Gafner Iron Mule automatic???

[starmac]

Looks like an ideal piece of equipment for a small operation, at least in some circumstances.

I have never had the opurtunity to be around any forwarder at all and have some questions.

On these small ones, how well do they handle rough and step ground compared to a skidder?
One one that size, how long of logs, can it easily haul out.
Just looking at it, I assume one could easily load the logs straight from it to a truck, is this so.

Just thinking something like that would be the berrys here for firewood and sawlogs for my mill, for a small operation.
The downside is it would be of no use for saw logs that are sold to the mill here.

[ilog4u2]

I have used my mule as the only machine on quit a few jobs. I put a short piece of chain with a 1/2" hook shackled the rear so I use a choker to skid logs off of side hills or if I can't get beside them. I also cut 1/2" slots on both sides of the front blade for skidding trees down to flat areas. It will go anywhere a skidder will go just not as fast. Only problem is it swivels as well as articulates and sometimes the stakes hang up on trees in uneven / steep ground. Very handy for sorting on the landing and works great around the firewood processor keeping the deck loaded and wood facing the right direction.

[starmac]

Articulating and hanging on trees would be a non issue the way logging is done here, at least most of the time.

Have you ever used it to load a truck with, and how long of logs can you haul with it?

[ilog4u2]

I seldom cut any logs over 12'. Sometimes firewood up to 16' and hauls it no problem. Loaded many a dump trailer with it but never a full height log truck. It's possible but these are fairly short booms with about half the lifting capacity of a self loading log truck. 

[Cub]

Looks like a 5001f. But I'm sure I'm wrong. Where's your hydro tank? Do you have 2 pedals? 1 for forward 1 for reverse?

[Firewoodjoe]

According to my book there two booms offered. The boom on this one was either the 5500 or the 5550. Then the book says two transmission. The 3 speed only offered in the 5050 and the 5550 so it should be a 5550. And yes it does have rear controls. Didn't see if they function properly.

[Firewoodjoe]

Cub there are no foot pedals it's on the dash. F N R and 123 just a gas a brake.

[starmac]

I seldom cut any logs over 12'. Sometimes firewood up to 16' and hauls it no problem. Loaded many a dump trailer with it but never a full height log truck. It's possible but these are fairly short booms with about half the lifting capacity of a self loading log truck.

When you say half the lifting capabilities, are you talking height, weight or both. the height I could work around, but I would have to be able to lift as much as a 40 in log. really would need to be able to handle at least a 20 foot log, 24 ft would be ideal, so probably would not work for me after all.
I think it would be the berries if it would.

[Firewoodjoe]

That's why most every mule has a broken boom. They were built for short wood. Buy a knuckleboom for long logs/tree length.

[thecfarm]

I have never see a mule in this area. But if I do,the brakes will be applied and if I have to back up to check it out and get my nice shoes muddy I will!!!! They do look kinda awkward,but I could use one. I only play on mine land now.

[mike_belben]

Just think how deliberately you could position your boulders with it.   :laugh:

[starmac]

That's why most every mule has a broken boom. They were built for short wood. Buy a knuckleboom for long logs/tree length.

Yea, probably not what I could use, and that is a shame, as it could take the place of a skidder and a loader, if it would. Plus in some places allow you to work in the summer without getting the wood full of dirt.
@4 foot is short wood here, the mill will only take very limited amounts of it at all, and dock you 20% for what they do take, if you are trying to sell to the mill. They will not take a stick under 16 at all.

[Cub]

Yes firewoodjoe that sounds abiut right. Once you get it home get the serial number off from it. Call Roland machine in escanaba mi where they were all built. They should be able to tell you model and year.  Yes mules were made mostly for 100" pulping and 104 hardwood verneer and saw logs. Although a guy can haul 8,10 and even 12 or longer on them if they are smaller logs. They really don't have strong loaders on them. And long stuff really beats the center pins up. 

[Corley5]

I loaded some BIG logs on my Mule by picking them up one end at a time.  Hauled some twenty foot long stuff by putting them on the bottom and stacking 100" on top to hold them down.  Guys used to load trucks with them around here.

[thecfarm]

Just think how deliberately you could position your boulders with it.   :laugh:

And haul more than one at a time.  ;D
But I do remember checking out a forwarder trailer. Some guy was checking it out to build stone walls with it. He could haul the rocks on it and put them a certain way.

[mad murdock]

Like Corley states, we used to haul some long stuff from time to thine the exact same way, one end at a time with some bolt wood or pulp on  top. Would not do too much though was real easy to overload it doing that. Was hard on planetaries with consistent overloading. We loaded pulp trailers and box bolt wood all the time with our 4501.