Trailer log arch first try

[Vautour]

 
log was 3feet in dia. x 6feet long... i double my cable and had no trouble piking this up with a 10,000 pd winch
 

[offrink]

I'm always worried that the lift arm is going to turn into a pretzel! What is the max weight rating?

[Brad_bb]

Just make sure the winch is solidly mounted...

[Walnut Beast]

Good call on doubling the pull. What's the size and wall thickness on that arch tubing. Looks a little lite

[Old Greenhorn]

Any chance of getting some detailed photos of this nice rig? I bet that log made a boom when it came over the top! :D
 I'd love to see a detailed photo of the arch pivot point and how you mounted it to the trailer. Nice job! I aspire to this.

[Sixacresand]

I'm always worried that the lift arm is going to turn into a pretzel! What is the max weight rating?

My concern is the potential hazard if arch is winched past vertical and come crashing down on the front of the trailer.  It should have some kind safety stop.     

[firefighter ontheside]

I would be careful doubling the cable with a 10,000 winch.  Now you are pulling with 20,000.  There is such a thing as too much pull.  In rope rescue we learn all about mechanical advantage, but then are warned against too much advantage.  You may crumple the arch if you your log gets hung up on something.  How are you controlling the fall back to the trailer?  I only ever hook to one end of the log, that way the friction of the other end of the log dragging on trailer helps to control descent.  You can also make some sort of stop or chain that limits how far back the arch can travel.  I also found that it was better for my arch to hang a chain hoist from it.  That way I can just lower the log to the trailer deck.

[charles mann]

I used 3" sq tubing 1/4" wall for my arch and its hoisted 6000+ lbs of log onto my gn. The only thing iv ran into is, the legs are to long and sway/bow when not lifting/skidding in a direct line with the winch. I can move 2 stake pockets rearward, cut off the excess and re-profile and weld back to my hinge point, which will still allow me to be extended past the rear of the trailer a little less than 4'. 
I use a 12,000 lb hf winch and double my line too, but i dont have enough cable, so i have to use chain to take up the extra length. 

As others have stated, pulling past the tipping point has been my worry, but it crashing down isnt a worry since the logs out weigh the arch weight. My concern is is not being able to push it back past center by myself. I think my arch weighs about 300 lbs, and i am about to manually lift it past tdc. So, i was carefully, use a wireless remote and stand off to the side, close to even with the arch pivot point and stop before reaching tdc, block up the log if need be, lower the arch and use 4" fence posts to support the arch while i re-rig my chain or choker. 

[Brad_bb]

If there's any twist in the arch, you might consider welding on gussets at the joints.

[Vautour]

 
i had made some outriggers on each side for my trailer ..just put pin and back up..
 

 the tubing is 1/4 inch and seemed sturdy enough but might add a 1'' square tubing along the inside if i see it requires it..one thing i did wrong was my chain was too short and the log was about two feet above the bed of the trailer and came crashing down after i passed tdc and came about 6 inches from my winch :D...i also added a adapter tubing with pulley which give my 13 feet height of clearance too lift anything i want like skinning big game or taking out motor out of cars etc(chains need to hold the arch for this application).. the possibility's are endless haha     
 

[Pepe_Silvia]

Getting that whole log up there like that is wild.  The top of my arch is about 5' off the bed and I'll lift one end of the log onto the trailer, then grab the back end of the log with a chain and lift it while the front end is sliding on the trailer.  This is my rig in action:  Loading Red Oak Log Using Log Loader Arch In Allen, TX - YouTube

I got a whole pecan log up in the air once, was probably about 8' x 2', and when it crashed forwards it broke through the decking and broke a cross member on the trailer.  I try not to do that.