skidder comparison

[spencerhenry]

while i dont want this to become a chevy vs ford thread, i am interested in EDUCATED opinions of what is better. in this case john deer 648 vs timberjack 450/460. i want and will buy within 2 weeks, one or the other. it will be a dual arch with winch, with enclosed cab and heat. preferably 24.5x32 tires.
in favor of the timberjack, is the cummins. cummins engines are a dime a dozen.
in favor of the john deere is a local dealer.
i have been told that the john deere has stronger axles, and open but lockable front diff (big plus over limited slip or locked only front end). and obviously timberjacks are no longer made.
i know i have openned a potentially huge can of worms, but???

[MDP]

Both, good machines, maybe go with the one with least amount of hours on it, or if you know the history of either which was better taken care of, does one need more fixing than the other? What about price is one less expensive than the other. Another thing does the Deere have direct drive with a clutch or torque converter. Those direct drives can be a pain on steep ground. Either way I think you'll get a good machine.


Mark

[adirondack harvester]

Don't forget that Timberjack was bought by Deere so the local JD dealer should service Timberjack.

[palogger]

I've run older models of both machines.  Both are very good machines.  I am partial to the timberjack now though.  Only because parts for these older models are so much cheaper.   

[barbender]

I don't know about Cummins engines being a dime a dozen, but they are good motors. But John Deere diesels are really good mills too.  I don't know which would be cheaper to rebuild, probably the cummins, but not by much.

[a old timberjack]

 i know i run old iron , but what i like about the tj's is they are much easier to work on, ( wich is my opinion ) especially the models with a standerd tranny......Brandon

[J_T]

In the older iroin I had a J D 440 I think It was a bear to work on good as long as it didn't break  ??? I now have an old TJ and it is simpler and easeyer to work on also Franklins seem to be good too. I like the cummmins motors they are tough . My TJ has a detroit in it . My 2 cents

[David_c]

Both are good machines. Go with which ever one is in better shape. Like was said Deere owns TJ so still use local dealer.