New ARCH build underway

Radar67 · April 08, 2009, 07:07:10 PM

After cutting a big tree recently, I realized that I had been putting off building something I really needed. I used my tractor to drag some logs out of a wet area and the mud is caked on the logs. I'll have to wash or debark before I can cut them.

I've had the metal for the project laying in the yard for over two years, so yesterday I decided to get started on my logging arch. It is being designed for 30 inch diameter logs, 12 foot long. This is the most common length I cut on my current mill.

So here is the picture of the first part of the build. It is made of 2 inch square, 1/4 inch thick tube. I have about 5 hours in it so far.

twobears · April 08, 2009, 08:34:24 PM

danG:i was hoping you where building a debarker.. ;D i,de really like to have a stand alone debarker at my mill..but,i can,t afford to buy one.i could build one if i had a good set of plans tho.

delbert

fishpharmer · April 08, 2009, 11:59:09 PM

Radar, nice fit and finish. You put alot of work in that already. Looks great to me. What kind of axles are you gonna use?

Radar67 · April 09, 2009, 12:02:34 AM

I plan to use a 3500 pound hub and stub axle for trailers.

fishpharmer · April 09, 2009, 12:34:27 AM

Nice.

Chico · April 09, 2009, 02:43:17 AM

8) 8) 8)

Don K · April 09, 2009, 06:22:28 AM

When you get it built and tested, I wanna copy your design.

Don

bedway · April 09, 2009, 10:14:58 AM

Looking good, ill be following your progress. bedway

Radar67 · April 09, 2009, 10:29:41 AM

Quote from: Don K on April 09, 2009, 06:22:28 AM
I wanna copy your design.

It will be fairly simple, add the long top rail, drop it to a hitch, add a couple of hooks, rig up my honker tongs, and maybe add a winch. May take all summer though.

bedway · April 09, 2009, 11:30:25 AM

Aint no hurry here, im retarded,,,i mean retired :D

olyman · April 10, 2009, 08:49:54 PM

It will be fairly simple, add the long top rail, drop it to a hitch, add a couple of hooks, rig up my honker tongs, and maybe add a winch. May take all summer though.

[/quote] a 30 inch dia log, thats still 30 inches at the other end of 12 foot. If its pin oak--it weighs 3830 lbs. That being said,will the 2x2 1/4 wall be strong enough?? As you lift it--yes. But as you start moving, that may want to splay on ya.

Radar67 · April 10, 2009, 08:59:14 PM

olyman, you haven't been down here in the south much, have you?

The 30 inch logs are few and far between. My most common size will be 12 to 20 inches. ;D

With that said, the professional versions are not using much different material than I am using. I do plan to brace it up at key points. ;) And if it does splay, I have a welder and a cutting torch to fix it with.

tonto · April 11, 2009, 12:35:40 PM

This looks like something that I have been kicking around building for my atv. I am undecided weather to build or buy a logrite. I will be following your progress, good luck. Tonto.

John Mc · April 12, 2009, 11:12:00 AM

If you're looking at an ATV arch, I'm wondering what you think of the arches that don't have a winch to lift the log, they have a pole that runs diagonally from near the tow hitch up front, up to the top of the arch. The log choker rides on this pole. The idea is that you lift the log as you start pulling the arch.

What I like about this concept is that if you're towing down hill, and the log tries to run ahead, it will slide back down the sloped pole until the log hits the ground, providing some breaking. This seems as though it would make sense for an ATV, which doesn't have the breaks (or the weight) to stop a log.

I've never used one of this design. I'm wondering how well it works. My brother-in-law is planning to build an arch to tow behind his Coot (a 1960's era amphibious ATV).

John

tonto · April 12, 2009, 12:18:07 PM

Yeah John Mc, I remember seeing one on the forum that I think Ironwood built that was this design, it looks pretty practical and fairly easy to build. When I get time I will do a search in the archives. Tonto.

nas · April 12, 2009, 01:54:14 PM

I know the Norwood arch works like that, seems like a pretty good design.

Nick

olyman · April 12, 2009, 05:34:44 PM

Quote from: Radar67 on April 10, 2009, 08:59:14 PM
olyman, you haven't been down here in the south much, have you? The 30 inch logs are few and far between. My most common size will be 12 to 20 inches. ;D

With that said, the professional versions are not using much different material than I am using. I do plan to brace it up at key points. ;) And if it does splay, I have a welder and a cutting torch to fix it with.

you said for 30 inch logs, as i assumed thats a lot of what youd be hauling. also,if you use a boat winch like suggested to lift the logs up, once you have them up, you could have a crossbrace on the bottom of the arch--to hold the arch together.about the same size tubing as your using for the arch.

Radar67 · April 12, 2009, 06:53:27 PM

I did say I designed it for a 30 inch log, I run across some logs in the 25 to 26 inch range, and I have seen some bigger, but not on my property. I'll mainly be using this to move stuff on my land and around the mill, so no highway or public road use. I'll hook it to my tractor to keep logs out of the mud.

Onthesauk · April 12, 2009, 08:58:57 PM

John Mc

I've got a picture in my gallery of an arch like you're describing. Haven't gotten around to using it yet, still sitting down in the woodshed. Home built one that I bought some time ago.

Slingshot · April 15, 2009, 12:23:30 PM

Thought I would come in here for my first post and show some pictures of my log arch that seems to be somewhat like the one Radar is building. It measures 32 inches rear opening and top beam is 36 inches from ground, works really well. Got into sawmilling for myself this past winter after buying a used Norwood that this arch came with. Sold the mill and bought a new Norwood 2000 that is ready to mill soon as the weather is a little better here in Kentucky. Nice days come and go. I live near Elizabethtown, semi-retired (painter, paperhanger, carpenter)

pasbuild · April 15, 2009, 05:16:30 PM

First post WITH pictures

I'm impressed

Quebecnewf · April 16, 2009, 05:57:38 AM

i to had one of these built. Use it to haul logs onto the rack for sawing. I must say it works great and saves me a lot of work. I believe there are a few pics in my gallery of the unit. Waiting for the snow to melt so I can get back into the sawing game. Went in on good friday and shoveled out the mill. We had a monster snowstorm on easter sunday and had to shovel it all out again . We are still snowmobiling here and the sea ice is still frozen crossing to the mainland. We measured it yesterday and still 2 feet thick. Spring is slow to arrive this year.

Quebecnewf

Radar67 · February 25, 2010, 09:04:34 PM

I've been a bum with this build. ;) I got back on it a few days ago. I'll have to update my pictures now that the stub axles, top bar, and some gullets are in place. I should have it ready before I head off to school in early March.