Modifying 6X6

Dan_Marino · November 02, 2004, 05:17:01 AM

Sorry I put the wanted post here for the forwarder. I wasnt familar enough with the forum.
My question now would be - does anyone have any experience in stretching a truck to accomodate a loader? What about putting the extension behind the duals?
I have 12 feet from the back of the cab to center of duals now
and 14 feet from back of cab to end of frame. I would have 19 total feet with the loader taking up a little under 3 feet so this would give me 16 feet of bunk space. Does anyone else think that putting the extension on the back would affect the steering to much? If anyone is not familar with the 10 ton 6X6 look on Vanatta Brothers website. They have pictures of the same tractor that I have.

J_T · November 02, 2004, 12:04:57 PM

Dan was you going to put the loader next to the cab ???If so the loader and that 300 cummins will hold down a lot . I know where thare is a pre hauler sitting with a loader on it . Will see what I can find out.

Buzz-sawyer · November 02, 2004, 12:30:41 PM

I think JT is onto something, if you can mount the loader by the cab instead of on the tail steering shouldnt be to bad......just put your 5-8' extension on the tail

Fred · November 02, 2004, 04:38:21 PM

I know a guy that has an old 6x6 with a loader on it for pulp wood . he wants to sell it.

Furby · November 02, 2004, 06:19:58 PM

Any Idea what he wants for it Fred???

Dan_Marino · November 02, 2004, 10:02:38 PM

#1 I was planning on putting the loader behind the cab. Attaching PTO for the winch to the Hydraulic pump then adding extension behind the duals. But I talked to another logger this evening and he said extending the truck in front of duals is fairly easy I would have to have a driveshaft made. Said hes done two others this way. This 10 ton has a huge double frame though. Seems like it will take an expert welder.

#2 Also I am still interested in just finding a forwarder or truck already set up. If any of you guys that said in your replies that you know of one please forward me a number or other info.

etat · November 02, 2004, 11:18:33 PM

Hadn't ever extended a truck but have cut a long wheel base down and made a short wheel base out of it. Be aware I'm talking about light weight half ton trucks. It'll take just a bit more than a drive shaft to extend in front of the axle. It will take a expert welder and he will also have to be a expert fitter and keep everything square, strong, and straight. One hundred percent weld penetration, without pulling or warping something You don't want it breaking in half going down the road or in rough terrain. Drive shafts aren't that hard to modify, I've both lengthened, and shortened em before. Same thing, gotta keep em square, trued, and balanced. Other things to tend to will be wiring, and possibly fuel lines, and new brake lines, again if you extend in front of the axle.