Log turner idea - looking for feedback

[Ljohnsaw]

I have this for turning my logs.  I made a slight adjustment to get it to fit a little better than shown here.  It slides into various 2" ID square tube (horizontal) under the track.  With a block at the hook, I think it will work better, doubling my lift capacity.

 

It seems to work, but a bit of a pain to install, use, remove, cut, repeat as it is a bit heavy.  Making it swivel wouldn't help as my head extends about 2 feet on each side of the rail.

So, version 2 is in my head.  I'm thinking of using the rails to have a gantry-type hoist powered by a small winch (2,500 lb I just bought for $48 at HF).  Assuming I have enough rail (soon to be) to move it out of the way when cutting, any potential drawbacks that you can think of?  If you have a 2,000 lb square-ish cant on the bed, how much lifting force is really necessary to get it to roll and slide off the backstops?  I've been using my SkyTrak to roll the biguns and they come down on the bed with a pretty good Whomp!  Not sure if there is much you can do about that using a single hook.  Same thing happens with a cant hook.

[Kbeitz]

I had the same set up you have except I had it on a stand that the legs went under the mill. It was also long enough to swing out of the way when not in use. After I made a roof for my mill I have my unit on one of the post that holds the roof up. It sure beats the car jack that I started out with.

[Ljohnsaw]

Yes, I've seen your iterations.  Wish I could do the same.  My problem is I don't have a dedicated place for my mill and it won't be paved when I do - hence the track idea.  That and I just picked up some free metal that might work for this.  Just need to get some more wheels.

[Kbeitz]

Yes, I've seen your iterations.  Wish I could do the same.  My problem is I don't have a dedicated place for my mill and it won't be paved when I do - hence the track idea.  That and I just picked up some free metal that might work for this.  Just need to get some more wheels.

E-bay has some cheap track rollers...

[DYank]

John    Just wonder, could you hinge your turner so that it would fold down out of the way when not being used?

[kelLOGg]

Mine is 4.5" over a 4" post. It turns, slides in and out for travel and optimum pull point. It will lift the mill before it bends. (I bent the 1st version, so I overdid the 2nd one). 2500 lb Superwinch so far has rolled all the logs required of it. Over doing it is better.

Bob



 

[Ljohnsaw]

John    Just wonder, could you hinge your turner so that it would fold down out of the way when not being used?

I thought a little about hinging or turning but it would still be in the way - either on the walking side or the slab side.

E-bay has some cheap track rollers...

I have some 5" or so diameter wheels that sort of look like train wheels with the flange on one side.  They came off of a giant rolling file cabinet system.  Wish I could have salvaged more.  Two have bearings and two have keyed shaft holes.  I was thinking of turning them on my lathe to make a grove.  Then, I would replace them on my mill head with a chain/crank drive.  The larger diameter would be easier pushing, the crank might be easier than pushing and, someday, I could power it.  Then, the old 3½ cast pulleys that I'm using there would become my gantry wheels.

[bandmiller2]

John, if I was in your situation I would build a roof over my mill with a heavy beam and track for the winch, there you have it two birds one stone. Frank C.

[paul case]

I had one that was hinged to the mill. It worked well.



 

PC

[Ljohnsaw]

John, if I was in your situation I would build a roof over my mill with a heavy beam and track for the winch, there you have it two birds one stone. Frank C.

Ah, in a perfect world! ;D

In reality, I built my mill for the sole purpose to build my cabin.  My cabin is on the only flat-ish spot on the top of my property.  Once I get some gravel down, I will set it up in the set-back area so a cover is not an option.  My cabin has a concrete floor and an 8x8 door, a 4x8 door, and 10' ceiling height.  I could mill in there but ventilation would be an issue.  So, I'm working with what I got.

I had one that was hinged to the mill. It worked well.

 
PC

Paul, simple and effective - Nice!

[Kbeitz]

My latest...



 

[never finished]

 Another plus to the gantry-type turner is that you can use it to move beams to the end of the mill. Or possibly re position your log. If you have adjustable toe rollers this won't help much. 

[paul case]

I had one that was hinged to the mill. It worked well.

 
PC

Paul, simple and effective - Nice!

Not my Idea. I bought it though. That was on my ez boardwalk model 40. They get the kudos.
PC

[Ljohnsaw]

Another plus to the gantry-type turner is that you can use it to move beams to the end of the mill. Or possibly re position your log. If you have adjustable toe rollers this won't help much.

Yes, that is a plus I didn't think about.  I milled up a 8x12 x 15' post.  No rollers - SkyTrak snow-bound - what a pain to get that one off the mill!

[bandmiller2]

A four wheeled arch that rides on the mill ways with a winch on top will turn the trick. You may need to put an extension on your ways to get it out of the way. You won't have a cantilever and the arch is well supported. Frank C.