Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
:

Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
rdmace

03-23-2005 15:18:25




Report to Moderator

I was on a chainsaw site recently and looking for some other info. One of the threads talked about skidding logs out with a small Ford and how dangerous it was. Guess I never thought much about it. Is that because of the terrain that most serious logging folks must deal with? I always thought a Ford was pretty stable, even on hills.




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Charlie in MO

03-24-2005 06:05:31




Report to Moderator
 Re: Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor in reply to rdmace, 03-23-2005 15:18:25  
You might wand to have a look at what happened to me...
Things go from Mild To Wild in a heartbeat.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
BillM (OH)

03-23-2005 19:20:37




Report to Moderator
 Re: Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor in reply to rdmace, 03-23-2005 15:18:25  
We skidded logs for many years with the 8N -- they are great little skidders, because you can start with the drawbar all the way down, and just lift the front end of the log off the ground enough to keep it from hangups, but still be low enough to keep the "tractor flip" trick from happening. That said, keep yer foot on the clutch and tak'er nice and easy as it will get a little light in the front if it's a big log.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
sawmill

03-23-2005 18:33:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor in reply to rdmace, 03-23-2005 15:18:25  
I too have used my 9n to drag logs for over twenty five years. There are many things one should know before they give it a try, first off is that it is not a safe practice and it requires a great deal of understanding to pull it off. One of the first things to know is not to chain the log high on the tractor. Leave the drawbar down. The center of gravity is low and the tractor is not lickley to raise up. If you raise the drawbar to lift the end of the log, the tractor may well flip on you as you go and y hit something in the ground due to the center of gravity being high Don't drag logs on a hill. Never never drag a log along the face of a hill where the log can start rolling down hill with the slack in the chain. Keep your foot on the clutch at all times so you can disengage the engine if the nose starts to raise. Don't drag logs on rough, rocky ground. Don't back up over a log, you may get high centered on it. Don't let anyone ride the log or try to direct it as you pull it. You may want to build a sled to roll the logs onto and then drag the sled. This is how the pulled heavey objects years ago with horses. I don't know if I am lucky or careful but it can be done. As I have said, I have done it for years in association with the sawmill.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Tomtom

03-23-2005 17:14:06




Report to Moderator
 Re: Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor in reply to rdmace, 03-23-2005 15:18:25  
I've pulled logs out of the woods with my 8N a good part of my life, logs bigger than you'd ever think could be pulled by a tractor that size. But you do have to be smart about how you go about it as mentioned in the other posts. Keep in mind that naysayers don't always have the savvy to know what they are talking about. Just because they are afraid of doing something because they don't know what they are doing does not mean you should shy away from it when you do know.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
cargocult

03-23-2005 19:06:43




Report to Moderator
 Re: Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor in reply to Tomtom, 03-23-2005 17:14:06  
I concur! Too many folks don't know beans about the capabilities of these tractors! If ya don't wanna do it, OK, but don't try to take my rights away! That's how Naziism gets started! I use the dreaded Ferguson Cordwood Saw, and ain't lopped off any body parts! Also use the tractor to drag stuffs about the place, and haven't managed to upset it yet. Just a matter of doing it right!



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Rob

03-23-2005 15:40:46




Report to Moderator
 N is stable side to side but can flip easily. in reply to rdmace, 03-23-2005 15:18:25  
It has all the power it needs to roll over backwards. Like when the rear wheels freeze to the ground and it rolls backwards in about 3/4 or a second. Or maybe you have 3/4 of a second to get off the throttle or on the clutch. It doesn"t take long.

Keep that in mind if you go to put the little wheels above the big wheels.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
MikeT

03-23-2005 15:39:00




Report to Moderator
 Re: Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor in reply to rdmace, 03-23-2005 15:18:25  
It's because when pulling something with a chain hooked to the hitch, the torque at the rear wheels can pick up the front of the tractor and flip it over backwards in the blink of an eye, crushing the operator.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Duck

03-23-2005 15:28:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor in reply to rdmace, 03-23-2005 15:18:25  
Nothing is safe if the log get hung and the tractor rolls back on you.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dell (WA)

03-23-2005 15:40:10




Report to Moderator
 Re: Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor in reply to Duck, 03-23-2005 15:28:09  
Macy..... ...what DUCK sez..... ..and..... .

ALL TRACTORS will rear-up and over backwards on-top of ya quicker-n-jack'nimble iff'n you chain PULL FROM that handy-dandy 3-point top-link point under yer butt-buckett. DON'T DOO-ITT!!! 'cuz I HATE offer'n condolances to surviving family members.

Use a 2-wheeled upsidedown "U" "loggin' arch" ...or... learn to lift and chain one-end of yer log upon yer 11-hole drawbar to skidd yer log..... ...Dell

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
ericlb

03-24-2005 06:06:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: Skidding Logs with a Small Tractor in reply to Dell (WA), 03-23-2005 15:40:10  
i argee, i have skidded logs for years with the jubilee, never a problem, but i always remember to hook the chain as low as possible on the tractor, keep my foot on the clutch, use 1st gear, and just let it idle along, also keep your mind centered on the job at hand, but i figure a 6 to 8" log , about 15 foot long or shorter is plenty for a 2500 lb farm tractor, this isnt a 80,000 lb d-8 cat here, use common sence

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy