Thanks, Harold

Although I am not a logging enthusiast, I downloaded this out of curiosity and skimmed the first dozen or so pages. Very rich in information. Having seen a few of the "Ax Men" episodes shown on the History Channel, I notice that modern logging uses choker cables rather than the tongs that are discussed in this book - an interesting difference. I suspect that using choker cables allowed for skimming more than one log at a time.

I will read more of this sometime in the future, but find it a good refernce for those interested in modeling logging operations in the first half of the 20^th century.

Tongs, Chokers, Grapples

In 50's, when I was first introduced to logging, chokers were used to skid logs.  Chokers are still used in places--I set several for my dad a week or so ago.  I've seen them on skidders being transported down the highway.  Some skidders have grapples fitted and are used for skid logs which eliminates the need for the choker setter.

Logs can be bunched so more than one log can be skidded at one time with a grapple.  Bigger logs are done one at a time.  I've bundled several logs in a single choker when the logs laid together properly or I could get the cat skinner to do a little bunching, again smaller logs.

Tongs were used to load logs when I started and were replaced with grapples in the late 60's.  Cut two positions, the first and second loaders.  Using tongs for yarding was before my time although my brother and I use tongs and a back hoe to get logs and firewood closer to the truck so we don't have to work too hard at it.

I try to stay away from logging shows now.  It's a lot of hard dangerous work and I eventually developed an allergy to hard work.

Most of my experience is with cat logging.  My dad did a lot of salvage logging cleaning up blowdown and dead and dying trees next to roads and other places where people might be.

Terry