Abstract: A log skidder (10) has a fairlead (26) with a main guide roller (54) having a special contoured surface (60) to prevent grooving of the surface of the guide roller (54), to prolong cable life, and to assist in evenly winding the cable (32) on a winch drum (33). The special contoured surface (60) of the guide roller (54) includes a pair of shaped or rounded shoulders (68) at the side extremes which are aligned with the side rollers (44,46) in a way that a cable (32) passing over the main guide roller (54) in contact with one of the side rollers (44,46) receives a downward and inward centering force component which moves the cable (32) toward the midportion of the main guide roller (54).