stihl peaveyWithout a doubt, the biggest task requiring the most human effort and time for this cabin build has been the moving of logs. When I say moving logs I mean from the felling of the tree to the logs final resting place.

Up until now most of the logs used for the walls have ranged from 15″ to 10″ in width and are around 20 feet in length, and all the logs are Douglas fur. Several of the trees have been down for 8 months or so, but most of what I am using for my little off grid cabin in freshly felled or green. Now I am no expert on this matter, but let’s just say some species of trees, when they are initially felled, may contain more water by weight than actual wood fiber.

More information on the properties of wood related to drying.

As you will see in the video below, I do not own any heavy equipment to haul logs so I have relied on a few simple pieces of equipment to move my logs. Obviously my truck, a Toyota 4 Runner is key in my operation.  Without the truck, the same could be accomplished with horses, but you have to feed those and they sh*t everywhere. I know that there are old school ways to move logs with block and tackle, pulleys etc. but that approach requires more time and time is something I do not have the luxury of… hello Winter.

Must have equipment for moving logs by hand.

smittybuilt snatch blockBesides using the truck to move logs from the felling sites to the building site the other key pieces of equipment I have purchased and currently use daily are:

1. Snatch blocks
These blocks work hard, nippled and ready to be greased these Smittybuilt Snatch Blocks rock!
Smittybilt 2744 Universal Snatch Block
2. Steel Cable
Cable is Key, I have found the Koch cable tough and reliable.
Koch Industries 003252 7 x 19 Galvanized Cable, 5/16-Inch by 250-Feet
3. Chains with Clevis hooks
I have two 10ft lengths I typically use to secure snatch blocks around trees and a 20 foot used in towing logs. Clevis hooks are a must to secure chains temporarily together.
Koch A02250 5/16 by 10-Feet Grade 43 High Test Chain
Koch Industries Grade 70 Clevis Grab Hook, 5/16-Inch
4. Peavey
I use my Stihl 48″ Peavey daily!
4. Come-Along
I use two different Come-Alongs depending on the task both of these have served me well and are used daily.
TEKTON 5547 4-Ton Dual Gear Power Puller
Maasdam Pow’R Pull 144SB-6 2 Ton Capacity Pow’R Pull

Moving logs for my off-grid cabin build is by far the most labor intensive activity I perform, closely followed by peeling the damn things! Like I have said many times before… I’d rather be doing this than sitting in an office staring at a computer screen and dreaming about building a small log cabin in the woods.