Any good "log tongs"

[wisconsitom]

Hey all, I'm thinning in a larch plantation.  Stems being removed are typically only ten inches or so at the butt, but are being left long.  These skinny logs are heavy!  Larch is dense stuff.

Got a Fiskars hand-held log tongs to help me position these sticks for a good winching route out of the blocks, but item had to be sent back to it's maker.  Hinge where jaws pivot is not loose, so jaws don't close around piece.

Anyone know of a good one?  I don't think a picaroon or pulp hook would work well in this case.

[teakwood]

I have a pair of them, i have them since 15years and we use them a lot. they still perfect. a quality product for cheap money

Hand Lifting Timber Tong | Husqvarna US

[wisconsitom]

Thanks teak.  That's the other one I was looking at....and should have got.

[Walnut Beast]

Find or look for some old railroad tie moving tongs. That's the best! I've got a couple pair. But I just looked and there are a few several on EBay under Railroad tie tongs
 Hands down the best for moving logs by hand!!

[kelLOGg]

I bought a pair from Amazon and rather than return them I repaired them and now they work great. They open to 24" so they are too small for many sawyers. As received they wouldn't open enough to descend onto a log. I welded a "stop" to prevent full closure so sometimes I don't even have to get off the tractor. In my review of them I said. "Don't by these unless you can weld".



 

[Jeff]

Sponsor Logrite tools has tongs

[Magicman]

Skidding Tongs

[wisconsitom]

Thanks all. I just need the kind with hand grip.  Got the Norse for tugging.

Ordered the Husqvarna version earlier.  See if they work, lol.

[Magicman]

I have these:  Hand Log Tongs

[wisconsitom]

It was odd to pick up a pair and have it not work!   Yeah those WM look decent.

It's just gotta dangle freely-then it'll work.  Those first ones I got were stiff.

[teakwood]

Thanks teak.  That's the other one I was looking at....and should have got.

Be sure you get the big ones form Husqvarna, i think they are 12". i have a small one too, 8" and it's useless unless you do only small branches. it's collecting dust since 15years 

[John Mc]

Be sure you get the big ones form Husqvarna, i think they are 12". i have a small one too, 8" and it's useless unless you do only small branches. it's collecting dust since 15years

I'm on the other side of this coin from Teakwood. I have a two of the 8" Husqvarna tongs (The smaller size) and really like them. They're handy for picking up rounds of firewood to load on the splitter or shifting the end of a longer log. Even though they only open to 8", I regularly pick up 12" diameter logs with them. I don't think I'd want to be moving much bigger logs by hand. The tongs ride on the belt of my chaps in a Husqvarna Multi-Purpose Holster. (I was always losing them before I got the holster.)

I tried the larger model where the jaws open to 12", but didn't keep them. I knew I would be too tempted to be shuffling around larger logs and risking seriously aggravating an old wrestling injury.

Whichever way you end up going, these Husqvarna tongs work very well.

[bigblockyeti]

Do any of these hand hooks have weight ratings?  I bent the heck out of a pair of Fiskars I had and they were replaced but working within their limitation, they're really only good for smaller firewood rounds, not so much for 200lb (or more) logs.  I wish I could get something more like skidding tongs but with a single handle to grab.

[Magicman]

not so much for 200lb (or more) logs.

??  So you are picking up 200lb logs with hand tongs?     

You will never reach/exceed any weight limit with the Wood-Mizer hand tongs that I linked in Reply #8 above.

[John Mc]

I've never seen a weight rating on any hand tongs. The 8" Husqvarna tongs are intended mainly for one-handed operation, though I do occasionally "double up" and use both hands. I've owned a set for something like 15 years and never been able to damage them with any of my use, despite "giving it all I've got" on a number of occasions. The only maintenance I've ever done is to resharpen the tips every few years (mostly so I can still easily grab Beech or other very smooth bark species).

As long as I'm not trying to chain it to the loader on my tractor or something, The only way I think I'm going to damage these is if I run over them with my tractor.

If I recall correctly, the 12" Husqvarna tongs have room for a 2-handed grip, and are heavier construction.

[Stephen Alford]

   To reposition sticks ,wood or brush I have found a gaff to be very useful . Its a shovel handle with a hook and replaceable tip . There is no bending over and it helps a lot to have something to lean on when staggering around in slash .  I paint everything blue making tools easier to spot .  My hand held hook is for rounds, mind you if you drive a gaff  in your foot it does leave a mark ... not so bad when your feet are froze :D



 

[wisconsitom]

Heh, @Stephen Alford, "staggering around in the slash"......you know it, brother!

[wisconsitom]

Here's the wrap-up;. Sent the very nice looking but nonfunctional Fiskars back and ordered a Husqvarna off eBay.  I thought I was getting new, but it showed up as used, but fine condition.  Oddly, it too seemed like it would likely not work, in that hinge action is stiff, not loose or dangling.

Tried it out though in my plantation thinning yesterday and it does close on the size stuff I'm dealing with.  I don't know if I got the bigger one or the 8-incher, probably the latter, but seems fine.

Later down the road, subsequent thinnings will be fewer, larger trees, and this thing won't matter, but for now, should help a bit.

[Walnut Beast]

If anybody that has used or has railroad switch tie tongs they can tell you how good they work

[Walnut Beast]

  To reposition sticks ,wood or brush I have found a gaff to be very useful . Its a shovel handle with a hook and replaceable tip . There is no bending over and it helps a lot to have something to lean on when staggering around in slash .  I paint everything blue making tools easier to spot .  My hand held hook is for rounds, mind you if you drive a gaff  in your foot it does leave a mark ... not so bad when your feet are froze :D


<br

I forgot about saying something on this post! I can second that!! Very very smart and handy painting chains and tools! I've done some and have a few more on the list to do.

[wisconsitom]

Do you guys find the paint you're using to stay on choker chains ok?  I've already managed to waste precious time searching around for where I laid mine a couple times.  I've got blue marking paint-it's the right shade-but probably not a durable paint.

I do agree, a bright blue shows up well in the winter woods.

[beenthere]

If anybody that has used or has railroad switch tie tongs they can tell you how good they work

They work great for switch ties and when using both hands. Not so great for logs if wanting to move with one hand. Also much heavier to carry along with, and do not fit into a scabbard or holster. just sayin... bottom line, "not so good".  ;D

[John Mc]

Here's the wrap-up;. Sent the very nice looking but nonfunctional Fiskars back and ordered a Husqvarna off eBay.  I thought I was getting new, but it showed up as used, but fine condition.  Oddly, it too seemed like it would likely not work, in that hinge action is stiff, not loose or dangling.

Tried it out though in my plantation thinning yesterday and it does close on the size stuff I'm dealing with.  I don't know if I got the bigger one or the 8-incher, probably the latter, but seems fine.

Later down the road, subsequent thinnings will be fewer, larger trees, and this thing won't matter, but for now, should help a bit.

The action will loosen up after you have used it a bit. I occasionally hit mine with a shot of WD40 or some silicon lube till they loosened up a bit.

To find what size you have, measure the distance between the tips when fully opened. Also, you probably will have a tough time fitting two hands on the handle of the 8" model. THe 12" has a bit longer handle.

You may need to sharpen the tips on occasion if you are regularly grabbing harder, smooth-barked species (like Beech). I probably only have to touch mine up once every couple years or so, but it will vary depending on how heavily you use them.

[wisconsitom]

Hi John.  Used em a bunch today.  Seems like I'll tend to pick up an end of one of these larch poles with grabber and then use grabber plus other hand to move stick..  It helps out.  It's just to position long pieces for snaking out of plantation situation.   The rate these trees are growing at, by next thinning all will be beyond the size where such an item will have much use, I think.

By then though, all the thousands of pine and spruce will be ready for thinning.  I'll still be able to use it there.💪

[Walnut Beast]

If anybody that has used or has railroad switch tie tongs they can tell you how good they work

They work great for switch ties and when using both hands. Not so great for logs if wanting to move with one hand. Also much heavier to carry along with, and do not fit into a scabbard or holster. just sayin... bottom line, "not so good".  ;D

I was looking at it from a two hand perspective. I know what they can do. I've got two of them and I can pull some big boy logs. Definitely agree about using one hand with them wouldn't work so good. I suppose the one hand model would be good for hand pulling little stuff. But if that's the case you might as well move by hand.
Like I said for moving bigger logs I'll put the tie tongs up against anything! I can pull big boy logs by pulling myself or two people. Or standing in one place reaching forward and pulling the log in place. At various locations on the log for leverage.

Plus they are strong enough I could throw a chain on them and pull with a machine if I was feelings like a runt

[Walnut Beast]

Actually a good idea for you if you want the best of both worlds would be to get a pair like Logrite has and you could use your machine with chain, or winching, or take a short chain and small T pipe with hook and pull by hand alone or with two people

[Walnut Beast]

As far as the one hand models go it looks unhandy and awkward to use the way you pull with the handle. Especially if you loose your grip. 

Painting your tools, chain and cables with rustoleum industrial paint by hand or spray works fine

[beenthere]

But if that's the case you might as well move by hand.

Not so true. Picking up a small diameter "log" (3-8") by one hand to move it or drag it a few feet is not very possible, but a completely different game with a one-hand log tong that is being discussed in this thread. Much better control and much easier on the back. And a real benefit is when there is snow and mud on the wood, as the tongs keep the gloves much drier.
There is of course a limit to the size of material that can be moved both by hand as well as with the one-handed log tongs. The tongs' limit is much bigger than by hand.
Even moving branches that are locked into each other are easier to snake out with the tongs. Picking and tossing firewood bolts can also be done with the tongs, and with much less bending down so far to reach the wood.  

Try them before knocking them WB


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqi7nvEkXNY

[Walnut Beast]

You got some good points Beenthere! I might have to get a pair of the one handed ones! Plus I'm the type of guy that can't stand bending over or working off the ground and will take a portable pop up table anywhere to do work that could be done on a table instead of the ground 

[Walnut Beast]

Hey Beenthere! Great video you shared!! Definitely look handy! And compact for sure. 

Now who makes the best one?? Anybody have the log ox one ?

[beenthere]

Have also the hooks connected with the water hose (shown in light green) and find them very useful to pick up the 18" firewood for setting on the splitter. 
For tossing wood with the tongs, I turn them 180° and find they release the wood better than the "wrist flicking" shown in the video. 

[Walnut Beast]

Beenthere what ones do you have?

[wisconsitom]

For moving bigger stuff, I've got an old can't hook.  It's ancient but works ok, handle's a little short.  Might make one-have nice 5-ft or so piece of oval pipe, and the steel swivel bracket from an aluminum storm door hydraulic cylinder mech, just need to figure out what to make the actual hook part out of.

Or maybe just get a nice logrite one sometime.  It seems I've got it covered for now.  

[John Mc]

Anybody have the log ox one ?

I tried a friends log ox 3 in 1 tool: tongs, Cant Hook and timber jack. I did not like it. The tongs were longer, which meant a bit less bending over than my Husqvarna tongs (but the Husqvarna tongs are already a lot less bending than using your hands). The extra length is a disadvantage for things like putting log rounds up on my splitter (25" working height). I also found them awkward to use in the woods, and definitely not something I could put in a belt holster (which for me means I'd constantly be leaving them somewhere in the woods, then have to waste time retracing my steps to find them.) Some folks really like them, but they are not for me. I prefer the tongs like the Husqvarna and a dedicated LogRite Peavey for when I need to do that kind of work.

[wisconsitom]

Anybody know, what kind of steel that is in tongs like the Husqvarna, Fiskars, etc?  Talking the actual hook part.

[beenthere]

Beenthere what ones do you have?

Labeled SK on the scabbard. Made in Sweden


 
Holstered


 

[Walnut Beast]

Very nice! I'm definitely going to get a set of them 👍
I did notice the good ones like yours Beenthere are made in Sweden have that type of hinge system like Ochsenkopf and the Oregon ones that look to be made by them in Sweden. Ochsenkopf Yellow ones and red for Oregon ones. That's the ones I plan on getting. They do make two sizes. 

Also in the videos I've seen it was unanimous that everyone preferred that hinge system over all others from grabbing to releasing logs to branches of all sizes

[upnut]

Ordered these from Woodmizer after I saw MM's post, they should work well on a good number of smallish ironwood trees that need to be thinned out. Made in U.S.A. and built stout, they will get a workout...



 

Scott B.

[Walnut Beast]

Looks like a pretty handy system upnut 👍