Alrashid2 355 #1 Posted January 29 Hey y'all. Got another 80 ft tree coming down next week so it's firewood time! This will be my first time doing some bucking while owning my Wheel Horse so I'm hoping the tractor can help me out a bit. Won't be doing anything crazy but would need to be able maybe drag some logs 10 to 20 yards or so, and pull them off a stack of logs. Think the 312-8 can do it? And I'm new to this. Is it normal (and safe) to use a chain? If so, what grade or type am I looking for? Used to do Jeep off roading back in the day and we were taught to never use chains, only the yellow fabric pull straps, so wasn't sure if this was different. And is it as simple as wrapping the chain around the log and hooking it, attaching chain to my little hitch, and pulling? I don't want to try this and just rip my transmission or frame in two. Thanks all for the advice! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,414 #2 Posted January 29 Traction. Is. Key. This was my first Wheelhorse. 6 years ago. We use chains and cables to pull. Note. I'VE STOPPED USING THIS METHOD. We find it much easier to fell, buck, cut and split at the site where the tree was. 7 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,396 #3 Posted January 29 Here's what I used... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,572 #4 Posted January 29 Personally I do not use would because I have non.But if I did I think I would use Eric method. Sounds like he has working as a process. Just my 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,414 #5 Posted January 29 48 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said: Here's what I used... Pretty much same as us. We've used half a dozen tractors and several trailers over the years. Seems to be the best way. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,414 #6 Posted January 29 6 hours ago, Alrashid2 said: Used to do Jeep off roading back in the day and we were taught to never use chains, only the yellow fabric pull straps, so wasn't sure if this was different Do NOT use a fabric strap of any kind if it has contact with the ground or any other item during the pull. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,677 #7 Posted January 29 Maybe chain around the log to a “fabric type” strap that attaches to the tractor? Need something to absorb some of the shock. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,414 #8 Posted January 29 Just now, Sparky said: Maybe chain around the log to a “fabric type” strap that attaches to the tractor? Need something to absorb some of the shock. I do like that idea. Absorbing the shock would be good for keeping parts from breaking, but sometimes you need that little jarring to get the item moving. Watch my video and you'll see what I mean. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,396 #9 Posted January 29 If you are going to drag, overkill on the chain is strongly advised... no fabric... Similar to a winch - if something breaks you do not want to be in the line of fire. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 56,549 #10 Posted January 29 The key to successful skidding is keeping the log from digging into the dirt and hitching LOW on the tractor so you don't go over backward. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 684 #11 Posted January 29 I use chain only. Choker for the log. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,898 #12 Posted January 29 9 hours ago, Alrashid2 said: Hey y'all. Got another 80 ft tree coming down next week so it's firewood time! This will be my first time doing some bucking while owning my Wheel Horse so I'm hoping the tractor can help me out a bit. Won't be doing anything crazy but would need to be able maybe drag some logs 10 to 20 yards or so, and pull them off a stack of logs. Think the 312-8 can do it? And I'm new to this. Is it normal (and safe) to use a chain? If so, what grade or type am I looking for? Used to do Jeep off roading back in the day and we were taught to never use chains, only the yellow fabric pull straps, so wasn't sure if this was different. And is it as simple as wrapping the chain around the log and hooking it, attaching chain to my little hitch, and pulling? I don't want to try this and just rip my transmission or frame in two. Thanks all for the advice! We don't know how big a log you plan to drag, or how big the pile of logs. I could see some bad things happening once that log comes off the pile. So be careful 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 39,585 #13 Posted January 29 I trim the tops back to the 2" dia. The smallest I use for firewood. Then pull them with a chain to my tilt trailer and load the butt ends on the trailer. I can load 6-8 trees, then bind them all together with a small cable come-a-long and hook the load to the trailer. I can then drag the load of 6-8 30 foot long trees the 1/4 mile to my wood shed for cutting and splitting. Having the butt ends on the trailer prevents the ends from digging in and makes a much easier drag.. Bringing the whole tree to my wood shed reduces the handling of the cut wood. 7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,396 #14 Posted January 29 Here's how that looked when I did it... branches were about 20-25' long... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 355 #15 Posted January 29 Thanks all for the replies, great discussion!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RED-Z06 2,368 #16 Posted January 29 I use 32" tongs when i have a log the loader wont lift and I have to winch it in the trailer, i put the bits up to the log; give each a smack with a small 3lb sledge and as the pull they dig in tighter. Depending on the size logs you plan to move you can go smaller. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,957 #17 Posted January 29 12 hours ago, Alrashid2 said: I don't want to try this and just rip my transmission or frame in two. Thanks all for the advice! My two cents: - the drawbar attached to the transaxle is the strongest point for pulling on stock WH tractors like yours - keeping the pulling force parallel to the ground from the drawbar lessens any upward force that could lift the rear wheels or even suddenly flip the tractor - even with weight and chains, an 8-speed, open differential tractor will most likely lose traction or stall the engine before breaking anything in a straight pull - JERKING a load increases the risk of breaking stuff (including, as noted above, the cable/chain/strap with the potential for serious, serious injury) When pulling heavy loads, problems happen suddenly and unfold very, very quickly and usually in unexpected ways. Fail videos are full of examples. Witless bystanders, distractions, and haste are dangerous. Good luck. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,035 #18 Posted January 29 I'm amazed the off road group taught you to only use cloth straps. Working at the power plants (with lots of safety rules and best practices) we used cloth and steel slings and now Kevlar slings for controlled lift with cranes. For rough pulling work we only used chains or steel cable. PS: At the hydro plant, we had a 150 ton generator rotor lift. For years we used four 20 ft long 1-1/2" braided steel cable chokers. It took 2 people to carry them. The kevlar slings consist of a bundle of 1/4" flexible kevlar string encased in a canvas cover. One person can fold them and carry them over their shoulder. Their wonderful! At the farm, when I skidded these large concrete bocks I couldn't pull them on my first try, because I had the chain coming off the top and it just caused the block front to dig in. So I arranged the chain so the chain coming forward from the block hitch loop was under the block and back just a little. I also used a fairly short distance from the block to the tractor. That way, when the tractor pulled, the chain lifted the front of the block slightly. Of course traction is key, and with the heavy backhoe hanging on the rear, my old 44hp Oliver just walked away with them. (This Oliver 2-44 Backhoe Loader is where my user name comes from) 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RED-Z06 2,368 #19 Posted January 29 I thought i was going to snap the 8spd in my 312 pushing crushed asphalt, 24x12x12 tires, loaded with weight, 48" blades, 240lb operator. 2nd gear High, it had the M12 completely maxxed out for at least a full minute while those big lugged tires clawed for grip. Went a few years after that with no problems until the shifter snapped off inside from severe rust (unrelated failure). 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OutdoorEnvy 1,679 #20 Posted January 29 One of the good ideas I saw someone do on youtube years ago was making a front sled type setup with the hood off an old VW bug. They drilled a hole in the nose of the hood to run the chain through. They would roll the front part of the log onto the hood, hood is upside down creating a sled effect. Then wrap chain to log and drag it with the hood riding the front of the log over the ground. It was going up and over about anything on the trail and not digging in on the front. Just back end drag. The hood metal was thick enough to handle this as he had been using it for years. I am planning this or something similar if I can source the right hood or other piece of metal similar. Thought about maybe a 55 gallon drum modification of some kind too. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,957 #21 Posted January 29 15 minutes ago, OutdoorEnvy said: if I can source the right hood or other piece of metal Cut a slab off the side of a 275 gal oil tank? Check with a company that is removing buried tanks, cleaning them, and scrapping them. That’s how I got one. Like this... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 355 #22 Posted January 29 (edited) All really great ideas! I'm going to start with what I have and a few essentials and then go from there. I wouldn't be doing much skidding often but want to at least give it a shot, safely of course. OK, so I've got 5/16" chain and some 5/16" grab hooks with safety latches. I just purchased the Skidding Tongs which will be much easier than wrapping the chain around the log for me, since the logs are stacked and sometimes hard to get under! So I'm thinking about this in my head... I understand how to attach the Tongs to the chain, and how to get the tongs onto the log... but what's is the best way to attach the chain to my Wheel Horse? Is it better to attach to the factory Clevis hitch, or should I attach to my aftermarket Wheel Horse Parts and More Class III hitch? And what do I use to attach to it? Just a hitch pin, or something else? Photo is from when I installed my hitch, only difference since is I have the plow axle bracket now too Edited January 29 by Alrashid2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,414 #23 Posted January 29 1 minute ago, Alrashid2 said: what's is the best way to attach the chain to my Wheel Horse? Is it better to attach to the factory Clevis hitch, or should I attach to my aftermarket Wheel Horse Parts and More Class III hitch? And what do I use to attach to it? Just a hitch pin, or something else? Definitely attach to the Wheelhorsepartsandmore hitch. Stronger by a long shot. Get a trailer ball mount but leave the ball off. Use that hole with an appropriately sized pin or clasp to the chain. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 355 #24 Posted January 29 That's good to know! I know the WHPM hitch seemed much more robust but wasn't sure. I was thinking of throwing one of these shackles into the hitch, and looping the chain through this. Similar to what I used to do with Jeeps. Think this would work fine? https://www.amazon.com/Rough-Country-Receiver-Shackle-Retainer/dp/B09L34D5B7/ref=sr_1_11?crid=1NN1NPF4L6TZI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l0uZLxFHlJU6aew48rXmxq7rU5s-WTVue7OLz0QI34C2luQnneGfruzXtoXZ1pksK0q2MyZSKQ5YS8lyPekMOmY04pE7SDQqEtq2TySTmUv5p5TWxd12No2oYH8WENY4CV4QcB-ACjUOC422d-JIvE1F0IeF0Zv_iulwL8w1t4KbRxQWhgIcJbkyy6_vqqR0pmem6eMFhKhjbQhQ9Zuck9LuGMNiG9iOLKh_ovv83mzXv6wnSlQeM4LDSSe11vNvgt2lRUW_6Fl4W__0ZZBgDbpkaRxaAV9kOSC-Om5G1ucQGbxi0ifzhlfI0AyzY_tIBQbMu9f1HfYCPv_lVbYVIDMg9w9cGUYIZjsoad-tOeY.ZHH3ADQBaWwofv_6HNVV62GK--6vx6Se1i78Y2kGDiw&dib_tag=se&keywords=d+ring+shackle+hitch&qid=1738179740&s=automotive&sprefix=d+ring+shackle+hitch%2Cautomotive%2C119&sr=1-11 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,414 #25 Posted January 29 14 minutes ago, Alrashid2 said: Similar to what I used to do with Jeeps. Think this would work fine? I wouldn't buy THAT one because it's too pricey but yes... The connection would be proper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
