Share
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Skidding tongs

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Posts
    1,323

    Default Skidding tongs

    We've had a few trees down on our property, and want to get rid of all the lumber. I'd built a version of skidding tongs to drag pallets off trailers, and recently saw skidding tongs for logs in the Northern catalog. So I thought I'd try a version using 1/2 inch rebar. I heated and flattened the pivot point to make drilling easier, made a few bends, welded the chain on. I also welded a length of chain onto a handle; a grab hook on the end of that chain connects to the chain on the tongs.

    That's some of what I've been up to... what's everybody else working on?

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSCF0603.jpg 
Views:	551 
Size:	141.8 KB 
ID:	11772
    DaveO
    Oxweld oxy acet gear
    IMIG 200
    PowerTIG 210 EXT... Amazing!

  2. #2

    Default

    Have you used them yet? Can't beat a home made tool.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Posts
    1,323

    Default

    I tried them out, just for proof of concept, but we haven't started the whole project full-on, just yet. It's been cold and wet here, but in the next couple weeks we're going to mobilize the kids, rent a trailer, and transport trees to the dump. In addition to the fallen trees we've identified a couple "take them down before they fall down on the neighbors property" trees that have to go, too, so this will likely take more than a couple weekends.
    DaveO
    Oxweld oxy acet gear
    IMIG 200
    PowerTIG 210 EXT... Amazing!

  4. Default

    It looks like they will be a little bit too light duty for dragging logs. I think they will bend to the point that the log will come loose in the clamp. I would go with at least 1" dia. rod to start with unless the logs are only 6-8 in in dia. Are you going to drag them with a machine or just a couple guys going to lift the end and drag them by hand?
    Miller 302 gas drive
    millermatic 200 mig
    miller spoolmatic 3 spool gun with 100ft ext.
    2014 Everlast PP60S plasma
    thermal arc 250 GTS inverter
    2016 Everlast 250EX
    miller tig cooler
    2015 Everlast MTS250S
    Miller 30A spool Gun
    Miller xtreme 12VS wire feeder
    Linde CM 85 shape cutter

  5. #5

    Default

    As the others, I hate to be negative but those tongs are just too light to last and rebar is made of questionable metal that bends easily. I'm all for home-made stuff and you have a good general starting point. From there, modifications can be made.

    I do a lot of logging and clearing large eucalyptus trees. I have 3 sets of tongs, 1 skidding (dragging) and two lifting, that are very heavy duty. They have had to be repaired due to hard use but the basic tong structure has never bent or snapped.

    Here is a photo of the light duty skidding tong on a tractor attachment that was built for the purpose. The light tongs can be switched out for heavier ones as can be seen in the construction.

    The attachment is great for holding logs at waist level for bucking thus saving the back.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	LogCarrier_02.JPG 
Views:	469 
Size:	73.6 KB 
ID:	11774  
    Last edited by GWD; 02-05-2014 at 03:15 PM.
    Everlast PowerArc 300
    Everlast PowerArc 200
    Everlast PowerPlasma 70
    Hobart Handler 125 EZ
    Lincoln Tombstone AC
    Lincoln Tombstone AC/DC
    O/A outfit
    Honda 11K generator

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Posts
    1,323

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by GWD View Post
    Here is a photo of the light duty skidding tong
    That's the idea of "light duty"? You're right, I have some re-thinking to do. I appreciate the feedback.
    DaveO
    Oxweld oxy acet gear
    IMIG 200
    PowerTIG 210 EXT... Amazing!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •