forwarding trailer

[schmalts]

Wow, that video is an odd looking modification.  I agree, why remove the front end.  I bet getting hooked up and removed is a chore!

[Pclem]

the idea is to have the articulated steering for tighter turning in the woods. [And a compact machine].You don't have small diameter front tires 'trying' to run over the top of logs/slash. You wouldn't 'hook it up', it would be a self contained unit. steering would come from 2 hyd. cylinders attatched to both back of tractor and trailer. Massey had the same idea with the iron mule. [although they seemed to shorten up the front a bit.] I'm sure the 4wd tractors work great with a trailer, and yes, they probably get more traction. [And I still may go that route]. In my case, for small acreage logging and ease of transport would be appealing...But, yes traction would be limited. Just would be cheaper with more fabricating labor.

[schmalts]

Regarding the tractor in the video,  wouldn't it be better to put a single pivotal wheel in place of nothing?

[schmalts]

Been following this post and If you want to be safe, 4wd tractor and if your really using the trailer to its potential the assist drive is a must. My trailer dosen't have it and I wish it did. I have been stuck in the woods chained up with my trailer and 4wd 100hp tractor and theres nothing worse than unloading and having to do it again. Good luck and my little business would be in trouble without my grapple and trailer. great units with many purposes.



 

what is the make of the trailer in your picture?

[Puffergas]

Safety was if I made a design mistake. There is a front axle it was the rear axle before. This is not ment to replace 4wd but to improve 2wd.

I used a proorboys version of a rack and pinion. Chain and sprocket. At both ends of the chain is a cable that runs to the rear via a network of pulleys.. ☺

Front steering  is the best option for going down the speedway but articulated steering will put a smile on your face in the woods. 😉 With front steering the tractor has to travel some distance before lining up for a turn. Articulated not much movement and that front end swings right along. It is a bumpier ride though. With the original front end removed all the weight of the tractor is on the live axle and some of the new rear. It seems that when backing up even more weight goes to the live axle. Depending how you design the rear a percentage of the load can also go on the live axle. One thing is if the rear is to light weight the front will nose down when going down a step hill or when the brakes are hit hard.

Not that I'm saying to build a large version of this but it's easy to buy some old US iron with busted up front axle for $1k or less.

[rapovt]

 I have been using a forwarder trailer for 15 years. I had a 68 hp 4wd Kubota with a trailer that did not have articulated tongue and no drive on the trailer. I run studded chains and have no problems in the snow up to 12". There is a lot of tongue weight that transfers to the tractor. If its slippery and you need to go uphill, you load lighter. I usually carry about 1 1/2 cords per load. The front end never gets light. I just upgraded to an 85 hp and a kesla trailer with articulated tongue. The tractor is heavier and the articulated tongue helps you get around the woods  much easier. Remember, you can only pull as much as you weigh. The ultimate would be drive wheels on the trailer with brakes.   

[tmbrcruiser]

I have a metavic 1800, with 2' added to the trailer. I don't think my use is comparable to most of the post. Land in Delaware is flat but can get very wet. I pull the forwarder with an old 1256 International, about 120 hp. Cutting mostly pine pulp thinning my plantations. With the longer trailer I generally haul 5 or 6 tons to the loading area. Loading a tractor trailer was tricky until I built a pit with bulk head. Now I am able to put the trail in the pit and do not have to lift the wood very high to load the trailer. Makes loading much safer. Can't say enough about Metavic they have a good product.