Skidding Logs

Logging, Horses, horse logging, skidding, historic logging

Skidding logs with a big wheels and a team.

Skidding logs is the process of moving cut logs from the woods to the landing.  The landing is where they are loaded for transport to the mill.  After the turn of the last century, draft animals and steam were the engines of choice for moving these huge logs.  The “big wheels” in this pen and ink, was the pinnacle of technology in ground based skidding way back then.

Cat skidder, Cat, skidder, skidding, logs, logging

Cat rubber tire skidder

Diesel powered skidders are the work horses of today for skidding logs.  These machines come in different sizes and configurations for different jobs.  The rubber tire skidders are used on gentler slopes.  They are built for speed.

John Deere, skidder, skidding, logging, logs

John Deere skidder

The track laying skidders often used on steeper slopes.  They are built for traction.

Cat skidder, skidder, Caterpiller, skidding, logs, logging

Cat track skidder

The forwarder is today’s pinnacle of technology in ground based skidding.  It loads logs onto itself instead of dragging them.

Valmet, forwarder, logs, logging

Valmet Forwarder

Let’s not forget the original skidders, the horses.  They can’t be beat for sheer beauty!

Horses, horse, Burney Mountain

Horses near Burney Mountain.

26 thoughts on “Skidding Logs

  1. Awesome pics as usual. First one with the yellow skidder, looks like a salvage? Before I seen the caption for the horses, I said looks like Lassen or better yet, Burney! I KNEW IT! My memory isn’t gone yet! lol


  2. How do you do that sort of drawing, just with lines….is it called cross hatching or something else? Beats me! I can never do it! : )… Showed it to my mother-in-law who loves art and she thinks your’e greatly talented!…


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