]50 LOGGING 
devices, such as chokers, tongs and grabs, are used to attach the 
log to the draft chain. 
Chokers. — A choker is a chain from 12 to 16 feet long made 
from f-inch iron with or without a choker-hook on one end. 
When a choker-hook is used, the end carrying it is thrown 
around the forward part of a log to be skidded and the chain 
caught in the throat of the hook (Fig. 32a). 
When the chain has no attachments, one end is thrown around 
the forward end of the log, looped around that part of the chain 
which is to be attached to 
the draft, after which is it 
wrapped several times a- 
round the chain encircling 
the log. When power is 
applied to the draft end 
of the chain the noose 
around the log tightens and 
Fig. 31. — a Common Type of Spreader prevents it from slipping, 
used in skidding on Slopes and Rough ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ .^ ^^^^._ 
Ground. 
ly adjustable to any size 
of log, may be used for single logs, or several small logs may 
be bound together in a cluster with one chain. 
The draft end of the chain may be attached by a hook to 
a ring in the yoke of the rear pair of oxen, or to a ring on the 
double-tree or spreader when other animals are used. If the 
chain is not supplied with a hook, the ring on the double-tree to 
which the chain is attached is made with a narrow throat in which 
a link of the chain is caught and held securely. The ring is often 
replaced by a grab hook in which the chain is caught. The 
two latter forms of attachment are preferred because the chain 
may be lengthened or shortened at will. 
Tongs. — Tongs which may replace chokers for handling 
medium-sized logs are made from round or octagon steel 1| or 
1| inches in diameter, and have a spread of from 24 to 36 inches 
(Fig. 326). A |-inch chain link is attached to each short arm 
of the tongs and these links are connected bj^ a 5-inch steel ring 
which is caught in a hook attached to the double-tree. Some- 
times a hook is attached to the ring on the skidding tongs, in which 
case the hook on the double-tree is replaced by a ring. 
Grabs. — These are of several forms. The common skidding 
