The 5/16 steel winch cable that came on the Chomper splitter is not the best, it is developing wickers. I think thats what the little frayed things that keep stabbing me are called. Can you buy real good quality cable in 1/4 inch? Real choker cable does not fray the way this 5/16 stuff does.
thanks for the help!
sawdust
We call those frayed pieces wildcats cause they'll make you scream like a wildcat when they sink into your hand ;) ;D :D It's really not funny it hurts especially when one breaks off in your flesh and you can't find the end to pull it out :o :( >:( You might check Bailey's for cable. I know they have bigger sizes for skidding :) :)
We call them "jaggers".
Just got my Bailey's catalogue today! Joan must really love me :) she actually brings it home from the post office! i will go have a look.
Or try one of the high tech ropes like Unitrex, by Yale Cordage
We call them meathooks, for obvious reasons
Baileys has skidding tongs which will be perfect. Still need a cable to pull it. The winch drum is fairly small diameter and the trees will be skidded across a yard that is free of hang ups.
When I worked in the oil patch we called them wickers(never seen it spelled). When I was logging in BC they were jaggers. What I call them mostly, can't be used it a post. The tongs sound like the answer for your chomper. Are you chomping green or dry wood? I wondered if dry spruce would turn into kindling.
Saliors call them fishhooks...at least we did back in the day I was in the USCG.
Try Amsteel line if you you do not like them, A little pricy though.
Stonebroke
I use chain.
I like choker chain system, too. Take a grade 70 or 80 3/8" chain with a choker
hook and you can drag anything! Pulled a 44" Yellow Poplar a couple of weeks ago!
:o
Also, I recently ordered two tongs from northern tool
Note:Please read the Forestry Forum's postion on this company that are working very well.
They were 40% less than Baileys. They are working perfectly on logs from 5"
to 20". Ordered one of their big tongs 30"+ size. They work too. Made in China,
of course, so the quality may depend upon whose backyard foundry produced that
batch, but I had good luck.
::)
Phil L.
Bailey's does not list 1/4" cable in the catalog, though they do sell it.
I have them swag one foot loops on my ends. It makes it easier to make choker loops or to pull the loop over a clamp or shackle if the cable is overhead.
The cable is okay for the price, I do not winch with mine, so I can't comment on the jaggers.
use a torch and melt the litle jagger things. thats what we do.
I use 3/8 chain works good for me ;)
The problem with rope or chain is that they don't push very well at all. Makes them tough to get under a log thats tight to the ground. And your not a real logger untill you have run one of those jaggers clear through your hand or finger!
> Makes them tough to get under a log
A piece of curved 1/2" rebar with a loop on the end will pull a chain under a log easy enough.