How To Load Logs The Easy Way

First time out with the new winch, and reconditioned trailer. This thing worked like a charm. We are actually looking forward to picking up logs now. This rig is a game changer for sure.

[@geoffreykail9129]

Chuck the way I solved the only pulled from the center was, made up a 40' chain, hook the two ends to the bloc side of the trailer and layed it out as a v under the log and back over with the point of the v at the center of the log. So as you pull on the point of the v and the log rolls it gets wider grip on the log and keeps both ends rolling.

[@IronOakSawmill]

That was one of my thoughts as well. Wanted to keep this first one simple. We had all that experience with our old lt15 mill, figured I could deal with it this one time. Lo her logs, it would be a must to have the V chain, rather than a single line.

[@farmerjohn8726]

Hi ... regular observer here, but first time commenter ... two crucial safety suggestions (maybe made by others below) 1. Keep your hands, head and all of your body far far far from the line of any cable under tension. If the cable breaks from overload, or lack of lubrication, or wear, or defect, or load snagging or just bad luck you could lose a limb, an eye or be decapitated. You were kneeling by it and trying to guide cable spooling with one of your two remaining hands and one good head. Super risky!! 2. To help prevent unintended consequences in case of a cable break, throw a heavy flexible item over the long stretch of cable from winch to block. A great thing if you can get it is a fabric-covered lead body shield from a radiology practice; these things do get skanky after years of service and are discarded, so the price will be zero or modest. If the cable snaps, the cover will soak up the released kinetic energy. Your safety and Deb's are way more important than one final spectacular video!! Cheers Farmer John from eastern Ontario

[@IronOakSawmill]

Been getting hammered about that. Lessons learned the easy way. Thank you for the advice. Figured I can winch the log on, and re-spool the cable once the load is off.

[@hatzhead]

Good video. Thought you were crazy leaving the tractor in that logs path.

[@jimbrown3957]

Looks like the winch works great good video chuck and deb

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thanks Jim, and Thank you for the help, and advise.

[@mountainguyed67]

Woah! You put a bucket on your lawn mower.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Quite impressive, isn't it? That little tractor does A LOT more than we ever expected.

easy and nice loading technique. thanks for sharing. See you. great greetings.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you my friend. We are very pleased with how the technique performed. Looking forward to using it more.

[@MichaelRatkowski-u2x]

Wrap chain around your log save the cable, nice winch setup

[@charliewagner2727]

I have a remote on my winch. works up to 80 feet away. Bought it at Harbor Freight for $60.00. works great with my 20,000 pound winch.

[@IronOakSawmill]

That sounds like a sweet set up Charlie. No worries of the power cord at all, and plenty of pulling power.

[@efrancis19]

I was kind of afraid you were going to jump down between the log and the trailer at the end. I'm glad you didn't.

[@jophoto934]

OMG. A wife that compliments her husband and says he does something right!!!!

[@smity7096]

That log has metal in it.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello Keith. It sure does. One of the problems with urban logging. We will work around it, and get the best lumber possible from it.

[@larryiowatexasrooster9317]

👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🗽🙏🏻enjoyed

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Larry

[@davidtrutwin3790]

That is a garden tractor.

[@IronOakSawmill]

That Garden tractor kicks butt.

[@jrmorrissey207]

Turn the throttle up! That little thing needs to make every bit of power it can. It’s not making much at idle there in the video. Try not to slam into stuff. It’s a glorified lawn mower, not an industrial piece of equipment

[@Comp670]

Awesome setup! Make sure you stand on the other side of the trailer though when winching. If that snatch block or chain broke, hook slipped, or whatever (and they do when you least expect it, even with a "light" load) you would have been taken out by the cable. The amount of "whip" the cable has when they break is incredible. Cool setup though and the trailer looks great.

[@jeremywestra6601]

agreed. never stand in the bite. great log load though, keep it up man!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Not my favorite place to be. Was trying to get the cable coiling correctly. It was a failed attempt. We had to unwind the cable when we were done, and rewind it correctly. Live and learn. Let the cable alone, and re-spool when there is no load. Thanks guys. Its nice to have a fully capable trailer.

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@jeremywestra6601 been getting hammered about where I was working. Lessened learned the easy way this time. Best to keep it safe. Thanks for checking in Jeremy. Good to see you in you comment section.

[@jimp.4531]

nice recovery

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you. Well worth it. Now to get this one milled into lumber.

[@joelnickerson6739]

Now that's a trailer. Don't have any luck with Fords but that's why they make different trucks. Hope you're doing ok these days my friend.

[@IronOakSawmill]

It did turn out nice, but it was a good amount of work. Never had luck with the fords either, but 2 friends know them inside and out, so if i need repairs, they can direct me on how to get it done.

[@stanleyclark7758]

I love the method employed guys. Just like the crew of sailing ships. Second hand battery and the new winch did great! Thanks guys! Stan

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Stan. Its good to be able to load and haul the big stuff. We depended on others to help with getting these big ones home, or we would just have to pass on them.

[@marypaine7906]

Holy Cow Chuck and Debbie! That's AMAZING!!!

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Mary. That's the way we would load logs at your place. No big equipment. Little to no damage to the yard, and we are gone. Maybe you'll get to see it first hand in the future. We shall see.

[@barrywest3758]

Nice job and lots of lumber! The trailer work payed off well 👍😀

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Barry. Even with the metal we know is in it, it should yield plenty of great lumber. Now to get it milled up.

[@donaldtrabeaux5235]

WELL THE WORK DONE ON THE TRAILER PAY OFF AWESOME JOB,

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Donald. I think it was worth it, and it should serve for many years. Its nice to be able to load and haul those big logs.

[@nmblevins5904]

That little lawnmower done pretty good

[@IronOakSawmill]

That thing has surprised me more than once. It retired from the heavy work now. Got a little bit bigger machine. We still bring it out now and then when space gets tight.

[@chadhenwwodschainsawswoodw2108]

have you thought about adding an arc on to your trailer??? would make things easyer and faster one of the other guys that dose milling that i follow has one

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello Chad, and welcome. I had considered an arch, and may still go with one at some point. I would have to beef up the frame work at the rear of the trailer. Whats there now, may be a little light for a mounting point. I like the way they work though.

[@chadhenwwodschainsawswoodw2108]

@@IronOakSawmill yea i follow Matt Cremona as well and that's where it saw one. just thought i'dd try and help in any way i can lol

[@IronOakSawmill]

@@chadhenwwodschainsawswoodw2108 I follow him as well. Very informative, and inspiring.

[@mikeadams2339]

Nice recovery! What kind of metal detector do you use?

[@IronOakSawmill]

Thank you Mike. We were really eased with how the set up worked. Our metal detector is a Garrett Ace 250. Much better than our old wand type

[@mikeadams2339]

Thankz. I waz thinking wand type

[@billfisher8647]

What are you going to do with it?

[@IronOakSawmill]

Check out the video where we saw it up into lumber. May become tables. Not really sure just yet. May share it with some friends

[@billfisher8647]

@@IronOakSawmill great. Thanks!

[@chrism.8105]

Apologies first. I am sure you answered this before. You have some great sourcing techniques and your sawing is impeccable. Yet, you seem to prefer air drying your wood versus using a kiln. Your take on adding a kiln someday? Thanks for all your videos.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Hello Chris, and welcome to the mill. Thank you very much. We try to turn out the best product we can for our customers. No complaints so far. LOL We are seriously considering a kiln. Walnut would be one that we would have to pay special attention to. Kiln drying tends to change the natural color of the wood, and we have a good amount of "purist" wood workers who prefer air dried black walnut. Most any other wood is not affected. Space is another issue with building a kiln here. We need to move some of our lumber along, and see what we can do.

[@chrism.8105]

@@IronOakSawmill Thanks for reply & the lesson on walnut & kilns.