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

[BargeMonkey]

Someone tell me if im wrong, I dont handle the truck paperwork but in NY my over width permit is a "blanket permit" to 13', after that I think you get into the escort game, its just 1 more fee the state throws on. Ive been close to going over in the skidder, but not yet. I flopped my fathers 410C deere hoe driving home and got over just a little to much for a car coming down the snow covered road, it was over before you know it, you didnt have enough time to react to jump. On top of the TLC logger training, we also have to take a yearly MSHA class with our gravel pit, more and more guys are drowning when working near water, so on top of a back board and full blown medical kit, now we have lifejackets in the office too. The best part is, if MSHA isnt notified within 15mins of a serious injury or death, 10k fine to start, doesnt matter if your performing CPR, better stop and make a phone call.  :D

[RunningRoot]

What Kinda tire chains would you guys recommend for the C4D ??

Ring style ?
Diamond stud style ?
Any brand ? Go cheap or avoid low cost chains ?
Thickness of tag chain pro/con ?

I work mainly on steep rocky ground, but durring winter its a mix of everything, pastures around here turn to swamps  : And my rubber is 16.9-30
Any input/ guidance is appreciated ...   

[HiTech]

I went with ring or bear paws as some call them for all 4 tires. They can be useless on hard ice but normally get me around OK. I prefer a better grade tire chain. Seems they last longer.

What Kinda tire chains would you guys recommend for the C4D ??

Ring style ?
Diamond stud style ?
Any brand ? Go cheap or avoid low cost chains ?
Thickness of tag chain pro/con ?

I work mainly on steep rocky ground, but durring winter its a mix of everything, pastures around here turn to swamps  : And my rubber is 16.9-30
Any input/ guidance is appreciated ...   

[ga jones]

You put chains on all 4 tires of a c4? You will tear planitary's out.I took the chains back off of mine.

[RunningRoot]

Ga Jones>
Its been wet here for two weeks now, I jumped on the c4d Sunday and tried to head up the hill and didn't get far before she cam to a stop  I was considering putting a pair of chains on the front just for winter. Its a soft muddy mess around here during winter. Would it be alright to put them on the front only? I'm putting the two best tires on the rear, flipping rims out and loading them this week, didn't get to it Sunday as I hoped  :-\

I posted a wanted add for a pair of used chains on here (FF) as I thought for sure someone would have an old pair laying around but have yet to have any luck with it. Thought I could save some money encase they didn't work out.

[ga jones]

If it's muddy I run them on the front. I run ring chains. Your axles most likely have no spin lockers in both front and back. If u put ring chains on both u will more than likely  tear up the no spin or planetary's.look on Craigslist in southern ny for used chains.

[BargeMonkey]

 Ive got a set of 18.4x26 you can have, but they are worn pretty good and I dont know what it would take to make them fit 18.4x30. If youve got a few bucks to spend, call Comstock. Dick may even know where there is a used set kicking around.

[ga jones]

18.4x26 will fit 16.9x30. Comstock had Chinese ring chains at boonville for 1100.00. They looked good.

[RunningRoot]

I was thinking that 18.4-26 would fit 16.9-30...

1100 would be a good deal that  I could pursue right now... I'm gonna check into them.. Thanks Ga

Bargemonkey>

I really appreciate the offer, let me check into my options and depending on what I can make happen there's a possibility I may take you up on that. I would be willing to pay you whatever you need for them... I'm gonna do a little more research on them... Its pooring rain here and I'm house bound, Done all I can do in the shop over the last week of rain  :

[RunningRoot]

I looked on Comstock's website and couldn't find anything related to skidder accessories or tire chains, Should I call in ? Do they not list everything they deal in on their page ?

And Do ring chains make a good difference when in mud ? I mean, I guess what I'm saying is, do they make a 1000 dollar difference ?
I would think so as A lot of loggers run them, some even all season...

[beenthere]

You may have missed this introduction to Comstock.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,78315.0.html

FYI

[chester_tree _farmah]

When r u going to post some pics of the old girl? Pics Good.

[Maine logger88]

Yes even just 1 set of ring or ice ( I prefer ice) would make a huge difference. I run iron on all 4 year round on both my skidders. In my experience rings work better in mud and real deep snow and ice work better for about everything else

[RunningRoot]

 Chester>
I tried to post a pic of her yesterday but couldn't figure out how to post the darn thing  :D
I guess I need to read the board about it... will do that now, hang loose and let me see what I can do real quick

[BargeMonkey]

 Your best bet is to call up to his shop, it will either be Dick, his guy in the shop or his wife, but they all know what your looking for. He stocks alot more stuff than you see on the website. We buy 90% of all our logging supplies from him. Wedges, sawchain, chaps, bars, all comes from him.  I have a set of ice chains, they are worn and I might even have some other chain kicking around you could patch them with, im not looking for anything, they are sitting on a pallet at my mill. If your going to spend some money, but a good set of ring chains and run them on the fronts. TCR.com made me an offer I couldnt refuse on 2 sets this spring, went with the close ring 5/8 and I love them. 200.00 more than regular but no room between the rings. If you can find someone with another single ring chain, I have 1 I found in a log pile a few years ago thats like 90%, I think its 23.1 but you could make a pair for short money.

[RunningRoot]

 

  

  

  The 6 way 

  The Old Loader

They arnt much but they were all taken good care of, the 450B 6 way is one heck of a nice solid low hour little dozer all she needs is a paint job. The C4D seems so far to be a good tight machine, everything works on her so far. Had to replace a couple seals in the winch and brakes need adjusting but other than that she does the job well but time will tell, she's still new to me. And the 450 trackloader I literally just sold, was offered a good price for it and I could not refuse. Looking to replace the loader as soon as possible but trying to budget for its replacement and get some chains for skidder and other misc. stuff  :

[redprospector]

Haha. A man after my own heart. Jump her on the gooseneck and go.  8)

[RunningRoot]

I'm gonna call Comstock In the mourning and see what they can get there hands on. If they have any close to what Ga Jones said I will place a pair on order. Cheapest I'v found was 2,600 buckaroos/pair. I dont think I'm doing a good job researching them tho because I didnt find as many suppliers as I thought would be out there.

So you guys think I'd be best off with ring chains ?
I like the Idea of studded diamond as I log on rocky slopes but winter mud is my main concern as of right now.

[Maine logger88]

If mud is the main concern go with rings. If you can get a tighter ring it will ride better

[BargeMonkey]

2500 for a set of 16.9x30 chains ? Ive got a bridge I wanna try and sell you. Im sure they have a set for 11-1200 for what you want, but if you can, buy the better stuff, the chinese chain kinda scares me. In the mud and rock, ring chains are the way to go, but on hard packed ground at higher speed they will bounce you out of the seat. Ring chains on ice and rock ledge are like ice skates, the combo around here is ring in front, ice in back. Most guys take the ice off for the summer and fall.

[David-L]

Nice looking skidder Rootman. I would buy the tight rings for the front and single diamonds for the back. TCR have some good chains and free shipping. I have had a few sets and they work and wear well. Just remember that with used tires if you buy new chains you might be cutting a bit off to fit them to used tires and that hurts a little. 9/16 chain is fine for that machine with those planetarys IMO. Good luck, TCR has a good website.

                                           David l

[RunningRoot]

Called comstock this mourning and dick wasn't in, the lady I talked to said I would have to talk to him. I am supposed to get a call from him tomorrow mourning. TRC has a set of single diamonds for 1100 and a set of combo ring and stud both for 1500. Has anyone ever used the combo set ( rings and studs ) ? I kinda like them, a man can get the best of both worlds.

[BargeMonkey]

 A set of rings or close rings will do just what you want. Ice chain isnt worth much in the mud. If you buy 2 sets of chain from TCR you can beat him up pretty good about a tire jack, I got a deal on one. The new short handled ones they have are nice, but still very deadly. How worn are your tires ? I would hate to spend great money on new chains for very worn tires, if anything buy a set of economy rings, run them a while, and when you do tires run them on the worst pair, preferably in front. Good tires in back, bald tires in front chained up and ice on back when you need them, thats the strategy around here.

[RunningRoot]

 

 


What you think ? Worth it ? Or you think they are to worn ...
I figured I'd put the two worst wear tires on front and slap chains on em...

[BargeMonkey]

 Those are from TCR. 5/8 close ring, and 5/8 single diamond. Not a bad looking machine for almost 12k hours.


   They arent that bad, I would put chain on those. You may have to lose a pad or get creative to get them tight, but the new ones I put on in January still had 3 links to go before the pads touched so you should be fine. For the extra 200 buy the "close rings". Unless your pounding the ground every day your going to get a long time out of them. We got 5k hours out of a set of economy 5/8 ring chains, and they could have still be run some more if you wanted to patch them.