Log Lifting Methods

[localfiend]

Hi all,

I've got a whole bunch of questions, and I know a bunch of them will be answered in the class I signed up for in march, but I thought it might be interesting to ask this question here anyway.

Anyone have average log weights per foot, say on something like 12-14" diameter? I know that you can move just about anything if you have enough rope, pulley's, and landings, but I'm wondering if things wouldn't be a lot easier with a jeep, snatchblock, and an 8000lb winch.

I'm trying to build as cheap as possible, with little to no debt, but I'd also like to speed up construction wherever possible. I'm from the dry side of washington, and I imagine that the sooner I can go from peeled logs to an assembled shell the better. Most of the contruction minded people (stick houses) I've talked to say I'm going to need heavy equipment, but I'm thinking I can get by with what I've got. Anyone tried this? If so a pic would be awesome.

[rocklock]

The class will show you how to lift log with tools that will fit into your trunk of your car...
Many of the tools can be had used, hence not too costly. There are many ways to speed up construction but of course the time, cost, quality continuum will come into play... You only get to choose two of the three...

We generally build with green logs hence they will be heavy. If you use a jeep and a snatchblock it will be easier.

good luck

[blane]

Heres how we did it.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_y5E9JBiITEI/TPGimaY7BbI/AAAAAAAAA7A/TIpV0l_6Gj0/s1600/DSCN5139.JPG

And this is the end result
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4XfXCvwsS3I/UJMlP09clDI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/zR6SiXOBIJk/s1600/IMG_3000.JPG

Some of my logs were 20" at the butt end all white pine.

[rreidnauer]

Expect 100lbs per foot. (of course, it'll vary widely on species and how seasoned they are)

Ya ever pick up a large round of firewood? That should give you some idea. (I use that as an example for individuals who aren't giving a log the respect it deserves, and placing themselves in dangerous pinch points when manuevering)

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy using TapaTalk 2

[localfiend]

There are many ways to speed up construction but of course the time, cost, quality continuum will come into play... You only get to choose two of the three...


I hear that. I'm just looking for ways to speed up the process (or make it easier) with what I've got on hand, I don't want to be cutting corners though.



Heres how we did it.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_y5E9JBiITEI/TPGimaY7BbI/AAAAAAAAA7A/TIpV0l_6Gj0/s1600/DSCN5139.JPG

And this is the end result
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4XfXCvwsS3I/UJMlP09clDI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/zR6SiXOBIJk/s1600/IMG_3000.JPG

Some of my logs were 20" at the butt end all white pine.

Cool! So are those upright logs just buried really deep? I'll bet getting the first one set was fun, as well as getting them out after the walls were up. Might end up doing something similar.




Expect 100lbs per foot. (of course, it'll vary widely on species and how seasoned they are)

Ya ever pick up a large round of firewood? That should give you some idea. (I use that as an example for individuals who aren't giving a log the respect it deserves, and placing themselves in dangerous pinch points when manuevering)

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy using TapaTalk 2

100 isn't too bad, though it's certainly enough weight to splatter an itsy bitsy human if you're not being safe.

I won't be exactly sure what size house I'll be building until I can get some more info by going to the class, but I am sure it'l be less that 36x36 (probably high 20's). At most that should be 40' logs, and even if I had really heavy logs say double your estimate of 100 that's only 8000 lbs. Well within the working limits of standard steel winch cable.

[rreidnauer]

I hear that. I'm just looking for ways to speed up the process (or make it easier) with what I've got on hand, I don't want to be cutting corners though.I know one member on here who bought a crane truck large enough to lift all his logs without needing to move it, for just $500+towing. Some of it is timing, a lot of it is persistance at achieving your objective.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy using TapaTalk 2

[blane]

[QUOTE=localfiend;83620]



Cool! So are those upright logs just buried really deep? I'll bet getting the first one set was fun, as well as getting them out after the walls were up. Might end up doing something similar.

Yes, the uprights were buried 5 feet, not to bad getting them out at all. Some things seem nearly impossible to do until you do it. Logs are not that smart so you just tell them what to do with a little muscle and they just to it.

[Basil]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/0211baz/bedroomstarted.jpg

Some of us used less primitive means....

[blane]

Show off:) Thats the best way I must say
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e330/0211baz/bedroomstarted.jpg

Some of us used less primitive means....

[Basil]

Just realized, that was about 2005... I've been living in this thing over four years now! Guess I should get to work finishing that trim in the kitchen...

[blane]

I gotta get to work finishing electrical, plumbing, floors, kitchen, sheetrock and a bunch of other stuff:)

[fireman9]

Telehandler!!!! If you can swing it of course.

[LBolton2008]

This is probably a dumb question, but I don't mind asking dumb questions. What is that gizmo and how much did it run you to rent it? I guess I'm assuming you rented it....

[StressMan79]

Telehandler!!!! If you can swing it of course.

Mine was 2700/mo + 1300 for delivery.

[loghousenut]

Telehandler!!!! If you can swing it of course.

Mine was near $7,000 delivered to the front door and I've had it several years now. When the Boss finally makes me sell it I'll get every nickel back and probably more. No hurry as far as I'm concerned, I use it around the place to do all kinds of stuff.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Rafters9-2010413.jpg

[localfiend]

Those telehander things sure are cool, It's a big chunk of change for me though.

Anyone tried something like this:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g295/localfiend/4083352_1_l_zpsc10575c7.jpg

I'm pretty sure I can borrow one for free. They've only got a reach of about 13', but that would certainly speed things up for a good part of the stacking.

[Timberwolf]

I looked into one of those.

Maybe... if you had small logs. And really flat ground. And no, forget it. You need to be able to push the boom out to set logs, I wouldn't want to try backing up with a log in the air. In fact, I'd bet you can't, period.

You'd be better and safer with Block and tackle, and using that to pull the rope with.

Forklift might get your roofing material up though.

[blane]

One wrong swing with that could wind up in disaster. b&t is slow but it is proven and somewhat safe:) And we used a chevy corsica to pull the rope a few times just for fun, mainly we used our 4wd Suburban and it did fine for pulling logs and pulling rope.

[localfiend]

I looked into one of those.

Maybe... if you had small logs. And really flat ground. And no, forget it. You need to be able to push the boom out to set logs, I wouldn't want to try backing up with a log in the air. In fact, I'd bet you can't, period.

You'd be better and safer with Block and tackle, and using that to pull the rope with.

Forklift might get your roofing material up though.

You make some good points, but I'm not quite ready to dismiss the idea without thinking it through a bit more.

I live in a high desert, so the ground I'll be building on will most likely be quite flat.

The boom on those things moves in three dimensions. You can tilt the forks up and down - and probably move the boom out a couple feet at full extension. Weight limit for lifting is around 5000 lbs, so you could probably lift a 36'-40' log with little problem (assuming 100lbs per foot). I can see not wanting to drive around with a log on the forks at a high level, as it could be tippy and dangerous, but that's common forklift safety.

I'm thinking that if you get your log in place, at the base of a wall & find a good center point you'll be fine. Especially if you're not turning any corners with the log attached.

I'm also invisioning an adjustable log clamp. Something that comes down over the top of the log, and then attaches securely to the forks. That way you can really stabilize everything. Heck, most of those old tractors have auxiliary hydraulic lines, so it wouldn't take much extra fabrication to make the log clamp hydraulic. With some scrap steel, and a half day of welding I think you could have a very safe system.

[loghousenut]

Those telehander things sure are cool, It's a big chunk of change for me though.

Anyone tried something like this:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g295/localfiend/4083352_1_l_zpsc10575c7.jpg

I'm pretty sure I can borrow one for free. They've only got a reach of about 13', but that would certainly speed things up for a good part of the stacking.

Here's how we started our build. It's a 6,000 lb lift that goes up 22' and it's only 50 years old. I kept it around awhile after we got our telehandler just to hoist the man cage but was tickled to death the day I found a guy who wanted to buy it. Someone woulda got hurt bad if we'd tried to finish the walls with the old Hyster. Simply lifting the forks all the way up on level ground and not moving seemed like a death defying feat, let alone hoisting a 4,000 lb. log.

It was fun while it lasted but once we were 5 logs high we realized it's limitations. That John Deere unit would be even more limited. I say if you can have it around to assist with your real log lifting method then go ahead, but in the long run there's no replacement for muscle and stability.


http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/4thcourse9-25-09004.jpg

[localfiend]

It was fun while it lasted but once we were 5 logs high we realized it's limitations. That John Deere unit would be even more limited. I say if you can have it around to assist with your real log lifting method then go ahead, but in the long run there's no replacement for muscle and stability.


http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/4thcourse9-25-09004.jpg

So you didn't think it was stable lifting straight up without moving with a log on the forks? If that's the case, it could be a problem. There is a lot of weight out on both ends. Perhaps a combination as you mention would be a good idea. Block and tackle on the ends to support the log, and the lift for easy and quick lifting.

[LBolton2008]

Telehandler!!!! If you can swing it of course.

Wow, fireman! Great blog! I'll be back to watch your progress. It did my heart good to read who ultimately holds your plans. I'm with you...our plans were drastically changed this year (from what we thought they'd be) and because of those changes, we came to learn about LHBA.