Best setup for pulling logs
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I would definately use a short choker, chain or strap (in that order), not your hook wrapped back to your cable. You should be fine with a straight pull, but if necessary, put a snatch block attached to log in the middle of your cable doubled back to your BJ40. It'll take some trial and error depending on how long your pull is, how much crap you have to pull thru, and how much resistance you encounter. If you can get some lift on the lead end, you'll be way ahead in the game. You may have to tie the BJ off to a tree if your logs are that big. 
Can you drive to the logs? If so, it'd be even easier to back up to it and attach it to the 40 with a short choker. Happy skidding.
Can you drive to the logs? If so, it'd be even easier to back up to it and attach it to the 40 with a short choker. Happy skidding.
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- #3
Thanks for the advice Chad. These are hardwood trees that are around 36 to 48 inch diameter. I am going to cut them in sections and mill the wood with a portable saw mill. All of these are straight pulls and I only have to drag them around 30 feet( but up a semi steep grade). I was thinking to get some small logs under them to roll them so to speak. They are naturally fallen trees that have to be on my farm land part of my property and not in the primary rain forest part of my property to be harvested legally. The forest rangers have given me the OK but I can't mill in the primary. Also I just bought a radio remote for my wench just to keep my body parts all together. Once again thanks for the advice.
Thanks for the advice Chad. These are hardwood trees that are around 36 to 48 inch diameter. I am going to cut them in sections and mill the wood with a portable saw mill. All of these are straight pulls and I only have to drag them around 30 feet( but up a semi steep grade). I was thinking to get some small logs under them to roll them so to speak. They are naturally fallen trees that have to be on my farm land part of my property and not in the primary rain forest part of my property to be harvested legally. The forest rangers have given me the OK but I can't mill in the primary. Also I just bought a radio remote for my wench just to keep my body parts all together. Once again thanks for the advice.
What length sections will you be planning to skid? Even when my Dodge is empty, I can yard whole green blowdown Larch )approx 30" dbh and 120'ish long) trees up steep inclines if there's not too much brush and downfall in the way. That's the way I get firewood with a 200' of 3/8" cable, a 150' of 5/16" cable, and several 30' - 1/2" helicopter chokers.
With what you have told me so far, you should be able to pull a significant chunk of tree up hill with a short (50-70' 3/8" cable) and a snatch block strapped to a tree. Run the cable thru the block above the road and point the TLC downhill. You'd be surprised how much you can pull with that rigging.
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- #5
There is no brush in the way because it is rain forest, so that is not a problem. My little BJ doesn't have much ass but I keep bags of sand in the bed for traction all of the time. I really don't know what size sections I will attempt to pull. I was going to start with 8 foot sections because I am going to use the wood for flooring. If I can pull larger sections, great. I have synthetic 5/8th line for winching so I know the tensile strength is greater than wire. I will not be able to point the cruiser downhill because I will be pulling on a horizontal surface. Your #'s on diameter and length of trees is very encouraging. If all goes well and I return home in one piece and I'll post pics. Thanks again, Isaac
Last comment: Hang the snatchblock as high as you can to get even a little lift on the log.
Good luck!
Can't wait to see the pics!+1
this is key to reducing drag and load on your winch, log should be sliding, not plowing..
be safe,
gr
Good deal. Can't wait to see you skidding. Don't forget to air down. I pulled a 60' chunk of wet grand fir (approx 24" at the butt) with my mini truck and no additional weight, but the tires were at 10 psi.
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- #11
Good deal. Can't wait to see you skidding. Don't forget to air down. I pulled a 60' chunk of wet grand fir (approx 24" at the butt) with my mini truck and no additional weight, but the tires were at 10 psi.
Wow. I am feeling better about it already. These are cut into much smaller sections. Should have some real pics in around 3 weeks.
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- #12
A little late but better than never. I have not got into the "hairy" parts yet but like someone posted before, you really don't need a winch just use the BJ. I used just nylon rope with 15,000 LB tensile strength and it worked just fine. I will have to use my winch in the near future though. I'll post more in about 30 days. This is a link to our local club and you can see the pics there. It starts at post #170.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/la-bayou-state-land-cruisers/187943-traveling-thread-6.html#post4428606
https://forum.ih8mud.com/la-bayou-state-land-cruisers/187943-traveling-thread-6.html#post4428606
Nice pics, plug!!! Congrats on finding some of the capabilities of your BJ.