Thread: Log Loader for Tandem Trailer

I have the same ider.I allways thort to winch them up a skid like to see pics of your trailer.

Hey Jon great to see you back and still here I d thought about a bit but I ve not brought the plans yet is this what you mean ? Log loading trailer plans I ve got a an other set coming from the uk hopfully soon

have a look here Smart solutions, Swedish, Sawmills, Wood-working, Australia theres some ideas you can modify especially the mobile bandsaw loader I have used this and it moves fairly large logs using hand winch

Wiesyboy built/had built a log loading trailer and he loaded them onto the trailer up some ramps on the side of the trailer, he had a whinch? and rolled them up via some wire/rope wrapped around the logs, seemed to work quite well, he put up some pics a while back(last year) in this forum, do a search and you should find it.

Pete

Here is how I did it, not my design, just copied other sawyers.
The winch pulled on a loop so the log roles up the ramps. The ramps need to be able to adjust for road angle changes. I used two 8' long 2X3" 1/4" thick wall steel tubing.
The winch is often mounted on the front, and then a pulley is used to reroute a cable. I am using 2" tie down straps that I have sewn into a Y shape. Then I can winch the full strap in, I found that I always wanted to winch in my hook otherwise. The winch box can be removed from the truck, and the box holds two deep cycle batteries.

Yeah Bob, you're right about Carl's setup. He mounted the winch under the tray of his ute, took the cable through a pulley on the opposite side of the trailer, out to the log, around the log and then back to the pulley, couple of 'ramps' on the log side of the trailer, then fire up the winch - log rolls as the winch pulls up thus reducing the workload on the winch and also taking it back to the pulley has the effect of halving the load also, I liked the setup. Now he just uses the bobcat

I had a tow point put on the front of my 4WD just under the bullbar below a 12000lb winch. We then hook the tamdem trailer onto the front tow point wind out the winch cable, set the ramp up in front of the log, hook it up and begin winching. With a snacth block you can actually get a fair size log onto the trailer this way.

well done steff wouldnt like to roll that over the side . had a winch mounted on the tray of my last ute , had a steel tray , and with ramps worked well , now have alloy tray and tractor with forks , cheers Bob

I am leaning towards the Winching of the log over the side using ramps. My only question is "Does a Log with Taper or Different Shaped ends present a problem?" I am thinking that one end would overtake the other.

Cheers, Jon

I think it would Jon but you could try one of those electric winches with a remote allowing you to help control the log while still winching but thinking about the fact that your bandsawing wouldnt you want avoid draging your logs? What about making some removable out riggers to stableize your current equipment. Its a great qestion you ve asked. We ve been discussing this commercial sitution abit in the last week skidder versus forwarder
skidder dragging logs big power and diesel bill
forwader lower power less diesel more complicated machine but you end up with cleaner logs

Yes, I would think the big end is going to tend to want to get ahead of the small end, by how much would depend on how far it is rolled, the difference in size.... one way to overcome this would be two winches or some way of letting out some rope on the big end, for that to be effective the rope has to slip around the small end to let the big end back down the ramp which may or may not happen without some sort of intervention... I wonder if a system where instead of having the fixed ends permanently "fixed" but instead having a continuous loop of wire that went around a pulley, I don't know really just thinking out loud


Pete

Originally Posted by newjon

I am leaning towards the Winching of the log over the side using ramps. My only question is "Does a Log with Taper or Different Shaped ends present a problem?" I am thinking that one end would overtake the other.

Cheers, Jon

Jon

Yes it would, but I wouldn't be concerned. 3m x 600mm is not that big even if you do underestimate occassionally. By the time the log is on your ramps the friction is low. Most winches come with a remote so you can use a cant hook or even a crowbar to correct the skew as it happens.

That should be relatively easy as the winch cable will be in the centre of the log. If one end of the log is much larger than the other you can try placing the cable slightly towards the larger end. This helps when you get stuck in with your lever.

Any time things look like getting away from you just stop for a moment and re-assess.
I used this method for winching logs onto my bandsaw. Although I wasn't lifting the logs as high as your trailer they were bigger and longer.

Just make sure your cable is secure and avoid standing on the down hill side of the log if you can. The remote is useful here. If the log does get away even a 3m specimen will make a mess of your legs.

Regards
Paul

Jon

Just had some more thoughts. My previous comments would apply to side loading. If the trailer sides were removable it would be best or you could have more ramps down into the trailer if the sides were fixed.

Also use the natural lie of the land to your advantage. Remember the logging contractors build a dirt ramp so they can push the logs onto jinkers with bulldozers. I am not suggesting you reshape the land, but you may be able to park alongside a handy bump.

You could also load from the rear of the trailer. Winch at the front, two ramps at the back and removable lengths of two inch pipe for the logs to roll up.

Regards
Paul

My 2 cents worth,
I haven't loaded that many logs but the logs follow loop that pulls them. If the loop comes up straight the log will too. I believe that is why the loop is setup wider the better, to keep the log straight.