I made log loading ramps

[Brad_bb]

I had committed to someone i know that I'd take his cherry tree logs that he was planning to cut down.  I don't have a proper log trailer, just a 12ft aluminum utility trailer.  He had no loading equipment so I made some ramps to get them over the side.  Brackets to sit on the rails.  Ramps are two 12ft 2x6's screwed together with spacer blocks between.  Cut a birdsmouth on one end to engage the rail brackets.  Cut a taper on the other end.  Used a logrite fetching arched to get logs by street. Rolled them up to the ramps, which were high enough to clear the fender.  Then I used some straps, fixing one end to the other side of the trailer, looping it under the log and back over the top and connected to his truck.  He drove forwards and the log rolled right up the ramps.     The logs ranged from 10 - 14 inches.  4 of them I can get a useable timber that can be used in a timberframe.  One log will be boards.  I thought I'd post this to show the design of the ramps.  They worked very well, but I did break the wooden rail brackets.  I made them the same morning.  I would have liked to have taken more time and used some micro-lam scraps to build them instead of the pine lumber.


 

[Czech_Made]

Nice score and clever solution 

[5quarter]

Nice set up Brad. I load my trailer the same way. I use 2 10' lengths of RR track for my ramps though and 1/2" cable for my lines. but more often than not I'm loading really big wood.

   So are you collecting parts for your own house, or are you supplying parts for others?

[scsmith42]

Good solution (but I'll bet that rolling those logs up the ramps by hand wasn't fun!)

[clintnelms]

Good solution (but I'll bet that rolling those logs up the ramps by hand wasn't fun!)

I don't believe that's what he did. He said he used a strap tied to the truck and they rolled right up the ramp. I think he probably just posted a picture of him rolling it up to the ramp. I was thinking the same thing at first until I read that part.

[4x4American]

There's a much easier way:


1. Take some chains or straps and lay them parallel on the ground.
2.  Roll the logs overtop of them.
3.  Flip the trailer on top of the logs,
4.  Bind the logs to the trailer
5.  Hook chain to side of trailer and flip back over.
6.  Hitch up to trailer and commence to carefree motoring.   

[Sixacresand]

So far I have self loaded all my logs with just that method, except now I use a winch to roll them up on the trailer. It is a slow process.  The trailer in most cases has to moved to line up with each log before loading unless you have them staged in one place for loading.  I use cross timbers in the floor of the trailer which allows the logs to be higher than the rails and fenders so I can unload them quickly by rolling them off.  The timbers also prevent logs from come crashing down on the floor of the trailer when loading. 
Of course I like 4x4's way of doing it too.  :D


  

[Brad_bb]

I saw this method of loading on a youtube video.  I designed the ramps myself so they'd be light weight yet strong.  I built them in a couple hours.  This wood was for me.  An acquaintance asked me if I could use them and wanted them a few months ago.  I said sure.  In truth, with the drive time and work involved, it's definitely cheaper to have my log guy bring and dump logs at my place.  I had said I would get them though, so I had to live up to my word. 

4x4american, that is some hillrod rigging that I'm not smart enough for!
Yes, I was very tired by the time we got the logs to the landing.  All 5 were in their back yard and I had to use the fetching arch to get them out to the road so I wouldn't tear up their grass.  So we used his pickup ball hitch to pull the strap that looped around the log. 

[Kbeitz]

So far this has been working great for me...



 

[terrifictimbersllc]

There's a much easier way:


1. Take some chains or straps and lay them parallel on the ground.
2.  Roll the logs overtop of them.
3.  Flip the trailer on top of the logs,
4.  Bind the logs to the trailer
5.  Hook chain to side of trailer and flip back over.
6.  Hitch up to trailer and commence to carefree motoring.   

5. Take off axle and put it underneath.

[kelLOGg]

I use 2 10' lengths of RR track for my ramps though and 1/2" cable for my lines. but more often than not I'm loading really big wood.

10 feet of RR track? - that must weigh 500 lbs each unless it is very small gauge. Say/show more.

I use steel 2 x 4s eight feet long and place supports under them for heavy logs. Pretty easy to handle. Then parbuckle onto trailer.



 

[4x4American]

 :D :D  Dennis...I can't believe I hadn't thought of that!  I guess with my triaxle gooseneck trailer I didn't want to mess around with moving 3 of them axles to the other side  :D :D

[5quarter]

10 feet of RR track? - that must weigh 500 lbs each unless it is very small gauge....

They are smaller gauge but but are still north of 150# apiece. I've bent or busted so many "ramps" while loading logs that I just got fed up and cut 2 lengths of track that I salvaged from a demo site a few years ago. Aside from loading and unloading the ramps, it's been a pleasure to load my trailer.  ;)

[SineWave]

So far this has been working great for me...



 

KBeitz - Do you have any more or better pictures of that rig? I'm not exactly sure how it works from your pic, but it looks interesting.

[kelLOGg]

SineWave,
If I may butt in.. it is a DanG loader in honor of one of our members. Tom The Sawyer has a video of his version in operation. Do a search on it.
Bob

[Kbeitz]

So far this has been working great for me...



 

KBeitz - Do you have any more or better pictures of that rig? I'm not exactly sure how it works from your pic, but it looks interesting.

The arch flips back to hang over the log. My winch pull up the log to the arch until it cant move.
Them the arch moves back up over the trailer pulling the log up and onto the trailer.



 



 



 

[SineWave]

Thank you, Bob and KBeitz. I will look into that. Nice.

[Brad_bb]

Yep, someday I'll get a proper trailer and make a pivoting arch and winch. My little aluminum trailer wasn't exactly built for logs. 

[Kbeitz]

Yep, someday I'll get a proper trailer and make a pivoting arch and winch. My little aluminum trailer wasn't exactly built for logs.

It makes loading all by yourself much easier.