ATV Log Arch

O

oldforester

Member
I found a shipping crate at a local discount house containing an ATV Log-Skidding Arch & Holder part #117010 from Northern Industrial Tools. I can get it for about 1/4 of the list price (originally $399, I think from the shipping label in the box. Looks like everything in the parts manual is there but one of the wheels has had the bearings fall out which looks like the reason for the return to Northern) I can fix that with a replacement bearing but I was wondering if anybody had one of these? I've dragged plenty of wood with my RTV but kind of like the idea of getting it up out of the ice and mud with a log arch. Just wondering if it's a waste of time and money, any thoughts?
 
That would be a nice item to have. And even better for the price and you have a use for it .... Not to long ago, was telling my father he needed one to haul off the logs that drifted into his property during high water from the MIssissippi River >>>>

...... two guns
 
Looks useful but there's only one review on the northern web site and it's bad, bearing troubles among other things.

At that price maybe you could just put new wheels and bearings on it if you have trouble.

Jim


Log Skid Arch and Holder, May 25, 2009
By wbsmithdvm from Seale, AL
more_reviews_icon.gif
(read all my reviews)


"I found this unit to be very poorly constructed. Bearings are very poor quality and the wheels are made with very thin metal. Holder bearing failed on first use. Local bearing company said that it was the poorest quality bearing that they had ever observed.


Bearings pulled through the wheel on second use. Customer service said they had no other complaints. It might be suitable for very small logs."



What is your level of technical expertise? Professional
Click to expand...
 
Yep, It looks pretty heavy duty. I know that just by lifting up the front end of the log your pulling power goes way up. Besides with four wheels and the metal pipe and bolts it's probably nearly worth the price for scrap!
 
Jim,
I didn't check their review site but thanks for the info, as I said the rest of it looks like it can stand a load but I agree the wheels look like the weakest link.
 
Every RTV has a log arch built right into it. I tryed it an it works good until you have to back up, so don't. One day while in the woods I cut a fairly big(14"@ butt) eastern white cedar. I did not want to drag it and fill the bark with mud and small stones because I wanted to saw it into lumber. I backed up to it,raised the box and hook my tow strap in a choker fashion around it. I then ran the strap over the tail gate and hooked it as short as I could on the front box rack. I power downed the box and raised the log. It works try it.
 
Good idea on the built in lift method. I had not thought of that. I checked my books and eastern white cedar is about 1/2 the weight of the oak and hickory I am using but I'm pretty sure the bed is stout enough to do it. I was just trying to find out if any other member had used a log arch. I may buy it just to play with it some. I had 4,000 bd. ft. of pine that I drug out for a portable band mill last month and last year I drug out some poplar for a cabin I built so I can see the need. It sure helps to have clean logs when you are going to be sawing.
 
With a band sawmill if the drit is on the side that the blade is being pulled into it don't take long before it it dull. I sawed 30,000 bdft to build my house and garage. You can also build a little boom in the bed of the RTV and put a hand crank or electric winch on it. Take your receiver hitch and build a bumper plate to attach to it so if you ever want to back up you can without doing damage to the rear of the RTV and you will be able to push the log a little also.
 
for $100 I'd grab it and replace the wheels & bearings.
log arch is a good thing -- if you balance the log just right, none of it touches the ground. (carry it butt forward and get the length right)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top