Oregon Landowner Invents Non-Hydraulic Small Tractor Log Skidder System
After buying 40 acres of mixed oak savannah and 20-year-old Douglas Fir reprod, I began the endless and extremely gratifying job of maintaining and properly managing the forest for wildlife habitat, timber and firewood production. As with many small woodland owners, it took me nearly 60 years to get to the point of having the time to do essential forest management tasks. Also, my back is not as forgiving and flexible as it was 30 years ago. Back then when skidding, I would climb off my tractor to dig under a log, set the choker or chain, climb back on to the tractor and pull the log out to be processed. This involved climbing off the tractor, releasing the choker-often having to climb back on to pull the choker out from under the log-then back off to recover the choker for the next log and back on to start over again. It was a lot of “on and off’ the tractor to accomplish a simple task. This was the inspiration for developing my Cat 1, 3-Point Hitch Small Tractor Log Skidder Attachment now named Timber Talons. Using old technology in new ways is not rocket science, but making it affordable, simple and maintenance-free was my goal. This small tractor log skidder attachment performs very much like the higher-priced 3-point hitch hydraulic grapples that are commonly available. But mine can be had for a fraction of the cost of a hydraulic grapple. This skidder attachment permits you to grab a log, pick it up and pull it out of the blackberries, poison oak/ivy or brush without getting off your tractor. When you get to your processing site or log deck, you lower the 3-point hitch and drive away, again without getting off your tractor. It keeps your logs clean and it does not plow deep ruts in your roads or woods.
The entire system can be mounted onto any Category-1, 3-point hitch in about two minutes. Shown in the photo above, but not included with the Small Tractor Log Skidder Attachment, is a pin clevis used to secure the pull chain to the tractor’s draw bar. This or a similar clevis (available at most hardware or farm stores) is required to attach the pull chain to the tractor’s draw bar. For safety, when using the skidder attachment for pulling logs, the pull chain must be securely attached to the tractor’s draw bar. That places the great majority of the pulling load on the draw bar and below the rear axle.
To grab a log for pulling, simply back up to the first foot of the log end. Lower the 3-point hitch and the Timber Talons onto the log and they will fall to the sides. As you lift the 3-point hitch, the talons will grab and lift the log for pulling. To drop the log where you want it-clean and gravel free, just lower the 3-point hitch and drive away. I never leave the tractor seat to pick a log up, or later to drop it off.
When processing firewood, the tractor can be backed up to the log near its center of gravity. The Timber Talons tongs can be dropped onto the log and allowed to engage to lift it to a comfortable working height. Now it’s easy to cut firewood. Care must be taken to ensure the chunks don’t fall on your toes! An entire log can be cut without your chain saw bar touching the ground. That saves me hours of chain sharpening. And better yet, it is much easier on my “not so young” back. Also, after falling a tree, I can drive around to the tree’s center of gravity and pick the tree up with the Timber Talons for easy limbing, as shown in the pictures.
