The Magic Hook

[booman]

I have a setup like Andries's second picture but instead of using forklifts like I used to do,  I have a 1000 lb winch mounted above my sawmill.   It is mounted in a beefed up part of my roof over the sawmill.   Works great, is very fast, saves a lot of time.

[WELumberjack]

I recently made my own set of "Magic Hooks" with hooks at each end of 20' of G70 3/8" chain (6,600# WLL) with two 3/8'' double clevis links (6,600# WLL).  The hooks I purchased were replacement hooks from LogRite as mentioned above (I got the MegaHook ones - Part RH003).  I did have to enlarge the holes with a chainsaw file and 3/8" drill bit to smooth the holes and fit the 10 mm clevis pins that are a part of the double clevis links.  It took some time (<30 min) to enlarge the holes, as the hooks are heat-treated to harden them.  The standard holes will loosely fit a Grade 5 - 3/8" bolt that comes with it (that measures just over 9 mm). I didn't measure by calipers, as there is variability.  But I wanted to keep the 6,600# WLL throughout the system, hence I enlarged the hole in the direction towards the pointy hook, rather than potentially narrowing the current wall around the hole on the lifting end (as mentioned above in the thread by @Andries, @charles mann, and @Old Greenhorn).



They are a great addition to my set of tools for not only moving logs horizontally, but also can be used as end tongs for vertical lifting (if the temporary need arises) as Magicman has shown in prior posts.

MY DISCLAIMER: There is no known lifting capacity for these hooks as they are not sold for that purpose by LogRite nor have they been tested in that capacity. So one should keep that in mind when assembling their own DIY set of "Magic Hooks", and use them at their own risk; and never for overhead lifting!! (The double clevis links say that on the little tag and most standard chain shouldn't be used for lifting overhead either - unless it is specifically certified every year and tagged as such) - which I recently learned.

I recently had the chance to use them for the first time to move some logs with my skid-steer to avoid dragging them through the dirt. It also wasn't a convenient location to get the logs onto my skid-steer's forks. Also, using my Magic Hooks lowers the center of gravity of the log/whole apparatus of my skid-steer to be able to potentially move heavier logs closer to the machine, rather than further forward on the forks.

   

It is likely more secure to place chains in a choker-style around both ends of a log and lifting; but sometimes the log is directly on the ground and not in a convenient location to lift it up on each end to get it up on dunnage to get a chain underneath it. Magic Hooks are advantageous in this case and give another option.

[WELumberjack]

LogRite makes fantastic products! The LogRite cant hooks and peaveys are designed to be used with human power and leverage and are the best in the business (especially the Xtreme Duty series).  For a manufacturer to test and certify them for a lifting purpose is unlikely to happen because of the increased risk and liability (hence extra cost) that enters into the equation when manufacturing something for a lifting function rather than a horizontal movement. (Gravity is powerful, effective, increases risk, and always wins). Magic Hooks have their uses for horizontal movement or for rotating logs (or many other functions) when used alone or in pairs. They can also be used in pairs "at your own risk" for lifting purposes as end tongs. A safer/more secure way to move logs vertically off the ground is with a choker-style chain on each end of the log; but sometimes that isn't easy to do or feasible, hence Magic Hooks can fill a role.  One just needs to think ahead, factoring in a "margin of safety" and awareness.

To make a decent-duty new set of Magic Hooks using two Mega Hooks (currently $56.50 each plus shipping/tax) & two 3/8" G70 double-clevis links (6,600# WLL) (can be found at a local hardware/farm/forestry store ~$8 each), figure about $130-140; plus whatever length of 3/8" G70 chain (6,600# WLL) you wish to use (Total cost: $200-250).
Ben

[Magicman]

I have never hesitated to lift with mine:

But of course this is not overhead lifting.  I have had them to tear out but all that they do is hit the ground and I have to re-hook.  The above is a 20' log.