judgement and not just try and pull out the entire tree all at once every time. Lol. Thanks
@@kaceesavage I use the same equipment with my tractor that is a little heavier than that. Maybe 7000 lbs. It has a farmi winch and I have the same 7/16 line on it. This equipment all holds up well with it. But a four wheel drive tractor getting good traction pulling with its full force, I haven’t tried that. I might think about a half inch cable. A D6 is another story. A D6 could break this rigging like it was dental floss without even making a snort.
Nothing worse then a thief! Good show….thanks
I think a murderer is worse
Ok…second worse thing. Thanks for educating me.
Hello! Very well done! You could try a nylon rope for pulling. It's easier to handle but only usefull in terrain without rocks. Best wishes from Austria, Wolfgang
Try using an old car tyre to wind your cabel into. I would probably choose rope at this scale.
I have heard of people using car tires for that. Individual wrapped cables are best in this situation, I am traveling light here. I am pretty happy with the steel cable, I don’t think rope holds up well to dragging through the dirt. Thanks for the comment.
@@WilsonForestLands I only said I would use rope because thats what im used to. Abrasion is definitely an issue with rope.
No saw log?
I don’t have a sawmill here and the commercial mills here are not set up for dealing with small quantities. Firewood prices are very high here so it’s being cut into firewood. I am assuming that’s what you were asking.
@@WilsonForestLands that was the question exactly.