Log Dolly

[brendonv]

I want to be able to pull out larger saw logs from yards with the mini. I boosted a pair of back tires and rims from a Craftsman mower out of my friends junk pile headed to the scrap yard.

I made this drawing up in my design program . Anyone build one, or have a better idear?

 

[SouthSoundTree]

How thick, long, and heavy are you aiming for?

 

[brendonv]

Light. I want to be able to lift the end of the long log with the mini, move it under to wherever I please, grab the other end with the grapple and drag it out.

 

[arborworks1]

I was planning on a single 3 inch wide channel for my log beam. With a trucker strap for securing the log welded to the beam. Haven't gotten around to finishing the project yet though. The golf cart front axle works extremely well FYI.

 

[thattreeguy]

look up butler box...they sell tree supplies...boxes, stakes, tape....nursery supplies, carts etc
, ive gotten several dollys for moving boxed trees, they work great and they have good clear pictures in the catalog,
i have 1 at home i could give you some specs off of, when im home next week

 

[lumberjack]

Post up a picture of the axle you're working with, please.

 

[brendonv]

It'll look something like this, carl.

 

[brendonv]

I think Paul has one, maybe he'll chime in.

I'm thinking a little different now, probably want the log sitting inside the width of the tires, to some extent for low COG. Pretty easy build really, was just wondering if anyone had one they made and like. Plus for the sake of conversation.

Here's a couple from the FF.

 

[sawinredneck]

I'd build a log arch before I built something like that! http://www.google.com/search?q=log+...SHYrt0gG_nsnIAw&ved=0CEIQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=653
If you plan on using the grapple on the mini for one end, just make an arch with the tires on the outside then have a winch or chain (you can pick that end up with the mini and attach it). Then one end is supported, grab and steer the other with the mini!

 

[Al Smith]

I'd probabley go with an arch also . You could get the rear spindles from something like Ford Escort and I imagine they would be heavy enough unless you had in mind hooking a 5 ton oak log or something huge . I have no doubt though that they could handle a ton .

 

[lumberjack]

Constructing an arch sucks way worse than what Brendon was talking about.

My bad, I read that you stole the axle, not just the tires and wheels. What kind of weight capacity and what width and I'll draw something up.

 

[arborworks1]

Save yourself the time go find a golf cart front axle. It will handle whatever you can throw at it.

 

[Al Smith]

Ye for a cart maybe ,not for an arch .

A little arch would be a piece of cake .They use like turf tires the size of a riding mower front and they will handle like 750 pounds .

 

[arborworks1]

What is the advantage to the Arch verses just using bogey wheels?

 

[Al Smith]

You could just pull the arch over the log ,pick it up and haul it where ever you wanted instead of having to horse it up on a dolly .

Actually the one I showed the picture of I think is rated more than 750 pounds .That was made by Future Forestry Products I think which I believe is under a different name now .

I played with that one a little at the Paul Bunyan show when it was in Cambridge Ohio and had no problem lifting that log and pulling it by my lonesome .It was actually made for arborsists to move small logs from an urban back yard .

Edited after thought : That compnay is now called Logrite .

 

[treesmith]

The one in the picture is rated up to 1000#. I still think they have their place, but since getting a mini, finishing the arch has taken a back seat. I wanted one big enough to actually pull a log down the highway a short distance if needed. I think Carl built it to handle up to 30" diameter......it's been so long now I can't remember.

 

[Al Smith]

I've got a project in mind myself but being kind of up to my butt in aligators it's on the back burner .If and when it will be the front axle of a ton and a half truck with 22 inch tires ..Got the axle ,steel,all that just need the time .

 

[Fiddler]

with an arch wouldn't one end of the log be dragging unless the tongue was secured to the log? If I'm reading Brendon's post correctly he wants to lift both ends of the log to be able to transport with a minimum of damage to the ground. Seems like the log dolly would be a better choice in this application if i'm picturing his intentions correctly.

 

[lumberjack]

If you're using the arch at the back end of the log, you strap the tongue down to the log on an arch. If you're supporting the tongue of the arch (making the log into a trailer of sorts with the tongue on the vehicle's hitch) you make it nose heavy and strap the log to it.

 

[Fiddler]

so the issue comes down to stability/center of gravity then...

 

[treesmith]

Like this......

 

[arborworks1]

Just saying!!

 

[lumberjack]

Hell the Gehl 340 would take carry those out no problem! You and your log dolly.

 

[arborworks1]

Actually the 50 inch wide path would have slowed you down a bit!! Unless you have the turbo boost option...

 

[lumberjack]

It's only 50.5" wide.