Joined the Ranks of Skidder Owner

terry f · November 25, 2013, 01:34:37 AM

First attempt at posting a picture, we'll see if it works.

mad murdock · November 25, 2013, 01:39:14 AM

Great job on the pics terry! Nice looking treefarmer

terry f · November 25, 2013, 02:11:49 AM

Thanks, how can you tell the age, is it in the serial number?

mad murdock · November 25, 2013, 03:18:10 AM

It looks almost like mine, except the paint color. Mine is a 1964, model 15A with the Diesel engine, gearmatic 8A winchdrum. I am not sure of it would be in the serial number or not. The model/serial number are on the left side frame rail just behind and possibly partially under where the front radiator protection plate bolts on adjacent to where the battery is located on the left side of the engine. Looks like you have the original Garrett arch on yours too.

terry f · November 25, 2013, 03:34:00 AM

I wondered about the arch, it has a big hydraulic ram and didn't look original. This one has a plate on the dash with the serial and model number, but I'll look by the radiator to see if there are more. Winch info looks to be behind the seat. Now that I learned how to post pictures, watch out, you guys will probably get tired of them.

Skiddersally · November 25, 2013, 05:05:48 AM

Man that is great. I've got an s7b international that has been a great old skidder. Just this summer I updated to a John Deere 540 B. nice skidder love it it's faster way easier to run but just like yesterday my shifter cables froze I was dead in the water I started up the old 353 Detroit and passed the 540 and got to work. Those guys are right though you will have all kinds of tools, oil, grease, and head aches. I log part time just on the weekends. It's only work if you don't enjoy it. It was 10 degrees out on a Sunday morning I'm working on my skidder there big beautiful red and white oak on the ground the the ground is frozen great for skidding and the thing won't move. Just my luck there is always next week. I'm sure you will enjoy your skidder very much.

David-L · November 25, 2013, 05:14:51 AM

Very nice looking skidder. looks to be very straight and low impact. Good luck ,be safe.

David l

coxy · November 25, 2013, 06:28:04 AM

need to put a set of fenders on the old girl will help save the rears and tires you don't find them in that shape any more good luck with her ;D 8)

thecfarm · November 25, 2013, 09:51:19 AM

That does looks some nice. Get a twitch behind it and post it in this thread.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,13313.0.html

mad murdock · November 25, 2013, 03:57:01 PM

The arch fairlead and frame are original. The cylinder is an add-on. See this pic I have in my gallery of one of Garretts original sales sheets on the TreeFarmer.

Here is a pic of my skidder with the "custom" arch it has on it

You have one very fine looking Garrett Terry! That thing looks like a low mileage machine for sure!

terry f · November 25, 2013, 04:58:55 PM

Thanks, that arch looks a lot beefier. I haven't pulled a single stick, so I'm not allowed on the timber harvest thread yet, but if there was a dozer thread, I could post there. ;D

thecfarm · November 25, 2013, 05:11:03 PM

Get a hitch behind that critter. ;D

mad murdock · November 25, 2013, 05:16:04 PM

Quote from: terry f on November 25, 2013, 04:58:55 PM
Thanks, that arch looks a lot beefier. I haven't pulled a single stick, so I'm not allowed on the timber harvest thread yet, but if there was a dozer thread, I could post there. ;D

I think my arch might have started life on the back of a Timberjack. The Garrett one is tough enough, might find it handy having that cylinder on yours, I could see where that would be a nice feature in certain situations. Depending on how far it moves up/down, you might even be able to make a simple attachment to go on the top of it to extend an "arm" and have it raise/lower with the arch and use with a set of tongs. Lots of possibilities with that machine, I think.

thenorthman · November 25, 2013, 10:15:38 PM

Ok I'm jealous...

I still want a garrett, even though the Deere 440a I have is probably a better, faster machine, those old garretts are just nimble, and light enough to tow behind a 3/4 tontruck.

mad murdock · November 26, 2013, 01:47:54 AM

Well thenorthman, keep an eye on craigslist and the capital press classifieds. They do come up now and again. You may just find one.

Stephen Alford · November 26, 2013, 07:24:13 AM

Good looking piece of gear, looks to be just enough room behind it for a trailer with a log loader.

thenorthman · November 26, 2013, 08:39:12 AM

Quote from: mad murdock on November 26, 2013, 01:47:54 AM
Well thenorthman, keep an eye on craigslist and the capital press classifieds. They do come up now and again. You may just find one.

Been keeping my eye on one near me for 3500, and some other jerk dismantled one and is trying to sell the axles and what not for 4k...

And another one they want 6 or 8k for...

The problem is I don't really have anywhere to park the Deere let alone another skidder, and a dump truck, a dozer, a yarder, a shovel, maybe get ambitious and find a spot for a self loader...

thecfarm · November 26, 2013, 08:59:39 AM

I have a big parking lot. I will keep the parking meter full too. :D

mad murdock · November 26, 2013, 09:36:37 AM

Quote from: thenorthman on November 26, 2013, 08:39:12 AM

Been keeping my eye on one near me for 3500, and some other jerk dismantled one and is trying to sell the axles and what not for 4k...

And another one they want 6 or 8k for...

The problem is I don't really have anywhere to park the Deere let alone another skidder, and a dump truck, a dozer, a yarder, a shovel, maybe get ambitious and find a spot for a self loader...

That is tough to take. I hate seeing a good piece of old iron dismantled for scrap or what have you as well. Sounds like you need to find yourself a bigger yard ;)

redprospector · November 26, 2013, 10:41:22 PM

Quote from: thenorthman on November 25, 2013, 10:15:38 PM
Ok I'm jealous...

I still want a garrett, even though the Deere 440a I have is probably a better, faster machine, those old garretts are just nimble, and light enough to tow behind a 3/4 tontruck.

I pulled my 440b many a mile on a 14K gooseneck behind a F-250. I did go to a 20K trailer and a 3500 Dodge though, but a 3/4 ton will do it.
You're in the same boat I was in. You're going to have to just face it, and bite the bullet and buy a piece of dirt.

Andy

terry f · November 27, 2013, 05:00:26 AM

Mad Murdock, I think the guy I got it from used the ram and tongs, there are also four sets of chokers, but he said he never used the winch, so they were just drug or lifted a little with the ram. Lots of little leaks, and the winch don't work (yet) but just the ticket for what I need. Thenorthman, sounds like you need 2 graveled acres, fenced, with a 8000 square foot shop with living quarters, but then, don't we all.

thenorthman · November 27, 2013, 08:20:58 AM

Yep, 5 acres or more... with a nice big shop, thats the plan anyway. Got to get the current piece paid down a little bit so I can sell it and then go find a bigger piece of dirt.