new bob arch

[Donn Hewes]

Usually I try to avoid making my own designs for equipment, as there are already enough good pieces of equipment for every job. Some times how ever the engineer / tinkerer in us just busts out. I wanted to incorporate the best of a bob sled with a log arch. Last week I put together a prototype made of two by fours just to see how all the angles would work. Today I bought a Christmas present of a pile of steel. I made a beautiful matched set of skis from 4″ channel.

I will attach a drawing, but I scanned it in word and it is side ways; you may have to print it if you really want to see what I am doing.

[lancek]

good design don I like it

[Gabe Ayers]

I bet that would work good.

If this snow doesn’t go somewhere down stream soon I would like to get some of those bolt on wheels to runner replacements the Amish make and try them to move some wood. Something will have to happen soon, this snow is not going away.

[LostFarmer]

The design works I think the runners need a little tlc. Look at the ski from a snowmobile and also from an old bob sled. You will notice that the departure from the level plane is gradual. This is so important in how easy a runner pulls. Does it tend to plow into the snow or ride up on top of the snow. So a radius on the runner instead of the angle point might help. LF

[Mark Cowdrey]

Donn,

I know your motivation, it is one of the reasons I came up with the PiggyBack Arch. After watching Carl use a single bob, I wanted to be able to lift the front of the log to skid it out, but I didn’t want to have to load it on a bob. I wanted to back up to it, chain it up, & go.

The attached photo shows the beta version of the arch at the get together at the Ames’ in March of ’07. You might notice the extended tails on the back of the stock Pioneer runners. I found that as supplied they would not back in loose snow 8 or more inches deep.

Pictures of the current version of the PiggyBack FireWood Arch are at http://www.raggedviewfarm.com/index.php?nav=40

Good luck with your rig.

Mark

[Does’ Leap]

Donn:

Design looks great. Something to consider is a seat. Having to walk behind or to the side of horses all day through the snow is tiring. Also, big wood does unpredictable things on varied terrain and I think riding the load is usually safer. Seems like folks usually ride the load on a bobsled b/c the load is all chained together. I’m not sure that could happen safely with the logs individually slotted in your design. Good luck.

George

[Carl Russell]

Donn, here is a photo of John Plowden’s arch set-up. It has wheels but the design seems close to what you are exploring.

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Carl

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