Depending on the diameter and length, a raw log can weigh from 100 to 1000 kg or more. You should not try to lift it off the ground even on one side. Absolutely nothing will come of this. But if you have a simple, but specially designed cart, the log can be effortlessly not only completely torn off the ground, but also transferred to a decent distance.
Will need
To do this, you will need a single-axle trolley, preferably with a rubber run, equipped with a load chain and a chain lock. You will also need a flat lanyard with an automatically locking carabiner. Any type of transport can be used to transport cargo, but a maneuverable mini-tractor is better suited.
The process of making a skidding cart with your own hands
A trolley for transporting logs consists of a power frame, a lever, a drawbar, a log holder, a chain and a comb for its chain, two axle shafts and a pair of used wheels, for example, from a passenger car. The main elements of the skidding cart are made from a profile square pipe 5x5 cm.
Let's start by welding the power frame. We weld two 50 cm posts to the ends of the cross beam 80 cm long. We vertically attach a 150 cm long lever to the middle of the cross beam by welding to lift the logs.
We weld a 35 cm long drawbar stand to the free end of the lever from below, and to it longitudinally we weld the drawbar itself, 47 cm long, at the end of which we install a coupling device.
At a certain distance, depending on the length of the logs, we transversely weld a steel plate with a bottom cutout of 15x10x0.6 cm to the lever from below, which will prevent the log from swinging during transportation.
For the strength and rigidity of the connection of the power frame to the lever, between the racks and the lever we weld two jibs from a square pipe 2.5 × 2.5 cm, 75 cm long.
On top of the center of the cross beam of the power frame we weld a chain clamp made of a steel plate 20x11x0.6 cm with two slots on top 1.0 and 1.3 cm wide.
We weld ready-made or home-made axle shafts to the outside of the power frame struts, onto which we put and secure 13-inch wheels from a passenger car.
The process of lifting, securing and transporting a heavy log
Place a chain approximately under the center of the log by weight and wrap it around the log.
We move a single-axle cart with an arch and carrier along the log (it should be between the wheels of the cart) to the place where we placed the load chain on the log. We lift the carrier so that its arch rests on the log. We fix the ends of the load chain crosswise to the clamp welded on top to the horizontal element of the arch.
We grab the carrier by the free end and, applying a little force, lower it until it comes into contact with the top of the log so that the limiter on the carrier fixes the end of the log.
With further lowering of the carrier towards the ground, the rear end of the log will rise above the ground, and the front end will almost fall to the ground.
In order for the transportation of the log to proceed successfully and safely, we attach its butt to the carrier of the trolley using a flat sling and an automatically fixed carabiner.
Now you can safely secure the carrier to the hitch of a mini-tractor and transport a load of wood of any weight to the required distance.
