Log Tongs for my Boom Pole
- Thread starter Trimley
- Start date
fried1765
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Very nice!
I'm envious!
I was JUST thinking today that I really need one of these.
I have measured and marked about 50 mature Black Birch trees on my property that I want to harvest this winter. I'm going to use the L2500 to skid them out to the road, and probably load them too (need some forks). I have about 9000BF total (1/4" rule). The biggest tree is almost 500BF (1/4" rule) and will weigh about 1.5 tons.
My dream is to tear out the wall-to-wall carpeting, and replace with Black Birch flooring. But, rather than worry about the drying and machining, I'm just going to sell the saw logs, and then turn around and buy ready-to-install flooring. I need about 2000SF of flooring. There's a place in Connecticut that has a nice line...
-Paul
I'm envious!
I was JUST thinking today that I really need one of these.
I have measured and marked about 50 mature Black Birch trees on my property that I want to harvest this winter. I'm going to use the L2500 to skid them out to the road, and probably load them too (need some forks). I have about 9000BF total (1/4" rule). The biggest tree is almost 500BF (1/4" rule) and will weigh about 1.5 tons.
My dream is to tear out the wall-to-wall carpeting, and replace with Black Birch flooring. But, rather than worry about the drying and machining, I'm just going to sell the saw logs, and then turn around and buy ready-to-install flooring. I need about 2000SF of flooring. There's a place in Connecticut that has a nice line...
-Paul
I was a flooring contractor for 37 years. Anymore, I claim to know nothing but how to walk on it!
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Log tongs are nice for sorting logs at a milling location, but cable chokers are better for skidding logs. Pull from your drawbar, not 3ph.
NCL4701
Well-known member
Equipment
L4701, T2290, WC68, grapple, BB1572 box scrape, Howes 500, 16kW IMD gen, WG24
I have a pair pretty similar to that. Been using them off and on about 50 years. My father and unknown ancestors before him used them as well. They’re very handy in some situations. Can significantly increase efficiency as well. If you treat them like they’ll hold a log as securely as a hydraulic grapple/thumb or a choker chain… well that’s just not very bright. But the whole subject of tractors and similar equipment is that way. Use it right: good 
. Use it wrong: bad 
.
Nice find.
. Use it wrong: bad .Nice find.
How true those words are. Relevant to everything, almost literally.I have a pair pretty similar to that. Been using them off and on about 50 years. My father and unknown ancestors before him used them as well. They’re very handy in some situations. Can significantly increase efficiency as well. If you treat them like they’ll hold a log as securely as a hydraulic grapple/thumb or a choker chain… well that’s just not very bright. But the whole subject of tractors and similar equipment is that way. Use it right: good
Nice find. View attachment 116425
My being born and raised in times when the timber industry was boonin in my parts, I grew up around everything "timber", I may have been around the block a time or two
That's a very nice set of old tongs. They look small to me for something coming out of the PNW. I picture everything out there as big 
But they should be fine on your boom pole. Keep them them sharp.
gg
But they should be fine on your boom pole. Keep them them sharp.gg
We have used tongs with a boom pole for years - no problems. Make sure the logs you drag will not hit your PTO shaft.
, I do not think my knees could survive one!Tongs have their use, haven't used mine in 15 years.
These are the best
(4 Pack) Logging Chain Choker Hook - 5/16" 2 Tons 4500 Lbs WLL (myteeproducts.com)
These are the best
(4 Pack) Logging Chain Choker Hook - 5/16" 2 Tons 4500 Lbs WLL (myteeproducts.com)
Used mine once trying to move power poles. Turned out to be a pain, went back to choking with cable on the winch mounted on my boom pole.
Sold the tongs.
Sold the tongs.
I like mine for some things. I made an over the center latch to hold them open. Then I can drop them on a log and go w/o getting out of the seat. I made a little video the very first time I tried it out to see if it would even work.
gg
gg
Last edited:
I also made a set of scissors tongs thinking it would be way easier then choking all the time. They worked good but I still prefer to use logging chain and choker to skid logs from the bush. Choker never comes off but the tongs do from time to time.
Let's put it this way, Tongs are something I did not have and wanted. I have chains, cables, snatchblocks, winch, chokers and on an on. I use what works best. I work smarter> not harder.
I hear ya on that. That’s why I built mine. You got a sweet deal on a set of tongs and sure couldn’t go wrong for 30 bucks. No brainer if you ask me.
With some practice, you often don't have to get off tractor to grab a log and go. Saves time when moving lots of wood.
Right. Once they arrive..then cleaned up, I'll play with making (adding) a scissor cross-bar that holds them open until dropped on the log. Some chain on each side also...for flexible draft links....to keep them aligned.