Although some of you may know I am not a big fan of the off campus bonfire. That aside, I know a student was recently hurt and I truly hope he is ok.

Here is my question

I have done a fair amount of work in conservation involving carrying logs as well as cutting them down. In all cases, the logs were not carried on the shoulder. The last time I was at an off campus cut, logs were carried in this manner. Is this still the case? I ask, because in every other situation I was involved in, log tongs were used to carry the logs. If, for whatever reason, the log slipped out of the tongs, no one was underneath the log and it only fell about 6-8 inches.

I know they are expensive, especially the models that are made for two people. But has this been looked into or considered?

ive never seen a log fall more than a foot out at bonfire, including the injury yesterday. The problem was that while the log was being set down the kid lost his footing and his leg just slipped under it.

i dont know much about the tools your talking about but have seen them around site before(not being used... just there) but would be interested to know more about them.

similar to this



except instead of a ring at the top it has a steel handle bar that goes straight across allowing two people to hold onto it.

its pretty cool actually. the opening is forced onto the log and the weight of the log drives teeth into the log locking it in place.

I have used what you talked about before doing trail building, but the issue (I think) is that A)most of the logs aren't that big as yesterday and B)bark. With the 1st one, most logs (ideally) are coffee can size. So yeah, they maybe 35-40ft long, but no more than 8 inches in diameter. You can put a bunch of meat on the logs and not have to worry too much. The 2nd point, if you have easily removed bark, a carrier would work fine. But if you don't get rid of the bark, the carrier could lose its grip and you end up with the same dilemma.

Another side issue would be size. Most of the dorm logs/dress logs are about 2-3 feet in diameter. Getting a carrier that is big enough and stout enough to handle the job would make it difficult for most people to use (think about the easiest way to carry things in your hands/arms: where is it for you?). A 2.5 ft diameter tree, 8 inches off the ground would be about ~3 feet up. Now add in the hinges for the claws, a bar, and now you are almost 4 feet. For me, not too bad (6'6"; for a 5'8" guy not so much.

Picking the log up on your shoulder also trys to push the lifting to your legs; the carriers rely more on back lifting (or makes it hard to "lift" with your knees).

Usually, larger logs are carried to the trailer by use of carrying logs (f*** sticks). Go to J. Cody's and one of the pics near the ordering line has it. Same idea, just using small logs.

~egon