The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Forestry and Logging => Topic started by: c greenham on August 21, 2018, 11:20:40 AM

Title: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: c greenham on August 21, 2018, 11:20:40 AM
Hi All,

I'm looking for some info on a Franklin Forwarder with a roof mount loader.  Not sure of the year.

Any one have any experience operating one? What common issues to look for when purchasing a machine like this.

Any Help greatly appreciated..


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/IMG_1358.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1534864712)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/IMG_1276.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1534864705)
 
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: nativewolf on August 21, 2018, 05:19:49 PM
If you search the forum you'll find several discussions on the franklin forwarder.  I looked at one that was not roof mounted but some folks have them and commented.  Basically, you have great vision and unfortunately you will wear hydraulic fluid.  

It seems you've found what should be a very inexpensive machine, if I was handy and the price was right I'd have one like that for small spaces.  I'm not handy and the price on the one here in VA got pretty high in auction so I walked away from the bidding.  
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: Corley5 on August 21, 2018, 08:51:45 PM
That's got a different style loader than my 132.  They work good but don't wear good clothes operating them.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: Corley5 on August 21, 2018, 08:57:19 PM
Look for slop in the pins.  All the pins.  Loader, blade, center.  Listen for noises that shouldn't be there.  Growls, clunks etc.  Play in shifting linkages.  Do the brakes work?  Detroit or Perkins engine?  Looks pretty straight :)  I don't like the exhaust sticking up like that.  It'll get ripped off.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: Corley5 on August 21, 2018, 08:58:40 PM
What are the milk crates for ???
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: c greenham on August 23, 2018, 12:26:43 PM
I think the milk crates were used as a place to carry the chain saw.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: c greenham on August 23, 2018, 12:29:03 PM
It has a perkins engine.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: barbender on August 23, 2018, 09:12:27 PM
Quote from: Corley5 on August 21, 2018, 08:58:40 PM
What are the milk crates for ???
To guard the exhaust!😁
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: GRANITEstateMP on August 24, 2018, 10:15:42 AM
Quote from: Corley5 on August 21, 2018, 08:58:40 PM
What are the milk crates for ???
Ah, milk!  ;D
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: Logger RK on August 24, 2018, 09:37:17 PM
Maybe harvesting Almond Milk? 
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: mike_belben on August 24, 2018, 10:06:31 PM
Walnut shaker.  You just scooch up under there, bang the tree with the boom and profit. 
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: bushmechanic on August 26, 2018, 06:25:24 PM
That boom is a Cranab 6025 with an extension. We had a lot of those back in the 90's they held up well but in some of the hills we were on were too much for them and they would break a tooth off the swing mast. 
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: c greenham on September 14, 2018, 12:25:49 PM
Got Her Home!!
br>(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/porter~3.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1536942225)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/IMG_1569.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1536942216)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/IMG_1572.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1536942220)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/IMG_1573.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1536942222)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/IMG_1568.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1536942214)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/IMG_1573.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1536942222)
 
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: Puffergas on September 14, 2018, 02:14:13 PM
Those photos are killing me.  :)
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: mike_belben on September 14, 2018, 09:48:52 PM
Looks good.  Should be fast with those racing slicks!

:laugh:
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: barbender on September 14, 2018, 10:39:25 PM
Nice score! A little paint and it will clean right up, go through those hoses over the cab and save yourself some oil showers down the line. 
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: thecfarm on September 15, 2018, 05:59:15 AM
I like it!!
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: Corley5 on September 15, 2018, 07:34:32 AM
Good looking old buggy 8) 8) 8)  X2 on the hoses over the cab.  I've been showered.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: mike_belben on September 15, 2018, 10:47:53 AM
Get some firehose, and slip it over any hoses that put you in danger as you replace them.  Itll keep sun degrading down, and reduce your chance of getting a fluid injection or a serious oil bath.

Hoses are replaced periodically and ive been lucky enough to get a few unused spools free.  Works great. Way cheaper than spiral wrap. Ask around at fire depts or any fire service companies for expired or damaged hose.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: c greenham on September 15, 2018, 01:35:23 PM
Thanks for the idea on using a fire hose on the lines great idea.  
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: mike_belben on September 15, 2018, 03:58:03 PM
Sure no problem.  

Speaking of oil baths, the return hose just jumped off the barb on my splitter and showered the entire pile.  Customers gonna love the BTUs in that load. LOL
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: thecfarm on September 15, 2018, 06:03:46 PM
 ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: c greenham on September 16, 2018, 05:27:05 AM
Anyone have any info on the braking system for this unit?? All that I can find is the brake pedal it seems the master cylinder as been removed.  

The blade does work fine but I would like a brake, this is the first forwarder I have ever owned or operated.  
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: Corley5 on September 16, 2018, 09:02:22 AM
It may have internal brakes in the transfer case.  That's where my 132 has them.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: c greenham on September 18, 2018, 01:45:31 PM
The Brakes haven't worked in some time, the blade is half worn away from being used as a brake.

Thinking of trying to install a caliber system as mentioned on here in previous posts.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: c greenham on September 21, 2018, 12:41:43 PM
Anyone got any tips on removing the blade?
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: c greenham on November 06, 2019, 07:05:11 AM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/Porter_7~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1573041776)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19514/porter_10~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1573041776) 

Just a little update, got her cleaned up and actually hauled some wood.  Other then a leaky wheel hub seal not a bad little forwarder.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: hacknchop on November 06, 2019, 01:29:10 PM
That is a really nice looking machine.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: barbender on November 06, 2019, 02:32:55 PM
I agree👍
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: thecfarm on November 06, 2019, 07:06:25 PM
Good job.
Title: Re: Franklin 120 Forwarder with a Roof Mount Loader.
Post by: Firewoodjoe on November 06, 2019, 07:36:06 PM
I can't believe what paint does. That really changed that old girl. Looks nice.