Does anyone have a jay hook for sale. When logging with mules in mountainous country you hook the mules to a jay hook and then to logs. Going down a mountain you yell jay hole and the mules will jump to one side and the logs will come unhooked and pass the mules.

Go to http://www.northerntool.com/ and they have a 'J' hook that will release when pulled to the side. David Miller at Forest Manufacturing probably has one as well. They are a great way to safely take timber off of really steep ground. But then again, I really hate working on really steep ground........
Take care,
Scott

Well, the ones I've seen are just a common "No.0" Dixie Grabs with the small barb on the front end (or smaller end that the chain is attached to) ground off. I guess you could cut it with a torch, but the heat wouldn't do the temper in the grab any good.

So you could make your own.

The hard part is having a mule smart and experienced enough to do that turn out the trail and trust that the log train won't jerk him down.


We have pulled lots of log trains off the mountain and under GOOD CONDITIONS the back logs will hold the rest back in almost vertical slopes. That is what trail graps are for, to attach the logs to each other and header grabs are for the attachment to the power. GOOD CONDITIONS is important, not allot slick debris in the trail, no smooth rock, or little round rock or round pieces of wood that act as rollers. Obviously not being to wet is important too.

Good luck there troberts. Where are you doing this j-hole logging?

Jason

Its been a long time since I heared of anyone jay- holing mules. My Grandaddy was one of the best at it, but he always said it was "Risky Business".

i have to agree with jason a j hook is a wreck just waiting to happen my dad used them alot skidding out mining props oh yea you could get a whole snot pot load of them going down the hill and his ole mule would jump like he was shot when dad would holler j to him but he also told me about the j hook not coming loose and the ole mule rode the logs over the clift and all the way to the landing when the logs stopped the mule stood up all weak legged and let out the awfullest brey he had ever heard as if he was thanking the lord for letting him live after that dad come up with a differant way to take the logs down it was a little bit longer of a skid but his mule didnt mind it after that ride i wouldnt advise anyone to use one but then again others may never have any trouble out of them i would hate to have to shoot my favorite horse because he had a broke leg or something trying to cut corners with a j hook but that just my 2 cents worth evans