Trying out a Gorillbac log lift

[RyeThomas]

Ok well I scrounge most of my firewood. Over the years I have found one major delima, how to load the trailer with biggins. Short cutting stinks but it’s how it has had to be, making log steps works but one slip or fall and it can lead to injury. Well I decided to give the Gorillabac a try. Yes I’m sure you could build one yourself but I just don’t have the time. I like the idea and the portability and quick set up of the item, drawback is it seems a little light weight. I contacted them and asked if they made an HD model, they said theirs is HD (specs on this are 250lb capacity). I said ok but I move a fair amount of fresh cut, live, wet, HEAVY OAK. I think a model with a 500lb capacity and a little longer boom would be perfect but beggars can’t be choosers so I ordered one. They only have a splitter mount so I’m in the process of making a mount for my dump trailer and then one for my 3 point hitch on my tractor. You might ask well why not use the tractor, well the nice thing about this is you can keep tension on the biggins while on the splitter beam vs just getting it on the beam and having to man handle it.

I will post updates and be brutally honest about the product. I think it’s a great idea but also believe one could really make it better. Again longer boom, 500lb capacity would handle most anything. I do like there log screw and not having to mess with wood tongs/skidder tongs. It works great in Oak, we’ll see how it works on other species for the final verdict. So far it’s easy and holds.

Per a forestry calculator this one is 265lbs. All the larger ones are buried in the pile, when I get to one I’ll give her he** and post pics.

 

[Dub11]

 

[morewood]

I can't wait to see it, just curious if it can handle a long day workload. One piece at a time would kill me, loading my tractor bucket to fill my M105 works pretty quick.

Shea

 

[RyeThomas]

I’m not dragging my equipment trailer and tractor to the job, dropping it, headed back to get my dump trailer, load, drive back dump, drive back get my equipment trailer and tractor.

Way too many trips.

 

[morewood]

By no means was I suggesting that you should, only what works for my situation. I generally don't have to travel much from my rural community to access huge quantities. When I have had to go a distance it's only for large amounts and it's worth the trip for the tractor. Fuel and time are cheap compared to back issues. But what am I saying, you're a former MarineSBWM

Shea

Did you find a tractor yet?

 

[RyeThomas]

No I get it and I wasn’t trying to be a jerk, I just find I cut alone all the time and dragging equipment around while not a big deal can be a time killer.
I’m hoping this works out. I really think something a little beefier would be a home run and sell well.

And yes sir I found my tractor, JD 4510 it’s in the tractor thread.

 

[RI Chevy]

I work alone but still keep it simple. I just split into quarters at the location and lift by hand. As long as I can, god willing. Lol
This is a cool lift though.

 

[morewood]

Nice tractor, we have a 4610 with the 460 fel. Load the tires and it'll go. The engine is a yanmar iirc.

Shea

 

[Fifelaker]

I seen the Gorilla bac a few month ago on another site, I made mine quite a bit heavier than theirs. I have lifted a few pieces that were 400# or so without straining it. I did break the foot off of it while pulling a 7' by 32" green ash butt, it pulled it fine when we hooked it to the truck. The 250# limit is what prompted me to build my own version. @Termitebuffet built one also.

 

[RyeThomas]

Ok so do you have pics? Are you or your buddy selling them?

 

[RyeThomas]

The week of the 11th weather permitting I have two jobs and I plan on working this thing to fill my trailer. I will report back.

 

[stihl livin]

Are you not able to load your tractor in the dump trailer? It would eliminate a couple extra trips and make life easier

 

[RyeThomas]

Tractor is too big, Dump is 7x12 and I’m not changing.
Tractor with no loader is near that, so it would have to be on the equipment trailer. I’m at an hour one way a lot of times= too much time.

I’ve made it work for about 12 years but at 41 it’s time to work smarter not harder.

 

[Fifelaker]

 

[Fifelaker]

I fed it everything in that pic.

 

[Dub11]

Bump! Any updates?

 

[RyeThomas]

I still would like a heavier duty model, one with a larger base and a longer reach or swing and while we are at it a larger winch to go along with everything else.

That said it’s still holding up and doing what I need. I still get a little worried with really big oak rounds but she pulls them.

 

[lauren]

I made this one and it works well.

 

[Firewood Bandit]

I just bribe the guys on the log landing with Honeycrisp apples I grow. The forwarder operator doesn't make mistakes and throw on a softwood log like I would once in a while.

 

[Michael Lifter]

I made a similar lift one too. However, if not positioned just right the splitter wants to tip over or move when dragging, and for as much material and screwing around invested... wife says Id been better with Gorillabac log lift crane. She has the screw wheel and works great and stay on as compared to messing with log tongs. The guy noted that lift is rated at 250 lbs lift, drag for a wood splitter and to meet this safety rating it has to be able to lift over 400 lbs. I see they now have a pickup truck attachment deal also. There are some places just about impossible to get my splitter backed into. Maybe Christmas??