Author Topic: Looking to get info and some knolage on c4 tree farmers. (Read 16433 times)

logman81 · « **on:** October 17, 2017, 05:15:11 PM »

Hey so I'm skidder shopping and would like to know about the c4 tree farmers. A local guy down the road from me has a tree farmer c4 that he is considering selling. It has a gas engine, four like new forestry tires and a spare gas engine to go with it. Says it doesn't have brakes but it is a really clean skidder. So are they underpowered with the gas motor? What kind of brakes did they have? I'm not sure what winch but it's not a gearmatic that I know for sure. So any knolage would be good and thanks.

logman81 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2017, 07:50:22 PM »

Can you still get parts for them? Are the gas motors good?

bushmechanic · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2017, 08:55:29 PM »

Nothing wrong with a C4 Treefarmer. I'm currently making one into a forwarder. I also recently purchased a C3 Treefarmer, it has a 172 Ford diesel in it. Never saw one with a gas engine in it but I'm sure it will still do the job. I converted a Timberjack 201 to a 250 chevy engine about ten years ago and it works fine, just dosen't have the torque of a diesel. The brakes are a type of band brake, not sure how good they work but any trouble and I will convert to a disk system. They are a component machine just like the old timberjacks.

logman81 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2017, 08:59:28 PM »

Ok this has a Ford gas engine. But your probably right it could still do the job.

bushmechanic · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2017, 09:10:44 PM »

Same engine as the 172 diesel only it is a gasser. The Ford farm tractors came with them in either the gas or diesel versions. You can still get whatever parts you need. Whatever happened to that small skidder you were doing the engine for?

sweetjetskier · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2017, 09:15:38 PM »

That skidder from the Spring you were working on looked like it was well on its way to haul logs for years to come with all the work done to it ?

logman81 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2017, 09:18:52 PM »

Ok great that's good news, I sold it unfinished to a guy in ct that was going to finish it and pull firewood with it. This skidder doesn't have the gearmatic it has a different one maybe a Tulsa or Braden I'm not sure.

leeroyjd · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2017, 05:55:29 AM »

How much will it cost to run a gas engine? That would be a big concern.

logman81 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 19, 2017, 07:37:16 AM »

I figure about $20 on average a day for fuel consumption. But I think it would be a advantage come winter being that it will start easy in cold temperatures.

logman81 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2017, 09:11:42 AM »

Where are the fuel tanks supposed to be on these skidders I believe this one has a boat tank strapped on the back?

bushmechanic · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2017, 07:07:50 PM »

The fuel tank is in the rear frame usually under the winch, if it has a rear mount winch. The Braden is a good winch just mechanical, in my opinion better than the problematic oops I mean the gearmatic!

logman81 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2017, 08:02:33 AM »

Ok thanks so much bushmechanic you have been a big help so far. I too am not a fan of gearmatic I've had a few of them almost all had some sort of issue. I'm hoping to get together very soon to go look at it and maybe make a deal soon.

mike_belben · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2017, 09:23:15 AM »

I run a 1.6L ford gasser powered bobcat 742 that i brought back to life from a basketcase. Same "7M" crossflow engine that was in the ford cortina and anglias, and formula ford racing series. I couldnt keep the points alive for more than a few hours due to distributor wear, couldnt source a replacement, couldnt get a bushing kit or anyone to rebuild it. Believe me i tried. Finally discovered pertronix for a whole new electronic triggered unit for $300ish (which died in the first month and was warranteed recently)

It runs every day but is gutless and drinks fuel like crazy, i cant keep the thing off empty. The 743 is worlds apart and only difference is a kubota. Id rather light a fire under my diesel in the morning than nurse my gasser all day.

logman81 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2017, 03:50:07 PM »

Sorry for your troubles, not sure it is the same engine though.

chevytaHOE5674 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2017, 07:57:51 PM »

If its a 172ci Gas motor then its the same as used in the 8xx series ford tractors. In a tractor working at PTO speed they burn something like 4+ gallons an hour, the same motor in diesel was right around 3 gallons per hour IIRC.

logman81 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2017, 09:02:57 AM »

It might be same I'm not to sure. But I feel fuel consumption would be a little less for me.

chevytaHOE5674 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2017, 09:27:59 AM »

Those motors were kind of gutless unless you have them wound up. When your winching and skidding I'm sure you will burn equally as much or more fuel than in a much smaller farm tractor.

logman81 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2017, 10:15:00 AM »

I'm not sure on that to be honest I'll have to ask the owner about those things. I'm only going to be skidding pole firewood for the most part and won't be working it to hard.

Corley5 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2017, 05:16:23 PM »

My experience with gasoline powered farm tractors is that they use more gas doing chores like loader work and moving wagons than on a steady RPM job like running a hay baler, mower, saw mill edger, planer etc. That's what I've observed with H and M Farmalls as well as a 300, a MF 180 with a Perkins gas and others.
What happened to the payment plan on the Clark?

logman81 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2017, 08:08:56 PM »

I decided to walk away from that guy wanted to much money and machine needs to many repairs and seemed fishy!

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Author Topic: Looking to get info and some knolage on c4 tree farmers. (Read 16433 times)

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