Log Arch Plans from HHFF with Skis??? - Draft Animal Power

j_maki · #1 02-08-2010, 05:54 PM

Hi

I was just wondering if anyone has made this log arch and added skis to it to use in the winter. The plans also call for 5/16 steel almost all the way around and most of the suppliers around here only carry 1/4 or 3/8 in stock- would the 1/4 be heavy enough? I am new to "horse power" and I don't want to take the time to build something and then have it get all bent out of shape in a couple of years. If it matters it will mostly be used for tamarack, black spruce and poplar none of which are all that big compared to alot of the logs I see you guys pulling out down there. The biggest being about 24" with most closer to 8-14"

Thanks

Jeremy

LostFarmer · #2 02-08-2010, 07:07 PM

Rule of thumb for equipment is twice as stout as you think you need.

Biological Woodsman · #3 02-08-2010, 07:59 PM

The arch is usually bent by hanging it on a tree or stump not by the load that is pulled. But if a fellow put some extra gussets and bracing maybe you could get by with the lighter material. Stronger is always better if you want it to last a long time without any repair. It they get twisted out of shape they are real hard to get back square. I have one now with a spindle that is slightly tweaked and will have to take it the shop and chain it down and try to tweak it back and reinforce it a bit.

I noticed you asked or included skis in your message. Have you make you some ski runners for it too. Do they just bolt on the lugs like the tire rim?

~

j_maki · #4 02-09-2010, 02:48 PM

I will go with the 3/8 material to make sure it last.

I was thinking off mounting the skis to an old set of rims so I could just switch out skis and tires when ever I want with minimum hassle. Do you see any reason why this wouldn't work?

Jeremy

Donn Hewes · #5 02-09-2010, 03:13 PM

Man that 3/8" sounds heavy and expensive to me. It some what depends on if you are talking about a flat plate or channel or square tubing. Each has different strength characteristics due to the shape. I am all for building something strong, but I suspect 1/4" steel would be plenty. Welding skis to a rim would work great most probably. Jason suggested this to me about 20 times before he realized I just wanted to weld my own design.