skidding alternatives

[wmthrower]

I've seen a few pictures showing some of you guys using tractors to move your logs around. Is there any particular setups that you prefer? I've only ever seen the Norse winches so any other types would be new to me.
How about horses? Anyone out there still use horses to log with?

Just curious.


wmthrower

 

[Gypo Logger]

In my opinion I would forget about horses for logging unless it is a labour of love or the woodlot owner prefers it over iron, because of some real or imagined environmental leaf kissing mentality.
Iron feels no pain, horses bolt and are very insecure, and are high maintanance, however it can be done and stihl is today, but it's really just some romantic thing from the past I believe.

 

[Ryan Willock]

For mountainous terrain I prefer to use my JD 5210, its more stable than my new holland and has more power (although the new holland has sufficant power and more than enough on flat or hilly ground) . The 5210 has 53 net horse power and 48 on the PTO. Both are equiped with four wheel drive which is essental. For loading and decking logs I have forks on the JD and a grapel bucket on the New Holland. The winch is an Igland model 4001 and it works on both tractors.:angel:

 

[Ryan Willock]

another

 

[Ryan Willock]

Here's one of the New holland.

 

[StIhL MaGnUm]

Iron did someone say Iron If your looking to be productive you have to use equipment..If your a landowner who just so happens to have some horeses then by all means try it and see what you think..I'll stick with my 77 horses..

Rob.

 

[StIhL MaGnUm]

forgot the pic

 

[chainsawworld]

three point hitch cable and archway systems for the back of tractors seem to work well. four wheel drive tractors add frontend weight and turn better. i recently put together a New Holland TL90 and a Farmi JL601 for the state. due to some back stabbing i was not able to train anyone in its use and it is being abused but it is a nice combination. handles small hills well and little impact in the forest. marty

 

[Bill G]

Gypo,

I realize you guys in Canada think you are better than those of us in the US but posting a picture of and English tractor is a real slap in the face. Unless I have had a few too many 12 ouncers tonight that looks like a David Brown 1210 or possibly 990. I should not knock you to much though because both Ryan's Deere and his New Holland are both made outside the US. Well come to think of it what the he"" am I saying so are most of my saws.


As for horses they cannot climb the hills and cliffs here and ours are small compared to others.


Just my random observations.

Bill

 

[wmthrower]

Gypo, Bill G. ever used tractors for skidding? And if so, what types of winches did you use on the back?
Just trying to get some ideas. I heard of land owners who only let small equipment or horses for logging because they are picky about their property.

 

[Gypo Logger]

In the 80's I had a Ford 5610 FWD, with a frey loader and Norse logging winch. It will do the work of a skidder, but isnt as tough obviously. A skidder is like a moose, while a tractor is like a deer.
I payed for the 5610 in four years by doing firewood.
Now I own a Kubota 4950 FWD with the same Norse winch.
John

 

[jokers]

Hey John, how does your Kubota compare to the Ford? Is it just as durable or better? I`ve heard good things about the Kubotas but currently have a Ford.

Have you used any brands of tractor winch? I was wondering how the Norse compares to the Farmi or Tajfun. Farmis are very popular around here but it might only be availability since the distributor is only about 50 miles away.

Russ

 

[bwalker]

Russ, I do not know anything about Fords except the old 9n style ones, but Kubotas are really good tractors. I have been eyeing one up for several years and have used one quit a bit on a friends farm.

 

[John Ellison]

Hay, dont knock animal traction. I have logged for the last five years with a team of mules. Most loggers probably wouldnt enjoy it but there is hardly anything I would rather do. I mainly do small jobs that equipment loggers dont want.
When trying to decide between a team of mules and a mechanical skidder for your logging wheapon of choise, ask yourself which one has dual airbags, remote control (occasionally) fuzzy seatcovers, 0 degree turning radius, and an onboard fertilizer spreader.
Check out the WorkHorse forum.
Is there really a Llama Logger on here?
John Ellison

 

[chainsawworld]

if you really want to see something. timberjack has a machice that has legs and walks in the woods. i was impressed. marty

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Russ, I think the Kubota is the better tractor, the Ford has good axles though. The trick is that the tractors are for agriculture, but can be made to work the woods productively as you know. Norse may be the best winch, I like the hinged dozer blade. I think Farmi is over priced. I saw a "Pete" winch last week that I liked, about 2000 U.S. for a 32-50 hp tractor.
John

 

[wmthrower]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[Ryan Willock]

John, Norse and Igland are made by the same company. One bought the other out but I can't remember who bought who

 

[RON K.]

I'm considering a small tractor for our landscaping buisness,I'd use it for bush hogging,light skidding,snow removal and other work,it would also need a grapple bucket.I have a Kubota,John Deere and a new Cub Cadet dealer in my area.Which do you think would be the beast brand,model,transmission type and horsepower range I should look for?Thankyou for any help you may give me,Ron K.

 

[Marky Mark]

Kubota L series. I was going to buy a shuttle shift and Babcock talked me out of it Thank God. Kubota is the only machine that doesn't farm out there work. I did however buy a woods backhoe.

Email me if you want to see my machine I live outside of Rockaway NJ [email protected]