Moving a tree trunk

Wig

I have 3 tree trunks to move, mainly by myself, with a little help from the OH, but can't expect her to carry too much. I want to keep them whole.

They have to be moved about 100meters across grassland and hopefully into a shed.

The biggest one is about 18inches diameter and 4m - 5m long, it's going to weigh a lot at least 400kg

Ideas on how to do this without machinery?
I saw a program about a guy who loved levers he was speculating how they used levers to build stone henge. He said "You can move anything with a lever". But first I would need a lever, what should I use? and how would I lever it?
Across the grassland ok, but to get through the last stage which is a narrow 3 - 4 foot gap and into the shed will be a problem.

ilikewatch

Personally I would favour figuring out a system of rollers, or get some well greased timber rails and slide the logs along those... Or try and bribe a local youth rugby team with a case of beer to manhandle them for you...

Or lots and lots of helium balloons...

arbroath_lass

Wig wrote: »

I have 3 tree trunks to move, mainly by myself, with a little help from the OH, but can't expect her to carry too much. I want to keep them whole.

They have to be moved about 100meters across grassland and hopefully into a shed.

The biggest one is about 18inches diameter and 4m - 5m long, it's going to weigh a lot at least 400kg

Ideas on how to do this without machinery?
I saw a program about a guy who loved levers he was speculating how they used levers to build stone henge. He said "You can move anything with a lever". But first I would need a lever, what should I use? and how would I lever it?
Across the grassland ok, but to get through the last stage which is a narrow 3 - 4 foot gap and into the shed will be a problem.

I think they used the levers to set the stones in the ground not move them any distance. Rollers would be the way to move them.

Is there not a farmer you can ask? I'm sure a 16yo with access to a tractor would love to have a go.

ValHaller

At 400kg, I would be thinking of an A frame and a winch. Lift forwards and up from a point just forward of the CoG. A small manual lift to free the trunk from the ground would allow it to swing forward

WestonDave

I've moved rail carriages by "hand" with a "pinch bar" which is a long metal bar with a flattened end that you use as a lever between rail and wheel to get it on the move. I'd guess with a long crow bar you could probably get the tree moving on the roll across the grass. You then need some rollers in the narrow gap which will be a case of one levering the end of the log up whilst the other shoves a roller underneath, move the lever further down the log and shove the roller in further until you've got it up on rollers. At that point its a question of making sure you switch freed rollers from the back to the front. If you get the roller thickness right you may be able to roll it right into the shed. I'm assuming the shed floor is concrete otherwise the log is going through it!

Couple of these might be useful - http://www.wickes.co.uk/demolition-crowbar-15m/invt/167422/

Wig

It's a rammed earth floor on the shed, no problems there.

I didn't think about rolling the trunks across the grassland -but it's logical to try, other obstacles like other trees & bushes could be a problem. I could put down 2 ropes one at either end, bring the rope round the back of the trunk and pull on the rope, maybe this will cause the trunk to roll forwards.

nice ideas, keep 'em coming.

Avoriaz

Invite some Scotsmen down for a game of Toss the Caber.

cyclonebri1

If it's a tree stump then it has roots or a thickened end, rollers will be no use,

400kg, approaching 1/2 ton?, you need help and you need to be careful, roll that over your leg and you'll need a team of firemen to get you free;)

You need a "Tirfor", it's a device for dragging and hauling and can easily handle a ton weight, even the smallest 1.

Stakes hammered into the field in stages that the length of wire rope allow would be needed.

Or as said, the local rubby team on a training day, army cadets? etc.