Log lifter

A log lifter comprising,

• a supporting frame including first and second supporting leg structures, each generally defining separate planes and each having upper and lower ends, adapted to receive a log therebetween and extend thereabove;
• a top mounting plate fixed to the upper end of the first leg structure and having a top and bottom surface,
• a pair of depending flanges fixed in spaced-apart relation to said mounting plate and extending below the bottom surface thereof, said flanges having pivot-receiving openings therein aligned to lie in a plane parallel to the plane of the leg structure to which the mounting plate is fixed,
• a hoisting mechanism mounted on the top surface of the mounting plate,
• a log gripping unit connected to the hoisting mechanism and disposed below said mounting plate and being adapted to be removably attached to a log to grip the same,
• a connecting plate pivotally mounted between said depending flanges and fixed to the top of the second leg structure and arranged with respect to the mounting plate so that a substantial portion of the top surface of the connecting plate engages a substantial portion of the bottom surface of the mounting plate when the two leg structures are in spread-apart relation to rigidly support the two leg structures in spread-apart relation, and
• latch means connected with said two plates to positively hold the same in engaged surface-to-surface relation with the leg structures in operative spread-apart relation.