Choker Chain & light skidding hickory for firewood?

[CrystalRiver1]

Hey guys,
I've got a great free deal on about 5-6 already dropped hickory trees.
Only one hitch they're all on a fairly steep incline...pointing downward!

I've never used a choker chain, but I can see where it would come in handy on this job.
I do have a 25 logging chain, but I'm going to need at least 35-50 more to reach them.
If I get them out of this semi-valley I can deal with them on level ground.
Whats a good brand of choker chain and what advice do you guys have?
Tree's vary in length & girth ranging from 40 ft & 16 diameter---15 ft/12 inch diameter.

This is primo firewood...(splinters galore like shaggy, but bark like pignut) and has been down about 12 months...the bugs seem to love it too!
Burning some tonite mixed with sugar maple...and it burns crazy hot!

The pics are deceptive...it's STEEP!

 

[Dub11]

Hey guys,
I've got a great free deal on about 5-6 already dropped hickory trees.
Only one hitch they're all on a fairly steep incline...pointing downward!

I've never used a choker chain, but I can see where it would come in handy on this job.
I do have a 25 logging chain, but I'm going to need at least 35-50 more to reach them.
If I get them out of this semi-valley I can deal with them on level ground.
Whats a good brand of choker chain and what advice do you guys have?
Tree's vary in length & girth ranging from 40 ft & 16 diameter---15 ft/12 inch diameter.

This is primo firewood...(splinters galore like shaggy, but bark like pignut) and has been down about 12 months...the bugs seem to love it too!
Burning some tonite mixed with sugar maple...and it burns crazy hot!
View attachment 97699 View attachment 97700
The pics are deceptive...it's STEEP! View attachment 97698
View attachment 97697

Pulling it out with a truck?

 

[Dub11]

I'd use a winch and a snatch block and the a chain. I have a set up that slides in to the receiver hitch of my Suburban and use it for pulling trees in the desired direction when I have trees close to houses.

 

[Deets066]

Just get the same chain you have now, and put a wrap on it.
It'll bite

 

[Stump Shot]

You can do a lot with a good hunk of heavy rope. I just use a short chain around the tree itself to avoid abrasion.

 

[Ryan Browne]

More than brand, I'd look at the grade of the chain and the working load limit. A lower grade will require you to use a bigger size chain which is a lot heavier. Going to grade 70 is more expensive, but you can probably use 5/16" or even 1/4" chain. I'm not sure what you're pulling with, but that'll be part of the equation to figure out what you want to see for a WLL. Ideally it'd be almost the weight of your truck.

Like Deets says though, don't worry about it being called a choker chain. If anything, that might mean that it only has a hook at one end and the hook might be a bit specialized. A regular log chain or transport chain will be just fine. Probably handiest if it's got a slip hook on one end and a grab hook on the other. Buy two 25' lengths and you're ready to go.

 

[Homemade]

I suggest 20ft lengths of 3/8 grade 70. It’s about as small as i safely go. And are still easy enough to handle. They make slip hooks that look really closed off in the opening. They work good because the keepers always get smashed up.

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[CrystalRiver1]

Pulling it out with a truck?

Yep...Tundra.
Great feedback guys...I'm much obliged!

 

[Homemade]

Seeing how your pulling with a truck, don’t be snapping and jerking too much. Especially if you go light on the chain. And pull from that back end if your truck. You’d hate to replace a radiator or windshield because the chain snapped.


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[Dub11]

I'd maybe have a tow strap hooked on your truck going back to the first chain just to keep the paint safe.

 

[Deets066]

Steel chokers are mostly what I use

 

[Marshy]

Cable will be cheaper than chain if you need a long length. More economical than buying 60'of chain and it can be used with block and tackle.

 

[CrystalRiver1]

Cable will be cheaper than chain if you need a long length. More economical than buying 60'of chain and it can be used with block and tackle.

Where is the best place to get some stout cable?
Tractor Supply-Home Depot?

 

[Deets066]

Where is the best place to get some stout cable?
Tractor Supply-Home Depot?

I deal with a local rigging shop

 

[Marshy]

Where is the best place to get some stout cable?
Tractor Supply-Home Depot?

I don't know what's around your area but I would check Harbor Freight, Tractor Supply, any farm supply store (Agway) or even a forestry or chainsaw shop. I'd surf Craigslist also.

 

[Marshy]

Found this by searching cable on my local Craigslist. First I searched farm/garden, then material.

Call your local logger and ask if he has any old skidded cable and that your looking for 50-60 ft. Most cables get a bad spot or break and they replace what a on the reel. They might be sitting on 40' thst they will never use...

 

[Stump Shot]

Sometimes a crane service will have take offs that have a buggered up spot or too short to run on a crane any longer. Also a good source for used rigging etc.

 

[merc_man]

Sometime when i use chains. I put a old tire ( not on rim) inbetween two chains so if i do have to jerk it has give. Also put a heavy coat or something on the chain about ten feet from truck so it hopfully catches chain if it breaks.

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[Homemade]

What about amsteel blue synthetic winch rope.


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[Ryan Browne]

What about amsteel blue synthetic winch rope.


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I recently priced some of that because I want a rope that's in the 15,000# WLL range but isn't huge and heavy. The Amsteel fit all my requirements, but it's crazy expensive. Of course I was looking at 150' of it. Might not be as bad if you only need 50'.