646 valmet

[Firewoodjoe]

Well might as well start a topic on it. Verbally the deal is done. Where would the serial number be?  I see no plate anywhere. 

[leeroyjd]

Stamped on the top edge of frame below slew/swing cylinders on passenger side. You may have to clean it but you'll find it.

[Firewoodjoe]

Your right. Found it. Thanks. Well it’s all mine. I’ll be happier when it’s hauled.

[Firewoodjoe]

The manual says it has a high and low but doesn’t show any buttons for it. It has the three speed power shift. Does it have a two speed gear box? 

[leeroyjd]

Yes it should.

[leeroyjd]

Looks nice compared to a lot of that vintage.
Did tracks come with it?

[leeroyjd]

Of all the switches only two have a safety so you don't accidentally hit them: the float and the two speed. 

[Firewoodjoe]

I didn’t want to pay what he wanted for the tracks. So no. And where is the switch for the two speed? It’s a 2000. 

[leeroyjd]

Joe it should be one of two switches that has a "lock" on it.
Our dash or consoles are probably different, mine being a '97.
 I think my two speed switch is middle row furthest left facing back of machine as if you are loading. I've only used high twice.

[Firewoodjoe]

Ok. Thanks. There’s going to be a lot I have to check out I can already see. 

[Firewoodjoe]

I plan on hauling it straight to the job. I’ll go over it the best I can. If theres anything you guys highly recommend I do or check I’m all ears. The only thing that’s new to me are these bogies. 

[Gary_C]

You should get familiar with those guys at Rolland Machinery in Escanaba (906-786-6920) as they are the best resource for parts and service. If you want, give them your serial number and they always used to be able to get together all the manuals including parts and operators manuals for your specific machine. They do charge too much for them but you should be able to get ones specific to your exact model and build. Most all of those black painted 600 series machines were assembled in the old Gafner factory in Gladstone which Valmet bought and then Komatsu bought Valmet.

Two things I would warn you about. The first thing is that dang float position. Always make sure your grapple is in a good place when driving. I can't tell you how many times I had the grapple fall of the load and clean off all the hoses. I had a 644 single bunk made all the worse because it was levers and not joysticks plus a manual transmission.

The second thing is to never drive with the boom setting on the front bunk with the boom sticking way up. I caught a limb once that was very high up and bent the rod on the top cylinder.

I believe the engine in those was the 4BT3.9C Cummings which was a good economical engine. It only ran out of power when driving down the road in high range. I had plenty of power for loader operations.

They were a good solid forwarder and yours looks to be in good shape. I would really recommend a set of bogie tracks for that machine as the added weight adds stability to that fairly light double bunk as well as flotation plus traction on soft ground.

[Firewoodjoe]

Well I finally got a low bed to get it moved. I played with it for awhile waiting and I couldn’t find anyway to set the parking brake. Any help would be appreciated. Two speed works good also👍

[Firewoodjoe]

I’m thinking it’s only automatically applied when in neutral. But it doesn’t stop. Or at least the one time I rolled it backwards. 

[barbender]

They may need adjusted.

[snowstorm]

parking comes on when shifted to neutral if it dose not shift lever was not centered a wirring problem or a hose leaking oil on the disc. when right it has a very good parking brake. tip the cab up you will see the brake disc

[Firewoodjoe]

Well when you tip the cab up and you see the brake…….. It has no caliper 🤦‍♂️  I’m not real smart but maybe that’s why it’s not working  it has excellent brakes but dad will have to use the blade when loading on hills for now. And he can just hold the foot brake I’d assume. She’s on her maiden voyage as I type. Kick the tires welded a bunk stake and greased and send her! 

[barbender]

Sorry for my, "yeah no kidding" deserving response😁 I was thinking with the rear bogie set up, they might have the spring apply/hydraulic release parking brake. I've never been around anything but Ponsse forwarders so my experience is limited on the wider world of CTL equipment.

[Firewoodjoe]

Well been ran a full week. Just blew a heater hose so far. Only complaint is the pilot controls. The joy sticks are crazy sensitive. If running the job boom you have to keep it perfectly centered or it will start rotating the bucket. No wiggle room at all. Also the jib boom will lower/drop fast! Like break stuff fast. And the main boom lift you have to pull it way back like almost touching your leg. I’m wondering if it just worn pilot controls. But overall happy with it. 

[Firewoodjoe]