Small Skidder

[FayettesFinest]

Is there a skidder small enough to be pulled with a diesel pickup? I'm even open to a small dozer such as a D2 CAT. I've got decent equipment trailers and a F250. I saw someone mention hauling a JD440 with a pickup, but I imagine they meant a newer style truck with heavier brakes. I'm in the process of getting my CDLs, so if I'm "looking for a unicorn" so to speak, I'm not too worried about it. I just don't want to deal with a big truck if I don't have too...

 

[fordf150]

I looked at this same problem awhile back. 440 sized skidder could be pulled by a 3/4 or 1 ton. I've seen quite a few on trailers behind newer 1 tons and they seemed to have plenty of power for it. I used to pull a Allis HD4 dozer, deere 350 track loader, case 580ck hoe, and a 310 deere hoe behind my 05 f350 diesel dump truck without any problems and those units weighed 10-14k pounds I think. If I remember right a 440 is 12-16k depending on options, exact model, and tires loaded or not. We pulled a 540 skidder with a 2001 F250 diesel once. Thank goodness we only had to go a few miles. Not near enough power or brakes for that load

 

[TimberMcPherson]

yeah but it your going to find it hard to find one, sorry about late to find post

mine

 

[nk14zp]

A gooseneck trailer would be better than a bumper pull fer a 440.

 

[fordf150]

A gooseneck trailer would be better than a bumper pull fer a 440.

i will go a step further and say mandatory unless you have a flatbed/dump truck that the axle is back at the end of the frame rails.

Look into a a deere 340 skidder. lighter machine but it is a unicorn in the skidder world. never seen one but always thought they would be perfect for thinning or a small scale firewood operation.

 

[Chris_In_VT]

i will go a step further and say mandatory unless you have a flatbed/dump truck that the axle is back at the end of the frame rails.

Look into a a deere 340 skidder. lighter machine but it is a unicorn in the skidder world. never seen one but always thought they would be perfect for thinning or a small scale firewood operation.

The 340 is the same size as a 440c\d, it just has a non turbo engine and the blade was optional. Think they were only made for two years in the 80's.
I know two guys who have 340d's around here.

 

[fordf150]

I knew they were less power but also thought they were a couple thousand pounds lighter.

 

[fordf150]

I knew they were less power but also thought they were a couple thousand pounds lighter.

 

[Chris_In_VT]

From the guy I know who owns a 340d- same frame structure a a 440c, 70hp non turbo, hydraulic handbrake vs cable on the 440c, and says it weighs 13,500lbs.

JD lists specs for the 440d at 15,000lbs and the 440c at 14,100ish.

Not sure where the weight loss comes from. Engine components can't e that much? Maybe smaller fenders or something.

440's seem to be made of gold, or totally whipped. At least in my area where a lot of guys still run them every day.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

14,000lbs isnt too bad. I wouldn't fret about towing it with a pickup provided the trailer was decent. I'm guessing the 440 is under 8ft 6in?
That's one PITA we have with moving the 648s, have to pilot car and permit the haul because of the width.

Rhino tractors used to make a small skidder with a 30 ish hp diesel, was around 8000lbs. The shop here sold a bunch of them years back (90s). I'd have to dig up some pics one day.

 

[fordf150]

Same thing here. You can buy a decent 540 for same money. 440 were run by everybody but the last 10-15 years have put all the little guys out of business. All that is left is bigger outfits and they run 540 or similar sized machines. Step dad used to log with a 440, 450H, 350 track loader with log arch. He sold everything a few years back.