Southern Skidders

[BargeMonkey]

 Ive been searching high and low for a decent skidder, and between work and being on the boat I either miss them or they are outrageous in price. Ive found a nice low hour 460 jack in texas, single arch and it looks clean. Trying to find 24.5x32 rims and tires without any luck, im halfway thinking about bringing it home and knocking the grapple off and pin on an arch.

I wanna know what you guys have seen on these machines, are the electronic problems that common, are the trans issues that common..?  I have 2 awesome cable skidders but I either need a decent grapple or a 8-10 tree cable. Delk has a few decent grapples but I think they are basket cases, paint fixes sin. Anyone have any good ideas ?

[David-L]

Heard of a one of a kind 240c jack cable machine with a cummins in Townsend,VT. Must be a mid 90's and the last of that 200 series. have not seen it but a friend has and says its way clean and right. I think the asking price was 35k. Motor is new. PM me and I will get you in touch with the guy who looked at it.

                                                                 David l

[luvmexfood]

Barge Monkey. Here's a link to a Timberjack 380 in SW VA. http://swva.craigslist.org/hvo/4284224818.html

Know nothing about skidders but maybe this will help. I think I also one on CL eastern ky.

[Kemper]

I have a 460d, which is now made by JD. It's a good machine a basic clone of a 648. I think you are making a mistake taking off the grapple. If you give yourself a chance to learn it and get smooth with it, there's no way production wise you could keep up with a cable in my opinion. Good luck on your search.

Ive been searching high and low for a decent skidder, and between work and being on the boat I either miss them or they are outrageous in price. Ive found a nice low hour 460 jack in texas, single arch and it looks clean. Trying to find 24.5x32 rims and tires without any luck, im halfway thinking about bringing it home and knocking the grapple off and pin on an arch.

I wanna know what you guys have seen on these machines, are the electronic problems that common, are the trans issues that common..?  I have 2 awesome cable skidders but I either need a decent grapple or a 8-10 tree cable. Delk has a few decent grapples but I think they are basket cases, paint fixes sin. Anyone have any good ideas ?

[ga jones]

If David knows where there's a 240 c for 35k that's cheap!!! You should look into it.

[ga jones]

The guy who hauls my logs has a 360 electronic has shift problems and can't figure it out. There's a nice 360 on machinery trader in Maine.they are temperamental with that. It's all solenoids.

[BargeMonkey]

If David knows where there's a 240 c for 35k that's cheap!!! You should look into it.

Ive got 2 small skidders right now. My 405 will eat a 240C in the rough stuff, im trying to get into something that is a 8-10 decent tree machine. Ive got about 3 hours total on a grapple so being a "woodchuck" it only seems natural to throw an arch on ??? Lol. well ive found out more info on this machine, doesnt sound to bad but hours are far from original. Tree service owns it, they bought for a job in Oklahoma and now she sits. Ive got 1.5 weeks till I get off the boat but its looking pretty good, 5k to get her home, thats what im not liking.

[mad murdock]

5k for trucking?! That hurts!  You could prolly rent a truck and lowboy and haul it yourself for half that. 

[ga jones]

The last generation 240 I looked at was as big as my 380 had the same axles and the deere 4000 winch. I was surprised how large it was.

[BargeMonkey]

5k for trucking?! That hurts!  You could prolly rent a truck and lowboy and haul it yourself for half that.

7k, 6 days and 5 permits to get a Timbco from the U.P ...lol.  ive got a bid out on U-ship to see who wants it, rubber is the problem right now, no ones got 4 24.5x32's on jack wheels, 30.5's are just to big. Guy just north of me has 2 240C's, yeah they are nice but if im going to stay smaller cable Im just going to wait 6 months and throw down for a G3 with plastic still on the seat.

[Big Rooster]

I've got a 450C jack with a swing grapple and winch (deere).  This gives you the best of both worlds.  You can't beat the speed of the grapple but when you need a winch you need a winch.  You should be able to find rims for this fairly easy.  I just put tires on last year $3,800 a pop plus $3K for each new set of chains.  Pretty much about $20K to rig it up.  This was Firestone forestry special tires and Babac chains.  If that machine doesn't have rubber on it don't pay over $30K for...no way.

[Kemper]

Did you put swamp tires on? Sounds like a lot to me for 28 or 30.5" tires. Maybe I just don't know the current market. I'm in Kentucky.

I've got a 450C jack with a swing grapple and winch (deere).  This gives you the best of both worlds.  You can't beat the speed of the grapple but when you need a winch you need a winch.  You should be able to find rims for this fairly easy.  I just put tires on last year $3,800 a pop plus $3K for each new set of chains.  Pretty much about $20K to rig it up.  This was Firestone forestry special tires and Babac chains.  If that machine doesn't have rubber on it don't pay over $30K for...no way.

[Bobus2003]

Did you put swamp tires on? Sounds like a lot to me for 28 or 30.5" tires. Maybe I just don't know the current market. I'm in Kentucky.

I've got a 450C jack with a swing grapple and winch (deere).  This gives you the best of both worlds.  You can't beat the speed of the grapple but when you need a winch you need a winch.  You should be able to find rims for this fairly easy.  I just put tires on last year $3,800 a pop plus $3K for each new set of chains.  Pretty much about $20K to rig it up.  This was Firestone forestry special tires and Babac chains.  If that machine doesn't have rubber on it don't pay over $30K for...no way.

14 grand to put new rubber on our "little" 648, Cant wait to do the "Big" 648

[BargeMonkey]

We started counting batteries and tires one day, it gets discouraging sometimes. Well I found a machine, 450C with 24.5x32 in OH. Alot of you guys have had positive things to say about these machines, instead of the 60 series, anyone have other info ? Weird issues with them ? Its a straight cable machine, oh well pulling cable wont kill for another year. How does that transmission work ? 4spd forward and reverse ? Thanks,

[Big Rooster]

To answer kemper that was $3800 a pop for 24.5 32's Firestone Forestry special with tubes installed on the machine.  I called all around the Pacific NW and that was the best deal going.  Sure you can get those POS Samson's but every flat/service call will cost you 1-2 days production. 

The 450C's are bomber built like a tank.  4 speed power shift.  Kind of wish it had another gear or 2 but....  No issues here.  Enclosed cab fully protected heat/AC can't beat it especially for a modest price.  Not knowing your situation I'd hold out for a grapple/winch combo.  The Pacific NW has quite a few of the late 90's swing grapples out there and there are tons on fixed grapples too.  And most of the time they have a winch.

[mad murdock]

Welcome to The forestry Forum Big Rooster, what part of the PNW do you call home?  A grapple would be nice, might be worth looking into fabbing a small one for the old Garrett, now that's a thought!