One question Im often asked is: How do you get your logs from the woods to laying on your log deck. The size of the log determines the equipment used. I bought a log arch to pick up small and medium size logs. It is designed to load and transport a 24 log 12 long. Ive loaded 32 logs and logs up to 14 long. Its also been possible use it to drag bigger logs as well. I parbuckle logs onto the mill with a 2500 lb boat winch. I made a support from red oak that slides into the open steel box on one side of the mill. I run the cable to a pulley, then hook it to a chain thats anchored to the same side of the mill and runs under the log. Winding the crank rolls huge logs onto the log deck easily. I use an engine hoist to turn huge logs easily. It slides under the mill and I wrap a chain around the log and just pump the handle. The log rolls like I had hydraulics. Craigs List has been a life saver. The arch was $500, the boat winch was less than $100 with everything needed to load logs (Northern Tool), and the engine hoist was $125 from an ad on Craigs List. Bigger logs are even more trouble... Heres what I do to load them onto a trailer. A box steel arch was made and a 9000 lb electric winch added at the front of the trailer. This is the biggest log Ive loaded and transported. Right now I have 2 thick hickory slabs drying that will make several dining room tables when they are dry. If anyone has any questions, Ill be glad to put up pictures showing more detail.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 11:45:21 +0000