atv skidder trial

[bitternut]

Well, I finally got to try out the atv log skidder. We had about 2" of rain and then it went down to 20 deg Sat night so I decided to try it out Sunday morning muddy or not. I have to say that I am completely satisfied with its performance and right now the only thing I plan on doing to it is adding paint if it ever gets warm enough. With the regular highway tires and spindles it tows down the road like its not even there. I ran a little over 20# pressure and added sealer for the thorns. At 60mph it tows like a dream and does not skip or bounce. It did skip once on a set of railroad tracks, but the truck bounces on them too. When skidding I got up to 20mph with no problem but I think 10mph is plenty fast enough. What I did was drive next to the log, unhook skidder from atv and position it for the hook-up on the log. It handles real easy and then it was real simple to back up the atv and re-hook. Then just drive away. I could not get a picture of the log in the air because I was alone and every time I stopped the log would slide back down to the ground. Gee, I think it's supposed to do that. It even did it going uphill. It really worked great and I am sure it will handle some really large logs. It was quite slick in the woods and I actually had no problem at all even going up hill. Flat landers could handle some really big logs with it. If I get one that it won't handle I can still rely on my green and yellow 4-wheeler. As muddy as it was I hardly left any marks. It was way too soft for using the tractor, it would have left some pretty good sized ruts for sure. To be honest I am amazed at how well it performed. It exceeded my expectations. Now we will have to give it the test of time for durability. I will find out just how good my welds are.

[bitternut]

Getting it hooked up

[bitternut]

Close up of hook

[bitternut]

Ready to go

[bitternut]

Made it back to the barn

[Hobart Expert Rock]

BITTERNUT..............AH A JOB WELL DONE AND IT WORKS ALSO..........WAS THAT A PIECE OF HICKORY YOU CUT THERE?... I BURNED SOME HICKORY LAST NIGHT GOT DOWN TO 27 DEGREES HERE LAST NIGHT..............BURRRRRRRRRRRRRR,,,,,,,,...ROCK ...
[email protected]

[Arbo]

Bitternt,

Pure genious! I was having trouble visualizing how it would work, but I got it now. If you don't have a patent, I will probably "hijack" that Idea in the future. Thanks!

[bitternut]

Thanks for the compliment Rock, you not only know your welding you also know your wood. You win the cigar, its Bitternut Hickory actually. Got lots of it in my woods. Sure makes great firewood. Sure wish I could stop burning it for a while you know......like think Spring.

[Scott V]

Bitternut,how do you get the tree-sitters out of the tree to cut it down? The atv setup for that is pretty neat.You can get right up to the trees pretty good.

[Guest]

Great design and workmanship! It's nice to build something and have it work for you so, that you don't have to.

I keep seeing that white stuff on the ground in some of guys pictures....what is that? It's been 80 degrees here today

[cope]

Originally posted by Scott V
Bitternut,how do you get the tree-sitters out of the tree to cut it down? The atv setup for that is pretty neat.You can get right up to the trees pretty good.

Scott, trees burn better with bunny huggers in them.

[bitternut]

Actually guys I looked around at pictures of different ones on the market and also adapted some ideas from some Amish loggers that were skidding with horses close by my house this winter. I kind of figured the incline plane was the best way to do the lifting and the grab hook on a choker chain was the simplest and cheapest way of hanging on to the log. My wife came up with the idea of storing it by standing it up on its back end with the tongue sticking up. Takes up a lot less space that way.

As for the tree huggers we usually use a 12 ga or just leave them in it and give em a real thrill ride. They don't seem to mind the ride, just the sudden stop. Just kidding of course. Actually never seen a tree hugger in my woods. I think they are a Left
Coast species mainly.

To answer Rocky D about that white stuff here is a picture I took today of some of the wildlife hiding out under my truck. Not to worry though as soon as the Santa Anna Winds start it will all turn to water.

[cope]

bitternut, where in western NY?

[Scott V]

RockyD,keep posting the weather down there,and maybe a few people will get home sick.

Also bitternut,don't post your weather anymore,because the mayor here is from New York,and she will never leave if she sees you posts.

[bitternut]

Cope

I am located just down the NYS thruway from the national champs Syracuse. Actually about 80 feet off of Lake Ontario in zip code 14012. My woods are about 100 miles South near the NY PA border.

Scott V

I thought she was from LA.