Hello all, new to this sight and would like to know if anyone out there has seen or has any info on a cable skidder a friend of mine just picked up. Its a Gafner MB411 Mini Skidder. The machine is a bit of a basket case and I have been recruited to help put it back together. The engine and trans is out, we got the engine running so that should not be too big of a deal. The problem is the transmission is pretty sick, its partially disassembled and is gonna need major work to get going. Big problem I see is parts as its a Mercedes Benz Unimog unit and I don't think theres gonna be an abundance of spare parts laying around! anyone know of these? Its a pretty neat little machine none the less Hopefully we'll get it back in the woods! Thanks, Joe
could you put in a tranny out of a small truck like 1/2-1 ton or a little bigger mybe a NP 540
Hrdlx62,welcome to the forum. Good luck with the skidder. ;D
Welcome aboard Hrdlx62
Here is another thread about them. http://209.164.108.37/board/index.php?topic=74627.0
It might be a bit challenging to get parts for it. What kinda tranny is in it?
I have a sales brochures of that machine with all the specs. Would love to see a pic. Welcome aboard!
back in the 70's case dealers also sold unimogs. they put case backhoes on them. also the national guard had some
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/23822/image~61.jpg)
That is just such an awesome size, I wish I had one! That would be the ultimate firewood unit ;)
I'm planning on buying one in the spring if I can convince the guy to sell it.
Yes its a pretty neat little machine, firewood and small woodlot logging is the plan. The problem with trying to refit another trans is that the transmission, transfer case and PTO are one unit. Not that it couldn't be done I'm looking into options. I would be nice to just get it back together as it should be. We'll see what happens. I would love to get a hold of the repair manual for the machine if they had one! That sales brochure is great!
You can have the sales brochure if you want.
Somewhere around here I have the phone number of a guy who has at least 2 UniMogs in unknown condition. I will try to locate the number. If I can find it I will PM it to you.
No promises.
Whatduyaknow! The first place I looked there was the number.
PM sent.
Got the engine to run briefly (no cooling system). 1 and 2 cylinders were lazy. Had fuel to all injectors. I pulled the injectors tonight and will have them checked and if I can find an adapter will do a compression test. Transmission is worse than first thought. The output shaft end pilot appears to be broke.
popcorn_smiley
The Brochure says it is built with Mercedes components, maybe a dealer may be able to help. I was thinking the tran could b a truck tran. They did & still do build trucks.
splitwood_smiley splitwood_smiley
Some where I heard Mercedes used to build Unimogs.
Do a google search for "unimog 404 parts" and "unimog 406 parts"
Then start calling. Plenty of parts supply for mogs.
Gafner's machines were all built with drive train components from other manufacturers. Their Iron Mules were based on Massey Ferguson and Ford industrial tractors. Parts for these Minis shouldn't be a problem except for paying the Mercedes Price.
In most other countries Mercedes are taxi cabs. Just saying. Lol
ran across this today:
http://www.tradeearthmovers.com.au/detail/forestry-machines/forestry-equipment/iwafuji/mini-log-skidder-t20/35297
not a gaffner but... same sort of size. Iwafuji... never heard of them. :D
That's a neat little machine, I've never heard of those.
Not making much progress on the transmission. Not a lot of stuff out there, although one outfit has a complete reman unit but the price s not so good. the retrofit option may have to come into play. I pulled the injectors the other night and am having them checked. I have a suspicion that the engine has a blown head gasket. If the injectors check out OK I'll try and find a compression adapter or do a cylinder leak test to pinpoint a head gasket leak. Deer hunting starts Sat. so won't get much done for the next 9 days..........unless I luck out early!!
I want an Iwafuji!! (haven't heard of em either!) Look at the winches.......stupid simple! Wouldn't pull alotta big wood but could probably surprise you. And I would imagine by looking at it that it would be a snap to find parts for and easy to work on.
Quote from: Hrdlx62 on November 20, 2014, 08:42:43 PM
Not making much progress on the transmission. Not a lot of stuff out there, although one outfit has a complete reman unit but the price s not so good. the retrofit option may have to come into play. I pulled the injectors the other night and am having them checked. I have a suspicion that the engine has a blown head gasket. If the injectors check out OK I'll try and find a compression adapter or do a cylinder leak test to pinpoint a head gasket leak. Deer hunting starts Sat. so won't get much done for the next 9 days..........unless I luck out early!!
I have one of these Gafner Mini Skidders For sale but it has been converted to a forwarder check out ebay.
Guys, if you need parts for 411, i mean unimog ones, there is plenty on european classified websites. Autoscout, anibis, leboncoin, subito, secondamano, truck24 etc.
Were on eBay
May be not on ebay for the moment https://carscoms.com/other/gafner-80774.html
So any new progress?
So odd that I find a thread about Gafner mini skidders. A buddy just sent me photos of the unit I sold to his friend 35 years ago, still running in the woods of upstate NY. In 1976 I was hired by MBNA to be a service rep on MB trucks. The trucks at that time were made in Brazil, offloaded in Newark, then driven to Englewood NJ. The skidder was the prototype from Gafner, And used to move dead vehicles when needed. I dont know how many Gafner built but it was not many. The chassis was IIRC 1966.
The center closed in 1980, and after much effort with senior management, it was in my possession. Even 40 years ago there were no parts available, the MB411 was out of production, and replaced by MB406
After selling the property I intended to use it on, I sold it to Mike and he still uses it at this camp.
Also then bought a 406 unimog that MBNA didn't use, and that was street legal.
Hi,
my name is Christiane, my husband is writing a book about the Unimog 411 and some special vehicules based on the 411.I'd be interested to receive a copy of the prospect.
Would be cool if you could send me more information about the skidder.
Best regards
Christiane