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What is the smallest logging rig you use?

Started by driftlessinwi, February 13, 2021, 10:47:14 AM

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Walnut Beast

The M37s ride really nice compared to the old style Power Wagons 

Walnut Beast

Quote from: Runningalucas on February 14, 2021, 02:57:53 PM
Quote from: John Mc on February 14, 2021, 02:43:33 PM
My smallest logging equipment, from back when I was doing things the hard way:

Grapple:
 

My "skidder" was a Craftsman garden tractor, and my forwarding trailer was a Rubbermaid garden cart. That got old really quickly. (Sorry, I have no photos of that equipment.)

What I mostly use now is a NH TC33D, 33 HP Compact Tractor with Sundown GR40 grapple and Uniforest 35E logging winch. Added a belly pan, grill guard, and limb risers (which included a bit of protection from falling objects)




I've also upgraded my forwarding trailer just a bit when I guy a couple hours down the road was selling his Metavic forwarding trailer (he only had about 50 hours on it). This is a shot from when I was clearing an outdoor classroom space in the woods behind a local elementary school. I could not have gotten anything any bigger back in to this location.



And then occasionally, Brutus (1951 Dodge M37 Korean War military pickup) gets called into service, either hauling firewood or pulling the forwarding trailer:


Nice M-37; I've got a 51' as well; ex Air Force owned with about 15 layers of paint, lol.  The driveline yokes are about as weak as weak can be.
Driveline has been good for me. When I was pulled between 15-20k a few times on a 1,200 mile trip with a 3.7 turbo Diesel in my M37. Did break the axle with the locking differential. And needed a heavy beefed up clutch

Walnut Beast

John mc that's a nice hardtop you have on the M37 that's a factory one and there worth a few 💰

John Mc

Quote from: Walnut Beast on February 14, 2021, 03:53:04 PM
John mc that's a nice hardtop you have on the M37 that's a factory one and there worth a few 💰
It's been nice driving it in colder weather with that hard top. My friend across town (who restores Dodge Power Wagons and M37s professionally) has an M37 with the soft top. I have to admit I do envy him in the summer when he's driving around town with the top down and the windshield folded flat against the hood.

Quote from: grabber green on February 14, 2021, 02:48:44 PM
Cool m37 . Does it have the factory pto winch?
It did not have one originally. Someone had added a 9000# electric winch and cut a hole in the front bumper to feed the cable through. (It was a 12 volt winch connected to one of the two 12V batteries in the stock 24V system. Not a great setup for the batteries, and the generator really doesn't have the oomph to recharge things in a reasonable time after some hard winching.)

I bought an original winch and PTO from a guy in Ohio, pulled my front bumper off, and had a local fab shop guy cut that down into the two "bumperettes" that go with the winch. That's getting installed next month, when it's going in to my friend's shop for some other work.

This is never going to be a museum piece. I wanted something with some "character", but that I would not be heartbroken if I dinged it up driving it in the woods.

Quote from: Walnut Beast on February 14, 2021, 03:34:43 PM
The M37s ride really nice compared to the old style Power Wagons
It does ride nice. The previous owner added power steering, which has also made it easier to maneuver. I came with Michelin 11.00-R16 tires on it, which are 2"+ bigger than stock. At first I thought it was a bit "over the top" for my taste. I'm not into mud racing or anything like that. However, the extra ground clearance has been great in the woods, and it does up the top end on the speed a bit.

It is noisy, though! Part of this is due to a hole in the exhaust manifold, which will be addressed soon. I think some heavy rubber mats on the floor will help as well: the floor just acts like a sounding board when you get up to speed. Even throwing some tools on the passenger side helps damp it down a bit.

Quote from: Runningalucas on February 14, 2021, 02:57:53 PM
Nice M-37; I've got a 51' as well; ex Air Force owned with about 15 layers of paint, lol.  The driveline yokes are about as weak as weak can be.
I have not had ANY problems with the drive train so far, other than it wanting to pop out of 3rd gear (that also will get addressed soon).

Brutus is going into my friend's shop next month for a bit of work. We're swapping out the 230 engine that was stock  for US Military M37s and putting in a 251 which was used in the Canadian version. Even when new those 230s were really undersized for these trucks. You do not want to get stuck behind me on even a moderate upgrade. If you are willing to downshift and go slow, it will pull a surprising amount, you just aren't getting anywhere fast.

Some folks put in more modern V8s or diesels and cruise at 65 or 70 MPH. However, I really like the older engines. As I told my friend, I didn't really want to go faster, I just wanted to be able to go "as fast, more of the time".

In addition to the engine swap, we are rebuilding the transmission and transfer case, installing the winch mentioned earlier, and replacing the front drums with disk brakes (I need a little better stopping power when pulling a load, especially on some of these hills).
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

Walnut Beast

Sounds like your going to make some good improvements 👍

John Mc

Quote from: Walnut Beast on February 14, 2021, 04:55:28 PM
Sounds like your going to make some good improvements 👍
And he will stop "marking his territory" by dripping oil everywhere he is parked.
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

Runningalucas

Quote from: John Mc on February 14, 2021, 04:25:10 PM


Quote from: Runningalucas on February 14, 2021, 02:57:53 PM
Nice M-37; I've got a 51' as well; ex Air Force owned with about 15 layers of paint, lol.  The driveline yokes are about as weak as weak can be.
I have not had ANY problems with the drive train so far, other than it wanting to pop out of 3rd gear (that also will get addressed soon).

Brutus is going into my friend's shop next month for a bit of work. We're swapping out the 230 engine that was stock  for US Military M37s and putting in a 251 which was used in the Canadian version. Even when new those 230s were really undersized for these trucks. You do not want to get stuck behind me on even a moderate upgrade. If you are willing to downshift and go slow, it will pull a surprising amount, you just aren't getting anywhere fast.

Some folks put in more modern V8s or diesels and cruise at 65 or 70 MPH. However, I really like the older engines. As I told my friend, I didn't really want to go faster, I just wanted to be able to go "as fast, more of the time".

In addition to the engine swap, we are rebuilding the transmission and transfer case, installing the winch mentioned earlier, and replacing the front drums with disk brakes (I need a little better stopping power when pulling a load, especially on some of these hills).
Yes, their drivelines, ring, and pinion are weak.  Mine was fine for years of use, then backing up a steep incline from a river bank, and a yoke just snapped; very little extra reinforcing meat.  They're commonly upgraded from what I hear. 
Our's still has the old 230, we rebuilt it about 22 years ago, and at that time the military motor pool had apparently rebuilt it to the limit; as the crank was turned too far down.  We had to replace it. 
I'm not sure what we're going to do with the old beast, I learned to drive a stick with it.  Maybe it'll get more modern drivetrain components, and maybe it'll stay stock.  We painted a mule on the back as it'll go through, and up anything, but slow as slow can be. 
Life is short, tragedy is instant, it's what we do with our time in between that matters.  Always strive to do better, to be better.

Wallys World

I use my Kubota BX22 with either my hydraulic winch and arch or the Wallenstein Timber Talon. Low impact and moves a lot of wood.

 

 
Wood-Mizer LT28G25, Wood-Mizer EG10 Edger, Wallenstein Timber Talon log loader trailer, Wallenstein GX640 wood splitter, Wallenstein WP835 Fire Wood Processor, Kubota BX 22 TLB, JD 445, JD Gator, Home made arch, Stihl 024 Super, MS251, MS311, MS440 Magnum & MS660.

Walnut Beast


John Mc

Nice, @Wallys World !  Wallentstein doesn't advertise the Timber Talon anymore - at least not that i can find. They do show an LXT95 (9.5' reach. 5000# load capacity, off-road) and an LXT115 (11.5' reach, 11,500# load capacity, highway towable). Is yours similar to one of those, or something different?

If I remember correctly, weren't you using yours to help out in a church firewood donation program to families in need?  I do something similar with mine: we have a community effort. We started off the heating season VERY busy, but things seem to have tapered off a lot lately.
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

Wallys World

Yes, they are simular. They are on the main web site, and only 2 models are listed.
I am still using it for the firewood ministry. We are up to 64 face cords as of today. 
I am making a cone type wedge that will go in place of the gapple for splitting monster pieces. I have an 9 inch auger for it, so the cone off of Ebay should work good.
Wood-Mizer LT28G25, Wood-Mizer EG10 Edger, Wallenstein Timber Talon log loader trailer, Wallenstein GX640 wood splitter, Wallenstein WP835 Fire Wood Processor, Kubota BX 22 TLB, JD 445, JD Gator, Home made arch, Stihl 024 Super, MS251, MS311, MS440 Magnum & MS660.

g_man

I have a 30 hp L3010 and a 2001 Ram3500. Don't usually work with stuff this big .......



 



 

gg

driftlessinwi

Nice setup @Wallys World ,  I am jealous of your trailer.  I have a Wallenstein grapple for my big skidsteer and I really like the quality of it, not to mention it is my favorite attachment.  A forwarding trailer like that sure would be nice...I have it on the project list to fabricate one day.


driftlessinwi

@g_man That's a nice truck, man that had to be a heavy load in the back, looks like some big white oak.

It seems the 3pt log skidder/winch setup is pretty common.  Any downsides to it?  I may be paranoid, but I hate going into the woods in a tractor, especially one without a cab.  I was nearly decapitated when I was cleaning up a trail with a dozer blade on my compact tractor and I wasn't paying much attention to the fact that a 10" log I was pushing out of the way was about 40' long and was bending like a bow, luckily I saw it rise up on the blade at the last second before it slid up over the blade and sprung at me.  I was able to duck in time before it almost knocked my ROPs off the tractor.  I immediately drove down from the woods to the house and told my wife I was selling the tractor and getting a skidsteer :)

After getting a skidsteer I can't count how many times large limbs and debris have crashed onto the top while working in the woods.  Stay safe out there!

mjeselskis

Quote from: driftlessinwi on February 15, 2021, 10:39:50 AM
@g_man That's a nice truck, man that had to be a heavy load in the back, looks like some big white oak.

It seems the 3pt log skidder/winch setup is pretty common.  Any downsides to it?  I may be paranoid, but I hate going into the woods in a tractor, especially one without a cab.  I was nearly decapitated when I was cleaning up a trail with a dozer blade on my compact tractor and I wasn't paying much attention to the fact that a 10" log I was pushing out of the way was about 40' long and was bending like a bow, luckily I saw it rise up on the blade at the last second before it slid up over the blade and sprung at me.  I was able to duck in time before it almost knocked my ROPs off the tractor.  I immediately drove down from the woods to the house and told my wife I was selling the tractor and getting a skidsteer :)

After getting a skidsteer I can't count how many times large limbs and debris have crashed onto the top while working in the woods.  Stay safe out there!
The dropping limbs and the springy trees while pushing brush are what motivated my roof and limb risers on my tractor. I'm sure the roof would suffer some damage, but at least deflect things away from me



2006 WM LT28  1993 John Deere 5300
Husqvarna 562XP & 365 X-Torq

SwampDonkey

Just for kicks, here's Mark (ND hermit I call'm) scheme'n to get his firewood out. :D

Scouting firewood along the spring - YouTube

Here he goes in the M37. :D :D

Haul out - YouTube
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

SwampDonkey

Polaris 570 SxS with winch and a chainsaw and axe, is all the log'n gear I use. ;D I forward my wood, I don't drag. ;)
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

azmtnman

Quote from: driftlessinwi on February 13, 2021, 04:44:25 PM
 don't get something with a CVT transmission, 
My '06 Polaris 500EFI CVT trans works great for pulling logs. You always use low range pulling or at low speed. We've skidded logs as big as it would pull. I figured the belt was probably needing replaced at about 3000 miles but left it alone because it was fine. I checked it later, probably about 4500 and it was still fine. At 6000 miles and 12 years old the belt finally grenaded going down the highway at 55 mph.
1983 LT 30, 1990 Kubota L3750DT, 2006 Polaris 500 EFI, '03 Dodge D2500 Cummins powered 4X4 long-bed crew cab, 1961 Ford backhoe, Stihl MS250, MS311 and MS661--I cut trees for my boss who was a Jewish carpenter!

Walnut Beast

Quote from: azmtnman on February 15, 2021, 08:31:48 PM
Quote from: driftlessinwi on February 13, 2021, 04:44:25 PM
don't get something with a CVT transmission,
My '06 Polaris 500EFI CVT trans works great for pulling logs. You always use low range pulling or at low speed. We've skidded logs as big as it would pull. I figured the belt was probably needing replaced at about 3000 miles but left it alone because it was fine. I checked it later, probably about 4500 and it was still fine. At 6000 miles and 12 years old the belt finally grenaded going down the highway at 55 mph.
It's proven fine. Thousands sold. But the transmission in the Honda's are extremely good from what I've heard

Walnut Beast

Polaris has also had and maybe still do have military contracts with their units

Gary Davis

I am lazy i like my garret 15 small footprint in the woods and goes any where,and  pull more then it looks like it could, and when I get snow it make a good snow plow

Ed_K

 I started with a yahama moto 4 with a 2'x7' sears garden trailer, doing building lots for friends after work an weekends. When that over heated one summer I got a yahama big bear. I found a single axle boat trailer and made a trailer out of that. When Bailey's offered the hydraulic picker I put that on the trailer and built a hydro pack and put that on the front of the big bear. That worked to run the picker and a vertical 4' wood splitter. That all started around 1988, by 98 I quit working in the machine shop and went full time with a massey model 30 w/loader and 3pt fransgurd winch. And it only got worse from there with bigger equiptment. One time I put a fisher plow frame on the back of my massey harris 81r snowplow trac, and tried a massey 1433 with the boat trailer on a red pine job and traded that for the Landini 5860. Also tried a TD6 but that cost $700. everytime I tried to use it. Now it's the Landini or the Taylor skidder.
Ed K

mike_belben

A slippery slope indeed.  


What did the TD6 keep breaking?
Praise The Lord

nativewolf

Doing TSI with the harvest, about 100 gum and maple per acre.  Could use the clearing saw



 

 Ops wrong thread
Liking Walnut

snowstorm

Quote from: Walnut Beast on February 15, 2021, 08:50:55 PM
Polaris has also had and maybe still do have military contracts with their units
they still do. a 4 seat rzr with a machine gun

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