The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Forestry and Logging => Topic started by: JLeBouton on January 01, 2008, 11:17:41 AM

Title: Looking for Machine Operator Opinions
Post by: JLeBouton on January 01, 2008, 11:17:41 AM
Anybody here have the chance to run any Fabtek, Prentice, or Cat equipment?   Blount forestry was recently acquired by Caterpillar, including their line of forwarders, 501, 501HD Track harvesters, 550 wheel harvester.  Comments?    Go!
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: Coon on January 01, 2008, 01:28:51 PM
I have ran some Cat's but don't think it's what you're looking for.  It was a 1968 D8H with dozer and ripper.  Hey that was the first year for the power shift transmission too. :D :D
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: a old timberjack on January 01, 2008, 03:57:14 PM
i run cat dirt iron 10 months a year from D-8 h"s to 988's to 345c's and old tired forestry equipment the other 2 months  ( timberjack ) i do have a prentice g model log loader on a diamond reo i use for a landing loader 8)
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: woodsteach on January 01, 2008, 04:34:46 PM
I ran a tracked CAT loader Sunday.  It worked great to pull out my GMC and trailer loaded with walnut logs. 8)

Sorry probably not what you wanted.  Although the joy stick controlls were slick compared with my Deere skidloader controls.

If you want to get some forestry equipment in the midwest I'll be glad to demo some of your harvesting equipment.   
woodsteach
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: bkellyvtme on January 02, 2008, 04:32:12 PM
I used to sell Cat equipment. The biggest complaint on the 501HD w/ a felling head was the need for an additional hydraulic pump to allow for better multifunctioning. It was a little slow. The 501 HD worked great with the Fabtek fixed processing head and the squirt boom model work great with the Logmax's (6000, 7000) that we had mated up to them. Great little processor if you ask me. Price as always was a big obsticle to over come. Things were tight when I was selling, now it is even worse. Also now that Prentice will be selling the same iron most likely at a significant price difference, it will be even harder to move it.
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: scsmith42 on January 02, 2008, 11:24:55 PM
Hey Coon - did your old Cat look like this one?

Scott

(ps -  mine's a '72 model H)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13296/Bill_d84.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: letsgetitracing on January 03, 2008, 05:00:21 PM
what is the difference between the h and the 8 k i ran a k a few years ago

i had a dresser  td 25c i just sold a few months ago it was a haus also it weighed 42 ton
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: beenthere on January 03, 2008, 07:44:50 PM
Quote from: letsgetitracing on January 03, 2008, 05:00:21 PM
what is the difference between the h and the 8 k i ran a k a few years ago

i had a dresser  td 25c i just sold a few months ago it was a haus also it weighed 42 ton

Don't understand what you said, or questioned ??  ::) ::) ???
:) :)

Can you help us out here (or at least me)?
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: scsmith42 on January 03, 2008, 08:28:03 PM
LGR - the D8H and D8K were very similar machines, to the point where late model H's and early K's were practically identical.

The model changeover occured around 1973.

I heard a lot of good things about those old International / Dresser TD25 bulldozers.  My D8H weighs 45 tons, but that includes the ripper on the back.  Sounds like your TD25 was in the same league.

I have a Dresser 412B elevating scraper - it too is a good machine.

Beenthere - let me know if you still need clarification!

Scott
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: letsgetitracing on January 03, 2008, 08:37:36 PM
sorry guys my bad i just figured that the k and the h thing is kinda operator talk lol like what track hoe you own and the guy says 330 you know he knows what he is talking about if he says a yellow caterpillar 330 bl long track with air and heat just think ooo kkkaaaayyy lol

try running a gradall to rip out asphalt and grade new hot asphalt for county workers who don't want to pick up a rake man last summer was stress filled you guys want a challange wow wee too much stress
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: a old timberjack on January 03, 2008, 09:27:55 PM
you think the gradall thing is stress, myself, last year i was grading in a building cellar wich was 300x 200 and a million collums with a d-5 g ( those new little dozers are awsome) and i had to take off a 3/4 in of fine prosess gravel cause someone read the finish grade wrong and the concrete contractor went ape @#$%  that is stressful and you have a labror following you with a state inspector and a lazer checking grade.and 2 cat 277 track skid dteers taking away material you gererate. wasent a good 2 days
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: letsgetitracing on January 03, 2008, 09:32:11 PM
that's impressive i bought a new d3c in 2000 and those machines are awesome my dozer didn't click when you pushed on the hystat the g's do and i really didn't like it to much i like to have more varying contol what is your thoughts on the click in and click out vs the completely varible in and out
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: Tom on January 03, 2008, 09:53:36 PM
LGR, I know it is comfortable to talk in buzz words and partial model numbers but the reason most of us shy away from it is because it segregates and causes cliques.   The forum is more about a bunch of guys who are here to learn about stuff they never heard of and we try to keep most of our conversations on a level that will wind them in rather than push them out.

We have private heavy equipment owners who aren't commercial operators who could benefit from your conversations if they knew what you were talking about.  I'm sure they could confuse you with sawmill nomenclature too, if they wanted.  There really is a meaning to our madness. :D :)     :P
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: letsgetitracing on January 03, 2008, 09:59:23 PM
exactly i will clarify when posting about models and number  thanks
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: JLeBouton on January 03, 2008, 11:09:25 PM
Right, so I guess i'm looking for input on a specific couple of cat machines.  Mainly the 501, 501HD, 550, 564, and 574.  All forestry equipment...    (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16830/cat_dcs_cmms_servlet_DynamicImageServlet%7E0.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: a old timberjack on January 04, 2008, 06:18:22 AM
sorry, i will get a little more in detail, on that paticular cat dozer i was running, ( cat d-5g) 2005 model, whan you sit in the seat the only thing you have on the floor is a decelerator ( controls throttle up and down ) and a brake. on the arm rests there are 2 joysticks 1 is forward, back left and right the other is your blade up down left right (tilt) and on the top of that stick there is a thumbswitch wich controls your blade angle but what letsget it racin was saying , back on the other stick there is a thumbswitch on the other stick that looks like your volume on your tv controler , press it to the left you go slower and to the right you go faster, also there is a guage on the dash that tells you where you are for speed ( just to remind you ) if you get all of that you are ready to grade !!!!! also that cat dozer is about 14 ish tons.
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: letsgetitracing on January 04, 2008, 09:26:14 AM
kool machine i never ran the 2005 but i have ran a 2003  they have changed them  good job on handling the stress
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: beenthere on January 04, 2008, 10:14:22 AM
Quote from: a old timberjack on January 04, 2008, 06:18:22 AM
..............

I sure did appreciate that detailed explanation....let me feel like I was sitting in the seat behind the controls. Thanks (doubt I'll ever get that opportunity, but like reading about you guys who have "been there"  :) :) )

It's what I enjoy about the forum, among many other things as well. 8)
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: letsgetitracing on January 04, 2008, 01:55:46 PM
You can always call Cat and rent one for the weekend they run about 700.00 which usally covers delivery charges they burn about 25 gal a day so another 75 bucks but they are bad azz machines
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: Ed_K on January 04, 2008, 07:40:40 PM
 Do any of you run the gps automatic grading system. My son installs them for Ring Power Cat in Fl. way he talks its the cat meoww, lot better than running from the seat of your pants to a mark on a grade stake ;D.
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: Dave Shepard on January 04, 2008, 07:46:15 PM
Next thing you know the machines will be out there grading away happily all by themselves. They won't need us any more. ::) :D


Dave
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: letsgetitracing on January 04, 2008, 10:02:08 PM
they are hooked to the controls of a grader  it moves the blade up and down automatically all you do is keep the speed correct and the drive it where it tells you where to go man if i had that when i was building my race track i prolly wouldn't have been going in circles so many times lol
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operators. Opinions please
Post by: JLeBouton on January 04, 2008, 11:19:23 PM
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/16830/hijack_med.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operator Opinions
Post by: letsgetitracing on January 11, 2008, 03:02:23 PM
nobody else has run or watched something kool or out of the ordinary run or be operated??
Title: Re: Looking for Machine Operator Opinions
Post by: Coon on January 11, 2008, 07:12:41 PM
Scott, that looks like the one 'cept the one I ran had a cab under the canopy and also had a blade that we remanufactured off a International TD25.  The blade was changed out because the blade off the TD25 was alot taller and built heavier.  We were doing some serious dirt work with it along with push loading two Cat 627B Twin motor scrapers, and one Terex TS14B twin motor scraper.