Logging With A Mini Tractor

[@frodehau]

I've done some logging with a 28HP Fiat, it did have taller wheels and we used snow chains, but it was very light. It was amazing how much that could be done with a small machine like that. We had a logging winch on it that was rated for about 3000kg. If it was too hard to pull the logs safely I could just drop the logs, let the wire spool out, and pull them back to me. The trick was to find something to rest the winch against. It is much easier to pull if you can lift the end off the ground a bit, as you probably already have discovered. Not only does it help to lower friction, but it also transfers weight on tho the drive wheels.

[@lesmartinez9804]

As always Love You Videos I know it's a lot of work but just seems so peaceful where you live , cool music with your videos too! Some day would LOVE to visit your Country and your people! Keep them videos coming 😊 GOD Bless 😇

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

Great logging action !!! Cheers !!!👍

[@slycat1939]

You are one busy bee--always on the move-love it-my husband was same way. We'd cut trees and he used an old piece of our tin roof as sled. He would roll log part on it and it helped to pull it thru the snow to house for firewood. God bless and keep you and your family. Keep up the great videos.

[@littlewhitedory1]

Good job! Even though it's snowy and cold it looks like fun!

[@rmack48]

For a job like what you are doing and you don't want to tear up the ground too much a good teamof horses is always the best.

[@fertilturtle]

R MacK I

[@abaker7615]

In northern Iowa with snow similar depth, we put tire chains on all drive wheels made a real big difference and did not tear up the grass unless you stepped on a wheel brake and spun around quickly.

[@scramblegam]

Hi Simeon, I live in British Columbia, Canada we're we have much deeper powder snow and often warmer temperatures. I find that one drag crushes the snow which will then freeze into a good skid path.

[@alanharrison538]

Thank you for your content.

[@derrihanson9876]

We have an old log clamp, i didn't know what it was. Thanks for educating me. It will make moving our logs much easier, I won't have to figure out how to get the chain under the log.

[@brianphilbrook5262]

They can certainly do a lot of work. I have a two wheel drive tractor smaller than yours and it’s amazing how much you can do with them.

[@UniqueStance]

unbelievable how much weight such a small machine can pull

[@AgsiSD]

Simeon, I think there's a small band playing country music on your property somewhere. They sounded very close when you were driving around on your tractor. Anyone else hear them? 😂

[@fredbussiereremax]

I love your channel. I just changed from R4 Industrial tires to Turf Tires. Turf tires are so much better in the snow.

[@jeffhanson6844]

I was impressed it pulled that well without chains in the snow

[@seek2find]

Can you put a plastic toboggan or a ski under the front of the log to tow it? It might lift it up a bit and make it slide easier, eh?

[@pitcull1046]

Hey Simeon, that looks like hard work, how's the tennis elbow? I've been struggling for 10 months with it.

[@julier1080]

Plastic toboggan would break but you’re correct- I made a skidding sled with a product called uhmw. Works amazingly well.

[@paulwalker9242]

An old car hood works well too!

[@homesteadwannabee4253]

seek2find I thought of putting a rain barrel on the front so it didn't dig in. Wonder if that would work? You know, just slide it on, if the trunk isn't too big.

[@homesteadwannabee4253]

seek2find. one more idea... galvanized roofing/siding, just round it up with a hammer in front so it won't dig in.

[@oisinhayes8761]

Could you not use the deutz tractor it has bigger tyres

[@Burago2k]

Small or big, the snow would make even a giant machine struggle.

[@urbanothepopeofdeath]

I am assuming a 22 HP (seeing the model # etc.) Would a 26 horse make any difference in this particular case?

[@rodmackinnon8497]

Like the old log attachment . . . never seen one . . . surprised the little tractor moved that first log. I would have attacked it a bit different, probably the same result. Lots of snow . . . we were to get twenty to thirty cm. last night, thankfully most of it passed above us. Cheers.

[@svenerikhansen]

We use the same logging hook when dragging timber with the horse, bougt it from a sweedish supply store online.

[@edieboudreau9637]

So smaller pieces worked well. Good.

[@robertsendlein5245]

Thanks for the great videos, what was the animal that came out from under the wood pile @ 8:19?

[@simeonandalex]

I didn't even see that until now. I have no idea. Even in the original un-edited footage I can't see what it is.

[@oswaltedmund6257]

I have little bit larger Kioti tractor NX 5010. Kioti are real work horse tractors for their size. I log with it, mow , bale, plow, my own construction work, etc.

[@shirleyj5885]

Still too cold for me. At least hard work keeps you warm. May not be the smartest question but I was wondering why you wouldn't push some of the snow out of the way with the snow plow?

[@silvergrizzly316]

You've got a toooooough little tractor!!! 🚜😀👍👍👍

[@canvids1]

Sir you have four wheel drive put some weight on the front forks will give you more traction. Put a tighter choke on the equipment you are using to pull the logs that way you will have less of the log dragging on the ground and will give you more traction on the rear tires.

[@Ticdaniel]

En gammal duett eller pv huv som du vänder upp och ner skulle funka bra till att lunna trädni snön

[@ChernobieffPiano]

Break your Pasture? What does that mean?

[@wendelldfield6686]

Put bucket on and move some of the snow make it easyier!!

[@mikeboone4425]

Platic slid on the back . Happy Trails

[@johnspurling1269]

Simeon, just look up homemade log skidding arch. You will find many ideas to build a skidding arch very cheaply that will make it much easier to do with a small tractor! They use the one that slides up when you pull with horses for years, That Amish in the USA still use it today and a team of horses can pull huge logs with one, I use one with a tractor around the same as yours. I can pull logs much much bigger than your doing even in snow, I do use chains on the rear wheels though. You might even be able to save the cost of hiring someone when you have a small job to do! Look at it! it's cheap to make. If you only use it in snow you could use skis or runners instead of tires as well.

[@digbyodell2924]

I would like to do the same but I know it would be more frustration right now than success because the hills are steeper and longer and there is too much snow here!

[@Пряник-н6ф]

Good job comrad)

[@smolville]

Is the safety equipment a law or just a good idea?

[@andjmarn1485]

Simeon GOOD Job

[@Davistro1]

In the past we used a sled. Perhaps it is better to use ATV 4x4 to pull?

[@NilsKall]

Once you buy a tractor with loader you can never be without one. Wish mine had 3 point hitch and PTO!

[@purask]

in old times they pushed a road in snow for logging, i think theres some wisdom in it. Also you may concider useing a atv trailer behind that tractor :)

[@ddejc]

You should raise front part of the log from the ground up. That will put weight of the log on the rear side of tractor. You will have better traction on rear tyres and you will lower the friction between log and snow.

[@glennschuett199]

To bad you didn't have a sled to Put on the back of the log so it would just slide in the snow. Got the idea from your children's video and their sleds. Love your video's keep them comming

[@kipster-ll6po]

I would have been interested to see what the loader would or would not do with those logs. Anyway, I enjoyed the video. Thanks!

[@LostCaper]

Amazing little tractor. I have a kubota tractor l4740 and do some logging with it as can be seen on my channel. My kubota is bigger but pound per pound you have a beast of a tractor.

[@mikekomis2055]

That little tractor did OK given the difficulty of the task.

[@astroflight6571]

Is that a big nest in a tree in the background at 7:29?

[@1969flyfisher]

where can i get a copy of the music you used at 9:49?

[@urhgroznik424]

Why didn't you use the forest whinch? You could whinch the logs to the closest rode.

[@cardinalforlife1143]

How much horsepower

[@davidb9708]

I am curious, what do you mean by a forest machine? would have enjoyed a picture. I am sure it must be bid and heavy.

[@simeonandalex]

Check out our forestry playlist to see a video on that.

[@twrandle]

Apologies if this is a dumb an uninformed question since I have no experience operating this type of equipment, but why couldn’t the forks be used to lift and move the logs the remainder of the way? Is that not possible or might perhaps cause too much damage to the pasture?

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

twrandle probably too much weight on the front end. The way tractors are designed(heavy diesel engine in front) they can pull much more weight than they can lift from the front.

[@twrandle]

Rich Farfugnuven Thanks for reply. Makes sense what you wrote. Hadn’t considered it from that perspective.

[@JoshuaSmithHomesteader]

A little cabin fever Simeon. Hold on spring is coming soon. Cheers!

[@dwarftoad]

Do you know anyone who raises and trains oxen? (Or heavy horses) Maybe you could attach skids or skis to the log and roll it up onto them? (I always pull firewood out of my woods in the winter on sleds.)

[@davidh266]

why not a log arch

[@johpat6]

Could you have attached the log to the loader and reversed out of the field? Rear axle would loose a lot of weight, but instead you could work the log out similarly to what you did when you collected the fences a while back. Drop, reverse, lift, repeat. Or maybe the loader is too weak?

[@acraftymouse213]

I think you need something with skids for the logs. If you can keep them on top of the snow instead of digging into it, you'll have less drag pulling the tractor down.

[@chiefmik9108]

Simeon, once you pulled the log out, you should have used the forks on the front and pick them up from the side, and drive them back just above the snow lovel... God Bless... Chief {NYS/ADK}

[@julier1080]

If the loader would even lift the large ones, it likely would leave very little traction at the rear and make it hard on the front axle which would now be carrying the load of the log and much of the tractor weight.

[@davidb9708]

Way to heavy for little tractor.

[@simeonandalex]

The tractor couldn't lift the weight of those logs.

[@saemushailstorm3135]

off to the mill ! now what types are trees , pls ?

[@saemushailstorm3135]

hmm - now see all cut up - shame - naught but firewood now

[@simeonandalex]

They are not cut up but are not good for milling either. This is aspen or poppel. We sell it to the match factory and the paper manufacturer.

[@saemushailstorm3135]

thank you so much for answer ; from experiance poplars tend to grow in 'poor' sandy gravely soils & are good at absorbing what little water exists, so, @ site on yr farm, no WONDER they got 'greedy', ha ! make them into matches & BURN !!! ha !

can you show closer that old tool to crab a log? It's very interesting and like to see it closet and maybe make this to myself!

[@thewestnewyorker7269]

What a workhorse that little Kioti is.

[@alammon2114]

You need a go devil. A small sled type put the front of the log on. The front is where most of your resistance is.

[@annetteanderson6845]

Great little tractor :-)

[@MrThenry1988]

I have a 25 hp massey. I've brought a bunch home. Just got in in fact.

[@julier1080]

When you came out with those old tongs I thought you had a bear trap! Cool design. You might have better traction skidding with about 300 pounds on the forks, and picking the log end higher for weight transfer to the rear axle. Off topic- I keep seeing the truss design in your buildings and find it very interesting, are these ‘engineered’ or just common sense that works? I like that the web members bypass the chords, seems like a stronger design.

[@simeonandalex]

Maybe I could talk about the design of the building some day.

[@julier1080]

That would be great topic for a video! Always enjoy learning by seeing how things are done in other places. Your family seems to be all about quality, I like that.

[@eoghankeane2758]

Are u going to use it for firewood

[@julier1080]

He mentions them going to a mill, and it appears to be a variety of aspen which is poor quality firewood.

[@MrIgottap]

Maybe try sawing in half, drag half, while strap other half to front forks?

[@storvega]

Hej ! Liknande stockar brukar jag ta på pallgafflarna med en mindre 18 hp Yanmar. Den har bättre bakhjul dvs bredare 400/60-15.5 och en bakvikt på 150-200 kg. Om du ändå måste lunna, skaffa en lunningskon eller Canadapulka. Alternativt gör en själv av ett 200 l plastfat. Domänsaxen som du använder avundas jag dig, en sån skulle jag gärna haft. Bra kämpat i den moddiga snön !

[@g.singleton350]

I really enjoy your logging/forestry videos.....have you thought of doing a videos series with your brother exclusively about logging/forestry ?

[@simeonandalex]

We have done a bunch of videos about that.

[@jouman450]

Increase friction for tractor and decrease friction for logs. Chain up the tractor and drag the logs on skids. That will do the trick.

[@markeinarson1037]

good job Manitoba Canada

[@jarridhaase3103]

Would def have an easier time skidding if you adapted the grapple to attach to the upper part of that drawbar/hay spear and lifted the fwd end of the log off the ground. Even easier if you got ahold of a logging arch.

[@Largexxl-zn4lx]

you dont use snowchains. dont you have some, or is it no good solution?

[@simeonandalex]

We have never needed them and I don't want to invest in them now that winter is over soon.

[@Largexxl-zn4lx]

right, you did very well without them.

[@Electobat]

Great music

[@gerrymarmee3054]

Lots of conversations about this!

[@haybloomer]

Hey Simeon, another point is that it's your time and energy, and you are being independent. Why not try? Tack

[@rangerjf1]

Cool!

[@sjobang]

Good job! Try feeding some of the branches to your cows. They might just love them.

[@mikelamothesr.8998]

There are a few trees out there capable of eliminating any and all competition for growth. Mike

[@theshadow1559]

It would appear that you have 3 problems, (1) tractor does not have the horse power needed (2) the snow is to deep for the size of tractor you are using (3) your tractor is having to fight both the weight of the log and the depth of the snow with very little horse power (18-20 HP ???) to help. Maybe you should consider plowing away a path through the snow before you attempt to drag/skid the logs. Your videos are always well filmed and interesting.

[@whitetailontherun]

Wranglerstar once used the hood of an old jeep as a log skid to keep the from of the log from digging in. Just an idea.

[@hartstudebakerkid]

julie alluded to it you are using the grapple wrong, You need to drop thou three point down as low to the log as you can so you can lift the end with the three point. Sometimes you have to use a second chain down to the grapple chain or even a load binder to get the length right.

[@simeonandalex]

The log was off of the ground when I worked with it, about 4 inches. The snow is 15 inches. The more I lift the log up the less traction I will have on my front tires and the 4 wheel drive will have lost its purpose.

[@hartstudebakerkid]

Which is why you need counter weight on the front. You could have put a short piece on the forks. I made the same mistakes you did deckades ago with my first tractor.

[@aleblanc3547]

The little tractor that can and does.

[@ВолодяСусак]

Трактор якої фірми скільки коштує

[@MrThenry1988]

You have to pick the front off the ground ,shorten the chain.

[@joeh4295]

I have a JD 4310, I harvest logs out of my wooded areas with it as well. I have a carry all on mine, so I stack logs on it and haul out to where I can put my truck then trans-load to it. My truck can fit a cord and a half worth. When the ground is frozen I slid out my larger logs.

[@2naturesownplace]

not to far below your model.. 1998 John 4100.. bought new and has been a great lil puller for low impact logging. raked it in last year when we had a tornado for the first time in 60 yrs

[@joeh4295]

I've pulled some large trees with mine. Biggest so far was 20" diameter, 20 ft Ash log.

[@JohnMcNerney]

If you are fitting a cord and a half, you've got something significantly bigger than a pickup truck - unless you mean a face cord (which is generally 1/3 of a full cord, if the wood is cut to 16" lengths). A full sized pickup generally holds about 1/2 cord.

[@joeh4295]

John McNerney yes, I forgot to add my trailer. Either way, I don't like to drive both down there. I have to down to the bottom of the hollow. It's 50/50 chance on if it's dry. The tractor doesn't chew up the ground nearly as bad as the truck.

[@alunjones4946]

Those are very LOUD trousers (pfanner sponsored?)

[@simeonandalex]

Those are my personal logging pants that I bought with my money. Why do people think things are sponsored??

[@alunjones4946]

Swedish Homestead I like them Simeon, and I recently replaced a pair of old SIP trousers with some Stihl ones, my boss wouldn't pay for the Pfanners. I didn't mean it to sound like a negative comment. I particularly like your logging/milling/woodwork videos. Thank you. Alun.

[@MrBrunki]

Kanske dags för en häst 😉

[@simeonandalex]

Provat det. Inte min grej.

[@verktygsalskaren2996]

varför har ni inte en grålle typ

[@simeonandalex]

Kanske i framtiden...

[@mandbhomestead]

What about your brothers very big tractor? That would make short order of that log.

[@simeonandalex]

It only has 2 wheel drive. Actually think it would do so well.

[@quentinjackson3778]

You need a counter weight in front

[@frangargett3296]

How about teaching sally to pull wood to give her something to interest her.

[@stanpatterson5033]

I didn't see any sawing in this video, so... Simeon, admit it... you just wore the helmet so that the ear muffs would keep your ears warm, right ? :)

[@simeonandalex]

Yes, but also because the snow was so bright and it makes it a bit darker and for the noice of the tractor.

[@NilsKall]

That’s what we Swedish folk use all the time, they are fancy and comfy😁 Birthdays, Weddings whatever

[@julier1080]

Haha, that’s a funny image! I can see the bride and groom cutting the cake with a little husqvarna and then off to the honeymoon on their forwarder.

[@louisglen1653]

Tire chains will do the trick for traction.

[@debbiebrown3875]

Off topic of this vlog; just watch a couple of your chick videos and wonder if you'd heard of Sweeter Heaters? Think expansion of ceramic bulbs for heating, via induction heat.

[@simeonandalex]

Interesting. Hadn't heard about that. Will check it out.

[@pureblood3127]

So why in the hell wouldn't you just cut the logs into sections and haul them on your forks ?

[@michaelcollins1899]

We skid 16 ft oak logs 18 inch diameter with a 49 ih cub tractor that weighs only 1500 lbs...pick up one end with rear lift and you have automatic traction. And 10 hp little cubby is plenty powered and fantastic geared to do the job. The ppl here who are surprised this tractor can do this have never done it. Your tractor is probably at least double our hp and at least 500 lbs heavier so yeah, it has no problem. The only thing i see is u are hooked sooooo long its hurting the ability. If u get that extension off and hook as short as possible, u have better hp to weight ratio. U def have enough tractor if u use it correctly lol. Our logs almost sit under the seat when we snake them. Hook up as short as possible. Same theory at a tractor pull. Sled hooked short and guy pulls it out for a full pull. They throw on a 20 ft log chain and same tractor cant pull sled half track. Why? Same hp, same sled, same tractor, same weight. But they changed the hp to weight ratio and took his traction atvantage

[@nathanyamaha465]

Hi Simeon, why didn't you cut the logs shorter to make them lighter? Also, what are your thoughts on Flat Earth?

[@charcar78]

He is selling them and they need to be a certain lenght.

[@EnGammalAmazon]

Now yur loggin'!

[@cucurbitfan1610]

Try plowing a path first may be easier.

[@chelemichele1524]

More firewood as well....

[@applejack120]

You should have made trails first it would have been much easier on the little tractor.

[@kuunop]

You have a forklift in front, why not just pick the log up and go instead of dragging it through the snow?