Insight on rope

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Its that time of year I need to get my winter wood stock built up. A friend of mine just bought some land that was timebered out. There is lots of tops and good limbs of hardwood. My main problem is that it is all on a steep hillside.

There is a trail that heads straight up the hill where I can back my bucket truck into. From there I can use my boom to skid the logs down the trail. Over the weekend I used all my web straps/chains end to end to reach what I could. (I'm getting to old for this stuff, I'm sore all over)

I'm thinking that I need to get some rope so I can manage reaching more downed wood. I need something that has very minimal stretch. I tried nylon awhile back, but it stretches too much. The logs I'll be getting will be in the 400 to 500 pound range, so I need something that has some decent strength.

Thanks,,,,,,,,SS

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Insight on rope

Wire rope good decent cable that will last and last. Will not stretch (not that you will notice), durable and really not that heavy. That would be my first choice ......... I use my winch cable all the time on my 4 wheelers and it is great stuff.

 

[JB]

Re: Insight on rope

Braided polypropylene, common on boats, has very little stretch. My tow rope is made of that stuff.

I don't know if Spectra braid is made in high tests, but it stretches not at all. Of course, based on the price of PowerPro 50lb test it would probably break the budget.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Insight on rope

You'd be better off with steel cable (wire rope), or chain. Any line that would meet you specs (esp. low stretch) would be $$$. Wire rope is cheap. 1/8" 7x7 is rated at 1700lbs break strength and you can get it for ~$.08 per foot (500' ~ $40).

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Insight on rope

I've got a small winch mounted over my tow bar that I use to raise and lower my hitch. Works excellent for loading/unloading my 27'er. It has 100' of 1/8 on it now. I've used it, but the winch is very very slow. Seems like 2' per minuet. Using the hydraulics of the boom makes it a lot quicker. 400' would get me all the wood I need for the coming season.

Maybe I should look into renting a mule?

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Insight on rope

Maybe I should look into renting a mule?

Hey, you're in the right place (OHIO). I bet there are a ton of horse/mule loggers. If you were closer, I'd come do it for you. Of course, I work Percherons and not mules, but I've got a skid we could load up and take 5 or 6 at a time...

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Insight on rope

There is Amish around in the area. Having them do it will come at a price. That I want to keep to a minimum. Its bad enough paying for fuel oil. Getting the wood for free, or in some cases getting paid to take is best.

I know there is used motor oil burners out there. I was even thinking about making an outdoor unit like they do for woodburners. Obtaining used motor oil seems to be easier to be had and easier to handle. Wood seems to get heavier each year and the splitter seems slower,,,,,but I know its me.

 

[kmk_7110]

Re: Insight on rope

The wood splitter problem is an easy fix.

I have personally used one like this and its the cats meow or the dogs bark which ever you prefer. I've split at least 3 semi loads of wood with one of these. www.timberwolfcorp.com if your really interested.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Insight on rope

kmk, I saw one of those at the county fair last year. Yea boy, I like that. . They also had a trailer with a hydraulic arm for loading logs which is nice. If I sold wood, that would be the route that I would take. Doesn't look go for getting another load this coming weekend,,,, rain for the next 3or 4 days.