The PrayingMantis

TheWoodButcher · **Posted:** Sat Feb 20, 2010 6:55 pm

Ok, here we go!!! This bad boy Rocks!!! I truely believe the good Lord had something to do with the building of this arch,.... it does things we didn't plan on and there GOOD things. :lol:

For one, you can adjust the arch position on the backbone using the winch. Works both ways, in & out. Another thing is, even with this log on it,... I uncoupled it from the 4x4 and it didn't fly up,.... I lifted up and it is balanced absolutely perfect. That isn't in me! I will give it to the Lord Jesus. It is just so unreal how good this thing works :lol:

The rachet straps are just there to give a little guidance on it's maiden voyage, :lol:

Not to support the weight of the log. The arch supports the full weight of the log. If you start putting the load on the rachet straps, it add's tongue weight. The pic with the log on the arch,... the arch is set at the 6' setting of the backbone to haul 12' logs. If the arch is moved to the end of the backbone you can haul 20' completely off the ground. I love it.

The winch is a 3200lb. 2 speed winch. Reg. $79.00 on sale $49.00 Works like a dream.

Here, it is set up with the tongue set for the 4x4.

Here, it is set up for the pickup.

All rigged up.

It works!!!

WVUFAN · **Posted:** Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:54 am

I love it, thats a pretty hefty log. Any problems on hills? I wonder how hard it would be to stop on a down hill slope. I dont know a lot when it comes to towing but how much do you think a 500 pound 4 wheeler could handle up and down hills. Small slopes of course.

TheWoodButcher · **Posted:** Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:12 pm

WVUFAN wrote:

I love it, thats a pretty hefty log. Any problems on hills? I wonder how hard it would be to stop on a down hill slope. I dont know a lot when it comes to towing but how much do you think a 500 pound 4 wheeler could handle up and down hills. Small slopes of course.

Hey WVUFAN, I have pix on my FaceBook of the 4x4 pulling it up hill. Down hill can be a problem,...The logs are much heavier than the 4x4, therefore, it will jack knife your butt in a hurry if you try to stop it. When you decide to go down a hill, you gotta ask yourself,.... do I want to go fast enough to out run this log down this hill or go another route. :lol:

I say,... if you have to ask yourself that question,... find another route or you stand to lose 4x4, log arch, and maybe life. Aint none of it worth all that.

WVUFAN · **Posted:** Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:57 pm

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME

junglejim · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:28 pm

Great job on that arch WB! You can bet that Ill be sketching one up this evening. Did you use trailer tires with straight spindles? Are you happy with the hand crank winch for speed and ease of lifting? I have been kicking a very similar idea around for some time now, I have some 2" round tube that I was going to try to use, but I now wonder if square tube might be better? It looks like you could use an inverted V-shaped piece on each end of the "backbone" or maybee just a couple of sharp spikes to pull the log up against so that it wouldnt sway too bad. Outstanding job! I love to see people make their own good stuff! Especially when they give credit where it is due!

TheWoodButcher · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:23 pm

Hey JJ long time,... Thanks,... The winch is GREAT, however,... I have found you get what you pay for when it comes to winches. This one will pick 3200lbs. on a single part line. If you just go aroung the log and hook the cable back into the hooks on the arch itself, it rolls the log the same as a hoist block, creating a two part hoist line (or rolling load). Which is good for 6400lbs. If the log is that big I can't mill it anyway.

You are right,... I will be welding some teeth on the inside of the neck to bite into the but end of the logs for a more secure ride. The straps give you the ability to add or remove tongue weight on the 4x4. The more you put on the straps,... the more weight that goes onto the 4x4. Because you are lifting the log from the backbone, instead of the arch. I still have a few odds and ends to add to it and slop some paint on it and it'll be good to go!! :lol:

Thanks again JungleJim, glad to see you back.

BTW The axels came from the mill. I've pulled the arch 40mph behind the 4x4 :lol:

never wobbled a bit, like my little arch does.

TheWoodButcher · **Posted:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:55 pm

The PrayingMantis turns on it's master!! What a day, I was loading a big log with the log arch today and one of the pulleys the cable goes thru broke (didn't really break but the keeper pin came out letting the sheeve pin come out) and the handle of the winch busted me in the face (ouch) just above the eye. That on top of a twisted ankle from yesterday was more than I can take, I'm calling it a day. Now I have a blowsed eye and a limp, I will still praise the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

WVUFAN · **Posted:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:31 pm

I always thought they eat the males after they get used. :lol:

TheWoodButcher · **Posted:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:46 pm

By golly it tried!!! I got a lump over my right eye the size of a golfball. But I never cried!!! not one tear, but I won't deny the thought of it. :lol:

Luckly I had my partner Fred with me. It slammed me to the ground so hard I though surely it made my head start leaking :lol:

not one drop of blood was shed.

WVUFAN · **Posted:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:56 pm

Its always good to have a hard head. BTW I like the new pic on the page.

TheWoodButcher · **Posted:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:32 pm

WVUFAN wrote:

Its always good to have a hard head. BTW I like the new pic on the page.

Cool Thanks WVUFAN. There is no part of my head that is round anymore :lol:

it's more like a beach ball,... ya know kinda soft and about half the air has leaked out. :lol:

Not that I'm STUPID but because "I wus in the right place, but it musta been the wrong time" :lol:

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