Hey everyone, looking to get a processor, was wondering what people thought of the 501hd with 4 roller, pros, cons and what not.
I've heard that the 501 Cats aren't as good as their Fabtek 133/153 ancestors :-\ Just what I've heard ;) :)
Good advice, any ideas of common problems with the 501?
Depends on the size and type of wood you intend to be working in.
2017 Cat 501 with Prentice PF48 head makes a few comparisons with the old 2007 501 (he purchased new and ran)
new head has better tilt motors on fixed head, new head has better roller spikes, new 501 better cab heater etc
walk around 501hd cat - YouTube (https://youtu.be/bcKkknM2KOM)
Caterpillar sold Fabtek/ Prentice Forestry two years ago. New company diversifying services.
http://www.prenticeforestry.com/en/about-company/company-history.html (http://www.prenticeforestry.com/en/about-company/company-history.html)
http://www.wsaw.com/content/news/Prentice-Caterpillar--389342441.html (http://www.wsaw.com/content/news/Prentice-Caterpillar--389342441.html)
FF member wannaergo had some experience with one.
Have you looked into the Barko 240 with the skidmore head if it was me that would be my choice over the cat machine.
What are you planning on doing with the machine? Thin? Clear cuts? What kind of production do you need?
We had a 2013 501hd and hated it. The machine was capable of producing a fair amount of wood, but it was ALWAYS broken. The hose routing on it was stupid(in our humble uneducated opinion), we changed hoses like underwear, it was ridiculous. We had to replace multiple high pressure fuel lines, the fuel pump, the common high pressure fuel rail, and all 6 injectors. The feed motor housings were another weak point, they would crack and were unweldable due to being cast steel. We put multiple track pedals in it at $1300/pop and cat had no idea why they were getting wiped out. The four roller setup had good traction, but the chains could be high maintenance. We put multiple encoders and saw sensors in it, because they would quit working. The wiring harnesses to said sensors would get wiped out by sticks and brush, and were absolutely no fun to change. I'm sure there's more problems that we had, they just aren't on top of my mind right now. On top of all that, the hydraulics were very primitive. Multifunctioning was impossible, because there wasn't even close to enough oil flow. On the good side, I could cut s lot of wood with it, it was easy to work on, and easy to learn how to run.
My opinion? If you want a fixed head, Buy a barko 260 with a CF22.
Is there a move towards wheeled harvesters/ processors in Maine?
Are there any regulations against the use of the tracked Barko 240/260 in certain forests?
Just about use a battery chainsaw on what this John Deere wheel machine is cutting.
johndeere 1270e maine - YouTube (https://youtu.be/wdL0xeA3iwY)
I dont think its doom and gloom to feel like id be destroyed by a machine like that. I can chase my own tail in the living room cheaper than at the Cat parts counter.
To be honest it almost broke us. The best thing we ever did was trade it in on a better machine.
I agree that the barko 240 or jd753 with skidmore would be a lot better, but at this my choices are somewhat limited due to cost. there are a lot of used 501s on the market that are inexpensive and more in my price range. Thank you every one for the advice, it is much appreciated.
As far as production goes if I can cut 10 trailer loads a week ill be happy, and job types we do everything from clear cuts to thinning, some people around here like the wheeled harvesters some don't, seems like a personal preference more then anything. the thing I don't like about them is the electronics and complex systems, but they are fast and produce a lot of wood. we work in all types of wood, big and small, figured the 501 would be somewhat universal.
There is a reason used ones are inexpensive and adundabt. A local guy had two 153s that he had great luck with and traded them for 501s and they drove him almost to the point of bankruptcy. He practically gave them both away on trade for a Ponsse. Said it was the best move he ever made.
We still have a Fabtek 4 roller on a 653E after 17.5k it hasn't been too many issues just not up to the task of production work anymore, right now we're demoing a 1270G production wise I'm at the same as the 4 roller in 4 days of running the 1270 with a H415 head. As far as price there was some used Barkos at Crostrek for reasonable money one complaint I have is the reach and they don't level.
leveling is nice but I'm not as worried about it, none of the hot saw bunchers ive ran leveled and got by just fine. we don't have a lot of really steep ground in this part of the state, don't get me wrong theres some, but its nothing like other parts of the world.
Yeah the 501s are cheap, but there's a reason for that. when you are looking at a monthly payment, you have to factor in the amount of down time and repairs that you will see. With a 501, you'll be almost guaranteed to spend $1000+ a month on hoses and that doesn't even factor in lost revenue from downtime. From what I've heard about the barko/rolly setups you don't see that.
Quote from: wannaergo on March 14, 2018, 05:30:06 PM
Yeah the 501s are cheap, but there's a reason for that. when you are looking at a monthly payment, you have to factor in the amount of down time and repairs that you will see. With a 501, you'll be almost guaranteed to spend $1000+ a month on hoses and that doesn't even factor in lost revenue from downtime. From what I've heard about the barko/rolly setups you don't see that.
Barko/Rolly setups? Pretty sure that doesn't exist.
By barko/rolly setup, I should have specified that I meant barko or rolly. My bad.