bobcat VS tractor VS ? for mill support

[barbender]

Here are some photos of a grapple I made for my skidsteer.  I can lift a 40 foot 16 inch butt pine log with this setup.  Right now I am using it to move logs around for our log home.  I also used it to skid all the logs for the home.  I've never used a farm tractor, but I find this machine to be pretty versatile.  

[Arthur]

I use a Bobcat 843 with steel tracks and grapple folks.

the grapple folks can handle logs upto 40" with no problem.  You only have the weight to consider.  Bobcat can supply counter weights for the door which allow you to carry heavier loads.

the biggest I have moved was 3m long and 1.2m diameter Bloodwood (1400kg per cubic meter).

I also have a 4ton winch for getting those logs out that are on steep inclines.

[Ga_Boy]

Hey Bibbyman,

I like that toy, oh I mean tool.

How much do those go for in your neck of the woods?



Mark

[Bibbyman]

New, two years ago - $42,000. with bucket and forks.

[gboucher]

I guess you use what you have. I have an old 720 Bobcat that I rebuilt from scrap (shoehorned a 36HP diesel engine out of a refer unit). I use it to load logs on  my bandmill ( I remove the bucket to get the log closer & can lift a 15" x28" fir log with very little rear wheel lift) I never have to drag logs in the dirt, can turn on a dime, built a log splitter that used it's hydraulics, I also have a set of forks, an 8" post hole digger & a backhoe attatchment. Granted it is rougth on the ground if you don't take long turns but it's really easy to manuver in a small space. It does all the jobs around the resort including snow removal. For me it works well, I guess it depends on your environmant.
Georges Boucher
 8)

[Ga_Boy]

Bibbyman,

Thanks!



Mark

[RacinRex]

Anyone remember the Ford/Versitile tractors from the mid-80s into the 90's? They would have made nice tools for around the mill.