Log handling ideas needed.

deaconjim · #1 02/09/08, 04:53 PM

Rose and I will begin erecting our log walls soon, and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to handle the logs. I can handle the first few courses by hand, but after they get about head high I'm going to need to find a way to handle them.

The obvious answer would be to rent some fun piece of equipment to play with, but funds are tight and it will be a slow process, so I'm hoping to figure out a better way.

Does anyone have any experience or suggestions?

Cygnet · #2 02/09/08, 05:16 PM

You can set up a "ramp" with other logs or hefty boards braced against the wall and then use ropes to roll the logs up.

It's easier for for someone to show you how to do this than to describe it, though. Takes some muscle (though less than you'd expect) and knowhow, and it can be very dangerous because of the weight of the logs.

Rocky Fields · #3 02/09/08, 05:21 PM

DJ,

Don't give Rose her "High Tea" until she gets all the logs in place...you'll have to supervise since you have a bad leg;-)

Seriously, you can put tall log post(s) in the ground and use block and tackle to lift and swing 'em in place.

RF

vicker · #4 02/09/08, 05:26 PM

The traditional way is to use ramps and ropes. You anchor your ropes to the walls, pass them under and back over the logs, then pull the ropes to roll the logs up. It kinda works like a block and tackle.

glenn amolenaar · #5 02/09/08, 05:54 PM

Deaconjim, I've built several log buildings using a duct lift. I fit longer forks over the stock forks. You do need to have a solid floor then you roll lift into place and scoot log off. Glenn

deaconjim · #6 02/09/08, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn amolenaar

Deaconjim, I've built several log buildings using a duct lift. I fit longer forks over the stock forks. You do need to have a solid floor then you roll lift into place and scoot log off. Glenn

For some reason, that thought never occurred to me. I'll have to check around and see if I can find one. Thanks for the suggestion.

deaconjim · #7 02/09/08, 06:12 PM

To be perfectly honest, I was hoping y'all would tell me there was absolutely no way to do it without some heavy equipment to play with. If Rose sees this thread I'll have to think of another excuse.

CIW · #8 02/09/08, 06:20 PM

When I built my home we stood a jin pole (8 in. black pipe) in the center of the house. It was bolted down to foundation that we poured in the crawl space beneath the house. Then hung an arm (4 in. black pipe) out to lift the logs and beams into place. I used the jin pole as part of the infastructure that holds up the second floor and the roof. Trimming it off once I lifted the last beam into place.
We built a 2 story home using 9 in. logs. The highest part of the house is about 25 ft. high. I put anchors right in various places on my stem wall so that the guy cables could be moved as we lifted in different areas of the project. I used 2 sets of block and tackle to lift with.
Jin poles were used for many years as a general part of large construction projects during and shortly after the 19th century, with great success.
One thing. anywhere you connect to the pipe, it will need to be able to be adjusted down a couple of inches, as log homes nortoriously settle over the years.
Would be happy to talk more if you need more input.

TNHermit · #9 02/09/08, 06:20 PM

I'll sell you a pair of these.

http://www.proctorp.com/wallproducts/howitworks.html

These are pictures of when they are used to raise walls. But I have used them to put logs in place. Steel beams and various other beams.

barn-apart · #10 02/09/08, 06:32 PM

I have used a pulley-man winch to build several log and timber frame homes. They can be powered with a corless drill or electric drill. Will dead lift about 1000 lbs. Has a no slip brake and powers both ways with travel only limited by the length of the cable. Cost a little over $300. I bought mine years ago and still going strong ,only changed the cable a couple times. rvmarine.com is one site that has them on their website. Be safe.

deaconjim · #11 02/09/08, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNHermit

I'll sell you a pair of these.

http://www.proctorp.com/wallproducts/howitworks.html

These are pictures of when they are used to raise walls. But I have used them to put logs in place. Steel beams and various other beams.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I think I'll try it with the ramps first, but I'll let you know if that doesn't work out.

deaconjim · #12 02/09/08, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barn-apart

I have used a pulley-man winch to build several log and timber frame homes. They can be powered with a corless drill or electric drill. Will dead lift about 1000 lbs. Has a no slip brake and powers both ways with travel only limited by the length of the cable. Cost a little over $300. I bought mine years ago and still going strong ,only changed the cable a couple times. rvmarine.com is one site that has them on their website. Be safe.

I may have to get one of those even if I don't use it for lifting the logs. That looks like a useful toy... I mean tool to have around the house.

Hoop · #13 02/09/08, 06:45 PM

Here is what I did when I built my log home. Funds were tight. Renting/buying a piece of equipment was out of the question. So I got creative.
I built a tripod on wheels. From the "mast", I used an electric hoist that I purchased from Harbor Freight for around $80. A set of log lifting tongs provided the lifting "bite". Ice tongs, far cheaper and readily availible on Ebay, will work just as well.
It worked marvelously. Yes, there was some trial & error. I had to add many cement blocks for ballast. And, I started out with 6" castor wheels....and had to upgrade to 10" rubber tire wheels (both purchased on Ebay).

Go to my photo site at
http://community.webshots.com/user/hoop_john
Then go to the subheading Log Cabin
Photo 16_12A is one good photo of the log dolly hoist
Photo 30_27 is another photo
Photo Loghoist is yet another photo

The main upright is a 4" x 6" pine. The diagonals are 4" x 4" douglas fir. Use plenty of big nails. I used 6" pole barn nails.

I built this log home by myself....well almost. The main beam for the log floor joists was set into place by a crane. This log was 42' in length and about 12" in diameter. I had a friend that worked for a building supply outfit....and it cost me $60 to "set" this huge log in place. Other than that, all the logs were set using the log dolly hoist.

I used to build full scribe log homes professionally. When it came time to build my own.....I decided the logistics of moving 40' logs was a nightmare.....unless one had a crane on hand.
The device I built has its limitations. The logs I lifted with it were 16' in length and shorter. Most of the logs were 12" in length. They were milled flat on 3 sides. Approx width was 10".

If you have any questions, I'd be glad to help. email hoop@newnorth.net

MY almost finished product

Log handling ideas needed. - Homesteading Questions

agmantoo · #14 02/09/08, 07:36 PM

Here is a copy I borrowed on how to do the task with almost nothing
devise a ramp-by leaning several long poles against the top of the wall and placed each timber, in turn, at the bottom of that ramp, parallel to the wall. Then we tied a rope to each end of the top of the wall, looped them under the log on the ground, and brought them back up to the top. Using this simple arrangement, two people (pulling, in tandem, from the opposite side of the wall) can easily raise a heavy log up the ramp and lever it into place on top. We also had to remember, as we built the walls, to alternate the timbers' large ends in order to keep the assembly stable and level.

deaconjim · #15 02/09/08, 07:37 PM

Hoop, thanks for the info. Do the front tires swivel? That is similar to what I've had running around in the back of my mind, and the pictures really help. Thanks.

Hoop · #16 02/09/08, 08:19 PM

Actually, the thing has 4 tires. The 10" tires had a rating capacity of 350# each. So I put the other tire directly behind the "lead" tire. And yes, the front tires swivel.

I suspect you could build a similar device (hoist included) for perhaps $200.

js2743 · #17 02/10/08, 01:07 AM

when you get it to where you cant lift by hand any more just tell rose that there is no way she can get them up there and leave for work she will find a way i bet. women are a either do it or die when you challenge them lol.

TNHermit · #18 02/10/08, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by js2743

when you get it to where you cant lift by hand any more just tell rose that there is no way she can get them up there and leave for work she will find a way i bet. women are a either do it or die when you challenge them lol.

THis is absolutely true. when I did the marriage/burb thing I would come home and find couches, pianos,beds dressers and countless other objects moved up and down stairs. But for some reason she could never take out the garbage

. And it was pretty disconcerting and sometimes painful to walk into furniture at night that wasn't there the night before.

texican · #19 02/10/08, 12:05 PM

I've been trying to get my thoughts around just such a device... thanks Hoop, you've advanced my thinking a bit. Was looking at a long gin pole operation, or an 'extra tall' pole beam here and there, to lift big beams here and there... renting a crane is out of the question, because they cost 'real money', and there's still a dang electric wire about 15' away from the future entrance 'portico', and it's the only place the thing would be able to park...

deaconjim · #20 02/10/08, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNHermit

THis is absolutely true. when I did the marriage/burb thing I would come home and find couches, pianos,beds dressers and countless other objects moved up and down stairs. But for some reason she could never take out the garbage

. And it was pretty disconcerting and sometimes painful to walk into furniture at night that wasn't there the night before.

Shortly after Rose and I married, I came home from work and she had emptied a large room that I was using for storage and made a bedroom out of it. Among the things she had moved was a large, full chest freezer. It had to go out the door, make a sharp right turn into the hallway, out the back door, across the back porch, across the driveway to the barn. She had done that by herself. I think she should be able to handle the logs too, but she hasn't seen my point of view there, and she's a better shot than I am so I ain't arguing with her.