Log arch build finally complete Video added )

Busy Beaver Lumber · October 27, 2014, 06:53:32 PM

That is one heck of a fancy log arch. Mrs. Beaver says I need one like that to save what is left of my back. When you build the 36 inch one I call dibs on the 24 inch one when it goes up for sale. Will even go out and buy john deere tractor to match it.

If God would have contacted 21incher and instructed him to build an ark, the animals would have sailed to safety in a top notch pimped out ocean liner instead of a rather unattractive, single colored wood dingy :D

21incher · October 27, 2014, 07:16:40 PM

Quote from: Busy Beaver Lumber on October 27, 2014, 06:53:32 PM
That is one heck of a fancy log arch. Mrs. Beaver says I need one like that to save what is left of my back. When you build the 36 inch one I call dibs on the 24 inch one when it goes up for sale. Will even go out and buy john deere tractor to match it.

If God would have contacted 21incher and instructed him to build an ark, the animals would have sailed to safety in a top notch pimped out ocean liner instead of a rather unattractive, single colored wood dingy :D

Thanks Busy Beaver. It is nice not having to struggle with cranks and chains. I realized today I have to automate the front lift arms so I don't have to bend over and turn them in. Then I will be able to remain in the tractor seat during the lift. If anything should happen to me I am sure my wife would sell it to you for the $100.00 I told her it cost. I think the 36 inch one is going on the backburner as I want to build a small CNC router next.

Quote from: woodworker9 on October 27, 2014, 06:33:44 PM
Truly a great fabrication job. It sure seems to work great. Very nice job all the way around.

Thanks woodworker9. It was a fun design and build project.

Magicman · October 27, 2014, 07:29:01 PM

I am in awe my Friend. Congrats on a very innovative and successful build.

mad murdock · October 27, 2014, 08:53:13 PM

That is neater than sliced bread!!!!!

Bill Gaiche · October 27, 2014, 09:48:11 PM

Thats one nice build. You should be proud to have the knowledge to build a master piece. bg

Ljohnsaw · October 27, 2014, 11:20:25 PM

Quote from: 21incher on October 27, 2014, 07:16:40 PM

<<Snip>>

Thanks Busy Beaver. It is nice not having to struggle with cranks and chains. I realized today I have to automate the front lift arms so I don't have to bend over and turn them in. Then I will be able to remain in the tractor seat during the lift.
<<snip>>

Hind sight is 20/20... :-\ What if the front lift was just like the rear lift? Drop it on the log, hits the release bars so it closes and you lift. No muss, no fuss.

drobertson · October 28, 2014, 06:36:04 AM

Pretty darn slick man, nice job,, nice,,

Chuck White · October 28, 2014, 08:23:10 AM

That's about a fancy arch as one could ever find.

Well done.

21incher · October 28, 2014, 08:42:34 AM

Thanks everyone

Quote from: ljohnsaw on October 27, 2014, 11:20:25 PM
Quote from: 21incher on October 27, 2014, 07:16:40 PM

<<Snip>>

Thanks Busy Beaver. It is nice not having to struggle with cranks and chains. I realized today I have to automate the front lift arms so I don't have to bend over and turn them in. Then I will be able to remain in the tractor seat during the lift.
<<snip>>

Hind sight is 20/20... :-\ What if the front lift was just like the rear lift? Drop it on the log, hits the release bars so it closes and you lift. No muss, no fuss.

Originally I bought 2 torsion springs and was going to have a lever that tripped them when the front lift hit the ground, but when I mocked it up it seemed dangerous as the arms swung in quite violently so I changed it and now realize I should have put more thought into the solution. Luckily it still functions great with a little bending and I have a couple of ideas to try this winter. My sketches for a 36" one are exactly as you describe with 2 claws for the lift, but that one will weigh close to 1000 lbs. empty and have mechanical locks on the claws.

Wisconsintimber · October 28, 2014, 01:47:16 PM

Wowzers that is slick!

21incher · April 30, 2015, 08:33:27 AM

Well put it to work today. Some paint is missing and it is covered with mud but it easily got the job done. Have to drag out the mill and get busy milling some ash into paneling, and walnut for a dining room table. Wound up using the Kubota to pull it because it is lighter and does not sink into the mud like the Deere

justallan1 · April 30, 2015, 11:14:36 AM

Great job. I can sure appreciate the idea of minimal physical involvement on the operators part. Can you grab one end of a log with it to drag it to an open area if it's in a tight spot and then pick it up?

Haggis · April 30, 2015, 02:09:15 PM

Wow extremely cool build. I am thinking I will need one of these types of devices but definitely don't have the shop to manufacture one of these. Not sure what to do.

beenthere · April 30, 2015, 03:08:15 PM

Sponsor LogRite makes some models that do the job of transporting logs very well... just sayin.

21incher · April 30, 2015, 07:08:54 PM

Quote from: justallan1 on April 30, 2015, 11:14:36 AM
Great job. I can sure appreciate the idea of minimal physical involvement on the operators part. Can you grab one end of a log with it to drag it to an open area if it's in a tight spot and then pick it up?

I had to do just that with 1 of the logs where the wheels would not fit between a couple of stumps, but I didn't want to pull on the claw so I lifted the end of the log with the claw, then wrapped a chain around it and hooked the chain into the anchor slots. I then let the claw down to tighten the chain around the log and pulled it forward with no problem and then was able to load the log normally after dropping it back on the ground. So it looks like it will be able to skid long logs also in a pinch.

Kbeitz · May 02, 2015, 03:07:03 AM

Quote from: 21incher on August 23, 2014, 11:42:15 AM
I would like to add a warning to anyone using one of the low cost Chinese winches on anything. Add a disconnect between the battery and control box as they can turn themselves on.
I went out in my shop this morning and found this
The claw laying on the ground
and the winch cable snapped with a dead battery. It seems that the winch turned itself on stuck in the retract position and snapped the cable (which is to light for the winch), Then continued to run until the battery died. No one has been in the shop the past 3 days and that is when it happened. We had some terrible lightening storms during that period and I am wondering if that may have triggered the remote control circuit. I will now be adding a disconnect to the winch control box power wire as I don't trust it any more and a heavier cable. I charged the battery some and the winch remote functioned properly. This proves that you get what you pay for.

That was just the chipmunk playing with the remote...

Kbeitz · May 13, 2015, 05:52:14 AM

My next project to build after my mill will be a log arch.
Being that most of my logs will be coming off a steep hillside I want to make the tongue of the arch
so that it slided in as I brake the tractor. As the tongue slides it will activate brakes on the arch.
It will also have a latch to stop the slide so I can back up with out it brakeing...

Chuck White · May 13, 2015, 07:34:21 AM

Quote from: Kbeitz on May 13, 2015, 05:52:14 AM
My next project to build after my mill will be a log arch.
Being that most of my logs will be coming off a steep hillside I want to make the tongue of the arch so that it slided in as I brake the tractor. As the tongue slides it will activate brakes on the arch.
It will also have a latch to stop the slide so I can back up with out it brakeing...

Surge Brakes, good idea, especially in your type of logging terrain!

21incher · May 13, 2015, 07:35:06 AM

Quote from: Kbeitz on May 13, 2015, 05:52:14 AM
My next project to build after my mill will be a log arch.
Being that most of my logs will be coming off a steep hillside I want to make the tongue of the arch
so that it slided in as I brake the tractor. As the tongue slides it will activate brakes on the arch.
It will also have a latch to stop the slide so I can back up with out it brakeing...

I think using stub axles with brake flanges and electric brakes would be the easiest solution. Just get a old brake controller and mount it on the tow vehicle and manually control it. Moving parts and mud can cause problems. I found my biggest problem came going up a muddy hill when the three driving wheels of my tractor lost traction and everything slid backwards out of control close to 100 feet before being able to stop it.
The arch is in the latest issue of Farm Show Magazine that I received yesterday.

Don_Papenburg · May 13, 2015, 11:37:43 PM

I saw it !

bandmiller2 · May 14, 2015, 07:41:17 AM

DanG thing is too pretty to use, good work mate. Frank C.

thecfarm · November 27, 2016, 09:43:11 AM

21incher mentioned this in another arch thread. I had forgot about the fine job he did.

21incher · November 27, 2016, 07:22:14 PM

Thanks the cfarm. I try to push the idea of how nice it is to have something in the front of a small arch to fix the front of a log to. I think it makes a big difference to keep the log centered and be able to maintain the center of gravity on a side hill. Plus it can take some of the stress off a lighter weight frame.

BLink · November 13, 2017, 04:57:48 PM

This looks really handy!
I work with an urban logger from time to time and he needs something like this on a larger scale to load logs onto his trailer.
Have you seen any bigger models like this?

21incher · November 13, 2017, 06:28:47 PM

Quote from: BLink on November 13, 2017, 04:57:48 PM
This looks really handy!
I work with an urban logger from time to time and he needs something like this on a larger scale to load logs onto his trailer.
Have you seen any bigger models like this?

You will have to design and build it for something similar. Check out logrite, they have some nice arches. Here is a more recent video.
https://youtu.be/VK4rDL4w5xU