How to sort roundwood?

[Woodworks]

Trying to be a bit more organised and sorting my timber to the processor. ATM it's forks on the compact tractor to load the log deck where any oversized stuff gets ringed up and moved out the way. Would be really nice to be able to pic through the stack for size and species but a nightmare job with just the forks. Would love a small forwarding crane but all I have read says they are pretty much useless on the 3 point linkage so needs a trailer so pricy.

 

Are there any alternative/cheap ways that I have missed?

[slack ma girdle]

Sort it as you unload it ?

[Woodworks]

Can't see me having much joy asking the driver to sort as they unload.

[difflock]

A hyd "beak" on the forks to allow you to selectively grip single logs?

Ideally a grab/grapple on a 3-6 tonne excavator

[kernowstu]

Chris Richardson and Demart would sort it for a cup of tea

[briquette_seller]

I had a 3 point linkage on the tractor, while I saved up for the trailer.

It worked well, far from useless

[Logan]

A hyd "beak" on the forks to allow you to selectively grip single logs?

Ideally a grab/grapple on a 3-6 tonne excavator

 

As Difflock says, a beak would help. Some people put grab and rotator on front loaders too.

 

We use grab and rotator on 8t excavator which makes sorting a easy job. Any size machine up to 15t would do the job, lot more reach on larger ones but bit thirstier.

[Woodworks]

I had a 3 point linkage on the tractor, while I saved up for the trailer.

It worked well, far from useless

 

Intresting.

 

Was warned that it would put nasty loads on the linkages and be unstable. We only have a 55hp compact so not very heavy. As you say would be a nice stepping stone if it worked.

Edited February 13, 2015 by Woodworks

[briquette_seller]

Intresting.

 

Was warned that it would put nasty loads on the linkages and be unstable. We only have a 55hp compact so not very heavy. As you say would be a nice stepping stone if it worked.

 

Depends how rough the operator is I guess.

 

Never had any problems.

 

If you have a forklift, get an adaptor to adapt your forklift to take a 3 point linkage, and fit it on that.

Forklifts have good pumps.

 

Adaptors on ebay, fyi

[Woodworks]

No forklift I am afraid. Would not be able to use one anyway as can only get roundwood delivered into the field due to poor access.