Hauling Uphill

Loggers us skidders for this task. Renting one is probably out of the question. I'd look at a cable winch to drag the logs uphill and right into the container.

For close to the cost of the container, you could rent a heavy duty chipper/shredder that can handle everything up to a foot or more in diameter... all that organic material would make great soil amendments. :o)

If any of the larger trees are hardwoods, consider putting up a sign for free firewood.

Dave

My son and I hauled a lot of big maple turning blocks up a steep and very rough incline using the following method. He cobbled together what oldtimers know as a stone bolt, a rather crude and heavy sled. Then using a snatch block at the top of the grade, passed the towline from the sled through the block and tied it off to the front bumper of my truck, then with him guiding the sled, and me backing my truck we successfully hauled load after load up that grade. Worked well for us, might be worth a thought if you have a lot to move.

James Barley.

We still have a few people that use horses around here, mostly Belgians. A few use mules for smaller logs. They are much more efficient in tight spaces than skidders and you don't have to cut a trail for them because they can weave their way around the good trees. Of course, that won't help you unless you have them come in and do the work.

Are you planning to keep everything that can be used for firewood and turning? If not, you could give the logs/firewood away to anyone who is willing to get it out of there themselves. Just make sure they have a plan that won't destroy your property.

If you are planning on keeping all the logs, firewood and woodturning blocks for yourself, then all that's left is the brush and small limbs. The best/cheapest method for moving that to the street is using your own hands. Next best thing might be the winch that Dan mentions above.

Hi Greg, Some useful information would be to know the relation of the lot being cleared to the house and to the road or wherever you plan to use a hauling out point. I do know you said no vehicle. I'm assuming you are either thinking a traditional vehicle like a truck/car/suv, or that its very very steep. How far in distance does the wood have to be hauled etc... If two guys can carry a box up this incline, it can't be that steep else they would loose their footing trying to maintain balance with the load and walk uphill. A year ago, my friend and I used my 4wd ATV to haul wood out of a gulley. We had to cut the wood down in size to fit the 4 wheeler, but it worked. They can climb some amazing stuff when you know how. Another method would be like James Barley described. Another method of block and tackle if its very steep is a outrigger or boom. At the top of your hill put in a 8 x8 post and rig up a boom to it with a block and tackle. Then using ropes you can hoist the load up and swing it over at the top. This would be for a very sheer incline though.

Stone boat, sledge, or what most of the old-timers hereabout used - hood of a full-sized automobile. Drag by the method of your choice, but if human-powered, get some mechanical advantage to help.

"Travis Mahone" wrote: If you don't own one, rent or borrow a pickup with a winch on it ^^^^^^^^^^^^ That will work. We once had to pull a 360 Yamaha dirt bike out of a ravine. A kind soul happened along in a Jeep with a winch on the front, and made an impossible task easy. The slope was so steep that the bike went over the side, dropped about 30 feet, and landed in the branches of a tree. (It was undamaged. The rider dismounted as it left the trail, so he was undamaged also.)

Look for a friend who is into 4-wheeling, and chances are you will be able to work a deal.

For hauling heavy loads in a wheelbarrow, like the wood part of the debris, you can use two people. The front person slings a rope loop around the wheel brace and pulls and the rear person uses the wheelbarrow normally. I used this method for hauling concrete up a slope.

Derek

I like the idea of the chipper, why haul it out. You could lower the chipper down there for the small stuff.

For the large stuff that won't chip how about a "FREE WOOD" sign

Kevin

I don't know where you live, but around here we use draft horses for that.

Otherwise, rent a Bobcat front-end loader and use it as a portable bucket.

Have you ever wondered what happens to those people who are given community service by the state. This sounds like a good job for those who need to pay back their dept to society. Most Boy Scout troops are looking for good community service projects. Invite friends over for a good old fashion barn raising and pot luck. Get your friends, family, neighbors, and community involved. One of them will look over the edge and say "we had this problem back in 07" and while he is talking the rest will get the job done.

Henry

I doubt if the the state or the Boy Scouts would consider clearing brush from private property "community service".

-- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA

Another possibility is to check with the coach of the local H.S. football team and ask him if he'd like a good workout spot for his team! *G*

Use a skyhook.

To my knowledge no one has as yet mentioned a double purchase Block and Tackle, or if the loads are small a single pulley and strong nylon or wire rope. I would reccomend the double purchase. Used this a lot with fencing wire strainers when I was farming.

Goldie&Graham Passau

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