Hello all,

I frequently have to role or carry several tons of wood across rough
terrain to get to a trailer, without the use of any machines. Generally
from a few trees that I have cut up into 2 foot sections. I usually
roll the larger logs, or pick them up and carry them if they are not
too big.

I was thinking about turning each into a wheel of sorts, maybe by
hammering in a 6-inch nail in the middle of each end and pulling it
with a doubled-over tow strap. Or is there something made for this
purpose? Problem would be getting the nails out efficiently and
re-using them.

The bigger logs are 2+ feet in diameter and weigh several hundred
pounds. And I can't get my splitter near to them generally.

Thanks for any tips,

Dean

dean wrote:
Hello all,

I frequently have to role or carry several tons of wood across rough
terrain to get to a trailer, without the use of any machines. Generally
from a few trees that I have cut up into 2 foot sections. I usually
roll the larger logs, or pick them up and carry them if they are not
too big.

I was thinking about turning each into a wheel of sorts, maybe by
hammering in a 6-inch nail in the middle of each end and pulling it
with a doubled-over tow strap. Or is there something made for this
purpose? Problem would be getting the nails out efficiently and
re-using them.

The bigger logs are 2+ feet in diameter and weigh several hundred
pounds. And I can't get my splitter near to them generally.

Thanks for any tips,

Dean

I'm not sure where you live or the climate but where I live we cut the
majority of our wood in the winter months. Thus using sleds / skidoos
and taking advantage of frozen lakes.

Sounds like you might need something like this:

http://www.cartsvermont.com/product-enlarge.html?Id=639

Not sure how rough the terrain is, but a large-wheeled cart might be
just the thing.

Okay, if Mohammed won't go to the mountain ... :')

I'd consider taking the splitter to the wood, assuming it's got wheels.
Then, splitting the wood to manageable pieces, and stacking it there
for initial seasoning/drying.

Many hardwoods (you don't specify which species) are close to 50%
moisture on the stump. Good idea to not pop a disc hauling water.

Depending on your specifics, a cable hoist might work.

J

Make your own cant hook

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/pr...ge.asp?mi=1489

If you make the arm holding the hook hinged, you can grab a large log
with it, and still be able to grab smaller logs.

Dave

These logs are 2 feet across, and white oak is extremely dense. I
really need to roll them, rather than lift them.

On 15 Nov 2005 10:38:13 -0800, "dean" wrote:

These logs are 2 feet across, and white oak is extremely dense. I
really need to roll them, rather than lift them.


Split them in place, with hand tools, use a winch, or block
and tackle, possibly in conjunction with a sledge,
or find someone with an ox team. Are you
trying not to tear up the ground, or are you just not
able to get heave equipment in?

If you're not worried about tearing up the forest floor,
then the easiest, if somewhat tedious method, is to
hook a block and tackle between a tree you CAN drive to,
and the log(s) in question, and tie the loose end to your
truck. It will help a little to put the fixed block
as high in the tree as you can, without risking pulling
it over.

Of course, unless you find a better source than
I've been able to, you'll probably be able to
buy an electric winch as cheaply as a decent
Block & Tackle set.

The hook grabs them, and then you use the long handle to roll it,
albeit a little at a time.

D

Split them in place, with hand tools, use a winch, or block
and tackle, possibly in conjunction with a sledge,
or find someone with an ox team. Are you
trying not to tear up the ground, or are you just not
able to get heave equipment in?

Too much to split there and then, by hand. Cannot get splitter close
enough.


If you're not worried about tearing up the forest floor,
then the easiest, if somewhat tedious method, is to
hook a block and tackle between a tree you CAN drive to,
and the log(s) in question, and tie the loose end to your
truck. It will help a little to put the fixed block
as high in the tree as you can, without risking pulling
it over.

Its too far from the vehicle. I can get maybe 500 feet away. I have a
winch and a 100' cable, and a couple of 100' extensions, but its slow
to get all that out and use.

If the worst comes to worst, I have to roll the damn things by hand (or
foot).
I do like the cart idea, except that it would have to be stronger than
that one IMHO. Maybe I can make one that's got trailer wheels and more
clearance. Sounds heavy even by itself though!

-Dean

"dean" wrote in message
ups.com...
Split them in place, with hand tools, use a winch, or block
and tackle, possibly in conjunction with a sledge,
or find someone with an ox team. Are you
trying not to tear up the ground, or are you just not
able to get heave equipment in?

Too much to split there and then, by hand. Cannot get splitter close
enough.


If you're not worried about tearing up the forest floor,
then the easiest, if somewhat tedious method, is to
hook a block and tackle between a tree you CAN drive to,
and the log(s) in question, and tie the loose end to your
truck. It will help a little to put the fixed block
as high in the tree as you can, without risking pulling
it over.

Its too far from the vehicle. I can get maybe 500 feet away. I have a
winch and a 100' cable, and a couple of 100' extensions, but its slow
to get all that out and use.

If the worst comes to worst, I have to roll the damn things by hand (or
foot).
I do like the cart idea, except that it would have to be stronger than
that one IMHO. Maybe I can make one that's got trailer wheels and more
clearance. Sounds heavy even by itself though!

-Dean


i was just reading in a recent national geographic about the use of
elephants in thailand for logging. perhaps you can find one. they make dandy
pets, although they need a rather large kitty litter box.

lol

regards,
charlie
http://glassartists.org/chaniarts

"dean" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello all,

I frequently have to role or carry several tons of wood
across rough
terrain to get to a trailer, without the use of any
machines. Generally
from a few trees that I have cut up into 2 foot sections.
I usually
roll the larger logs, or pick them up and carry them if
they are not
too big.

I was thinking about turning each into a wheel of sorts,
maybe by
hammering in a 6-inch nail in the middle of each end and
pulling it
with a doubled-over tow strap. Or is there something made
for this
purpose? Problem would be getting the nails out
efficiently and
re-using them.

The bigger logs are 2+ feet in diameter and weigh several
hundred
pounds. And I can't get my splitter near to them
generally.

Thanks for any tips,

Have you tried a wheelbarrow or appliance cart? With the
appliance cart, I just set the handle on the bumper and
slide the rounds up into my van.

You could make a re-usable handle for this. Make a big "U"
with a threaded "axle" on each tip of the "U". Make 2 axles
out of threaded rod, tapered to a point on the inside end of
the U and with a handle welded on the outside end. Position
the points on either side of the center of the round,
tighten them into the wood.
grab the center of the "U", or a handle welded onto it, and
drag it behind you.

Bob

If the worst comes to worst, I have to roll the damn things by hand (or
foot).
I do like the cart idea, except that it would have to be stronger than
that one IMHO. Maybe I can make one that's got trailer wheels and more
clearance. Sounds heavy even by itself though!


This is a good way to get seriously hurt. If moving the first one
is an effort, then moving a lot of them will make you tired and
stupid. If you can get the logs out, you can get the splitter in.
you only have to make THAT round trip once, after all.


-Dean

your not giving enough info about the terrain. If it's for firewood,
and there is a lot in there for long term use you would be wise to
start a decent trail and get youself an atv or borrow a horse or in my
earlier post - wait for winter and use skidoos and sleds. If you can't
do that then you should either split it at the cuttting site (and let
the suckers dry out) or find another place to get your wood - you are
gonna have a heart attack. I have 21 acres of old growth forest land
and the terrain sucks. There is a lifetime of firewood, posts etc for
me there. I just widen the boundry line that runs parrallel(sp) to the
property as I go to allow a skidoo (winter) and atv(summer) to get it
out. The time it takes to make the drivable path is well worth it.

Now that's not a bad idea Bob, not a bad idea at all. I think I could
weld that up too.

Thanks,

Dean

I frequently have to roll or carry several tons of wood across rough
terrain to get to a trailer, without the use of any machines. Generally
from a few trees that I have cut up into 2 foot sections.
The bigger logs are 2+ feet in diameter and weigh several hundred
pounds. And I can't get my splitter near to them generally.

Options...

1. Cut the wood into smaller pieces you can manage easily, using a
wheelbarrow or whatever.

2. Split the wood on location. Use an axe if you can't get a power
splitter to the site.

3. Wrap a chain or nylon strap around each log and drag it out with a
pickup truck.

4. Rent a Bobcat or other tractor with a bucket. Scoop up the log(s) and
take them where you need them (I moved several big logs earlier this year
with a Bobcat. It works great).

5. If this is a repetitive task, buy a tractor or an ATV that can lift or
drag the logs out.

Anthony

"dean" wrote in message
oups.com...
Now that's not a bad idea Bob, not a bad idea at all. I
think I could
weld that up too.

Give it a try, and let me know how it works out.

Bob

dean wrote:

Its too far from the vehicle. I can get maybe 500 feet away. I have a
winch and a 100' cable, and a couple of 100' extensions, but its slow
to get all that out and use.

Loggers have cables maybe two miles long.

Hook five 100' cables together.
Hook log to end of cable.
Unspool winch to closest (to vehicle) junction.
Reel in 100' of the 500' cable.
Unhook from winch, move to next 100' junction.
Repeat until log close to vehicle.

Post back on how to get 300# log into back of truck.

Yeah, continuing on with that process....

Go home at 3 am having only finished 20% of the logs.