Forestry tractor modifications

mf40diesel · February 03, 2015, 08:13:55 AM

I use my john deere 5055e 4wd tractor with a farmi winch for all our wood lot management. It's a very capable puller, however the lack of a skid plate, and engine compartment protection is one of the largest issues I can see with using tractors in the woods.

It seems in Northern Europe it's very common for farmers to log with their tractors in the winter, however their machines are really nicely armored for the job. Searches on the Internet don't seem to turn up anything. Does anyone know of any USA companies that mod, or sell fabricated armor for our tractors? A top notch welder could create skid plates, but I want it to look pretty professional and rugged.

While I would love to justify an old skidder, for me a tractor makes tons more sense, being far more versatile, but I want to protect it.

Rick Alger · February 03, 2015, 08:35:58 AM

I believe the Payeur company in Sherbrooke PQ modifies farm tractors for the woods.

wfcjr · February 03, 2015, 09:07:34 AM

Quote from: mf40diesel on February 03, 2015, 08:13:55 AM
I use my john deere 5055e 4wd tractor with a farmi winch for all our wood lot management. It's a very capable puller, however the lack of a skid plate, and engine compartment protection is one of the largest issues I can see with using tractors in the woods.

Does anyone know of any USA companies that mod, or sell fabricated armor for our tractors? A top notch welder could create skid plates, but I want it to look pretty professional and rugged.

While I would love to justify an old skidder, for me a tractor makes tons more sense, being far more versatile, but I want to protect it.

We bought our JD 5095M with factory installed skid plates. Have you checked with your JD dealer to see if skid plates are available from Deere as an aftermarket install? Also, would recommend a grill guard for the front of the tractor. Also got that as a factory install. Would also inquire about availability as an after build part from JD.

roger 4400 · February 03, 2015, 09:31:10 AM

For myself I use my tractor and a Farmi winch like you but I only go in my trails that are nice, never go on stumps or in bushes. I use a snatchblock pulley or a special rope to stretch my winch capacity (165 ft for the winch and one 50 and a 100 ft rope that is 8000 pounds resistant and non stretchy ) . I never go out of my roads unless well cleaned. Le Payeur uses Kioti tractors and all their metal plates are done by Metavic ( métaux Victoriaville in Victoriaville, Québec ) Métavic builds the wood trailer and crane to put the logs into their wood trailer.

beenthere · February 03, 2015, 09:43:33 AM

Agree with wcjfr, to check with Deere.

My compact utility 4300 had an optional armor plate and other parts available to add.

So far without the armor and not had a problem, but there are a lot of delicate parts exposed under there.

pineywoods · February 03, 2015, 10:11:24 AM

I log with a larger model Kubota. They are pretty rugged underneath with 2 exceptions. The hydraulic filters are exposed sitcking out the side of the transmission case and the radiator is a bit vulnerble. There is a serious downside to belly pans. They collect leaves, limbs and oily debris, a first class fire hazard. I've seen more tractors destroyed from belly pan fires than ones that were damaged to lack thereof. A sharp driver that realizes a tractor is NOT a dozer is the best protection..

thecfarm · February 03, 2015, 10:23:36 AM

I use to log with my tractor on my land. Used it in the woods steady for 3-4 years. Now I just do my firewood. I cut with My Father and we kept the trails clear of brush and I still do now. We would cut anything we left in the woods in short pieces,2-3 feet long,2 feet being better. We tried to cut the limbs short while they was still on the trees. Anything that was curved,up in the air, was cut shorter. Yes,it all takes time,but so far,no major damage has been done. If I had to share the money with a land owner,than I would not have the time to do the above. I am amazed at what an area looks like in just 2 years that was cut. Cutting limbs short allowed us to drive over it,but we tried not too. Yes,the above does take time to do,but anything we would do would improve the land. Trails was cut wide and we would cut a road to a certain area if needed.

wfcjr · February 03, 2015, 10:35:11 AM

Quote from: roger 4400 on February 03, 2015, 09:31:10 AM
For myself I use my tractor and a Farmi winch like you but I only go in my trails that are nice, never go on stumps or in bushes. I use a snatchblock pulley or a special rope to stretch my winch capacity (165 ft for the winch and one 50 and a 100 ft rope that is 8000 pounds resistant and non stretchy ) . I never go out of my roads unless well cleaned.

Would second this.... use the winch & self releasing snatch blocks whenever possible. Fell trees in woods, but pretty much stick to logging trails with the tractor. In addition to undercarriage, sidewalls of ag tires are more susceptible to puncture than sidewalls on logging tires.

But even if you stick primarily to logging trails, the undercarriage & grill protection is still important.

John Mc · February 03, 2015, 11:05:30 AM

We have a local welder in my area who is a genius in setting up a tractor for woods work. He does belly pans, limb risers, grill protection, etc. What I really like about his work is that he doesn't just blindly tack on protection. He gives a lot of though to what parts need to be easily removed to allow for service, leaves "portholes" or other access methods to allow you to get to grease zerks, when necessary, he adds tubing to extend grease zerks out to where they can be reached easily. If you ask for some sort of customization, he's happy to do it, but most of what he does is stuff that he thinks up on his own. I've run into a couple of his happy customers who've made comments like "I'm glad he did the work, because I wouldn't have thought to ask for ____"

I would not be surprised if any place that has a decent sized logging industry, or enough folks doing small-scale logging for their own purposes, probably has someone similar. The thing to look for is not just someone who is a good welder, but someone who is also familiar with using tractors in the woods, and good at thinking through what might be needed.

Old Line State · February 03, 2015, 03:16:57 PM

What about http://www.addingtonequipment.com/guards.html

mf40diesel · February 03, 2015, 04:59:26 PM

Adding ton..... Badarse! And only a few hours from me! Thanks so much. I did find a place in Alabama, but that is in Alabama! Which is pretty far to go... ;)

Thanks so much for the help.

John

dsgsr · February 03, 2015, 05:55:08 PM

I've bought two grapples from Addington. Very good quality. I don't know of their fabrication jobs.

David

lopet · February 03, 2015, 07:50:25 PM

I made my own, think I used 3/8 plate. Also made some guards for steering cylinder and valve stams. Front grill, limb risers , guards for the fuel tank, the whole nine yards. Yes it took quite a bit of time to build and maybe doesn't look like professional made, but i couldn't care less, as it does the trick.

shinnlinger · February 03, 2015, 09:47:56 PM

Looks really good to me!!!

thecfarm · February 04, 2015, 06:50:58 AM

A good idea and yes,it does look good. ;D

Stephen Alford · February 04, 2015, 07:19:10 AM

Very nice lopet. Only grief I have had is snow. When its deep and wet you can get hung up and have to winch out. Sorry these are reposted pics but just a couple thoughts to consider.

Hydraulic winch is mounted forward. Belly pan is ribbed and runs full length.

Extra protection around fuel tank. Removable sides.

Rebar around rims, pipe cap over valve stem, Forestry specials on rear.

Add on bumper blade for the front.

The vise is a hugh help when you work alone.

Added a Mr Beenthere scabbard for the saws.

lopet · February 04, 2015, 07:24:49 PM

A rebar along the rim is a pretty good idea and i never thought about it. I guess it's a little late for that in my case .

And I copied your vise thingy a while ago. Hope you don't mind . ;D

John Mc · February 05, 2015, 08:33:11 AM

I've been wondering about using some expanded metal (or something with some holes) in places on the bottom of my belly pan in order to let water and snowmelt out. I realize this may not be as good a protection as solid metal, but I'm thinking some easy way of getting stuff out might be worth considering.

Maybe I'd be better off with a trap door in solid metal? That way, I'd have a way to get out any sticks/stones/dirt. Or maybe I'm just over-thinking this?

I've made it for 7 years with no belly pan, since most of my work in the woods is from the trails, using my logging winch and self-releasing snatch block to pull things out. I've damaged the hydrostatic filter, but this was while working in an open field (backed over a flat rock which flipped up just the wrong way). Still, I'm thinking some amount of protection would be wise.

Jeff · February 05, 2015, 08:36:53 AM

Holes that let stuff out, just as easily lets stuff in. ;)

sawyerf250 · February 05, 2015, 10:20:55 AM

l log with a Massey 375 4wd with a Wallenstein Fx 90 winch.. l to often question whether to put skid plates and guards on my machine, limb risers would be awful nice though. My down fall is that my tractor is not solely a logging tractor which would simplify the question, making it a definitive yes. lol but l in many cases would have to have it all bolt on stuff ( not so much the skid plates) as that it is a farm use tractor also, l use it mostly in spring and fall to log and in summer months it is used on in our commercial hay making operations, winter is just a pain in the ..... and we use it for plowing. l do however really like the idea of putting the rebar around the bead of the rim to toughen that up l can see doing that in the very near future..

sawyerf250 · February 05, 2015, 10:25:32 AM

When we bought or tractor it already had the exhaust piped out the back as the previous owner also used it (very little) in the woods so thankfully that is one less thing l have to worry about.. l take most all of the limbs out in tree length hardwood what doesn't go for pulp goes in the stove.

Softwood stand l just "mulch" it up with the saw and run it over..

Ford_man · February 05, 2015, 11:30:54 AM

I bought a dozer a year ago in the winter so I did not crawl under it and look at the bottom. $6000 later it is ready to come home with new oil pan, belly pan and clutch housing plus some other parts.

wfcjr · February 05, 2015, 11:34:49 AM

Quote from: sawyerf250 on February 05, 2015, 10:20:55 AM
l log with a Massey 375 4wd with a Wallenstein Fx 90 winch.. l to often question whether to put skid plates and guards on my machine, limb risers would be awful nice though. My down fall is that my tractor is not solely a logging tractor which would simplify the question, making it a definitive yes. lol but l in many cases would have to have it all bolt on stuff ( not so much the skid plates) as that it is a farm use tractor also, l use it mostly in spring and fall to log and in summer months it is used on in our commercial hay making operations, winter is just a pain in the ..... and we use it for plowing. l do however really like the idea of putting the rebar around the bead of the rim to toughen that up l can see doing that in the very near future..

We also run ours in summer.... plow, disc & plant fields, also mow both cultivated plots & meadows.
Run box blade, mower, you name it. Skid plates never get in the way of summer work. Actually come in handy when we have bottomed out a couple of times using grapple or bucket.

DeerMeadowFarm · February 05, 2015, 11:50:26 AM

I like the rebar rims and vise!

sawyerf250 · February 05, 2015, 12:56:36 PM

No, the skid plates l would have no issue with whatsoever they would be an all year round add-on. However roll bars and a guard here and a guard there other wise helpful in the woods to prevent a stick jamming etc. into something would be a hindrance in the spring for planting season and summer for haying or in the fall for preseason plowing.