New to me skidder

Frickman · June 19, 2005, 07:06:23 PM

I've been away from the forum for a couple of weeks while working, and in that time I broke down and bought another skidder. I found a 1978 John Deere 440B about three hours away with a recently rebuilt motor, transmission, clutch, and winch. All it needs is a new coat of paint, as it still has original paint. Maybe two tires also. Took it out Friday for a spin and it is a good solid machine. I have it at another job, so as to not make the old 440 jealous.

About a year ago I started a thread about chain chokers. I was interested in converting to chains, but never got around to it. Mostly because I still had plenty of new cable chokers in stock. This new skidder has chain chokers, and I'm real impressed with them. Very few loggers in our area use chain chokers, so I had never worked with them. After using them one day I decided I'll never buy another cable choker again, the chains are that good. The ones I got left I'll give to my buddy and let him get jaggers in his hands.

Sawyerfortyish · June 19, 2005, 08:12:34 PM

All I've ever used is chains. The only problem I had with them was breaking them I used grade 8. Now I use grade 100 and have no problems except for getting a tree now and then bigger around than the chain will reach.

oakiemac · June 20, 2005, 03:36:47 PM

How do you guys get the chain chokers around the log when you can't reach under it? Do you use tongs or do you dig until you can get to the chain?
I have this problem a lot so I use tongs but it seems like it takes two people for the tons, one to hold the tong and the other to operate the tractor.

beenthere · June 20, 2005, 03:58:19 PM

I've used the chain chokers that came with the Farmi winch, and they have a short, about 12", steel rod (called a primer) on one end. I found this rod great to push under a log and find the end to pull the chain through underneath. Are you familiar with this system?
http://www.northeastimplement.com/newpage2.htm

Also, on another site, there was some discussion of 'square' chain. Got my attention too, but the links are made up of square steel, rather than round. Australian implied as the source, and maybe not solely from there. Is it a popular chain here? I don't know of any advantages, but some are pretty excited about this 'square' chain.

tnlogger · June 20, 2005, 06:47:49 PM

when i used chain chockers way back when i had a pc of 1/4" rebar i tunred a U in one end and made a loop handle on the other end and made a small radius on it to silde in under the log. it was about 4' long and worked great.

oakiemac · June 20, 2005, 08:43:56 PM

I like the idea of using a small piece of rebar-kind of like using a needle. ;D

Sawyerfortyish · June 20, 2005, 09:31:03 PM

I use a tool exactly like tnlogger described. It works good you slide it under the log and hook the end chain link and pull it under. I have been useing the square link chain for about 4 yrs. I really like it better than the regular chain. The edges of the square link bite into the bark and wood under the bark and the chains don't slide off. If thers anything I hate it's looking back to see I've lost half the hitch >:( someplace on the skid road.

Frickman · June 22, 2005, 12:47:10 PM

I went to the local sawshop and got a deal like tnlogger described already made up for $10.50. It works real good. Anywhere you'd be able to pull a chain through it will go through and drag the chain back. If it won't go under the log the choker chain wouldn't either and you have to figure something else out.

slowzuki · June 23, 2005, 09:31:23 AM

All the chains I've been using have a 12" spike with the head bent in a loop on the chain to thread it under the log. The nail is bent with a curve so it doesn't dig into the ground.

TeaW · June 24, 2005, 04:16:58 PM

Congrats on the new skidder Frickman! Are the axel hubs the same on the "B" as the old 440. I have had some trouble with the old hubs in the past.

OLD_ JD · June 24, 2005, 05:08:14 PM

TeaW
they are not the same in the B serie's the planet gear are in the hubs,that one of the 'big' improvement whene they made that B series
my opinion about the "B" is probaly the best they ever made and those old series
like u TeaW i own a 440 and i did have prob. in the past whit hubs :-\

timberjack240 · June 24, 2005, 06:31:18 PM

old JD
that hud problem is easy to fix buy a TIMBERJACK ;D :D

tiny3 · June 28, 2005, 05:21:57 AM

no way >:(
JOHN DEERE=PROPER SKIDDER

timberjack240 · June 28, 2005, 05:01:07 PM

proper skidder :D you meen proper piece of junk ;D :D 8)

beenthere · June 28, 2005, 05:23:59 PM

Okay boys! Schools out now ;D
We like to get along nice-like here. Much more fun for everyone then.

timberjack240 · June 28, 2005, 06:22:42 PM

hey sorry just kiddin around alittle didnt meen to offend anyone

Sawyerfortyish · June 28, 2005, 08:11:25 PM

Timberjack I don't like deere john either but I bit my tongue so far

.

Frickman · June 28, 2005, 08:18:25 PM

This 440B I just got has a square fuel filter on the right side of the engine, just above the starting motor. My old 440 has the dual, round filters in the same location. I just noticed though over on ebay that there is a 440B with the dual, round filters. Could this be just an earlier year of 440B? Mine is a 1978 model.