forcat 2000

redneck logger · August 08, 2008, 12:34:51 PM

hi every one today my hudson catologe came and my eye got cougth on the forcat 2000 and i would like to start my own company at the age of 18 after im done of school so i was thinking of getting a forcat with a log trailer and do selective cutting and looking after privit woodlots so id like to hear what you guys think.

Maineloggerkid · August 08, 2008, 01:35:23 PM

They look like nifty little rigs, but the only problem I see is ground clearance. You would have to have really good trails. I don't know what your terrain is, but I am assuming it is similar to mine. On that note, I have used tractors, bulldozers, skidders, and forwarders, and I think a small to medium skidder is the hottest ticket going.

I don't know the price on those rigs, but I would think that for the same price as the forcat and your trailer, you could have a REALLY nice skidder. If you are on small lots, a 440 or even 340 John Deere would be great.

Like I said, I don't know the exact situation, so this may be better for you than a skidder, and if it is, tell me how they run- I have been intersted in them for some time. If you are willing to put the effort in, you can be a succesful logger. I am 18, I run my own operation.

redneck logger · August 08, 2008, 07:53:35 PM

yes you are very wrigth and terrain and ground clearnce is a problem so i was thinking about a tigercat 604 skidder would be a great machine.

kobelcosk35 · August 08, 2008, 08:04:11 PM

the tiger cats seem like pretty nice machines iv only ever ran my john Deere 440a and thats a really nifty machine in the wood ... that forcat does seem a little weak for power and not a lot of clearance ... and does any one have a pic of a deere 340 skidder i have never seen one but they sound pretty kool

zackman1801 · August 09, 2008, 01:40:15 PM

ive heard alot of people say that the forcat is very underpowered for its size and weight. im unsure of how true these remark are but, all im going to say is ive "heard". But i would say dont fool around with little stuff. if your going to get something to do alot of actual logging then your going to want something designed to do the job well. and a small skidder or even an older used skidder is going to be better for you and give you less frustration in the long run. nothing like have to make 5 trips in the time you can make 1 or 2 with a skidder. another thing that i dont like about those little things is that they dont go incredibly fast. plus for the price of one, its not worth it. ive seen them run around 25K new, and i dont know if you could find one used at all since not to many people run them. so save your money and get a good machine with good power, but if you really want something that can pull a loader trailer get a big tractor, or a dozer and get a trailer to haul behind it you will have more power and more stability not to mention more ground clearance.

redneck logger · August 09, 2008, 01:45:10 PM

yes i was thinking of getting a harveter.2 skidders and 2 log trucks would do me good i think

zackman1801 · August 09, 2008, 11:01:47 PM

wow man thinking big! is bill gates your father? :D
im just kidding but thats going to cost an arm and a leg, especially a harvester.

redneck logger · August 10, 2008, 08:58:43 AM

ya maybe i should cut my list short 1.skidder.1.chainsaw.1.log truck

zackman1801 · August 10, 2008, 11:46:38 AM

if you really think you could get the money for it you could do it, but you also would have to hire people to make working efficient. you really have to know what your doing to keep a company running without offtime and be able to stay afloat during the times of year when its hard to work, like mud season and in the winter. just be carefull.

Maineloggerkid · August 10, 2008, 02:50:17 PM

Start small, work your way up the ladder. By a skidder-pay it off. Buy a buncher- pay it off. And so on. Thats what Im doing rght now. I have my tractor for small lots, and I use my skidder on a regular basis. I hired a guy 2 months ago, and next year, the plan is to hire another, and get another 2 saws if everything goes smooth.

redneck logger · September 15, 2008, 08:39:56 AM

yeah i think i will go with the forcat because i was happy with the videos i saw and im only going to haul 2 to 4 cords out a day so it fits my needs and the price ani't that much.

John Mc · September 15, 2008, 11:42:04 AM

The Forcat 2000 seems to me to be a specialty machine. They can easily get into tight places where larger equipment can't go. They are light enough weight that soil compaction isn't much of an issue, and with the tracks, they distribute that weight quite well. I had a demo on my property last winter. The snow thawed out before the day came. Still pretty heavy and slushy , but the forcat went right through it. I would never have dreamed about trying it on my compact tractor & logging winch... I'd have been leaving huge ruts, and constantly having to "unstick" myself.

I was impressed. Obviously it won't keep up with a big skidder, but it certainly has its place. There is a bit of a demand for them growing around here... smaller landowners, or those concerned about compaction from larger equipment are looking to hire people with this type of equipment for some of the smaller jobs.

The diesel versions supposedly have a lot more power: a bit higher horsepower, and a lot more torque on the low end.

John Mc
(not a logger, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night)

dancan · September 15, 2008, 08:16:31 PM

Finding people/customers and the amount of work around here that will pay the rate that a person needs charge might be a little tough but I do share the same thoughts ( age doesn't matter when you dream ) .

Quote from: zackman1801 on August 09, 2008, 01:40:15 PM
an older used skidder is going to be better for you and give you less frustration in the long run. nothing like have to make 5 trips in the time you can make 1 or 2 with a skidder. another thing that i dont like about those little things is that they dont go incredibly fast. plus for the price of one, its not worth it. ive seen them run around 25K new, , but if you really want something that can pull a loader trailer get a big tractor, or a dozer and get a trailer to haul behind it you will have more power and more stability not to mention more ground clearance.

Quote from: Maineloggerkid on August 10, 2008, 02:50:17 PM
Start small, work your way up the ladder. By a skidder-pay it off. Buy a buncher- pay it off. And so on. Thats what Im doing rght now. I have my tractor for small lots, and I use my skidder on a regular basis. I hired a guy 2 months ago, and next year, the plan is to hire another, and get another 2 saws if everything goes smooth.

Two good pieces of insight/advice .