"No-Skid" Log Hauler

"No-Skid" Log Hauler WOODLOT EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous 34-1-26 Moving big logs with an ATV is no sweat for Maynard Hyer, Sanford, Mich. His home-built log hauler pulls logs without digging up the ground. "I know that when logs are drug in with a skidding arch, they have a fair amount of dirt and mud in the bark, making it hard on the saw blades," says Hyer. "Also, the logs can dig up the ground." His two-wheeled, winch-operated log hauler can be pulled behind an ATV, and because the 10-ft. long trailer is only 4 ft. wide it follows the vehicle at all times. "It works somewhat like an automotive wrecker and has a lot of lifting capacity. I've hauled logs up to 26 in. in diameter and 16 ft. long, keeping the log completely off the ground," says Hyer. He used the rear axle from a front wheel drive car, cutting the axle down to the same width as his ATV and mounting car spare tires on it. A 1,500-lb. winch û the kind typically found on front of boat trailers û mounts on the tongue and is used to lift and pull the log onto the trailer. Cable from the winch rides over a pulley mounted on a pair of 4-ft. high booms at the back of the log hauler. Hyer backs the trailer up within 3 ft. of the log butt and uses the winch and a log chain to lift the front end of the log onto the trailer. Then he removes the chain, grabs the log about 6 ft. back, and repeats the process. Once the entire log is off the ground he straps it into place and drives off. "Over the years I've also used the unit as a rock hauler, fence post puller and a wrecker for hauling ATV's and go-carts out of the woods." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Maynard Hyer, 2869 N. 10 Mile Rd., Sanford, Mich. 48657 (ph 989 465-0092 or 989 859-9338; Mayngene@aol.com).

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