ATV Firewood cutting Deck

[sublime68charger]

building upon my ATV Logging Arch and trying to utilize that more.

which is here,

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=294895&page=4

I want a better way to cut firewood and not have to bend over to the logs on the ground so this is the start of that project. Idea I want a raised platform that I can stand and cut the logs from with out bending over. but the problem is getting the logs up to that height.

this is the start of the working deck upon which the logs will be cut.

some 3x8x12 heavy wood planks and some 2x4 spaced out so the ATV can drive up and over top of the deck.
3 sets of the 2x4 spaced with a 1/2" gap and 4 sets spaced with a 2" gap Ill due some test sawing of the logs and find out which spacing I like better.
I'm thinking the 2" gap spacing. will be what I go with for the whole deck but need to due some test cutting on it.

any way here's the first set up Pics on the start of the build.

 

[sublime68charger]

got the deck done and took out to my wood cutting area for the first trial runs,

ATV goes right on up and over and log follows along okay. I did have the 2nd log skip off to the side I may have to put some guides to keep the log up on the deck instead of sliding off to the side.

not to bumpy for the atv going along the deck pulling the log either.

the last log was to long for the deck just left some up on the deck and then brought the winch line back and hooked onto the log and brought that last part up onto the deck to get it cut as well.

also put the blocks on the deck to split and the splitting seem to go better?
is this because the blocks are on a solid platform and not getting smashed back into the ground?
Though this was just a small sample size.

 

[sublime68charger]

also want to keep the chainsaw chain out of the dirt when blocking up firewood.

that is a goal as well.

so far just did the 2 small logs on it but it helped out on the back. Or so it seemed to me.

was able to put 1 knee on the main beam and cut up the wood blocks.

 

[SteveH-CO]

I like it - it solves a real problem.

 

[matt_i]

This is very nice, especially keeping the saw out of the dirt. I thought of the idea of making the cross member a shallow V profile to keep the log centered without ever wanting to roll off. If you could ramp this concept up and then transition to a flat section (think of a dovetail on a flatbed trailer) and increase the length of the cable, you could potentially also pull the log up the ramp to waist height for highly ergonomic cutting and not really having to bend over to pick up the new-cut logs.

 

[sublime68charger]

SteveH & Matt I

thanks for your replays the goal is to get this up high enough to stand and cut the wood up into blocks I have some telephone poles that are going to server as the base and this deck will be mounted on top of the poles.

I want it to be semi portable to move to different areas for cutting up wood. but also need to be able to drive up and over with the ATV in order to get the logs up on the cutting deck.

this is just the start of this and will be posting updates and modifications as I go.

 

[zippy99]

A bow shaped bar with heel on your chainsaw solves this problem with a whole lot less work and expense.

 

[sublime68charger]

A bow shaped bar with heel on your chainsaw solves this problem with a whole lot less work and expense.

that keeps the chain out of the dirt yes but doesn't help me with having to bend over to saw the log into blocks this will eventually be a elevated platform that I can stand and saw the logs at waist height.

I don't mind sawing so much but the back pain from bending over sawing logs all day is what I'm trying to get away from.

Plus is this also keeps the saw chain out of the dirt as well.

your pretty much talking about the chainsaw buddy system?

 

[fergus]

I've been thinking of something similar. Hadn't thought of something to drive over. Interesting...

 

[zippy99]

no, i was thinking of something more like this
http://s220.photobucket.com/user/3woodsaws/media/cut45-1.jpg.html

It doesn't eliminate bending, but it reduces it considerably. When I was much younger my father and I would routinely cut 10 cords a day using a saw pretty similar to this.

 

[sublime68charger]

Fergus thanks for stopping by!

I limited by just trying to make something workable and use the ATV at the same time.

If I get in some ATV seat time and still be productive at something all the better in my thoughts. Plus the ATV in super nimble and fast in the woods. Wont pull huge logs but can move small stuff around.

Zippy thanks for the Pics of what you was talking about never saw anything like that before looks like a interesting concept for a Chainsaw Bar!

 

[jdieter]

Buy a skidsteer with a grapple attachment

 

[sublime68charger]

Buy a skidsteer with a grapple attachment

that is a $$$$ option of which I don't have the $$$$.

the ATV is a multi use tool for me. and this is just another way to put the ATV to use and be able to cut up some firewood without my having a sore back by the end of the day.

Thanks for the post though.

 

[lakeroadster]

How about a jack on one side of the deck to roll the log to the side you are working?

That would allow a level surface to drive on, yet bring the log to you when cutting so you don't have to reach out to cut it.

 

[sublime68charger]

How about a jack on one side of the deck to roll the log to the side you are working?

That would allow a level surface to drive on, yet bring the log to you when cutting so you don't have to reach out to cut it.

good Idea,

so far with only running 3 logs threw this process. when the logs are up on the deck they roll or slide super easy, compared to them just being on the ground.

when I get this more elevated I will have to make sure it is kept at a level setting or position it that the deck is running up/down hill and not set on the side hill.

I really need to burn the brush pile and get me some more working room for around the log deck.

Kid is having a Birthday Party next weekend and the brush pile will get torched for that as the kids love to have a fire for a party!

along with letting the boys try and split some firewood. I had them due that last year and it seemed to be a test of man hood for a bunch of 10 year olds!

thanks for all the thoughts and ideas on this!

 

[larry_g]

In my mind I see some pipes sticking up from the skid to keep the log from rolling off. They could be slip fit into holes drilled in the skid that would allow you to push or pull the log close to the side without it rolling off and have it as close as possible to you for cutting.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[sublime68charger]

The Firewood cutting deck saw some action this last weekend.

this tree had blow over so I got it cut up and it was nice to cut into blocks and not have to worry about the saw getting into the dirt.

still thinking I need to make it so this sit's up higher but Ill get to that some time I hope.

 

[Dustball]

As for getting the deck up to working height- maybe incorporate drop down wheels similar to what's used on ice fishing houses?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Maybe cam wheels so you drag it ahead 2/3 of a turn to lift.

 

[sublime68charger]

Dustball, Ole Slewfoot,
thanks for the idea's,

My current thoughts are I have some old retired telephone Poles that I was going to put under the cutting deck and let the deck sit up those to give it some height.

I just have to find the time to put that plan into action.

 

[drivesitfar]

Sub: i'm not so sure putting the old telephone poles under your cool log cutting platform will be very easy or raise it much.

you'll still need to drive the ATV with the log behind it over the platform which looks like it's at a good height now so wondering if you can buy a few cheap hydraulic jacks to lift the platform?

or maybe go around the platform with some blocking that you can use one jack to lift and put in blocking and move on to the next one and have maybe 3 or more blockings on each side? just spitballing here until the real creative guys can give you a few more ideas.

even though this might be a bit of a back breaker the way you have it I really like it cause it's an easy way to mark your log to cut, it holds the rounds up a bit so you can maybe lift them on to your trailer and if your back is sore buy a nice inversion table and use it 5 minutes a day and maybe eliminate your back issues like I have.

good luck!!

 

[mustangfan]

If you didn't want it to be portable, what I would suggest is to have the ground on the side that you want to cut from lower say 2' or so. Then slope the platform slightly to that side and put up a small 2x6 rail. This way when you drive/pull the log onto the platform it will roll down to the 2x6 rail (Make some cutouts for where you want to saw) Then you can stand and cut the log and then pick the pieces off and throw them onto the pile.

 

[sublime68charger]

thanks for the comments guys this is a work in progress and for now where its stage is gonna be getting moved as the Im making a wood pile next to this area but under the pines I end up with a lot of bird poop onto of my wood pile and since I'm not fond of having to handle bird poop with the split wood this will be getting moved to a new location and may due the trench thing there.

 

[sublime68charger]

If you didn't want it to be portable, what I would suggest is to have the ground on the side that you want to cut from lower say 2' or so. Then slope the platform slightly to that side and put up a small 2x6 rail. This way when you drive/pull the log onto the platform it will roll down to the 2x6 rail (Make some cutouts for where you want to saw) Then you can stand and cut the log and then pick the pieces off and throw them onto the pile.

thinking I may have a permanent setup by the house where I have 5 acres and also make a portable setup I can take down in the woodland to different area's to set up where I'm working. that way I can bring home nice straight log's to the Home setup for cutting after work where I might have 30-40 min of light after work. Woodland is 1/8 mile away to 1/2 mile depend upon where going on the 100 acres woodland and some places are not accessible when Muddy or in deep snow. So I can stock pile logs at the home site to cut and work on when not able to travel to the woodland or have limited daylight.

 

[sublime68charger]

Sub: i'm not so sure putting the old telephone poles under your cool log cutting platform will be very easy or raise it much.

you'll still need to drive the ATV with the log behind it over the platform which looks like it's at a good height now so wondering if you can buy a few cheap hydraulic jacks to lift the platform?

or maybe go around the platform with some blocking that you can use one jack to lift and put in blocking and move on to the next one and have maybe 3 or more blockings on each side? just spitballing here until the real creative guys can give you a few more ideas.

even though this might be a bit of a back breaker the way you have it I really like it cause it's an easy way to mark your log to cut, it holds the rounds up a bit so you can maybe lift them on to your trailer and if your back is sore buy a nice inversion table and use it 5 minutes a day and maybe eliminate your back issues like I have.

good luck!!

Drives you keep posting up the Idea's I due enjoy reading them and they give me different Idea's to think about that is for sure!

this is ever evolving as I go to try and make things faster and better and keep my back from getting sore!

 

[drivesitfar]

Sub: did you get a chance to make any modifications to your firewood cutting deck? post up a few more pictures if you have and if you have time.

ready for winter?

cheers

 

[Bretny]

Have any more pics of the logging arch? I was wondering how you got the logs up on there until i saw that.

 

[sublime68charger]

Drives
I'm half way ready for winter.
Though the done half is the outside stuff so the rest I can due inside if needed,

Brantley,

Link to the arch build
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=294895

Sorry I'm late replaying back to you on this