Moving large logs

Tom Levens · March 26, 2014, 09:05:59 PM

Need to get a 3' X 40' white oak log on a trailer. Anyone have any ideas and or picture suggestions?

Dave Shepard · March 26, 2014, 09:13:22 PM

This is a 47' white pine. A lot lighter than your white oak. I'd say either a big loader or a big crane.

Tom Levens · March 26, 2014, 09:18:23 PM

I'm needing to load a trailer and was thinking something like this might work if I could back the trailer under or the log over?

OFFSITE PHOTOS NOT ALLOWED. PHOTOS MUST BE IN YOUR FORESTRY FORUM ALBUM

thenorthman · March 26, 2014, 09:29:24 PM

Oak is heavy, very heavy...

I would cut it in two 20' lengths then parbuckle it on, run a cable under and back over to a strong winch, roll it over the side with a couple of ramps.

Trying to lift something that big your going to need equipment, some home built arch may do ya, but keep in mind your talking about a log the weighs in around 10000 pounds (yes thats 4 zeros), maybe more.

And dead lifting with anything is way more difficult than rolling it.

NWP · March 26, 2014, 09:49:31 PM

According to the FF toolbox, that log would weigh around 18,000 lbs

thenorthman · March 26, 2014, 09:54:21 PM

Thats cause 3 feet is 36 inches... not 30 huh... dought...

NWP · March 26, 2014, 10:02:04 PM

We need some pictures of said red oak log.

Tom Levens · March 26, 2014, 10:05:17 PM

yes at 40 feet 36" about 18,549 pounds 75% moisture. Cut it down to 27 feet and we are at 12,521. I'm thinking about a homemade hoist and back the trailer under.

Any thoughts about cutting such a heavy piece on a Wood-mizer LT-50.

Birchwood Logging · March 26, 2014, 10:16:37 PM

That's a big white oak do you got a pic
sell that big boy to a veneer buyer 8)

scsmith42 · March 26, 2014, 10:46:27 PM

Tom, I have loaded many logs that size (27') onto a 37' flatbed trailer by par buckling with an electric winch. Search the archives here for more info on the process.

Kemper · March 26, 2014, 11:41:28 PM

Can you lift on end and push from the other end with a skidder or dozer? I've done this with logs I couldn't lift high enough to get over the bunks.

Quote from: Tom Levens on March 26, 2014, 09:05:59 PM
Need to get a 3' X 40' white oak log on a trailer. Anyone have any ideas and or picture suggestions?

Southside · March 26, 2014, 11:51:14 PM

Do you have access to two grapple skidders? Assuming you have a flat bed trailer, put one toward each end then back under it, then slowly twirl it onto the trailer with the two skidders. I have done this before with very large, custom logs.

Tom Levens · March 26, 2014, 11:57:52 PM

I will get a pic posted soon. We cut the tree down yesterday. Now we need to get it out to the farm. I'm in Dallas, TX. Would be willing to sell it.

Tom Levens · March 26, 2014, 11:59:39 PM

We tried to lift one end and it did not budge. I think parbuckeling is an option. This is one monster!

Neilo · March 27, 2014, 12:07:21 AM

It depends what gear you have. If you can't lift it or move to landing, build road to log, build ramp between log and road, take the pins out of one side of the trailer and role the log up the ramp and onto the trailer.

Lots of ideas here:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/245141302301419/

Neilo

Ianab · March 27, 2014, 01:43:41 AM

Have access to a small bulldozer?

A common trick from the old days was to dig a trench and drive the truck or trailer into that, so it's deck was level with the ground. Then use the dozer to roll the log onto the deck. Last step was to haul the truck out of the hole, again with the dozer.

Here they are dragging the truck out of the trench.

Yes, that's one log.

Of course only practical if you happen to have a dozer handy, but it might be an option?

Ian

luvmexfood · March 27, 2014, 07:29:26 AM

If your willing to sell it why not check with a local mill and see if you buck it down to the lengths they want if they will come and get it.

treeslayer2003 · March 27, 2014, 08:31:22 AM

what do you normally load with?

FeltzE · March 27, 2014, 09:45:14 AM

Blocks to support the ramps, and parbuckle it at both ends. No problems!

Hope you have it sold at that length or your making a lot of effort for nothing.

Dave Shepard · March 27, 2014, 10:37:55 AM

Are you trying to cut a 40' timber, or can you cut it down in length? It will become vastly more manageable if you can cut it into about four pieces. I think the butt log on a white oak that is three feet on the small end is going to be huge. If I was cutting it into boards, I would quarter it with a chainsaw, and make a lot of quartersawn lumber on the LT50. 8)

luvmexfood · March 27, 2014, 06:02:32 PM

Quote from: Ianab on March 27, 2014, 01:43:41 AM
Have access to a small bulldozer?

A common trick from the old days was to dig a trench and drive the truck or trailer into that, so it's deck was level with the ground. Then use the dozer to roll the log onto the deck. Last step was to haul the truck out of the hole, again with the dozer.

Here they are dragging the truck out of the trench.

Yes, that's one log.

Of course only practical if you happen to have a dozer handy, but it might be an option?

Ian

Wouldn't you love to know just exactly how old that big log is?

Tom Levens · March 28, 2014, 04:14:53 PM

Right now I am looking to make some timbers to build a barn. I will also need to make some lumber.

I appreciate all of the feedback and am looking into having a custom log lifter made that can be towed behind a truck.

Tom Levens · August 14, 2014, 07:14:53 PM

Thanks again for all of the feedback. I had a custom log lift made. The Lift is run by the winch on my truck and we were able to lift the 3 logs onto the trailer with few problems. I have tried to post the pictures from my phone but they will not transfer. Sorry I hope to get them posted sometime soon.