Skidding Tongs

[BIGNASTY]

looking for something faster & easier than a choke chain when pulling trees from the forest using my Mules.
have used tongs before without much success, maybe the ones I had were to old or wrong types but they just kept coming loose from the logs being pulled.


https://www.ruralking.com/16in-lift...MI65z4o5LL2AIVlFYNCh19lgK6EAYYAiABEgIYzPD_BwE


BIG

 

[mwilson]

Are you using Choke Chains or Choke Cables???

Cables are more popular here with skidder hand crews...

 

[Jim W]

You could buy yourself a used Grapple Skidder that would be much faster than cables and Mules. You could find a used 508/518 Cat Grapple skidder, Timber Jack and or John Deer model. Than you would even have a blade for light dozing for clearing your drive way of snow.

I would go with the choker cables with the wire rope to use to bring your logs in instead of the log tongs. The log tongs do not have a positive detent to hold the tines closed unless they are under a load. When the mules stops the strain on the chain/cable is release and the tongs will drop off of the log.

With all of the logging operations I use to see the choker setter always used choker cables to fasten around the logs.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Are you using Choke Chains or Choke Cables???

Cables are more popular here with skidder hand crews...

View attachment 101200

I use chain Mike the cable would be the same PITA, having to thread them under a downed tree. The chain works without question.

 

[BIGNASTY]

You could buy yourself a used Grapple Skidder that would be much faster than cables and Mules. You could find a used 508/518 Cat Grapple skidder, Timber Jack and or John Deer model. Than you would even have a blade for light dozing for clearing your drive way of snow.

I would go with the choker cables with the wire rope to use to bring your logs in instead of the log tongs. The log tongs do not have a positive detent to hold the tines closed unless they are under a load. When the mules stops the strain on the chain/cable is release and the tongs will drop off of the log.

With all of the logging operations I use to see the choker setter always used choker cables to fasten around the logs.

The problem is that I'm clearing the forest of downed trees, I don't want to cut live trees to drive equipment in. With the Mules I've been able to use Snatch Blocks and Tree straps, Double Braided Poly rope to pull them through the forest to a clearing or have a straight pull out to the cutting or trailer loading area.

I was thinking about this type of tong and driving the tips into the tree to prevent the form releasing when I ask for slack from the mules.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Maybe a log arch might help?

 

[NIsaacs]

I use chain Mike the cable would be the same PITA, having to thread them under a downed tree.

Yup, you call that a "choker hole" Lol, I have one of these that works pretty good.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/timber-tuff-16-in-lifting-skidding-tongs?cm_vc=-10005

Nick

 

[BIGNASTY]

Maybe a log arch might help?

An Arch is great but in the forest they don't work unless its path clear of obstructions. The trees in this neck of the woods are Many & close.

 

[mwilson]

How about spring loaded tongs that won't fall off when you back the boys up???



https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...MIrMWjzeTN2AIVGZXICh1W-QDxEAEYASAFEgKaTfD_BwE

Northern Supply has them as well but I can't get the link to work...

 

[BIGNASTY]

How about spring loaded tongs that won't fall off when you back the boys up???



https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...MIrMWjzeTN2AIVGZXICh1W-QDxEAEYASAFEgKaTfD_BwE

Northern Supply has them as well but I can't get the link to work...

Yeah I can't get the Northern link to work either

Ill have to raise HELL with my TS for not having those spring loaded type

 

[mwilson]

Only negative thing I read was sometimes you have to hit the backside of the points to get them to grab the log.....but nobody said that they fell off...

 

[mwilson]

Yeah I can't get the Northern link to work either

Ill have to raise HELL with my TS for not having those spring loaded type

They are an on-line only item but they would ship to your TSC Store.

 

[jhenderson]

You need a choker puller. They're easy to build. 1/4 inch steel rod about 3 ft long. Tee or a dee handle, mild sweep (30-50 degrees) to go under the log and a 180 degree bend in the other end, just big enough to hook the end link in your chain. No more digging holes and reaching around. Fish it under the log, hook the choker and pull it back under to you. Being from Southern New England I prefer chain to cable.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I believe your past tong experience will continue into present day tong experience. Not much has changed with tongs over the years, except maybe the spring thingy, which kinda sends a gimmick feeling. I drag poles every day and understand your dilemma. Over the years I’ve built quite a few different sets of tongs. Tried different arch angles, different point angles/lengths/thicknesses and offset tongs. They all worked for continuous pulling, but as soon as you would slack off the tongs would fall and release themselves from the wood. Save yourself even more frustration and stick with the chain or cable choker and build a hook like jhenderson described.