I wanted to poll the collective wisdom and experience of those here on the best ways to skid logs with an N. These are typically dead fallen trees (or cut down dead standing trees) which I am hauling back for firewood. To date, I have used an old sisel rope -- but it's getting shorter with each breakage. :-) I am trying to decide between using a chain (probably about 20ft), or making up a towing cable with 1/4in aircraft cable (same length). My thoughts are: - cable would be lighter, easier to handle
- chain would be somewhat stronger, easier to attach to the log How about dragging as opposed to lifting the leading end of the log? Dragging could cause a hangup -- not too bad if you are going slow, have your foot at the ready on the clutch, and most importantly have attached to the tractor lower than the rear axle. Another strong deciding factor would be what each would do in the situation where it slipped off the log. Will either (or both) "whiplash"? For lifting, I could attach the log to the drawbar with the chain/cable, and lift it off the ground a bit (again, keeping the drawbar below the level of the rear axle). I could keep the drawbar in position either with my Zane Thang, or could adjust the limiter chains to the desired minimum height, and lower the lift (guarantees that the lift won't accidently raise the drawbar to above the axle). That's probably enough background... Thoughts?
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