Pulling stuff safely

[bluedog225]

I need to haul some downed trees out of the woods with my jeep. Some big old dead oaks and some largish ash juniper. I’ve got some stout attachment points bolted to the frame.

What’s the best way to keep from getting smacked in the back of the head?

My options are:

1. Logging chain. Short, stout, purpose made.

2. Some sort of wide nylon lifting strap.

3. Winch with remote and/or hood raised.

Driving the stuff out attached with the logging chain or strap or combo would be quickest and easiest. Winching will be a slow process.

My concern is something breaking and flying through the back window of the jeep. I’d rather avoid that as there is no headache grill.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[PCustoms]

How big of a tree?

Around here I usually winch then if I need control. I use a tractor, pulling tongs and chain if I need to skid it down a clear path.

Depending on how many you have setting up a log arch may be a good option, it keeps the log from digging in and avoids the whole chain/strap issue.

Edit: log arch is also good if you need to drag them downhill, as it maintains control. Don't want a rogue log to the back of the jeep...

 

[PCustoms]

Stole this from google

 

[tester19]

Thank you!
I learned something new today and now know what a "Log Arch" is.
.
.
.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I have a feeling a large tree in Texas is not what most readers are going to think of as a large tree. A jeep isn’t going to pull a medium size tree around here. What size are you dealing with?

 

[58Yeoman]

I have a feeling a large tree in Texas is not what most readers are going to think of as a large tree. A jeep isn’t going to pull a medium size tree around here. What size are you dealing with?

HAHA! Years ago, my father in law and I towed his brothers Dodge van from IL to AZ with a very heavily built tow dolly. The dolly was made so that you could pull the long tongue off to save space. The idea was to pull the van to AZ, take the dolly apart and put it in the bed of my PU. Got out there and found out they don't have trees, and if they do, you couldn't stand under it. Luckily, we found a contractor building a house with a truck crane, and he helped up pull it apart and lifted it into my truck, all for $20. Good deal. I think TX has more trees, though.

 

[bluedog225]

You are correct. Largest would be 12-14” live oak killed by drought several years back.

 

[PCustoms]

You are correct. Largest would be 12-14” live oak killed by drought several years back.

I hate picking up branches....

 

[racecougar]

You are correct. Largest would be 12-14” live oak killed by drought several years back.

Just hook up your logging chain and start skidding.

 

[nadogail]

Tree size is often determined by location. California’s Redwoods are really big, but your local trees are the biggest in your area.

 

[tarmy]

Well, if you are worried about strap/chain/cable failure and stored energy, google winch cables and watch the mayhem of metal vs. nylon/composite cables. It will give you an idea of the risk and what stupid looks like…but also good info about some of the issues with dragging things. Nylon straps will fray/snag when dragged, so chain is the way.

As noted, a proper chain, correctly fastened to the log and vehicle should work just fine. Cut the lengths a bit short until you have some experience and feel better about your approach and size the loads accordingly. I use a tractor to do the same…low, slow and carefully works every time.

 

[jar944]

Just hook up your logging chain and start skidding.

This.

 

[PCustoms]

I just came in from dropping a dying maple along the road, probably a 20" tree. Bucked it into 3 8' sections, rest was junk (the top exploded when it landed). It was far enough from the road that I could not get it with the grapple and I wanted to minimize my time as a traffic hazard.

Hooked the 30' chain up , looped it on a grapple tine and pulled the sections out. Frozen ground and snow kept things easy

 

[cvairwerks]

Chain up short to a shackle on the hitch and haul away. I've hauled stuff like that behind the truck with less than 2 feet of chain between the shackle and the object. It can limit turns and dealing with pitch changes, so be aware.

 

[firebirdparts]

Just hook up your logging chain and start skidding.

This is how we do it. The branches are on one end. The chain goes on the other end. No glass breaks.

 

[Sycan]

If the trees are like this, use a bigger chain

 

[Half-fast eddie]

3. Winch with remote and/or hood raised.

Raised hood isn't going to slow down a snapped nylon strap very much.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Raised hood isn't going to slow down a snapped nylon strap very much.

Used to be a guy around here who had a cable launch a hook through the tailgate of his truck. He drove it with the hole in it for years. But he didn’t yank things with cables anymore

 

[bluedog225]

Raised hood isn't going to slow down a snapped nylon strap very much.

Really? Seems like a pretty good shield for nylon.

Big, loose (will move and absorb energy), has some mass, will spread the load over the whole contact area, unlikely to be penetrated by nylon.

What’s your thinking?

 

[PCustoms]

Really? Seems like a pretty good shield for nylon.

Big, loose (will move and absorb energy), has some mass, will spread the load over the whole contact area, unlikely to be penetrated by nylon.

What’s your thinking?

Nylon straps aren't going to have a lot of energy when they snap.

The hook on the end may be dangerous though.

 

[DenisG]

Recovery dampers are used to prevent whipping of tow lines:

Recovery Dampers for Protecting Against Cable Whipping

Winch line dampers help keep your steel or synthetic winch line from whipping dangerously on the trail. Make sure to pick one that's big and sturdy.

www.roundforge.com

You can also use a big wet heavy blanket (mover's blanket).

 

[mike93lx]

Are you pulling them to be used for something or just to get them out of there?

If you just need them gone, maybe bring a chipper to them? For just 14" logs, you can easily rent a chipper big enough (at least in the northeast) , just be careful as that's similar to the size of a person

 

[cvairwerks]

Running a chipper that will take a 14” log is not for the faint of heart. Way easy to get sucked into any sized one, but that big will do it in an instant. There’s been a couple of tree pros sucked into them recently.

 

[mike93lx]

Running a chipper that will take a 14” log is not for the faint of heart. Way easy to get sucked into any sized one, but that big will do it in an instant. There’s been a couple of tree pros sucked into them recently.

Absolutely, no argument there

 

[mikegt4]

Keeping the **** end of the log of the ground makes the job a lot easier, what a log arch does. I spent last summer clearing out a large area of trees and brush and dragging them 100 yds. to the burn pile. I drug them with my tracked front loader or tractor which made the job relatively easy. Using a Jeep w/o the advantage of a device to lift the end of the log will be more challenging but still doable. Jacking the end of the log up 6-8", wrap a short chain around 2-3 times about a foot from the end (keeps the chain from sliding off the end of the log) and then hook the other end of the chain on the trailer hitch or tow hook on the Jeep. A wrecking bar or long piece of steel can lift the log up enough to get some blocking under it and wrap the chain around. Couple it as close as you can to the back of the Jeep which will tend to keep the end of the log up high while being dragged along. All this assumes that you are not trying to pull a 30" diameter x 40' long log with a Jeep. Have fun!

 

[Rst277]

The winch cable is the most dangerous option. We used to thread an old parka onto the cable so if it snapped, that would take the sting out of it. the hood and drivers door open are good options AS WELL, but the damper idea is the best. I've had a winch cable snap and whack the door I was standing / hiding behind - that's a poop your pants moment!

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Just hook up your logging chain and start skidding.

I agree. Unless you're skidding at 50 MPH, you'd have to really get creative to create a situation where you snap a logging chain pulling 12" to 14" trees with enough force to worry about it coming through the back of your head.

Hook them up, take your time, and skid them out.

 

[05snopro440]

I use my tractor and a nylon sling. It works really well for me.