Building a Logging Arch (With Pictures)

[bandmiller2]

DW glad you braced your arch a little more,they take much strain loaded in the woods.Looking at your last picture I can't help but think how nice it would be to have a bar you could put between the wheel stub axles to lower the log on when transporting.That would keep the load low and less swinging.All in all your design looks good and your workmanship above reproach. Frank C.

[Piston]

Looks great, I like the look of your shop.  Your doing a great job on the arch and makes mine look like a kindergardener built it  :D
Nice welds and good ideas.  I recently bought a 4500 lb electric winch to mount on mine, just waiting for the welding leads to come in so I can wire it into the tractor. 
I'm also planning on adding the front adjustable support like you have, I might steel your idea for it.   ;D

[Lud]

You can find implement paint at Tractor Supply.   Tough stuff.  Oil base.

[DeepWoods]

We think alike bandmiller2, my original thought was to have a bar between the stub axles.  I left the ends of them open for that purpose, but in the process of fabricating I decided that a chain would work ok.  The other reason for having the bar between the axles would be so I could use it as a tow bar for the tag axle.  Which I would have done if the tag axle would have not been able to take apart.  I guess when I have had a chance to use the arch for a while, those types of things will be more obvious, and I may modify the arch as needed.   

Piston, the front yoke as I call it, was taken from another FF members arch.  I can't remember which one however.  That is the great thing about this forum, we all learn from each other.  That is one of the reasons I started this post, as I wanted to return the favor by showing the rest of the members what I have learned from them.  Hopefully others will take the best ideas of my arch and use it on one they build.  One of the last things I will do is update this post after using the arch for a while so I can talk about the things I would have done different if I had it to do over.

I started the tool basket yesterday, and hopefully will finish it today so I can post pictures of it soon.

Les

[DeepWoods]

Here is a picture of the tool basket that I was able to finish today.   



Here is where it will be mounted to the arch.



I used the expanded sheet metal on the sides and bottom so it wouldn't collect any water.  I will use it to carry the logging chains and ratchet straps. 

Well I think the fabricating part of the arch is complete.  Like most things I do, it has taken longer than expected.  But I am pleased with the results.  I will be doing a little detail work on grinding and sanding the metal to get it ready for paint.  It will be Allis Chalmers Orange.  This is what was available to me that should match the Norwood mill I have.

It may be a while before painting the arch, as my loving wife has requested that I work on a project for her now.  She wants a bench built for in front of the window looking out to the lake.  She has been very patient, and I like to keep her happy.  I did tell her that I would need a day to clean up the mess I have from building the arch, and she is OK with that. 

Les

[mog5858]

very nice job on the arch you are shere a good faber i would say.
when you go to paint your arch get harder (enamle harder) for your paint. u just add a little to the paint and will make it rock hard and very drable. when you done with the harder take you mig gun and shot a little co2 in there and it will keep for years.  i just used it for the new paint on my 201 tj and it work great.

[sst04]

Very nice, I guess when I get started up I will need to make one of these.

[clww]

GREAT job, DeepWoods! 8) 8) 8)

[DeepWoods]

Well I finally finished the arch.  Two coats of primer, and two coats of Orange enamel.  It took quite a while to paint that tool basket, but I am real satisfied with the results.   8) 8)









I wired the winch so it can be plugged into my atv.  It has been a lot of work and fun to fabricate something from scratch.  Only time will tell if I have to make any modifications to it, but I think everything will work out fine.

Can't wait to try it out.  Almost all of the snow has melted in the woods, so I should be able to do some cutting and hauling in the near future.  I will post some pictures of it's maiden voyage.

[Magicman]

Very nice DeepWoods and that has been quite a build.  I'm looking forward to seeing it loaded up.

[Dakota]

Super job.  You'll get a lot of good use out of it.
Dakota

[Onthesauk]

Looks like a professional job!

[GF]

Looks great, very professional.

GF

[DeepWoods]

I had an opportunity last Friday to use my logging arch for the first time.  I had a friend visit over the weekend and we went out to where we had cut a large cedar about 5 years ago.  I was unable to skid the butt log at the time due to its size.  It did not fit the skidding cone I have, so I let it lay there.  We were able to back up to it with no problem, and in just a few minutes it was ready to haul away. 



As you can see there is a lot of rot in the butt end, and I don't expect much in return, but all I want from it is some one by material to make some wood duck houses.   

I found that I will most likely take the tag axle off unless I need it as it seemed a little top heavy while going through the woods with it empty.  I think if I hit a rut or dip in the trail to fast, it could tip over.  I can say that everything went well after the log was loaded, and only had to adjust where the log was lifted to get it to hold tight in the front yoke while not having to much weight to the rear. 

I will have to wait a while before getting to mill the cedar as we received another 6" of new snow on Saturday and the area around the mill will be wet for a while.   

[bandmiller2]

DW, its really nice when a piece of equipment you built works well,that arch is almost too pretty to use. Frank C.

[D Hagens]

I've been following this thread and I have to say that you do great work Nice welding and a great design

[customsawyer]

It is nice to get the satisfaction in building something and getting to see it do its job.

[WildDog]

Excellent fabrication there DW.

[Beefie]

I am going to bring this post back up . Now that there is 2 years of use on it, how has it been working and did you change anything on it. There was a lot of great design in this arch and maybe some people didn't no about this thread.

Beefie

[DeepWoods]

Funny how things work out.  I have had little use of my arch since I finished it.  Other projects have taken priority the past two years.  We had a portion of our property logged off a couple years ago, and as part of the deal they brought me ten cords of firewood.  No need for the arch that year.  Last March a neighbor logged on the back side of our acreage, and I had them bring me eight cords of black ash saw logs after they finished our neighbors job.  No need for the arch again as they dropped the logs at my mill. 

The few times I have used the arch, I was pretty satisfied with it.  I did find that using the tag axle had its issues.  When making a corner, the tag axle doesn't steer with the arch, and therefore wants to slide instead of turning.  I think I can solve that problem by only using the lift cable at the rear of the arch, and letting it pivot on the cable and allowing the tag axle to follow.  I haven't had an opportunity to try out my idea, so I don't know how well that will work. 

I haven't changed anything on my build yet, but with as little use I've had with it, my guess is that I haven't had all challenges put to it yet to find any potential flaws in it. 

[21incher]

Great job on the arch build. After reading this thread I think a arch may be my next project using some of your ideas if you don't mind.

[DeepWoods]

That's why I put this project on the FF, for others to use and share my ideas.  Hope your build goes well. 

[Billbob]

Excellent work on the log arch!!  You're making me jealous!  I've been gathering the parts to build one (winter project).  What did you use for wheel hubs?

[DeepWoods]

I purchased the hubs and matching spindles from a local trailer supply store.  If I remember correctly, I had about a hundred bucks invested in the hubs and spindles.  They were complete with bearings, seals, and caps.  I had some of the steel, but do remember having to purchase a lot of it as well. 

[Red Good]

Really nice work on the arch , looks very good . I am in the middle of building mine and am going to use your idea on the Y . Seems like it should help stabilize things . Good write up as well .Thanks