230D timberjack project

jnicol6600 · February 19, 2015, 02:41:31 PM

Nice project. With the price of equipment these days this seems like a good way to go. You'll definitely know what you have.

bwilliams · February 22, 2015, 03:55:15 PM

Hello,been snowed in and reading over the forum and seen your project. I owned a jack just like that once and it was a jewel! A 79 model. Its wheel base is a little longer in the front,its front half later became the start of the 240e and super e. You could get ahold of a salvage yard,lik+se schafers in Illinois,and get rear engine mounts of any A model with a cummins,they will bolt right to your bellhousing,then,enlarge holes in skidder frame to accepas t the A model a nd up rubber mounts. Far
As hydraulic pump it will require an auxiliary drive on front cover,under injection pump,as your one on detroit was on the rear. You can find one off a junked knuckleboom that has a cummins

so il logger · February 22, 2015, 05:01:52 PM

Yes, schaffer enterprise at wolf lake illinois is a good place to find used part's.

RunningRoot · February 22, 2015, 05:05:53 PM

Ilog,
You will have you one nice skidder in the end.. this is what I'm "planning" to do with my C4D if I do not purchase another skidder, I'm looking at one right now which will be a project itself if I get it, but it's a lot newer and nicer and bigger then my current skidder is.. Its gonna be a big gamble for me but its like they say "you can't win if you don't roll the dice" lol

if there's any way possible you can make that 4BT work, go for it !! A 4BT is what I was wanting to put in mine but found a John Deere 239T instead...

good luck and keep us posted with plenty of pics, we like pics lol

ilog4u2 · February 22, 2015, 07:32:33 PM

Thanks guys for your input. I'm thinking that the bell housing / adapter that I have is not what timberjack used. Mine has no place for a motor mount. I might be looking for the right bell housing too. I will try Shaeffer's tomorrow. I've also pulled the blade and walking beam out and ordered parts for a full rebuild. Pins bushings etc. Tough job! All the blade pins were seized up and had to be sawed in 3 pieces to get off.

ilog4u2 · January 12, 2016, 07:36:48 PM

Well, after getting all the pieces painted this summer, I'm finally getting going again on my project. I've replaced the walking beam pins and weldment bushings, along with the dozer blade's. I found the right adapter plate for the 4BT, as well as the hydraulic pump and pump drive. so il logger brought up the torque converter issue, but I've drove it around the yard here and it's gonna work just dandee! ;D. I made the fan shroud, and I raised the rear firewall 3 inches for clearance ,

the turbo being higher on the Cummings. The hoods wil be next. They too will need some tweaking ,not sure yet how I'm gonna work that out.

Logger RK · January 12, 2016, 08:11:49 PM

It's looking good.

tantoy · January 12, 2016, 08:29:50 PM

Awesome! I love Detroit's, but that's just cool!

David-L · January 12, 2016, 08:52:27 PM

Ilog4u2, was the 353 longer than the 4bt as far as block length goes. If I keep my 225TJ long enough for a motor swap I would like to do the same. mines a standard shift. Nice job and a sweet Timberjack.

ilog4u2 · January 12, 2016, 09:34:25 PM

Thanks guys...
David, The 4bt is actually about an inch shorter than the Detroit! And yours being a standard shift should be no problem. Somebody makes an adapter plate for your transmission I'm sure. Besides the engine itself, the hydraulic pump and drive was the pricey part of the swap.

bushmechanic · January 13, 2016, 08:13:53 PM

Just curious ilog4u2 are you sure that is a 230D ? I'm looking at that front frame and it looks too long to be a 230, looks more like a 240. You said the 4BT was an inch shorter but there is an awful long fan shroud on that machine, a 230 one is only an inch or two long. Good job with the engine swap!

ilog4u2 · January 13, 2016, 09:33:46 PM

Quote from: bwilliams on February 22, 2015, 03:55:15 PM
Hello,been snowed in and reading over the forum and seen your project. I owned a jack just like that once and it was a jewel! A 79 model. Its wheel base is a little longer in the front,its front half later became the start of the 240e and super e. You could get ahold of a salvage yard,lik+se schafers in Illinois,and get rear engine mounts of any A model with a cummins,they will bolt right to your bellhousing,then,enlarge holes in skidder frame to accepas t the A model a nd up rubber mounts. Far
As hydraulic pump it will require an auxiliary drive on front cover,under injection pump,as your one on detroit was on the rear. You can find one off a junked knuckleboom that has a cummins

I believe he's right about this. Also another knowledgable timber jack guy told me the same thing. I've seen a '84 240A with the same frame and long fan shroud myself. Plenty of room is a good problem to have as opposed to not enough. Thanks for the kind words,Bushmechanic.

Wood butcher · January 13, 2016, 10:12:44 PM

I have a 230E that has the long fan shroud and the very same hyd. resivour,plates etc. Was told the only diff between 230 and 240 was 353 vs 453 ?

ilog4u2 · January 30, 2016, 02:40:54 PM

Finally!! Just finished installing new air cleaner parts and adjusted the shift delay on the trans. Pulled a firewood top from the back 40. Fast and quiet.

coxy · January 30, 2016, 03:22:22 PM

job well done indeed 8) 8) that's a 25k skidder all day long

tantoy · January 30, 2016, 09:46:20 PM

I love it, so much cooler than any hot rod project! Nice job!

David-L · January 31, 2016, 07:13:41 AM

Very well done. That thing is mint. The Cummins is real nice as my new machine has one and I love it. Great job. Pics from the woods would be cool.If some one could do two or three of those a year You could ask what you want for $ as they don't make small anymore.

ilog4u2 · January 31, 2016, 07:41:28 AM

Thanks guys,
I would like to do a little more with the exhaust. I see on yours ,David , a protector/ cover over a muffler? The wide spark arrestor does nothing as far as I'm concerned.

timberlinetree · January 31, 2016, 07:44:21 AM

Nice job! Actually REALLY nice job!

sandersen · January 31, 2016, 04:42:30 PM

Beautiful!! Congratulations...love to see the ole girls made new. Good luck and have fun. I'm envious.

Jr green · August 24, 2016, 10:11:51 AM

If you don't mind me ask8ng, I am doing the very same project. Having a little trouble finding the hydraulic pump and drive, where did you get yours or part numbers?..

Puffergas · August 24, 2016, 10:31:15 PM

Outstanding Timbjack! I would be happy to take that old leaky 353 off your hands..... 😉

danbuendgen · August 27, 2016, 02:58:29 PM

Quote from: Wood butcher on January 13, 2016, 10:12:44 PM
Was told the only diff between 230 and 240 was 353 vs 453 ?

All the 240s have the Eaton hubs and rears. Most the 230 have Rockwell. And the Gearmatic winch on a 240. And the 453 or 4BTA. Over all the 240 is heavier and has more power. Winch has a lot more nut the on a 240 compared to a 230. I have operated both, and a 240 is a good step up in power and stability.