Log trailer loading arm?

[mart]

Guys,

I just stumbled into a great deal on a tandem axle, dual wheel, 16 foot, fifth wheel trailer with a 16,000 pound rating that will be my log trailer. It has an electric winch up front and a dovetail ramp on the back.

I'd like to add a loading arm to it, capitalizing on the winch. I'm not looking to build a grapple, just a loading arm with which I can pick up the logs and swing them onto the trailer. I've done searches every way I can figure and come up with lots of threads on log grapplers but not much on loading arms.

Most of the logs I'll be loading will be spruce, birch and cottonwood under 24 inches diameter and 16 feet long or less.

I'd love to see some pictures and/or links to threads about building a loading arm.

Thanks in advance.

Mart

[doc henderson]

a lot of guys buy or build them on the back of work trucks.  might search along those lines.  some have a winch and a hydraulic cylinder to lift the arm.  the arms can extended out but the leverage will decrease lift cap.  might give you some ideas.  videos on log crane or log hoist on you tube. green cottonwood is about 49 pounds per cubic foot, and a 2 foot by 16 foot log is about 50 cubic feet or about 2500 pounds.

[doc henderson]

some make a loading arch to go with a winch. or ramps up the side.  you could get rollers for the dovetail, but if you skid a log up the deck might dig in.  have seen it all on you tube...   my brother build his own, but good to get some ideas first.  think of the engine lift sold by tractor supply and others with a pivot.

[mart]

I have parbuckled a lot of logs onto my utility trailer and could do the same with this one with some ramps on the side. I like the idea of the loading arm so I don't have to make as many trips around the trailer hooking up and making sure the log is in the right position. A grapple might be an option but I'm in Alaska and unless I stumbled onto a deal on one here, shipping one up here would be spendy.

The loading arch might be a pretty good option. The dovetail isn't too rough and if the arch were set up properly it should clear a fair amount of the dovetail.

[doc henderson]

you can use skidding tongs or chokers.

[red]

Do some searches on DanG Deadheader Loader

[mart]

That DanG loader looks like it will work great. I can see some fabrication in my near future.

[charles mann]

some make a loading arch to go with a winch. or ramps up the side.  you could get rollers for the dovetail, but if you skid a log up the deck might dig in.  have seen it all on you tube...  my brother build his own, but good to get some ideas first.  think of the engine lift sold by tractor supply and others with a pivot.

i sec the comment of the logs digging in the dove. i know take with me 4-6" treated fence posts to put down on the dovetail and onto my flat deck to roll the logs to the front of my trailer. 
you can go to my photo gallery and see my log arch i built in the log photo album. the pic/s of the 2 pecan logs on my trailer, 2 of which have my saw in them, weighed 12,300 lbs for both logs. i was using a HF badlands 12,000# winch, snatch blocked and finally burned the holding brake/s out. 

[OffGrid973]

This guy works like a charm with a engine truck lift. Manual extension gets length needed and meant to turn with 2,000 lbs hanging in mid air.   Here are the tongs I purchased and received some jokes on  although mine were 32" off amazon.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Earth-Worth-20-in-Skidding-Swivel-Tongs-HWD630019/308595027?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD25T%7C25-1_HAND+TOOLS%7CNA%7CPLA|71700000034127224|58700003933021546|92700031755124844&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImMvJ2uGW4QIVFYTICh3NNgDgEAQYAyABEgI8nPD_BwE

[goose63]

 

 

Heres mine 8 bolts hold it dowm just cant go over center that thing is heavy and yes I did put a new deck on the trailer  :D

[mart]

This guy works like a charm with a engine truck lift. Manual extension gets length needed and meant to turn with 2,000 lbs hanging in mid air.   Here are the tongs I purchased and received some jokes on although mine were 32" off amazon.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Earth-Worth-20-in-Skidding-Swivel-Tongs-HWD630019/308595027?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD25T%7C25-1_HAND+TOOLS%7CNA%7CPLA|71700000034127224|58700003933021546|92700031755124844&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImMvJ2uGW4QIVFYTICh3NNgDgEAQYAyABEgI8nPD_BwE

Thanks. I just ordered a 32 inch on Amazon. Love that free shipping especially to Alaska.

[Pepe_Silvia]

Goose is that a Jinma I spy in your photo?

Here's my rig.  Uses a 9000lb Harbor Freight Winch.  Swivels on (I think Cat 2) top link pins, so I can remove it easily when it's not in use.


 

Here's a video of it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrKB5dOW5P8

Skip to about 3:15 for the good part.

Recently added this as well to help with the smaller logs.  The arch is a little cumbersome for anything less than 18".


 

[Tom the Sawyer]

Pepe, just a suggestion but if you were to mount a trailer jack on each rear corner, it would reduce the stress on your trailer (and the hitch on your truck) considerably.

[Pepe_Silvia]

Tom, that's a good idea.  I'll add that to the queue of improvements.

[mart]

Pepe,

After watching that video I'm going to make you an honorary Alaskan. We like to overload our trailers also. And boats. And planes. ;D

Mart

[goose63]

Pepe you sir have a sharp eye  ;D it is a Jinma

[mart]

My buddy dug the trailer out and sent me a picture today. This wasn't too bad a buy for $500. The tires are holding air but weather checked. The deck needs to be replaced but I know a guy with a sawmill.  ;D



 

[Pepe_Silvia]

Pepe,

After watching that video I'm going to make you an honorary Alaskan. We like to overload our trailers also. And boats. And planes. ;D

Mart

I'm honored :D

Pepe you sir have a sharp eye  ;D it is a Jinma

I can only tell because it looks just like mine!