New Toy

[redprospector]

I took delivery of this little jewel this morning.

I got tired of yelling "Bonzi", and bailing off places my little rubber tired skidder was never intended to go so I bit the bullet and bought a minarature dozer to pull the minature logs I cut as a thinning contractor.
I'd like to put a winch on it, but haven't been able to find one around here to fit it. Has anyone used a MileMarker (or similar) hydraulic winch on one of these? Are they going to be too slow to be productive?

Andy

 

[stikine]

I'd like to put a winch on it, but haven't been able to find one around here to fit it. Has anyone used a MileMarker (or similar) hydraulic winch on one of these? Are they going to be too slow to be productive?

Andy

Looks nice Andy! Can't offer any advice on the winch options. Is that big enough to use on fires down in your neck of the woods...the tilt blade is a plus?

 

[redprospector]

I saw one on the Scott Able fire in 2000, but it was just wandering around.
I hadn't thought about fires......yet.

Andy

 

[Joe46]

That 450 would be REALLY sweet with a winch and a arch.Try looking at places that part out equip and see what you can find. May still be more money than what you want to invest?

 

[stikine]

I saw one on the Scott Able fire in 2000, but it was just wandering around.
I hadn't thought about fires......yet.

Andy

It was probably still getting paid it's daily rate...hint, hint. I'd look into getting on the available equipment list.

 

[Oldtimer]

Found this arch...but no winch...

John Deere Dozer Log Arch and Winch Fairleads

 

[Oldtimer]

This is in Vermont...I don't know what shipping would be, but I know it's a real fair price for the winch...if it will interchange between the 350 and 450. I think it does.

John Deere winch

 

[redprospector]

This is in Vermont...I don't know what shipping would be, but I know it's a real fair price for the winch...if it will interchange between the 350 and 450. I think it does.

John Deere winch

Thanks Oldtimer,
I saw those arches before I bought the 450, but the winches are few & far between. I will be checking into shipping cost on this one, I'm pretty sure it will fit.

Andy

 

[redprospector]

It was probably still getting paid it's daily rate...hint, hint. I'd look into getting on the available equipment list.

Yep, he was. I'll give our contracting officer a call and see if he'd like to have it available. Couldn't hurt.

Andy

 

[ShaneLogs]

Nice "toy" you got there! Maybe you could get one of those winches like they use on the back of tractors to skid with. You could modify it so it would fit on your dozer.

 

[tramp bushler]

Very nice lioking dozer . That winch and one of thise arches would be slick . Youd be Loggin Now .!

 

[redprospector]

Very nice lioking dozer . That winch and one of thise arches would be slick . Youd be Loggin Now .!

Hahaha. maybe, if they'd let us cut any timber. I think they'd rather just let it burn.

Andy

 

[KYLogger]

I found a nice 450 E here locally complete with a winch I think I am going to pick up. Alot of guys around here in the mtns. of E. Ky use little 450s and 550s with winches to compliment their skidders. I guess I am going to go full steam ahead with this deal dozer, skidder......the works. No more tractor winch logging for me on nights and weekends! I am really nervous though, quitting my pipeline job and going from part time logging to supplement my income to full blown working for myself hoping I make enough to support my family again.............I currently have one job I am working on that outta turn about 35-40k gross (my share) and some contract logging for a buddy of mine who is swamped right now. If I can get one or two more jobs under contract I am going full steam ahead.

Tom

 

[redprospector]

I found a nice 450 E here locally complete with a winch I think I am going to pick up. Alot of guys around here in the mtns. of E. Ky use little 450s and 550s with winches to compliment their skidders. I guess I am going to go full steam ahead with this deal dozer, skidder......the works. No more tractor winch logging for me on nights and weekends! I am really nervous though, quitting my pipeline job and going from part time logging to supplement my income to full blown working for myself hoping I make enough to support my family again.............I currently have one job I am working on that outta turn about 35-40k gross (my share) and some contract logging for a buddy of mine who is swamped right now. If I can get one or two more jobs under contract I am going full steam ahead.

Tom

Tom,
I wouldn't want to discourage you in any way, and I don't know what the situation with logging is there. But I just want to make sure that you know that if you borrow money for the dozer and skidder..."the works", that "full steam ahead" is all you're going to know for a long long time. It won't be your share, it will be your's & the banks share.

Ok, now that I know that you're walking into this with both eyes open......proceed with caution.

Andy

 

[KYLogger]

I appreciate the concern and words of wisdom. The dozer I found I can pick up for $11,000 good U/C and motor sounds good, not sure about the winch yet. The skidder I can score for $7,000 but the winch needs a little bit of work. I am pretty mechanically inclined and can do pretty much all the repairs myself (that and my father in law owns an excavating co. and has an amazing shop and a son who is a genius with a wrench) I am in the position where I can purchase the equipment outright, and I already own the log truck and loader tractor, so no new debt. It's just a matter of making sure I can pay my existing bills:msp_unsure:

Tom

 

[tramp bushler]

Wow , a 450 TJ for 7 k .
Thats awesome .
Sounds like your well set . What are you doin the fallin with . . Select or clear cut ??

 

[KYLogger]

Currently have a 361 and a 440 Mag(lightly modded) that I use. Next month I think I am gonna try to purchase a 460 (hint, hint to anybody that has one!) We recently (well in March) had a tornado flatten ALOT of timber so its a get all you can out of it deal on the jobs I currently have. Then there are the people who are worried about losing value on their standing timber in case of another twister, you know; GO INTO PANIC MODE, so that would be more selective cutting unless they say get it all. But I am really only limited to saw log size stuff as my International 4900 can only haul 10-12 tons and pulp is bringing $23 a ton soooooo.......I am losing money on that end but if I am bored or its raining I guess I ain't above making a couple hundred extra....Now that I have the little dozer in my head pouring the coal out, and am typing as I think it might be worth it to haul in a little load of pulp every now and then too pay for fuel, dinner with the wife or a new pair of boots......hmmmm.........

Sorry my mind attempts to go 100mph,

Tom

 

[Tzed250]

Nice 450! The 450-550-650 are the standard skidding machines in this area.