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Recomendations on a small, low impact forwarder ?

Started by Madman_Mark, September 26, 2004, 02:47:12 PM

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Madman_Mark

Right now I use a tractor and winch to do some part time logging but am thinking about taking it a step furter and maybe sometime getting a small forwarder (and keeping the tractor/winch). Any recomendations ?

Scott

A used TJ 215 forwarder would be a nice little machine. At one time dad was thinking about getting a Bombardier tractor with a track trailer.

Long Url

Woodhog

Maybe you could put a bogie wheel forestry trailer with
a loader on your present tractor, if it is 4WD....and has the
pump capacity flow rate to run the loader...

That would be a cheaper way to haul the wood out and still
have only one power unit to spend the dough  on....

Patu etc..

http://www.logloader.com/features1.html

Loads of them up around Windsor at Nova or Lawrence Harts..

The other make is Nooka I think....never can spell that right


woodmills1

wow something is too wide on this post.  Check out www.payeur.com     I have one of there forester packages and it is da bomb for me.
James Mills,Lovely wife,collect old tools,vacuuming fool,36 bdft/hr,oak paper cutter,ebonic yooper rapper nauga seller, Blue Ox? its not fast, 2 cat family, LT70,edger, 375 bd ft/hr, we like Bob,free heat,no oil 12 years,big splitter, baked stuffed lobster, still cuttin the logs dere IAM

theonlybull

theres a guy down this way, (lower valley NS)  that's using a mini skidder that's made in Que,  it's a nice little machine, all hydro drive and controls,  and 2 winches....  he's had very few problems.  his company name is CTL Forrestry ( i think)

he seems very happy with it.  i'll try and find some info on it

Keith Berry & Son Ltd.
machine work and welding

Murf

We use really low impact skidders in our bush lot at the farm, they have 4 hooves..... but the exhaust  :o is another matter.
If you're going to break a law..... make sure it's Murphy's Law.

Kevin

Quotea mini skidder that's made in Que,

That might be the Berfor 2000.
I want one but not at 29k.  :-/

http://www.radinter.com/radtech/anglais/berfor/1berfor.html

Ron Scott

Production, types of timber, and landscapes that you will be working in, as well as a nearby servicing dealer should be some of the considerations.

Check for what is recommended by local loggers and dealers in your service area. There are some low impact specialty machines being made for "hobby type' logging but any of the small rubber tired forwarders such as Timberjack, Valmet, Iron Mule, John Deere, Franklin, Ponsee, etc.would serve you well for reliability if purchased new or in good used condition.

Some small units such as the Iron Mule are shown in the Timber Equipment and Harvesting Thread.
~Ron

Woodhog

It was maybe one of these yellow skidders by Turboforest
of Quebec....Model TF-42C

http://www.vannattabros.com/skidder6.html

There was a good article in "Atlantic Forestry" about a chap
in a  Park in Maine who was using one of these small skidders in the park.

I dont know if they still make them or how many may have been sold.

They have a 9500 pound winch, 14 feet long, 6 feet wide,
24 inch wheels, and a 50 HP Perkins 4 Cyl...

theonlybull

woodhog,  that's the machine.  it's a nicely built little machine, and he seems very happy with it.  the dual winches are nice, but they have a weakness in the brake bands.  i've had to fix them a few times, but haven't seen them on the machine to know if they could be made a little heavier.
Keith Berry & Son Ltd.
machine work and welding

ScottAR

Anyone have a web address for these guys?  Every link I've tried is either nothing at all or it's porn...  
Scott
"There is much that I need to do, even more that I want to do, and even less that I can do."
[Magicman]

slowzuki

Didn't the article on the guy in Maine say the company went out of buisines?

SwampDonkey

It also depends if your making a livelihood or just puttin away on a  small woodlot. Buying a forwarder big or small costs $$, and the average 100 acre woodlot doesn't justify the expense. I saw a small forwarder from Quebec 4 years ago at our local woodlot demo and it was $80,000. Well, I wouldn't get that much $$ if I clearcut a 50 acre woodlot, when all expenses are paid. Since, I'm against clearcuts for the most part, I guess I won't have a forwarder. ;)
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Murf

One of the most popular choices for a small 'forwarder' around here used to be a small tractor, like an 8N Ford, with an extra axle just ahead of the rear tires and half-tracks around them. If the snow was deep the front tires were replaced with skis.

Most of these units were home-brewed, built in the barn creations. They worked VERY well, were very low impact as long as there was even just a little snow on the ground, and soince most farms had a small tractor anyways the only cost was a few scrounged bits & pieces and some time & effort.

A few hours north of here were I have a cottage they are still a common sight in small family run firewood or Maple Syrup operations.
If you're going to break a law..... make sure it's Murphy's Law.

Dom

The first Rottne's were modified Ford tractors. They came without the front axle, and they would basically install a midjoint with a trailer in the back. The PTO was used to power up the rear axle. They would also change the clutch to a hydrostatic unit. Interestingly enough, the machine weight 9000kg and would pull 10000kg of wood. Most  machines nowadays weight more then what they are capable of carrying.

Sorry for babbling on, I have pics from a Forestry Show that I'm currently modifying to fit on the site (yes I'm slow  ;D)  that include a small forwarder. I found it to be interesting and a fast little worker. I'll try to read what model it is, because I forgot the name.  ::)

Dom

The small forwarder is a Vmek.
Here is a picture:

Buzz-sawyer

    HEAR THAT BLADE SING!

SwampDonkey

Dom,

That's the forwarder that I spoke of at our show. And $80,000 later  ???
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

theonlybull

i was talking to the guy with the mini skidder today, and he said that the company has closed out, but there is talk of another company building the design....

he also said he'd buy another one in a heartbeat.
Keith Berry & Son Ltd.
machine work and welding

Dom

SwampDonkey,

I hadn't realized that it was 80000$. That places it in a odd market in my opinion. Its too expensive for a small forester, and the machine is too small for a contractor.  ??? It did work well from what I saw though.

SwampDonkey

Dom:

Its not very productive, but would be ideal in young stands for semi-commercial or a commercial thinning in smaller wood. But, its way too expensive. For some of these older PCT thinnings it would be dandy, if your on crown lands. Not enough landowners would be willing to have you commercial thin their woods. They think one thinning (PCT) is enough, then they plan on clear cutting it again.   ::) And with fir and poplar being a large component of the private thinnings I can't say I blame them, they are short lived species and fast growing.

cheers
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Murf

Buzz, that's just about smack on.

Those little things will go ANYWHERE.

If you're going to break a law..... make sure it's Murphy's Law.

Dirigoboy

I've really enjoyed this discussion.  As a new guy here, I'm interested in these websites that demonstrate small logging equipment.  If anyone has additional resources they'd care to post, I'm definitely up for looking at some more of them.
Alan

Murf

Hmmmm, that picture of the Vmek gives me an idea... :P

There are plenty of old 2wd tractors around here, nobody wants them anymore. If I removed the front axle completely and mounted a pivoting joint to the back of the axle and the loader mounts then made a tandem walking axle frame out the back, viola!!! A small low-impact forwarder. I think though that for economy I would use a pto winch through a block on an overhead arch to load & unload.

Thoughts, ideas, critisism, or just plain laughter, let's hear it.
If you're going to break a law..... make sure it's Murphy's Law.

Buzz-sawyer

    HEAR THAT BLADE SING!

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