Old Dirt Scoop Used As A Log Skidder

2022 - Volume #46, Issue #3, Page #24

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When FARM SHOW reader Nathan Gremore sent us a note about how he turned a 3-pt. dirt scoop into a log skidder, it grabbed my attention.
  I’ve wanted a log skidder for years but didn’t want to spend the money or take the time to build one. Instead, I settled for dragging logs through the dirt.
  I couldn’t reach Gremore to get pictures or more information. However, I had a 3-pt. dirt scoop. I pulled it out of storage, where it sat unused for about 5 years.
  Gremore’s note said he had dropped the scoop and added log tongs to it. I attached the cradle to my Ford 3930 3-pt. and dropped the scoop.
  I didn’t have log tongs, but I did have a gathering chain. It’s just a short length of log chain with a loop at one end and a hook at the other. I hooked a clevis to the top link ears on the back of the cradle and headed into the woods.
  A poplar tree had fallen across the road. I cut it into two sections and pushed them together. I passed the hook end of the gathering chain around them and through the loop. After backing over the end of the logs with the cradle, I dropped it down and secured the chain tight to the clevis.
  I lifted them up and hauled them home without the usual dirt-covered side, something my chainsaw chain will appreciate when I cut it up. The cradle worked great, but they were light logs. I decided to put the double-duty cradle to the test.
  I had a 25-in. dia., 10-ft. oak log that I needed to move. According to a log weight calculator I use, the estimated weight was just under 1,900 lbs.
  Backing over one end, I hooked it to the cradle. It lifted fine, and I moved it out of the field. Once again, the log remained dirt free. I was concerned the heavy weight might twist the cradle out of shape but hooking back up to the scoop was no problem.
  Using the cradle got me thinking about a short length of 4-in. toolbar with 3-pt. connectors I have. I had moved it to get the dirt scoop out. Would it work as a cheap skidder?
  I tried it, and it did. It also got me thinking about mounting a short boom to the toolbar for even more versatility.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Nathan Gremore, 7260 N. Alexander Rd., Free Soil, Mich. 49411 or Jim Ruen, 33750 Forster Rd., La Crescent, Minn. 55947 (ph 507-895-2229; farmshowjim@gmail.com).

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Old Dirt Scoop Used As A Log Skidder TRACTORS Accessories When FARM SHOW reader Nathan Gremore sent us a note about how he turned a 3-pt dirt scoop into a log skidder it grabbed my attention I’ve wanted a log skidder for years but didn’t want to spend the money or take the time to build one Instead I settled for dragging logs through the dirt I couldn’t reach Gremore to get pictures or more information However I had a 3-pt dirt scoop I pulled it out of storage where it sat unused for about 5 years Gremore’s note said he had dropped the scoop and added log tongs to it I attached the cradle to my Ford 3930 3-pt and dropped the scoop I didn’t have log tongs but I did have a gathering chain It’s just a short length of log chain with a loop at one end and a hook at the other I hooked a clevis to the top link ears on the back of the cradle and headed into the woods A poplar tree had fallen across the road I cut it into two sections and pushed them together I passed the hook end of the gathering chain around them and through the loop After backing over the end of the logs with the cradle I dropped it down and secured the chain tight to the clevis I lifted them up and hauled them home without the usual dirt-covered side something my chainsaw chain will appreciate when I cut it up The cradle worked great but they were light logs I decided to put the double-duty cradle to the test I had a 25-in dia 10-ft oak log that I needed to move According to a log weight calculator I use the estimated weight was just under 1 900 lbs Backing over one end I hooked it to the cradle It lifted fine and I moved it out of the field Once again the log remained dirt free I was concerned the heavy weight might twist the cradle out of shape but hooking back up to the scoop was no problem Using the cradle got me thinking about a short length of 4-in toolbar with 3-pt connectors I have I had moved it to get the dirt scoop out Would it work as a cheap skidder? I tried it and it did It also got me thinking about mounting a short boom to the toolbar for even more versatility Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Nathan Gremore 7260 N Alexander Rd Free Soil Mich 49411 or Jim Ruen 33750 Forster Rd La Crescent Minn 55947 ph 507-895-2229; farmshowjim@gmail com

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