tree farmer good and bad

[ga jones]

MOst of the c 4s Ive seen have pr52 rockwell axles front and rear. They are very light. I would not pull 5 16" tree lenght hemlock If i had that in the rear with 18.4x34 rubber.Ive broken the spindle off A pr 67 pulling like that the 52 is much lighter.The 52s are easy to pick out. You can see the brass pins that hold the sun gears. There is no cover plate on the end of the axle.(The planitary housing).And if theres gear oil seeping out of them the pins are shot.............I personaly would favor a tree farmer over just about anything. I do like 230 240 jacks but they have some short falls of there own.

[ga jones]

I may be just nit picking on the jacks but there brake set up is bad theres no belly pan.You have to pull the engine to freshen it.The hydraulic lines are rubber hose routed through the frame. (metric).(overall a bit harder to work on But nowhere near as bad as a deere!!!!!!!)

[Mark K]

I think they all have there shortfalls. I ran a 225 TJ for years. None of my hoses were metric. Never had any real problems with brakes either as long as you keep up on maintinence. I liked the one step to get into the cab. You have to pull the engine on my C7D to overhaul it too. As far as working on I liked my TJ better. I replaced the clutch a mile back in the woods in a couple hours with a come along and a set of wrenchs. It was so simple to work on. I pulled a tranny on a 440D a while back and agree with ya. It was a nightmare compaired to a TF or TJ.

[ga jones]

Yes the one step is great.And the low center of gravity. There great on steep grades. the one I changed a metric line in is a 1986 230. The return from the tank. It was a Pain.The metric line was easy to get But we dont have metric wrenches tha big..I do like the 200 series better than the tree farmers.It seems The tree farmers are a bit less expensive.

[Mark K]

Mine was close to 20 years older than that :D. Didnt have any metric on it. I almost bought a C4 when I bought my first skidder. It had the 172 gas with 18.4-26's on it. It was a neat little machine but needed alot of work to put it in the woods. I bought my TJ for a little more money and it was woods ready. I've been looking for another small machine for a project.

[Okrafarmer]

The Tree Farmers use a steering wheel, right? I've never driven a skidder yet, but looked at a few, and I don't like the TJ lever steering, especially since on the ones I was looking at, the lever moved fore and aft, rather than left and right. I guess you can get used to anything, but I prefer for things to be intuitive.

[DDDfarmer]

my c5c  uses a lever side to side.  in the bush its fine but higher speeds down the road be fun

[Okrafarmer]

my c5c  uses a lever side to side.  in the bush its fine but higher speeds down the road be fun

Ha. I can understand that.

[mad murdock]

Lever.  The 1980's Franklins, have a wheel as well as JD, and the Gafner (Iron Mules) I have run in the woods.

[logman81]

I think most of the older TF's are lever steer I'm used to it though because that is what my p bone has. If any of you want to see the TF I like go to Mass cl and scroll down to the one in hudson falls, I think sept 15. I'm thinking I might have to take my p bone to auction? Not getting a whole lot serious buyers and I really don't want to keep it.

[logman81]

It's sept 5 not 15. :D

[ga jones]

looks like the rockwell pr 52 axles front and rear. model 9 winch maybe. looks good in pics. I cant tell if tires are forestry or tractor tires by the pic. light. dont think id be pulling big turns with it. Same as mine but newer. beefer front blade.size wise its exactly the same. Mine is 8 inches taller with 18.4x34s.I think mine is considerd a pulpwood special.(tall tires bigger rear axle). I think lumberjack 48 knows about those small axles with big rubber.

[lumberjack48]

Its a nice looking machine, i used a model 9 gearmatic winch many yrs, there a good winch. It will handle a cord behind it in second gear low range no problem.
A set of rings on the front are a must on this machine. If you notice this machine is a little longer then the older standard C4. I ran a 1967 C4, it was longer then my 68. It had the Perkins diesel in it, the longer machine pulled better and smoother riding.

The thing i don't like is when they call it a firewood machine. It is a very productive logging skidder, i ran a 3 man crew, skidder drive, feller, landing man, using a C4 gas, we pulled 500 to a 1000 cords a month depending on the timber. I personally could put just as much wood on the landing with a C4 as my C5, you have to know how to work your machine. [ load light and run like a scared dog ]  8)

ga jones if you went with 18.4x26s your machine would be happier and so would you,  just my experience running 18.4 x 34s many yrs.

[ga jones]

I figure you are right. my machine is VERY unstable. Ive been watching for 18.4 26 rims and tires. need a good price or Ill just buy another machine. I do like the super high ground clearance.I limb my hemlock with the tires on the skidder. I can straddle 2 footers. but other than that i dont like the tall rubber.Ive watched your posts on tree farmers and appreciate your input.

[ga jones]

By the way how much is a cord behind the machine? around here everything is measured by the load (triaxle load).3800 feet of hard wood 4000 feet of soft.scribner rule.about 22 tons. We dont do anything in cords.

[lumberjack48]

About 500 ft or 4800 lbs, i could tell real close by the size of the trees how many it would take to make a cord.

[logman81]

Yes I also like the look of it. All the sheet metal seems nice and straight. Not sure what tires those are but nice and new. This the type of machine I would rathet have. Seems it is well taken care of, not to sure on the price though!

[ga jones]

if its as good as the pics its a good price. I wouldnt part with mine for less than 10,000

[logman81]

I think the price is fair if it works good. Now if I can ever get mine sold.

[lumberjack48]

logman81 tires, chains and spare tire, $5,500. were paying about $4,000. for the skidder. I think its a steal at that price, i just hope its not like most women. They can sure look good, but when you say i do they fall apart.
NO, i think it would be a good skidder.

[beenthere]

but when you say i do they fall apart.

I'm a bit surprised that you would say that..... :

[lumberjack48]

beenthere i didn't learn the first time, i said it again. These are two little words that can make you or break you.

[logman81]

Sounds good to me lumberjack48 thats the perfect machine for me. Should have held out and bought a tf instead of the p bone. Lesson learnd, my machine is good just over kill for what I do.

[ga jones]

lumberjack 48.I found a set of 18.4x26 rims for 1300 all 4.used. should be here in a couple days..Got some tires from a buddy. not much tread but will hold chains. till i decide whether to buy 2 or 4.Working side hill now.cant wait to see how much more stable the machine is.Looked up the specs There 8 inches lower.Thats alot...

[Okrafarmer]

Just remember, your height difference is only half the difference of tire diameter.