I need to pick your brains

[SW_IOWA_SAWYER]

After a back breaking weekend of moving logs the old fashioned way. A cant hook and a strong back (that is now hurting like nobodys business) I am going to start looking for a tractor of some sort. That is why I am asking for input from all you experts. I have little experience with tractors I have an old 2n Ford, I would like to get one with a front end loader but it has to be somewhat inexpensive (OK cheap) I just have no idea what kind to even look at. If you could give me some input on what you may have or what to look for my back and I would really apreciate it.

[redpowerd]

are loaders made for them little fords, i am assuming so. browse around www.ytmag.com

[Bibbyman]

Probably the cheapest way to get some relief is to build some heavy forks for the BACK of our 2N Ford and add some weight up front.  Probably won't lift the heaviest logs but will move quite a bit.  It'd be a lot safer than a loader on a light farm tractor.   

My brother-in-law didn't have a loader but had a heavy carryall.  We rolled the logs onto it and it'd lift the logs high enough to roll onto the deck of the LT40. 

Might need more tractor but what also works is to get the mast offn' a forklift and adapt it to three point hitch. 

[Ed]

Well........that one word (inexpensive) is gonna eliminate alot of options.
In a used tractor the Ford/New Holland 1710,1720, 1910,1920 & 2120's are excellent units. They are out of production now, but were made for about 20 years.
You might also consider a Bobcat, something like the older 743 series. Depending on the $$$ you have to spend maybe a 753. Those are both pretty bulletproof machines. Also quick & easy to change from bucket to forks etc. with the quick-attach.

[thecfarm]

Four wheel drive for sure,if you're going with a loader.I have a 2120 that I use to work in the woods and for the sawmill.This is about 40hp.You do need a tractor that has some weight to it.I can pick up some big logs with the loader.But I have to get off and put a chain on each log.A slow way of doing it.Tines would would alot faster.Just depends on what you're doing.I mostly only saw for myself. Time is not all that important.I know how big a 2n is.I've been around a NAA Ford all my life.A little bigger.Not the best with a loader.Those Fords were never made for a loader big enough for what you need.If you could do something on the 3pt.That might do it.

[SW_IOWA_SAWYER]

I guess when I said cheap I meant reasonable. The loader for the 2n probably isn't going to work cause the 2n is really old and I was thinking I would get something newer so I can mow my pasture, blade snow, grade my driveway, and the real reason to move logs from point A to point B. I would also like some kind of rollover protection I have thought about a Bob Cat but that is such a single use kind of setup I thought a tractor might be better.

Please keep the input coming

[Dangerous_Dan]

I bought an old Michigan 75A (head chopper) wheel loader from an asphalt company that was ready to scrap it. $300 bucks cheap enough? They were asking 500. They thought the engine was seized. Hauled it back to my farm and started tinkering. Turns out a bolt in the starter backed up and locked the shaft.    Had it running that day. ;D It can lift 8000 pounds and its 4WD.
Found an Allis Chalmers 840B sitting at a construction site, they wanted $1000 but after some haggling I got it for $500. Alot of stuff was missing like the starter and fuel lines. Got it home bought a starter for it and got it running. Turns out the trans was bad  :( Did some testing and turns out the charge pump for the converter was NG. Got new one for $500. now that is working. Found out through the grapevine that the seller knew the trans was bad and got a price of $7000 to fix. Ouch! The engine would only start with either, thought it needed a valve job, pulled the head, yes it needed a vavle job but  the tops of the pistons had eroded away and cylinders worn, pulled motor and rebuilt it myself, engine kit was $1000, Who ever rebuilt the motor before me put the pistons in backwards and the combustion chamber did not line up with the injector, thats what cooked the pistons.
Whew
What I'm getting at is look around at construction yards and such. There is a lot of old iron just sitting around. Most yards rent space so having an old non working machine around costs these guys money. Let them know that you are intersted in something and leave your phone #. Stop back if you don't hear from them. I had my eye on the AC 840 for almost 5 years. I left my number several times and stopped by once a year to ask about it. Cost me $500 then took $2000. in parts and some effort but it was worth it. You can get a good deal or you could get into some serious money and labor. Be carefull when buying non-running equiptment.

[Larry]

In a used tractor the Ford/New Holland 1710,1720, 1910,1920 & 2120's are excellent units.

Can't say enough good things for this series of tractor.  Got three in the familly, all purchased new or near new with no trouble and cheap to operate.

Found this picture of my 1720 in the archives.  Got forks on the FEL.  The walnut is about a 20" log 9' long and is close to max weight.  The 3 point will lift a lot more...don't know if it will lift high enough for a WM.  The tractor will handle a 5' brush hog in heavy grass or a 6' finish mower.

[Rod]

The way I load my logs onto the mill,is I buildt a log deck were I drive my truck onto it with the log hooked to the truck.When you get the log and truck on the deck you get out of the truck and unhook the log and roll the log on down the deck then go for another log.

[leweee]

If you go for a FEL make sure the tractor has power steering. Armstrong steering on a 2N will only make your back ache more . (may cause a headache)

Cheap or affordable tranlates to you better be LUCKY....like Dangerous Dan ;D Reminds me of a sign i saw in a local business " FAST , CHEAP or GOOD pick any two." 8) 8) 8)



ps. I'm not much help , I'm still loading logs on the mill with the Armstrong option ;D ;D ;D

[Cedarman]

In my early days I used a boom pole, chain and log tongs to move logs. It really helps if there is another person to hook and unhook and steady the log. Depends on how strong your 3 point hitch lift is and how much weight you have on the front of the tractor.

Ideally a skid steer is the way to go for just lifting, but a tractor is a better all around machine. IMHO

[Paschale]

Hi Cedarman,

I'm not sure what a boom pole is...could you describe a bit more what your system was? 

Thanks!

[tnlogger]

check http://www.fastline.com  for your state theres a couple pf old ford industal loaders listed
any of the industral loaders will pick up any thing you'll have to load.
we had an old oliver 550 gas tractor  with an industral loader on it with a 1000 lb block of cement
on the back.

[thecfarm]

I think my 2120 will pick up any log a WM will saw.I've picked up some good size hemlock logs,16 ft and carried them to my sawmill.About a 5 minute drive with a log carried by the bucket.I have gravel on my wood road for the logging truck.Have to carry them from the wood yard to the sawmill.

[oldsaw]

literally.

Find a decent size tractor with a three point hitch and get a bale fork (used for big bales).  A "cheap" tractor with a loader can be hard to find.  A cheap tractor with a three point hitch comes a lot cheaper.

You won't get the height that a loader would get you, but you can move logs around and even stack them a couple of layers deep.  A bit more work in some ways than a loader, but, the way it sounds your back would appreciate even this.

[Cedarman]

Paschale,  A boom pole looks kind of like the thing a mechanic uses to remove a motor.  It has a long arm that sticks straight back with a hole or ring at the eng to run a chain through.  Log tongs worked well because of the quick grab and release.  We used it with a MF 165 and could pick up over a ton.  A MF 165 diesel is about a 55 hp if I remember correctly.  The shorter you make the top link the higher the end will go when you raise the 3 point hitch.  If I get a chance I'll get a pic. Farmers always had a tractor when I did custom sawing and the boom pole only weighed about 50 pounds. So I could put it in the truck.  Saved  rolling the logs up the ramp. This was before there were hydraulic mills.

We've used bale movers both the 2 prong kind that go under the bale and the 3 prong kind the have two shorter prongs on the bottom.  When I was raising cattle we had both available.

[DanG]

You can go to any tractor dealer and get a boom pole for $100 or less.

As someone said, an industrial model tractor would be a good choice. Some of the old Ford 4500 or MF 50 tractor-loaders can be had for $4000 or less.  Be sure it has a PTO, as some of them didn't.

Try  www.equipmenttraderonline.com    They have a good search feature and lots of stuff for sale.

[rebocardo]

How big are the logs you are moving (width and length), how high do you have to lift the logs to saw them, and how far do you have to move them?

[farmerdoug]

I would watch for and go to consignment auctions.  I was at one Saturday and the tractors were going cheap.  A Ford industrial tractor with loader, 3 pt and PTO went for 2300.00.  It ran good and was around a 1973 model.   All of the tractors except the pretty rebuilt ones went on the low side.  Think the market is down here in Michigan.

[SW_IOWA_SAWYER]

I would say I would need to be able to move logs in the range of 18" on the small side to maybe 30" on the max side 8'6" long. I have the logmasher 2004 which is a home built arch that works good but it takes a while to rig the logs and so forth. I just moved two 30" 6' long walnut halves and I couldn't get the logmasher in there too much stuff in the way. So I was forced to do it the old fashioned way. I ended up using a cant hook a come-along and a bunch of verbal abuse to get them to the saw and then on it and cut up. The wood is wonderful but I am getting too old for that method..... :D A tractor would be nice and it would do some other things I would like to do. The old 2N is OK but it has a minor problem that only works so so as many of the old fords do, I think they call them BRAKES.... :D

[Rod]

I'd say that the TN 75 with the cab and a loader  and a winch is what you need.It may not be cheap in dollars,but you wont have to do any work on it,plus they have a good deal going on now so if you don't want one you better not look at one at your New Holland dealer cause you might me a new owner of a New Holland TN 75 :D

http://www.newholland.com/h4/products/products_series_detail.asp?Reg=NA&RL=ENNA&NavID=000001277003&series=000005286911

[Ironwood]

Ford 2n/8n can be very effective little lifter. I have an 8N with a dearborn loader and all be it an armstrong model it will lift lots of logs cheaply. A loader for that 2n could be found for $300-600, any 2n,9n,8n will fit. "Can"the bucket and find some small pallet forks. It should lift most of what you need, and in a extremely inexpensive manner. Parts for those tractors are common and inexpensive as any. Try buying some parts for others and your wallet can soon become empty, a friend has a very nice John Deere industrial the pump went ,$1000 bang, labor not included! Keep that in mind, Old Fords are simple cheap and easy to work on. P.S. Get the new eletronic ignition for that 2n and never fight to put points in again! While your at it upgrade to 12 volts. There good simple machines for the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do have several forklifts but love the old 8N.

                        REID

[DanG]

Speaking of the "brakes" on your tractor reminds me of a comment I saw on ytmag a while back.  Someone misworded a question, asking, "Did Ford make a tractor that would stop in the Forties?"  Answer was, "Yes, but you had to stomp the pedal in the Thirties!"   :D :D :D

[leweee]

"Did Ford make a tractor that would stop in the Forties?"  Answer was, "Yes, but you had to stomp the pedal in the Thirties!"   :D :D :D

DanG GOOD ONE[/size]



:D :D :D LMAO 8)