I am wonder about loading logs with my forklift from the other side from the loading arm of my LT35HD. The reason is the way my mill shed opening is set up , I would have the loading arm up to keep the logs from rolling off. Am I missing anything here.
I been thinking same thing. Different mills but same set up. I was thinking of making a removable stop that slid into bed rails mine are open on the ends.
Does your mill have toe boards? You would likely have to raise them in order to get the forks out unless you plan on rolling the log off onto the bed. Not recomended.
i have gently rolled logs onto the bed but not from the "back" side without incident.
Logs up to 24" dia are not a problem, I cant speak to using the off side, but if caution is used it should work.
Yes it is a brand new mill and does have roller toe boards ,thanks for the idea,it should work. I was thinking of rolling the logs on, but the toe boards should work better.
Thanks again
Peder
Does it have a hydraulic loader arms? Raise them to keep the log from rolling off the other side.
I have a manual mill - wm lt15 and made a moveable log rack. Not sure if that would work in your case but there would be less risk of damaging your mill will your forks. I load my rack with my tractor then just roll them unto the mill. \
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30769/lograck7.JPG)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30769/lograck5.JPG)
Matt
If you want to lift the log with the toe rollers to get the forks out, fine. But don't just leave the rollers up and drop the log on 'em. Not a friendly thing to do to your hydraulics.
There are reasons logs are suppose to be loaded on a certain side. Just be careful....you could damage your mill or worse. :)
I don't see where it would be a problem loading logs with a forklift from the operator side of the mill.
I've done it myself. I just put the flipper clamp up and moved it towards the far side of the mill and raised the log stops. After that was done, I just picked the log up over the logstops with the hooks on a chain with a front end loader and lowered them onto the bed!
Wouldn't want to drop one though!
Peder, most of us have done it, but its not the best way, there is a high risk of damaging the mill. Kingcha has the better idea with the log deck. With the deck you can load a number of logs and not have to keep starting your forklift. Problem with most forklifts is its hard to see the end of the forks through the mast and its too easy to hit the mill. Frank C.
Any time I get very close to my mill with forks, bad things tend to happen :-\.
Quote from: WDH on July 17, 2014, 08:27:10 PM
Any time I get very close to my mill with forks, bad things tend to happen :-\.
Old Saying and I agree.
Not sure you are missing anything, but have ask why? does your mill have the hydraulic harms? It seems this would be quite slow. It all seems quite weird to me, but everyone has a different approach.
loading a few logs off the off side can be done, but making that the normal ::)
First the log stops are located to where they stop a rolling log before the weight gets off center, loading arms will stop a rolling log after the weight has passed the center of gravity, when this happens with a good sized log the mill can buckle as it loading arm feet tip up and shift positon by a foot or two.
Sure you can put up the clamp but now you only have one point of contact rather then two and logs tend to do odd things like spin sideways and tip off the end of the loading arms when catching a single point if the log weight is not compteetly centered or the log is rolling with force.
dealing with tailings is another issue.
may be wise to modifie the set up to use the mill as intended ;)
Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on July 17, 2014, 09:39:45 PM
Quote from: WDH on July 17, 2014, 08:27:10 PM
Any time I get very close to my mill with forks, bad things tend to happen :-\.
Old Saying and I agree.
Yep. smiley_thumbsup
IMO the best way to load logs onto a mill with a forklift or other heavy machinery having the potential to cause damage is by keeping them a long way away from each other. ;D
Not saying it can't be done, I've done it myself, but not anymore...
Several years ago, I made a simple and I thought, sturdy, log deck from 4 inch steel square tubing because loading logs with my forks directly on my mill worried me. Several months later, although I never knew when or how it happened, I noticed my steel log deck was bent; I was glad it wasn't my mill. The log deck was easy to fix, the mill, well, would not have been so easy...
YH
Thanks everyone , I have decided to use my mill shed to park my brand new mill and pull it outside to use it.
I live in central California where the weather is not a problem,
that would be a problem if the weather was not a problem. :D what to do guys complain about then? ;D
I need to say, just at some time make your loading area in the shed where you can load and stay out of the sun, and possible rain. I did a job a few years back loading like you described, and it was terribly slow, Just saying, as slow as the arms may seem, even without a live deck, I have found it much quicker and less troubling to use the loading arms if at all possible.
I load the 40' logs from that side all the time. You just have to be careful and pay attention to what you are doing.
Quote from: customsawyer on July 20, 2014, 08:28:48 AM
I load the 40' logs from that side all the time. You just have to be careful and pay attention to what you are doing.
This is a good comment, this is what happened while sawing 20' logs. It makes getting the large cants easier as well,
Quote from: customsawyer on July 20, 2014, 08:28:48 AM
I load the 40' logs from that side all the time. You just have to be careful and pay attention to what you are doing.
This reminds me of the old oak tree by our garage when I was a kid. It was a beauty standing about 30' from the door.
But you had to turn the car ever so slightly as you finished backing out so you didn't hit it.
Not a problem, if you remembered ....
Well, one day about 6 years after we moved there someone forgot.... boom .... dented car.
Personally I call this planning for failure. One day it will happen, it's in the plan.
One tree, three daughters, they all hit it :D.. I can laugh about it now.
Quote from: WDH on July 21, 2014, 08:15:38 PM
One tree, three daughters, they all hit it :D.. I can laugh about it now.
I think I know this tree. ::)
You have been real close to it. Real close.
Quote from: WDH on July 21, 2014, 08:26:46 PM
You have been real close to it. Real close.
I was so close...I could hear the bark. :D