BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a tractor 20 has a well-known utility hitch, generally referred to as a three-point hitch, to which accessory devices may be attached. Lever arms 21 and 22 are rotatably attached to tractor 20 by couplings 23 and 24 respectively. They protrude outwardly behind tractor 20 and terminate in coupling points 25 and 26 respectively. A first hydraulic cylinder 27 is rigidly attached to lever arm 21 and also to the tractor at a coupling 29 . A second hydraulic cylinder 28 is rigidly attached to lever arm 22 and also to the tractor at a coupling 30 . Couplings 25 , 26 , and 31 provide the three connection points of the three-point hitch. The hydraulic cylinders 27 and 28 are driven by the tractor engine and are operable by the tractor operator.

[0018] An inverted U-shaped frame 32 is pivotally connected at its lower ends to couplings 25 and 26 to allow free rotation of frame 32 about the pivot points. One end of a boom 35 is pivotally connected to coupler 31 to permit free rotation of the boom about the coupler as hydraulic pistons 27 and 28 extend and retract. The opposite end of boom 35 includes a rigidly attached flange 36 having a plurality of holes 37 a - d as shown in FIG. 2 . The number of holes may vary, but four holes have been found to significantly enhance the versatility of the invention and are illustrated as a preferred embodiment. A flange 40 secured to the top center of U-shaped frame 32 has a hole that can be lined up with hole 37 a of flange 36 . A bolt and nut pivotally secures flange 40 to flange 36 , thereby securing U-shaped frame 32 to boom 35 .

[0019] Log tongs 41 , as are well known in the prior art, are preferably secured to the outermost hole 37 d of flange 36 . The inner holes 37 b and 37 c preferably support conventional chain hooks 42 and 45 , to which other accessory equipment may be attached as needed. A length of chain 44 permits an operator to manipulate a log 46 for added maneuverability of the log tongs 41 . For example, as a log is dragged over rough terrain such as in a wooded environment, it is likely to roll back and forth and become snagged against obstacles. Chain 44 permits an operator to manually move the log sideways to avoid obstacles in such situations. It will be readily understood by one skilled in the art that any of the accessories described above, as well as others that are not explicitly identified herein, may be positioned at any of the holes in flange 36 .

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates how effectively the invention performs the simple operation of grasping a log with the tongs and lifting it for towing. For a log 46 that is in a relatively exposed location with no significant brush growing around it, tractor 20 needs only to be backed up to the log and the boom 35 lowered into position over the log. It should be noted that the position of the pivot point defined by hole 37 a for attachment of frame 32 is closer to the center of boom 35 than is the attachment point at hole 37 d for log tong 41 . This permits a significantly greater range of upward and downward motion of the tongs for proper adjustment than would be the case if the pivot point for both frame 32 and tongs 41 were co-located along the boom 35 .

[0021] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of boom 135 . Flange 136 may contain a smaller number of holes 137 a - c , than is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 . A clevis 147 is attached to the outermost end of boom 135 . The attachment may be either by welding or by a pin or bolt extending through the boom. As was previously described with respect to FIG. 1 , the U-shaped frame will be secured to the innermost hole 137 a on the flange, with the other holes 137 b and 137 c , as well as clevis 147 , available for securing logging tongs 41 or other accessory devices. It is desirable that there be some limited motion, i.e., skewing, permitted between coupling 31 and boom 135 . An effective way to achieve this is with an assembly 150 constructed as follows. A pipe 151 having an outer diameter that fits loosely within boom 135 is welded to an end cap 152 having the same diameter as boom 135 . End cap 152 has a hole just large enough to accept a rod 155 having an outer diameter that fits loosely within pipe 151 . One end of rod 155 is welded to an end cap 156 , the diameter of which is the same as the outside diameter of pipe 151 . Construction of assembly 150 proceeds with insertion of rod 155 through pipe 151 and end cap 152 until end cap 156 abuts end of pipe 151 . The assembly is inserted into boom 135 and end cap 152 is welded to the end of boom 135 . Coupling 157 is welded onto the end of rod 155 . The result is a strong, yet not completely rigid, connection between boom 135 and piston 30 that significantly reduces the potential for damage to the log-handler as logs are being dragged.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows the invention configured for dragging two logs simultaneously. A logging tong (not shown) secured to clevis 60 may be used to lift a first log 61 above the ground so a chain 62 may be wrapped around it and secured to flange 36 by a shackle 65 or similar connector. The logging tongs may then be used to lift a second log 66 above the ground so a chain 67 may be wrapped around it and secured to flange 36 by a shackle.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows the invention configured for moving a log that cannot be accessed directly by the end of the tractor due to an obstruction, such as a tree or ditch. A “come-along” 70 or other winch device may be secured to flange 36 to permit movement of a log 72 sufficiently so that it may be moved beyond the obstruction. Thereafter, the log may be handled as previously described.

[0024] The versatility of the invention permits a wide variety of logging operations limited only by the imagination of the operator. For example, it permits a log to be grasped at its center for rotation and stacking. Similarly, the invention may be efficiently used for cutting a log into firewood by lifting it at a first end, placing a log at approximately the center of the log to act as a fulcrum, and lowering the first end to raise the second end for cutting.

[0025] While the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth above. For example, the invention may be used for handling many items other than logs, including railroad ties, telephone poles, light poles, etc. Also, many types of vehicles other than tractors could be fitted with a three point hitch for use with the invention.