I got this tip from a post of Daren Nelson’s some time back. I often haul logs to the sawmill to be milled and loading them can be a tough job without some assistance. I tried sliding them up a ramp onto the back of the trailer till I read about using a parbuckle. Basically one uses a rope anchored at two points and a power source (a 4 wheeler winch in this case) to roll the log up a set of ramps and on to the trailer. Works really slick. These pictures should help explain the process.
Hooking up the log
Sliding the log to the trailer
The closer I get to the mid-century mark the more I appreciate the principle of leverage.
Parbuckle in place and ready to load.
Coming up the ramp.
Let the machine do the work.
Almost there.
On the trailer the easy way.
Trailer loaded and ready to go to the sawmill.






















10 comments so far
toolman409
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26 posts in 298 days
posted 251 days ago
I wonder if this method would work to get a log onto a portable bandsaw bed. I know someone who has a rig that does not have a hydraulic lift to initially load the log. The forces might tip the the whole bandsaw rig over????
-- Keith, NW Alabama
Joel Tille
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214 posts in 1137 days
posted 250 days ago
I have used two ratchet straps (alternating) to pull logs on to a trailer. I have some walnut logs to move out of a gentleman’s yard, this gives me some different ideas for loading. Don’t have a 4 wheeler but we should be able to come up with something in this small town.
Thanks for posting
-- Joel Tille
Daren Nelson
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531 posts in 798 days
posted 250 days ago
Good job with the logs and the pictures. Parbuckling is cool !
-- Urban logger, http://nelsonwoodworks.biz/
sw_iowa_sawyer
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26 posts in 270 days
posted 250 days ago
I have used something like this to load some real big logs on my manual mill. It has worked real well and has never even remotely affected the sawmill. It works good but somedays I dream of hydraulics and a bright new orange woodmizer with all the bells and whistles. Oh well it never hurts to dream.

mart
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170 posts in 517 days
posted 250 days ago
Joe Tille,
You can use almost anything for a power source. A hand winch like swiowasawyer uses will work great or you can use a pickup or car if you have the room (go slow).
Keith,
I think it would work fine on a small mill as long as the mill is stable; check out swiowasawyer’s set up. Looks pretty solid.
The parbuckle is a great tool when one doesn’t have big equipment or strong lads to help. It is the generosity of fellow woodworkers (like Daren Nelson) on the various woodworking websites, who are willing to share their knowledge, that got me started using this. I cannot say enough good about this site and others for sharing great information. Thanks to all those who freely share their skill and knowledge.
Those logs on the trailer are a shaker style traditional workbench in its early stages. They are going to be milled 8/4 by 4” for the top, legs and stretchers.
Mart
mart
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170 posts in 517 days
posted 250 days ago
Two of the logs on that load came from this pile where Sadie the moose is having breakfast. The power company dropped the tree at my request due to it’s proximity to the power line. Sadie provides a branch clean up service.
Daren Nelson
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531 posts in 798 days
posted 250 days ago
I’d tame that moose…let her load the trailer ;)
-- Urban logger, http://nelsonwoodworks.biz/
toolman409
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26 posts in 298 days
posted 249 days ago
These are great responses. Thanks. I really am pumped to try this method.
Parbuckle method, that is. We can’t depend on seeing a moose in north Alabama.
We do have baldeagles.
Sincerely, thanks
-- Keith, NW Alabama
deeker
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42 posts in 678 days
posted 93 days ago
That is how I load my Norwood mill too. It is amazing at just how big of a log can be moved this way.
-- To those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected never know. Unknown, on an empty C-ration box. Khe Sahn 1968
a1Jim
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16683 posts in 470 days
posted 93 days ago
Well done Interesting
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon