Set Up a Simple Low Cost Log Yarding Operation 

I usually select stumps or trees that I don’t want to keep. But yes you make a good point. I do have a strap made for that. I should probably start using it more.

Yep well said. I always liked that last line, and different variations of it I have seen.

Thank you, I appreciate your comment.

Yep I was hoping that stump would give us a good performance. The one I did down the hill from it didn’t move at all when I cut it off.

Yep height is very helpful. Most of the time I haven’t been bringing up enough material in any one spot to justify hanging the block up in the tree or scarring up the tree. But when I do that would be something good to make a video about.

You can use a strap on the tree doesn't mark it up as bad or put some heater hose on the choker you put on the tree it will help love the videos thank you for making them

Thank you, I appreciate the comment.

Yes simple is good, I try to add simple to as many things as I can. Always appreciate your comments.

I haven’t used rope. I hear some of the new ropes can be really good.

12ooo lb test is what we used for rigging and rappel ropes, the world has shrunk ,but , what we could drag with it we call twigs . LOGS start at 1/2 " choker 5"8 tug pull. When I set choker in 79 it was 5/8 chokes 1 &1/2 or 2 on mainline on D8 cat . That was tonka toy stuff then . I weighed 140 lbs. The cat hook weighed 90 . I could only pack 3 chokers as opposed to 5 Jeff or brother Dave packed. Both 240 ,6foot plus .

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback.

That is a good idea. I have a few chokers around that loggers left behind. They are still mostly good.

I don’t like people who take other people’s things either. Too bad we can’t teach those people some new tricks like not taking people’s stuff.

@@WilsonForestLands right.

I carry an old choker when I fly , if it goes down that chokers gonna sure as hell catch on sumpin .!

And thank you for commenting.

Thanks for the comment.

Thank you Ron.

Ps. Those showa gloves are the best. Outlast leather gloves by 4 x. And you can use your fingers better.

And they have a good grip.

I keep two of them in my truck toolbox. They have got me and a few others out of some binds when we needed them.

Thank you sir. 👍

Oh yeah those funny talking guys. I haven’t tried the cones but I can imagine something like that could be helpful. Sometimes even cutting the top of the log at an angle can help redirect it around obstacles. My dad had a grapple that would grab the top of the log instead of using a choker. It was designed to help redirect the log around obstacles. I haven’t seen that in many years I don’t think he still uses it. I will have to ask him about that now that I just remembered it.

We have one of those cones and love it, although we do have smaller diameter trees on our property and I'm not sure it would even fit around the logs he pulled out in this video. What we've found is that it not only helps logs slip around things with out getting snagged, it keeps the log from gouging into the dirt and gravel which prevents not only that added drag, but also keeps the log up out of the dirt so it doesn't get encrusted with dirt/mud and stones that will ding your mill blades when sawing them up for beams or lumber. It just keeps that end of the log from snagging on things, including the ground itself. It's extremely sturdy too. I suppose you would wear through one if you used it full time, but for us managing our woodlot (50 acres) for the past three years, it's been fantastic. Since our "logs" are generally 20" or less in diameter (usually under 16"), I don't really know how big a log the one we have could handle.

You pretty much just summed my whole 18 minute video up in just a few words. Well said.

@WilsonForestLands 🙂thank you very much for that. and i, too, know from my own experience with using that excat set up that it works great.

I have done some videos where I have shown more about that. Here’s a link to a playlist that has a couple videos where I focus more on that. I think it’s the first one or two in the playlist. ru-vid.com/group/PLzlG-SyEfaDzbIk6si3PwZmf6xFNg3LRN&si=nlvV7iBhelcwVwQM

Yeah that would be another good way to do it, setting up a winch. I remember a long time ago my dad doing that with his old Warn winch. It would overheat after pulling very long. Maybe they have better ones now that wouldn’t do that. Instead of saying pulling it out of the bush or the forest, we would be more likely to say pulling it out of the woods here. Good to hear from you.

What kind of rope do you use that doesn't stretch and/or break??? Where to get one like that? Thanks

For light weight stuff I use a Samson 1/2" rope and for the big stuff I use a 5/8" bull rope. I think it is a Samson too but I can't remember. My local arborist supply store carries both but you can find it online too. @@carolewarner101

Do you use Dyneema rope? If so what knots to hold that slippery stuff? I really like Zeppelin knots, but haven't yet tested them on Dyneema. I got an 80 ft Dyneema from Harbor Freight which is replacement winch line for their 12,000 winch. I wanted it for extension.

I use 1/2 Samson rope for light stuff and pulling trees over etc and a 5/8 Samson arborist bull rope for the heavy stuff. I use a couple of different knots but mostly bowlines and bowlines on a bite.

How much does rope stretch compared to steel? What are the pros & cons of the two in terms of safety, durability, longevity, etc. I have almost no experience with these things, but we bought acreage with lots of trees on it, so I need to learn quickly!

Yep, I have a video or 2 where I use that term.

I get most of it from Oregon California Supply here in Southern Oregon. If it makes you feel any better, I have only cut the knotty low grade parts of most of the Doug fir into firewood. Most of what I cut was grand fir, which you probably wouldn’t want for that anyway. The high grade Doug fir is still there. But yeah I get it, it’s a sad thing.

In the video I did about a year ago where I was wrestling the big cedar up out of the canyon I used the one I have for the first time. It’s hard for a West Coast guy to accept the idea of using any kind of rigging that isn’t made out of steel. I didn’t bring it here with me on this trip but I am trying to get into the habit of remembering that I have it and put it to use for that reason.

@@WilsonForestLands I tried a wide strap...first try the strap rotated a couple inches and girdled the tree...second try the strap snapped.

I’m getting some things finished up here and will soon be going back. I am actually not in Applegate, more in the north end of the county.

I would have to do some research on that. I bought almost all of it from our local logging supply store.

It is a true fir like white fir is. White fir grows more in the higher elevations, Grand fir is more along the coast and in lower elevations. There are some differences between the trees but the wood is very similar.

That depends on what you are pulling with. If you are using a pickup truck like I am, the truck is not strong enough to break this equipment. I have used this set up with Tanoak, which is probably comparable to your hardwoods. The limiting factor is not breaking the equipment, it’s just whether or not the truck can pull it. If not it just means I either have to put more blocks in or cut the logs shorter. I hope that made sense.

@@WilsonForestLands that definitely makes sense. I would be using about a 6,200 lb tractor or an old cat d6b dozer. Tanoak would be a similar weight. I guess the real question is, can I trust my judgement and not just try and pull out the entire tree all at once every time. Lol. Thanks

@@kaceesavage I use the same equipment with my tractor that is a little heavier than that. Maybe 7000 lbs. It has a farmi winch and I have the same 7/16 line on it. This equipment all holds up well with it. But a four wheel drive tractor getting good traction pulling with its full force, I haven’t tried that. I might think about a half inch cable. A D6 is another story. A D6 could break this rigging like it was dental floss without even making a snort.

Yes I cover my license plates for privacy. I’m not sure if there’s a good reason to do that but a lot of people on RU-vid do. Thanks for the comment as always.

Remember you are a public person and anyone can see you so I definately understand keeping your plate(s) covered@@WilsonForestLands

Bailey’s probably has a lot of that stuff. The breakaway block I got from Northeast Implement. Everything else I buy from our local logging supply store.

I think a murderer is worse

Ok…second worse thing. Thanks for educating me.

I went back and looked at the video, at one point I think I see what you are talking about. I didn’t even notice until you mentioned it.

Just turned the big 50. If my dad and grandfather are any indication, I should have another two or three good decades left. I do work alone most of the time. It is the most dangerous occupation but the average timber faller probably cuts more timber in a day than I have done in the last year. It’s not something I do all the time. Not that it takes anything away from your point but my exposure is comparatively low. Working alone has those obvious potential’s but with the impracticality of hiring someone to help me with my situation, it’s matter of do it alone or not do it at all. I just got out of the business where I was trying to get people to do labor. The stress of that was probably more hazardous to my well being than what I am doing now.

I have heard of people using car tires for that. Individual wrapped cables are best in this situation, I am traveling light here. I am pretty happy with the steel cable, I don’t think rope holds up well to dragging through the dirt. Thanks for the comment.

@@WilsonForestLands I only said I would use rope because thats what im used to. Abrasion is definitely an issue with rope.

I don’t have a sawmill here and the commercial mills here are not set up for dealing with small quantities. Firewood prices are very high here so it’s being cut into firewood. I am assuming that’s what you were asking.

@@WilsonForestLands that was the question exactly.