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Gambrels, What do you use?

Posted By: ~ADC~

Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/11/21 09:18 PM

I used to build skinning machines and gambrels. I built a lot of them like this. They swivel in the middle in case you wanna double the line on your hoist so it doesn't twist the cables together.....

[Linked Image]

They worked pretty well since I rarely ever cut or damage the tendons they hang by...



In my quest for always trying to make things better, I tried the RTS Speed Gambrels like these...

[Linked Image]

I do alright with them as well....



Just curious if any of you use these styles or if you have some that work as well or better?
Posted By: The Beav

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/12/21 03:55 PM

I use two cable slip nooses. No chance of a tendon breaking In the skinning process. Cheap to make and you can make 4 or 5 sets and have several coon all hooked up ready to be hung.
Posted By: ~ADC~

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/12/21 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by The Beav
I use two cable slip nooses. No chance of a tendon breaking In the skinning process. Cheap to make and you can make 4 or 5 sets and have several coon all hooked up ready to be hung.


I do keep a couple of those just for those rare occasions where the tendon gets damaged, either by me, the trap, or prior injury. They do come in handy. I use one around the middle of the biggest coyotes to finish the pull if the hoist runs out of height as well. I've hung beavers by the tail with one too on the skinner, since I cut off the feet before skinning them, so I can finish the cuts on the head up at eye level, and to gut them to save for predator bait or pet food.
Posted By: QuietButDeadly

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/12/21 07:37 PM

I use the one shown in the OP that came with my ADC base for most of my skinning on my skinning machine. I do use the following on occasion for small stuff mostly.
[Linked Image]

And for manual skinning, I use the Winkler chain ring outfit.
Posted By: ~ADC~

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/12/21 07:50 PM

I've seen those QBD, looks like the ticket for skinning rabbits since my boy is a rabbit slayer. lol
Posted By: QuietButDeadly

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/12/21 08:17 PM

They work pretty good. I use them on my winch even if I am pulling by hand because I can keep everything at a comfortable height. Shucked several skunks today that had been in a freezer. Worked like a charm.
Posted By: MuddyMike

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/16/21 05:26 PM

i just use a choke chain but its a pain in the rear especially when its at a fixed height trying to one hand a 25# coon while your other hand slips the chain around the leg you aint holding. ill be trying the cable like what beav uses this year. i also bought a winch to build a skinning machine that needs to get built.
Posted By: redhillstrapper

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/20/21 11:46 PM

I use a piece of OB chain on a larger deer sized gambrel with my skinning machine. The elongated link makes for easy hookup and I've never had one slip or break.
Posted By: Turtledale

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/23/21 10:01 AM

I use a gambrel with two choke chains brought up and down with a boat winch.
Posted By: ~ADC~

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/23/21 09:23 PM

I was always afraid them choke chains would break there's A LOT of pull in my hoist. Glad to hear they work for some of you.

I think the fastest way is the RTS gambrel, though its not a lot faster than hooking through the tendons. The cable loops and choke chains would be quite a bit slower but they have their advantages as well.

What do all think would be best for a beginner, just starting out?
Posted By: redhillstrapper

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/25/21 01:18 AM

Use OB chains from a farm supply spread with a bar and with a single large ring in the top center. They can hook the chains up, then lower their hoist down to it to pick up the critter only having to hook up a single ring. I regularly pull 10-12hr and even day old coyotes that have been hanging in freezing temperatures with my winch and the OB chains. You will pull one in half before you break on of those chains.
Posted By: The Beav

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/27/21 01:59 AM

it depends on if your opening your coon before you hang them. If your opening your coon first then hooking through the tendons might be faster. But if your hanging first then the cable loops would be faster.
I make up 10 or so sets then I put them on after I open my coon. I will normally open 10 coon or so before I start hanging them.
Posted By: cutmjack

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/27/21 08:50 PM

ADC,
Can't imagine it gets much simpler, for anyone really, than the RTS gambrel. Only downside to it is it doesn't hold a small coon quite as well as the bigger ones and a real small one tends to slip out. Other options mentioned would work well for those. I open a pile of them and then just hang them up. Biggest thing to remember to make it easy is to have the gambrel at about chest high so you don't have to lift above your head as it's harder to get both feet in.
Just curious, why did you stop selling your skinning machines and such? I bought one from you years ago and LOVE IT! You can PM if you wish. Always appreciated the purchase and your wisdom on various things trapping!
Posted By: ~ADC~

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/28/21 01:50 AM

I just got tired of it I guess. I thought I had built enough of them after 12 years or so. lol
Posted By: Hern

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 09/28/21 11:48 AM

I've tried several over the years, homemade and bought from dealers.
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[Linked Image]

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Still like choker chain the best. I have several and pre-attach before hanging...
[Linked Image]

*ADC, never had a problem with choker chain & skun'n machine.

Posted By: LDW

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/01/21 01:50 AM

I like the RTS gambrel the best. Seems like I've tried just about everything. The RTS will gain you quite a bit of reach, so if your out of pull with your skinning machine this is perfect.
Posted By: ~ADC~

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/01/21 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by LDW
I like the RTS gambrel the best. Seems like I've tried just about everything. The RTS will gain you quite a bit of reach, so if your out of pull with your skinning machine this is perfect.


Good point, choke chains and cable loops would require a little more height from your skinner for those that are limited on height, something to think about.
Posted By: The Beav

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/01/21 08:21 PM

My cable loops are about 3" long when tightened up on the coons paws. You can't get much shorter the that.
Posted By: backroadsarcher

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/02/21 12:56 PM

I use the choke chains also but I don't use a skinning machine either.
Posted By: ~ADC~

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/04/21 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by backroadsarcher
I use the choke chains also but I don't use a skinning machine either.


You'll wonder why you didn't have a machine long ago once you get one. lol The chains would be good for hand skinning too, and would be cable loops so long as they are stout so they didn't break on ya. I see guys putting their knees on the pelt and pushing/bouncing with all their weight, that wouldn't be a good time for your hanging system to fail.
Posted By: backroadsarcher

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/08/21 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by ~ADC~
Originally Posted by backroadsarcher
I use the choke chains also but I don't use a skinning machine either.


You'll wonder why you didn't have a machine long ago once you get one. lol The chains would be good for hand skinning too, and would be cable loops so long as they are stout so they didn't break on ya. I see guys putting their knees on the pelt and pushing/bouncing with all their weight, that wouldn't be a good time for your hanging system to fail.

Yep I ask myself why I don't invest in a machine every year when I start skinning coyotes.
Posted By: nate

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/09/21 02:31 AM

Mines a ADC special, had it for years it's been great, I've only had to weld the bottom T plate on a couple times.
Posted By: BraskaYoter

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/09/21 03:47 AM

I made mine out of a spring tooth chisel shank, cut out tapered V’s on each side and welded a loop in middle with the curve of the shank towards the roof. Works great with my skinning machine setup, easy on and off with critters, always room for improvement though. I previously used cable loops on a spreader bar, worked great, couldn’t find it after move last year when I needed it, made new one out of necessity quickly.
Posted By: ~ADC~

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/12/21 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by nate
Mines a ADC special, had it for years it's been great, I've only had to weld the bottom T plate on a couple times.


laugh Start squeezing them vice grips shut and stop pushing down on them to lock them on the hide. lol

Glad it's still working for ya. The cost of steel these days wouldn't make them very profitable at the cost you likely paid years back.
Posted By: SNIPERBBB

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/16/21 03:08 AM

I really dont think you can get much simpler and easier to use starting out is the Shefter Shackle that QBD posted. The RTS is obvious the best for skinning machines. One trick I figured out when I bought my skinning machine was that with the RTS and the Shackle was that if you're having issues with feet slipping out of the gambrel,,,sever the achilles and rehang,
Posted By: Yukon John

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/20/21 02:25 AM

Hand Skinner here...I use paracord about a foot long, with a loop in the middle, and slip-loops on the ends. I know, I know, but I'm a "use what you got" type a guy!
Posted By: nate

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/20/21 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by ~ADC~
Originally Posted by nate
Mines a ADC special, had it for years it's been great, I've only had to weld the bottom T plate on a couple times.


laugh Start squeezing them vice grips shut and stop pushing down on them to lock them on the hide. lol

Glad it's still working for ya. The cost of steel these days wouldn't make them very profitable at the cost you likely paid years back.


ADC
Love the set up, the t plate is where it connects to the floor, not the VG it's from pulling them tuff ole coyote and the late winter battle scared boar coons.lol, it was money very well spent.
Posted By: The Beav

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/20/21 12:42 PM

The problem I see Is hooking up both hind legs at the same time. I like to hang by one leg when I open my coyotes. That way you have better knife access when making that cut from ankle to ankle. Most of the hanging devices I see posted close up the area so It would be tough to make your opening cuts. So It seems to me your going to have to make your opening cuts on the bench then hang. I do that when opening coon but not with coyotes or fox or cats.
And It seems to me if your using a RTS device that if you hung by one leg the device would tip and the critter would slip out.
I'm sticking to cable slip nooses.

While ADCs skinning machine Is a great device You lose about 18" of skinning height when you hook up the hide with the vice grips. I have a plate welded right at the bottom of my puller ) pre ADCs rig) with a hook attached where I can hook up my cable slip nooses. There's a bit more bending over but It gains you a lot of height when your pulling coyotes.
Posted By: ~ADC~

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/21/21 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by The Beav
The problem I see Is hooking up both hind legs at the same time. I like to hang by one leg when I open my coyotes. That way you have better knife access when making that cut from ankle to ankle. Most of the hanging devices I see posted close up the area so It would be tough to make your opening cuts. So It seems to me your going to have to make your opening cuts on the bench then hang. I do that when opening coon but not with coyotes or fox or cats.
And It seems to me if your using a RTS device that if you hung by one leg the device would tip and the critter would slip out.
I'm sticking to cable slip nooses.

While ADCs skinning machine Is a great device You lose about 18" of skinning height when you hook up the hide with the vice grips. I have a plate welded right at the bottom of my puller ) pre ADCs rig) with a hook attached where I can hook up my cable slip nooses. There's a bit more bending over but It gains you a lot of height when your pulling coyotes.


I use a pair of bench mounted vice grips to hold coyotes by one leg to open them up waist high. Everything else I open on the bench like in the video.

How high off the ground is that plate you lock the hide in beav? I always made my hide gate type skinners about 30" high. If you really want to save height a hide roller type skinner is the way to go IMO.



Posted By: The Beav

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/21/21 04:06 AM

My hook up on my puller Is about 8" off the floor. And the height of my puller Is 10' high. I can skin any sized coyote with out running out of height.

I have a roller type puller In the works. I have the winch mounted to the base of my puller. And I have a shaft attached to the winch shaft. The other end of the shaft Is set In a bearing.
I have a piece of seat belt materiel fastened to the shaft. On the end of the seat belt I have two cable slip nooses. Hook up the nooses to the hide hit the control and pull off the hide as It rolls up on the shaft. The rig Is only 7' high.
Posted By: 080808

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 10/21/21 11:19 AM

Beav. Can you post pics?
Posted By: LDW

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 11/26/21 01:16 AM

I have a rolling table with a vice grip mounted on it. I stick the coyote or coon tail in it with the belly facing me. I use this to open them up. When done opening, I lower the RTS gambrel down and slip the legs in while hanging by the tail. Hit the winch up and release the vice grip and your ready to finish. Much easier than trying to pick up and get legs in notches by hand. Works good for me.
Posted By: bob maier

Re: Gambrels, What do you use? - 11/28/21 04:10 AM

I tried the rst gambrel but when pulling on one leg they would slip out. I now have a piece of rebar as a spreader w cable loops. I can get a better starting cut and they never slip out.
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