low tech log hauling suggestions

We have a woods where we can harvest firewood, but we'd like to figure out how to get some of the larger logs uphill for easier bucking and more efficient gathering. We have a 1/2 tonnes pick up, but I'm looking for suggestions on how to build a log hauler (not metal, we don't have a welder) that we might be able to use with a comealong. Hopefully I'm explaining this alright. I have a picture in my mind of a tripod of poles with a pulley at the top through which a rope or chain can be led to a cinch around the log, then use the truck as the anchor for the comealong.
Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.
Thanks!

We had a lot of trees that had to be cut down from the Dec 31 2020 ice storm.

We used our tractor and a rope to more all those threes.

We tied a rope to the trailer hitch and then looped a rope around the tree trunk.

This was a two-person job though it could be done easily with one person.

Can you just skid them?

C. Letellier wrote:Can you just skid them?

the terrain is not smooth and we'd be trying to pull them uphill so lifting the leading edge will be critical. I'm starting to think of building a sled for the nose of the log at least.

Using a 4" strap to protect it we put a cable snatch block as high up a living tree above the road as we can.
Run a cable from your truck through the snatch block and down to your log.
Use the pickup to do the hard work.
Come along's are slow and tend to break at just the wrong moment.

Thomas, that is clever.
What length cables would you be working with?

Hi John;
Usually just one 100' cable and then any log chains needed to reach the log.
We also use this method to convince a downhill tree to fall uphill where we can reach it.

Come along or truck, beware of a breaking cable.  But Thomas’s suggestion would be my approach.  

I did see a slick approach in MN.  A hole was drilled through the lead end of the log. An axel was slipped through the hole and wheels attached. Then an electric wench was applied.  It worked because the soil was pretty firm. I suspect the wheels might sink on soft ground.

Jess Ziegler wrote:

C. Letellier wrote:Can you just skid them?

the terrain is not smooth and we'd be trying to pull them uphill so lifting the leading edge will be critical. I'm starting to think of building a sled for the nose of the log at least.

Good idea! I have seen all sorts of setups that do exactly that. Including a guy who scrounged a fibreglass nose cone from some sort of rocket (or sculpture? dunno)!

EDIT: No, I think maybe it was from a "rocket" ride (merry go round) at a defunct amusement park.

I spend a LOT of time in the woods doing what you want to do with a way too small tractor.  The Idea of putting a snatch block high up in a tree and pulling with a cable is my go-to method when a log is too big to simply drag out.

If you buy cable I would HIGHLY recommend synthetic cable.  Harborfreight sells a 1/2inch  synthetic cable with a 10,000 pound pulling strength.  It is 85 feet long and is about $100.  It is so much nicer than metal cable.  It is much lighter than metal, doesn't give you slivers, doesn't store  energy, and is much easier to deploy and wrap up.  Because it doesn't store energy like a steel cable if breaks or something lets go under load it simply falls to the ground harmlessly instead of snapping like a whip endangering everything in the area like a steel cable can.   You can't tie knots in it so you have to learn how do temporary splices to shorten it or attach to it, the splices act just like Chinese finger traps.  Since it is 85 feet long I have though of cutting mine in half to make the shorter pulls easier, but have always found work arounds so I don't need to.
While you are there get yourself some snatch blocks.  I have three and that allows all sorts of redirects and multiplying of pulling power.  You could probably get by with one, but I would suggest starting off with two.  And don't forget to oil them every so often.

You will also need a couple lifting slings and clevises to attach the snatch blocks to logs, anchors and each other.  I only have one lifting sling, but would really like a second.  I have a bunch of clevises, but could probably get by with one or two

And get several lengths of chain.  I have a 6 foot chain that I use the most, then a 10 and a 12 I use a lot,  I have several longer ones that only get used when I run out of shorter, easier to use one.  I also have some very short chains,  One is a single link with two hooks, another is maybe 6 inches long.  They come in handy in many situations.

You could also look into a logging arch,  Even the cheapest ones are a couple hundred bucks, or it takes a welder to build your own so I don't know if that is an option for you.  I find my logging arch is kind of hit and miss depending on where I am working, I may not use it for years, then I get to a spot where I use it all day, every day.

To keep my logs clean I have built several sleds/skids out of used conveyor belting(if you know someone who works at a gravel pit you can probably get lots of it for free).  I lay the belt beside the log, roll the log on to the belt, wrap a chain around both the log and belt and start pulling.

I have tried building tripods  to help lift and load logs with a winch, it was a very steep and dangerous learning curve to figure out when a tripod will work and when it will fall over under a heavy load.

Jess Ziegler wrote:

C. Letellier wrote:Can you just skid them?

the terrain is not smooth and we'd be trying to pull them uphill so lifting the leading edge will be critical. I'm starting to think of building a sled for the nose of the log at least.

Actually if you can afford to waste a little wood point the butt end of the log so it is the skid.  If you hit a spot that needs a little lift set your buck with the rope/cable over it to lift close to the log.

Aside: As J Hillman hinted, I much prefer to skid logs on snow and ice in winter. Otherwise they have tons of sand and gravel embedded in the bark. That kills chainsaw chains in no time -- it's a nasty, epic make-work project. Ugh.