Advice on improving skidder stability ?!? Bought a new to me skidder need tips..

[RunningRoot]

Thanks for all the advice/input fellas.
It all made a great first post on the forum for me.

[JustinW_NZ]

So it has a micro lock you stand on the brakes and flip a lever? Whatever you do never trust a micro lock

yes, whats that about, mine needs the brake looking at as like others have said, very poor, but it does have that lock switch as well.
That seems to work, but going down a hill the brakes seem useless...

Cheers
Justin

[chester_tree _farmah]

Wider lower profile tires are what folks usaully do to make the c4s more stable. GA Jones did it to his. Problem is finding rims I think. Loading the exsiting ones will definately help.

[ga jones]

Ya I bought 4 rims from cj logging that came from a timberjack 205. 18.4x26 flipped them so there at the wide offset. The rims were fairly cheap. 500.00 for the set. Best thing I ever did. I work a little steep ground. The problem with my c4 is short tail section no weight back there. It's on three wheels a lot. You get used to it.In my own opinion tree farmers aren't the machine for steep ground. Timberjack 200 series is. No other skidder is as stable as they are. From what I have worked around.

[Maine logger88]

How the micro lock works is when you step down on the brakes and flip the lever it locks the fluid in place holding your brakes on. Which isn't that bad other than they are known too leak off I have heard of people being run over or nearly run over. Use it yes just don't trust it. Ga that 380 of yours must be fairly stable

[ga jones]

18.4x34 on the 380. It's pretty good,be better with 23.1x26. Then it would be to wide to haul though.the mico brake needs power to work. That's the only downfall. Loose wire no brake. Much better than none!

[chester_tree _farmah]

Mine has the old wireless Mico. Wireless as in no wires at all.  Needed a new bleeder and the closest was in Texas. :

[RunningRoot]

Ga Jones>
If I flipped my current 16.9-30's around to gain a wider offset would this put undo stress on any bearings in the axle ?
I see 18.4-26's normally mount further within the rim than 16.9's so I imagine it wouldn't hurt anything and then I see floatation tires which mount deep in the rim as well.... What you guys think ?

My plan is to pull her in the shop tomorrow mourning, spend the weekend in there and ...
1 Flip rims around to make wheel base wider.
2 Load rear tires with some used anti that I am getting from a friend that owns a junk yard.
3 Fix brakes ( somehow ) if I can, not sure if linners are even there anymore but will find out when I get the drive shaft and drum off...

Ga, would you think this would be ok ? I mean flipping rims and loading rears ?

[Maine logger88]

Ga and chester so its pronounced mico not micro?

[RunningRoot]

Hey maine>
Yes it is pronounced Mico ...
And mine is the older style as well.. No wires..

[ga jones]

16.9x30 is the same height as 18.4x26. My c4 was a pulp wood special with 18.4x34 and a 353
Detroit. 16.9 is a small tire overall and that ford engine is less hp.u won't hurt the axles due to flipping the rims. What brakes stuff is stacking big hard wood with the blade. Bouncing when u have a full trip.I have rebuilt both axles.Replaced both front spindles. The axles in a c4 are light. Pr52 rockwell. Same as a timberjack 201 205. Don't get ramy with it.mine is from the mid 1960s. It was due to brake some. The brakes are a simple fix if u can fab some and weld. Take the old drum setup out and go to napa find a rotor that close to the same center hole and drill it for the mounting bolts. Get the caliper that matchs it. Make a simple mount for it.mico brake is a line lock. There available at any auto parts house.there used in drag cars for burn outs.get used to it getting up on 3 wheels. It's going to happen. Drop the blade drive through the turn get straight and it will set back down.you will get the feel of it.

[barbender]

Mico brake locks aren't meant to be a parking brake. They just hold the service brake, in this instance, so you don't have to stand on the brake pedal the whole time you are winching in a drag. My Mico twist lock doesn't work, I really wish it did.

[coxy]

mico brakes locks work the best when they are still in the box un used  :D :D

[bill m]

The Mico brake lock on my aerial lift worked flawless for the 15+ years that I owned it.

[Ed_K]

 I ran brake line up to the dash added a 1/4" ballvalve then down to to caliper. If you try to drive off with it closed, you know it. But on hills I back up to a big tree before setting the brake. And make SURE the tree isn't growing on ledge  .

[RunningRoot]

Ga Jones> So I looked it over this mouringing and measured it out, and with my perticular rims, If I flip them around it is gonna make a huge difference on width ! Like taking it from 91'' out to 105''... Do you think this is to wide ??
How wide are your guys skidder wheel base? Would have to cut my roads wider I imagine...

[ga jones]

Mine is 105.I don't have any issues. It's the same width as my 380

[ga jones]

Go to my gallery in the equipment section there 3 pictures of my c4. Look at the one of the right side. U can see how wide it is by how far the rim sticks out past the axle.

[RunningRoot]

Ga Jones> You have two nice skidders there ! Like your tree farmer and love your 380. A 350 TJ is my dream machine, meaning the skidder I'm goanna try and purchase over the next year.

Did you cut and re weld your valve stem protectors and holes ? I see they are still on the outside of the rim. Unless they have them on both side of rims, I never paid enough attention on mine. I can imagined this would definitely help with what I am after with my c4, should really increase stability. I am gonna do it tomorrow and see how I like it this week.

I'm used to skidding my timber with my little 450B dozer and its only 7 foot wide  So I was worried about land owners gripping about wide roads being cut through the farm. But I would think most other loggers have skidders 105''s + wide and cut their roads to accommodate.

[timberlinetree]

Tree farmer c series do seem a little light in the back end. Our tj 230 super e is wide and would rather pay oversized permit and have stability in the woods. Do you have a seatbelt? They are a pain in the neck but would be a good idea to put it on on steep terrain. Work safe!

[RunningRoot]

Timberlinetree>
I put a seatbelt (lapbelt) in it yesterday. Took it out of an old cushman flatbed cart I have stored outside the shop.
It didnt have one and I didnt like that to well  :D
whats it cost you to transport your skidder when having to have a oversize permit ?

[Maine logger88]

My 540 is 110" wide its not bad getting around the woods

[ga jones]

The valve stems were already there I didn't move them. One thing about seat belts. The logger rescue training I had the trainer said it's better if there is no belt than a lap belt that is in most skidders. They do more damage to your body then good.

[terry f]

   How many operators wear seat belts, I doubt many, but I don't know. I don't have any, but I did have it on three wheels twice last week, both times was right front while looking back trying to avoid damaging any trees. Once hit a small log, second time a small stump, got my attention.

[timberlinetree]

In Ct the oversize permit is only around $25-$50 dollars. It's included in the move! I'm not a big fan of seatbelts but they say they saves lives. I always think jumping would be best or hold on but in really the belt will keep you in the cab where it's safer plus just feel a little safer with it on but that just me  I'm a scardy cat on hills and above 60' . Stay safe!