Cheap log skidding tongs test

Here i test out my $58.00 Amazon log skidding tongs.
www.amazon.com/Timber-Tuff-TM...

[@ellobo1326]

Excellent fab job. I love making gizmos like that. Knowing how to weld and having my own welders is so nice !

[@falllineridge]

A set of log dogs, or tongs, and a boom pole are two of the handiest things you can own for that tractor. Also, that new tire sticker on the left rear tire is very satisfying!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Hahahaha! I see that sticker but can't bring myself to remove it! I was thinking about your tractor when I made my boom. I don't think I have enough lead in my pencil to keep the front end down if I made it as long as yours.

[@tractorboy31]

@@NorthwestSawyer heck i dragged a couple monsters up a hill with the boom pole gramps built ( about 5ft vertical then 1ft raduis 90° then 1ft horizontal. 3/8 slip hook at tip with 2 3/8 grab hooks on each end of 3/8 plate gusset reiforcement of radius) couldnt even use hooks cause it kept picking up my front end i had to wrap chain around the top link bracket.

[@jackwoods2891]

That's pretty slick! I have to weld something like that for my tractor. And start picking up all the trees that fell.

[@kirkdehart7282]

One thing I’ve learned is you don’t want to cradle the log in the tongs but let it ‘pinch ‘the end of the log as close to the end as possible so you don’t bend up the tongs. Also by doing that once you stop at your destination you should be able to back up releasing the tongs and then pulling away without ever having to get off of the tractor. Just my two cents. Thanks for sharing your video.

[@benscoles5085]

Kirk DeHart, I agree, as I watched this I was thinking, he is making more work of this than needed, , but that comes with experience in using a particular tool, I am sure he will master this,

[@brianrosabeck]

Nice video. I really like it when people don't talk so much in their videos. Well done 👍

[@BillB]

Thank you for the review and letting us see them in action. I'm switching windows to order my set now.

[@BillB]

Two years later, still got 'em. Still using 'em.

[@williamdavidson9009]

Those tongs work well. Your 3 pt set-up for skidding is very similar to what I made. I have a couple of old ones that I picked up over the years. One set the points are not at enough of an angle so it just slips off the log. They don't work for big or small logs. The other set works great for pulling or lifting logs.

[@glenngoodale1709]

I look forward to your videos. You are doing a great job !

[@eldoradowoodcrafthobbies3888]

Great find! Super setup!

[@robtowle1580]

Good to see the tongs are working out for you man! We are close to loading the maple slabs you cut for us into a kiln, will be sure to send you some pics when we get them made into tables. All the best!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Awesome, Rob! Maybe get a little video of it and I can put it up on my channel.

[@johnhunter273]

The fender controls have got to be the best additions to a tractor in a long time! Gotta save tons of time hooking up stuff!!Nice boom addition to the 3 point rig!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, John! It's a huge time saver. Even just being able to raise and lower the three point with the tongs.

[@timberray9572]

Timber Tuff makes a good product, I own the chain grinder which has sharpened a lot of chains in the eight years I have owned it, no problems at all.

[@mtraf1980]

I've got a similar pair with replaceable spikes, they were worth the $$. You've got some great timber out there. Wish we had wood like that in New England.

[@scnomad3626]

That boom pole looks great! I am going to copy that design and fab one up. Thanks

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks! Good luck!

[@lostnation5348]

Nicely done. Thank you for sharing.

[@bradmetcalf7832]

I had a couple thoughts. Yes that rear mounted 3 point control is sweet! I tried a set of the Timber Tuff tongs, mine came with some weird points on them that were held on with C clips, I tore the points off and twisted the tongs first time I used them. Beware they are kind of soft. I also don't like the fact that your set up is on swivels and here is why. I have mine (which have no swivels) slung on a cross chain under my bucket with a shackle system that makes them hang 90 deg to my direction of travel. I can drive in centered up on log and usually drop them down and grab log ith out getting off Big Blue Tractor. That little notch you put in the top horizontal bar to catch your slack chain is a nice touch!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I had read several bad reviews about the tongs with the C-clip points and how easily they come apart. So far I’ve had no issues with mine.

[@paullandry8301]

I really like that extension you built - that is smart. Good work

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Paul!

[@brentcurtis5362]

Watched your video and made an attachment with the tongs for my tractor. Works great

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Awesome, Brent! I’m glad!

[@jimfurman3145]

You have built some very interesting attachment's for your tractor ... I enjoy your video's ... Happy July 4th!!!!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, Jim. Happy fourth to you and yours!

[@goldenfarms2934]

Nice job! Great setup....thanks for the video 👍🇺🇸

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@Scuba11000]

I have has one of those tongs for just over a year now using it with a 35 hp Tractor skidding mostly oak and hickory logs. That thig is amazing and has not let me down yet. If I can get it between the pnts, I can skid it if the tractor can pull it.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Money well spent!

[@danbentsen]

Over the years, there has been a lot of logs come off the hills to saw mills with tongs. I have three pair that I use to gather firewood logs in the brush with my TO-30 Ferguson tractors. Logs drag a lot easier w/one end off the ground. good watch

[@HTPJohn]

I think your fabricated skidding rig is really cool. I've seen the tongs at Rural King and thanks to your review would be confident buying them. Thanks!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@dumbotater2158]

Good video, sir. No bullshitting, just good instructive action.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@terrysharp4376]

I welded a point on tongs so you can run rope over to tractor and open tongs from tractor. No need to leave tractor

[@NorthwestSawyer]

That’s a great idea!

[@pup734]

Wow a very nice job on the fabrication, and the tractor and the tongs look like they got the job done

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, Larry. So far so good!

[@starnet36]

Great video. I love your fabricated boom pole. I'll be purchasing a used John Deere 5100 shortly and could use a setup like you have. Would it be possible to get the dimensions, specs, and measurements of the steel used in your build?

[@bikenut5282]

again, great job with the boom set up! Tongs work good, easy to un-hook when you want to.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! Those tongs were a great purchase.

[@carlinbenton8044]

Nice set up!

[@tcmits3699]

Nice job on the boom set up! Me personally, I use a nylon choker, never lets go, especially on those smaller trees it did look like good quality though. Good luck and thanks for sharing 😊

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! I have a couple cable chokers too. I like the ease of hook up and release of the tongs. I still use them all these years later.

[@practicallyIndependent]

Nice! Looking good

[@fxpestoperator5527]

Awesome Video Brotha! I subed!

[@HaleBopp]

Really well made video, nice editing mate!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@jasondutter1]

I just stumbled on this old video. I thought only I did this. The first thing I noticed when trying out my log tongs was some amazing traction! I can get into gnarly places and pull big logs out easier now.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I still use those cheap tongs 😬

[@jasondutter1]

Im up North of you. Between Seattle and Bellingham. Great place for milling also

[@NorthwestSawyer]

@@jasondutter1 I bet It is!

[@jeremyblank3784]

Mine are timber tuff as well their great for treework

[@americanbluejacket209]

Impressive outfit you have. Especially the boom. Well Done.

[@subixbarbarasson2544]

Great video. To the point and no BS. :)

[@1rustytree]

That rear fender mount 3 point switch looks mighty handy!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

It is! I didn't even know about it until I watched a KZbin video after I ordered my tractor.

[@davekana8388]

Home made boom pole?

[@davidhintz1]

Jepp

[@davidhintz1]

0:21 seconds in he says that he built a boom.

[@davekana8388]

davidhintz1 thanks, I checked it out again.

[@barryhansen6854]

Watch out Logger Wade you have some skidder competition LOL.

[@tombryan720]

Great video! 🚜

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Tom!

[@OhioHillTopsHobbyFarm]

Wow thats a nice three point setup, looks like you could use it for alot of things! The tongs seemed to work good too.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks! I’m really impressed so far. We’ll see if they pass the test of time.

[@Xtinnoker]

Handy set up there

[@craigsudman4556]

No matter how good the timber tongs work, they're such a drag to use...hahahahaaha. -- Sorry, I couldn't control myself, I'm going to take a nap now.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

😩😩😩🤣

[@Benssawmill]

Nice setup you got there. 👍

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, Ben! I'm looking forward to your chainsaw mill video!

[@green-zone36]

Very impressive forest. So lush and green.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

It could actually use some thinning to be healthy.

[@thomasfaucette1446]

the best part is u got the green n yellow hard at work

[@edwardcarberry1095]

I built mine out of 3"X6" I beam, with a hook on the end for the log tongs the new tractor it's hydraulics were stiff and slow but after a short while they loosened up and were easy to use. I would just back up to the log and lower the boom, then jiggle it a little and then the tongs would open so lifted it and brought it to be loaded . I did some 50 ,000 Bdft of that. The biggest log was 485 bdft. Lifting it higher keeps the sand/dirt off of where someone is going to cut. So the saw stays sharper longer. =s less work.

[@brianfreland9065]

Great thing about tools with simple physics is that they dont care what price tag they have, they just do what nature intended as long as the material is strong enough. All tongs be good tongs as long as the tongs are tonging ;)

[@jamescook1364]

Nice job worked well.

[@delprice3007]

Awesome fabrication, I have to skid some 34" logs so opted for 36" lifting tongs.

[@butternuthillfarm1599]

Really impressed with your boom arm, worked perfect and keeps the log out of the dirt. Is there anything you can't fabricate or build (lol). 94 degrees and very high humidity here in southern Indiana. Did not get much done outside, too dang hot. Great video.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I'm running out of scrap metal! It was warm here too. Not 94 hot. Hope you had a good Fourth!

[@Ninebadge]

Where did you get the chain with the big spring clip/carabiner that you used in this video? Does it have a specific name? Also have you thought of using a separate chain from the tongs to the tractor draw bar to steady it some? I saw that on another video. Great boom design and video. Thanks.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you. We have those made at our local rigging supply company. I’m not sure what the hook is called.

[@granitestatewoods2601]

I've been looking for a skidding idea for my Kioti. You've hit the nail on the head with this one. I love the landscape in the Northwest. It reminds me of my time in Washington state. Anyway, thanks for the idea. Todd in New Hampshire at granitestatewoods.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Awesome! Good luck!

[@stevencastillo9690]

nice welding work. What a great idea.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Steven!

[@James.......]

Nice setup!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, James

[@billroberts3864]

That is a very efficient system for moving your logs to your mill with not much effort. Plus your logs are much cleaner as opposed to dragging the entire log in the dirt and then having to clean the logs at the mill to protect your saw blade from dirt.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, Bill. My trails are just wide enough for the tractor so I think skidding is the way to go.

[@jacktracy4845]

That movable box weight you made worked well, didn’t it?

[@rotwiler7674]

I bought a log tong, took down 2 cottonwood trees, one was 150 feet +, so cut logs into 8 foot sections and going to pull them with my truck, will drill a hole on each side to get tongs to hold, I only need to pull the logs around 30 feet. Hopefully it works

[@ghostofcato3052]

Sir: I think you got a great deal on those tongs! I learn a lot from your videos and they are great! You are a highly squared away individual! Thanks for all the great information! Semper Fidelis Bruce.

[@exotictones1054]

This is 2 yrs. Old but those tongs look perfect.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

They’re faded now but still work like new.

[@exotictones1054]

@@NorthwestSawyer I ordered a set of tongs should have them tomorrow. I got the 36".

[@mikeorahood9867]

Make a little 2 wheel axle to hold back end of log out of all the rock and dirt while dragging it. Your saw chain will thank you

[@SeloUrala]

Чудесный звук дизеля. Отличное устройство захвата.

[@backinthewoods2022]

I really like the boom you made very handy. Your property looks awesome too northwest somewhere I’m guessing?

[@backinthewoods2022]

Just saw your channel name got my answer😃

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Estacada, Oregon!

[@tbac2432]

very Nice, Happy 4th to you and the family sir.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you and the same to you and yours!

[@Art-jl6pt]

i pulled a 60 ft telephone pole using a boom & a chain.i would buy a chain instead of tongs.nice jd.a boxblade would be mighty helpful moving logs,etc

[@Ferdp]

Very good test

[@brianfreland9065]

Yeah, that looked way more effective than bucking them and hauling the logs out. I need a tractor dang it haha

[@NorthwestSawyer]

A tractor makes this process a lot easier 😬

[@brianfreland9065]

@@NorthwestSawyer I use to have an old 1960's john Deere tractor that would pull anything! Wish instill had that beast!

[@802louis]

Looks like it worked great

[@NorthwestSawyer]

It really does!

[@jeffkatzer]

Very nicely done.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, Jeff!

[@kb9844]

i like this,,,,,looks like it works well

[@NorthwestSawyer]

It does! Even years later.

[@nathanduckeorth806]

Very nice!

[@michaelrichter8973]

Ialso made one of these ,simular to youres but.a little diff(round pipe,heavy wall ),but the same princaple i was able to log out two tri axle loads of logs with it,with my old trusty 990 david brown ,and my old 064 stilh im 65 now so i dont go real fast but steady!

[@oldschoolmachinist1938]

You have another good educational video. I noticed that you have some very large old stumps on your property. I'm guessing those trees were cut down in the early 1900s. I would like to have been there and watched them being brought down. Have you ever noticed if there's any notches in the stumps were the spring boards were put in? Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

One of the first things I noticed when we were looking at this property three years ago was the huge stumps with spring board notches in them. Have some footage in one of my videos of them but have been meaning to do a "timber cruise" video showing some of the really neat history on my land. The lady we bought from said the stumps were young trees when Christopher Columbus came to America.

[@dirtyworkdiver]

Nice video. I'm very interested in your homemade hitch and boom. I'd like to make these items for myself. Can you refer me to a place for some design ideas and dimensions? I have a cat 1 3 pt hitch. Thank you!!

[@hunitollarbill]

very nice!!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@plakor6133]

You live in a beautiful place!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! We love it here.

[@paullandry8301]

I got the thong from amazon. Your boom set up is a smart idea. The size pf the longer piece appears to be 2x3. Is that correct ?

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! Actually the boom piece is 1.5”x6”. I salvaged it from a demolition job I was doing years ago.

[@colinblankenship2401]

Good idea. Have a good week.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, Colin! You as well.

[@MillCityJam]

Nice!! That's for the tip!!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

You bet!

[@ihd-3603]

That tractor looks too shiny to be in the woods. Also is nice to be able to gang logs up at a “staging area” then hook to a trip of 4 or 5 at a time to drag to the landing. Especially if you have a ways to go to get to the landing.

[@me-nh9xp]

I like these videos. Thanks for the content . Just seems like the machines are to clean

[@bigpun8601]

What is that attached to your hitch? Is that custom made?

[@NorthwestSawyer]

It is. Here’s a video I made on it. 3 point reciever hitch and log skidding boom for John Deere kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZSpk4KdZ7ejqcU

[@petedavis4097]

Sometimes the simple ways are the best 😋

[@slambodianjones]

Nice test - do you think 17inch skidding tongs are a decent size for an amateur logging escapade? We've got a few dozen trees fallen down on our property and I wouldn't mind starting to collect this.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

It really depends on the size of your logs but they’re so affordable, it’s not a huge deal if you need to upgrade later.

[@slambodianjones]

@@NorthwestSawyer good point. I don't think the logs will be too big, they all appear smaller than what you were grabbing. Thanks again for the review!

[@NorthwestSawyer]

@@slambodianjones my pleasure! Good luck!

[@marinusbeimers7293]

Hi that looks like a really nice property that you have. Marinus from Australia

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Marinus! We love it out here. Cheers!

[@oneofthosepeople2101]

That is an amazing attachment you fabricated.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@donlatimer5114]

I have two suggestion for you, [ #1 ] would be to get a Arch type trailer to put on the back of the log to pick it up out of the dirt, suggestion [ #2 ] would be to invest in a battery operated chain saw like a greenwood 80 volt Lipton battery,bar length is 18 inches , cost about $350-$380, you could use to liming up the logs.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I have only one suggestion for you. Send me $2,000. 😬 I’m not worried about the log being in the dirt because my sawmill has a de-barker and if it’s too bad I can pressure wash them. If you watch my video called “saving oak logs from the chipper”, you’ll se me use this setup to drag oak logs out of a yard that I never would’ve gotten an arch into. The logs I was dragging here were merely to test the cheap tongs. I have three chainsaws I just didn’t feel the need to go through all the trouble for a simple test.

[@coypatton3160]

Northwest Sawyer if money is such a concern, use your boom you made and wrap the chain around the log. Lift with the 3 pt lift and drag away.

[@houndsmanone4563]

I've been looking for a set of log tongs and this may do the trick. Have you had any difficulty with them since this video? You have some pretty country there, whereabouts are you? It sure is pretty country. I gave the video a full watch and a big thumbs up. 👍

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you, Houndsman One! I have not had any problems with them. They’re pretty solid. I’m out here in Estacada, Oregon.

[@houndsmanone4563]

@@NorthwestSawyer Nice....simply nice country. I may get to see Oregon one day. Thanks for the info about the tongs.

[@robwhite2282]

Very nice sir.

[@Dan_TheMedievalGuild]

Man you've got some beautiful property there. How much land do you have? Just being nosy because that would be some awesome camping land. :)

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! We have just over 13 acres but our property backs up to thousands of acres of forest land. This time of year the creek runs so hard you can hear it from anywhere on the property. I’d like to build some off-grid cabins to air B&B

[@Dan_TheMedievalGuild]

@@NorthwestSawyer That would be the way to go to make some money. I'd just be kinda crazy with people coming and going. You just can't trust people nowadays. That 10% is up to no good. But good luck with whatever you do my friend.

[@marksleeper3752]

great vid

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you!

[@donmotz5528]

Boy they sure do look like they work great....and a side point...I'm not sure if that is your trade or if you were taught welding but dang your welds look perfect....I am impressed......thanx for another video.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, Don! I’ve been a heavy equipment operator for 26 years. I just invested in a really nice welder that makes me look like I know what I’m doing 😬

[@donmotz5528]

A video of it would really be nice.....even if it is a short one......thank you.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

A video on my welder?

[@donmotz5528]

yes that would be great......seeing how it gives you great lookin welds....be nice to see it in action..... :)

[@NorthwestSawyer]

You got it, Don. Now I just have to figure out what to build🤔

[@gullatteacres2555]

Great shots! Too many reviews don’t give enough angles of the work being done.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thanks, Sam. I still use it to this day.

[@scottmorris7468]

Thanks. That is a super helpful review...I've had those tongs in my Amazon list for a year. Now - how can I get you to build me that 3-point boom?!!! :-)

[@NorthwestSawyer]

I did build one for a viewer who was local and able to pick it up. 😬

[@1233Brad]

whats the build specs on that skidding attachment

[@sideskraft]

That's the perfect solution to getting heavy trees off the ground and setting them on logs to buck.

[@NCmtnDweller]

Good info thanks Hoss

[@NorthwestSawyer]

You bet

[@chadh2414]

I like mine .they do the job

[@chipmackey2073]

Looks like your tractor was ever so slightly rolling back at the close of the video.

[@starnet36]

Beautiful forest area. Is this on your property?

[@NorthwestSawyer]

Thank you! Yes, it is my property. Just over 13 acres.

[@leonardshultz4344]

Looks like you probably paid a lot more for those new tractor tires.

[@NorthwestSawyer]

They came with the tractor. I had my choice between AG tires or these less aggressive R-4 tires.