Timberjack 208D grapple skidder (w/pics, and now it runs!)

[Sawyerfortyish]

TJ did make a 208 can't tell you how long they produced them I've seen a few around but never one with a grapple.

[Ron Scott]

The Timberjack 208D was a cable skidder only as far as I know, though they have been known to make an occasional "hybrid" by special order or experimental. 

[Dave Shepard]

Thanks everyone. This machine was originally owned by a utility company, so a special order seems likely. The 208 G-S model designation suggests grapple skidder to me.


Dave

[Dave Shepard]

It warmed up a little the last couple of days. I have been needing to drain the transfer case of water, but I couldn't figure out how to do it with all the gunk frozen in the bottom of the skid pan. So, I pulle the case right out of the machine. Probably a good thing, as I need to work on the hydraulic brake, and there appear to be some leaks. I'll probably end up taking the whole thing apart, inspeciting it, and gettting it sealed up good again. I have the rear axle tube ready to be dropped down. We may have found the parts, but if the guy doesn't have them, we are probably going to get another entire axle. Either way, it will be easier to rebuild this unit off the machine, and slide it back under when it is fixed.




Dave

[Ed_K]

 What brand is the trans case? I rebuilt my cotta trans case, new bearings and seals for around $400. then the fuller transmission lost 2nd, that was total rebuild by Rodger Ramond in Bernardston Ma. for $1250.  .

[Dave Shepard]

The only tag I have seen so far is a Timberjack tag, with serial number and part number. As far as I know, the case is in working order, but it does seem to be leaking, the oil is going out, and the water is getting in. I still haven't figured out the mystery lever yet. Anyone know if a 208 has high and low range?


Dave

[MaineLogger]

Hi Dave!Yes the transfer should have high range(for roading)neutral(for winching)and low range(for skidding).I have parts manuals and repair manuals for all Timberjack's up to 1989.Do you have the serial#?

[thecfarm]

Welcome to the forum MaineLogger.Midcoast area?Brunswick-Topsom area?

[Dave Shepard]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, MaineLogger!


My machine's tag says it is a 208G-S model, serial 788,682, unit 0576. Thanks for the help.


Dave

[MaineLogger]

Welcome to the forum MaineLogger.Midcoast area?Brunswick-Topsom area?

Thanks!Actually to the east a little bit,I live in Cushing,it borders Thomaston,Warren,Friendship.

[MaineLogger]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, MaineLogger!


My machine's tag says it is a 208G-S model, serial 788,682, unit 0576. Thanks for the help.


Dave

Thanks Dave!
 Sometimes the first two #'s in the serial will tell you the year,the 78 might mean 1978 which looks about right to me.
 
The machine is definetly a factory "hybrid" of sorts but everything on that machine is common and easy to find parts for and cheap compared to other brand machines.

 A good place to find Timberjack parts is Harold's Logging in Hampden Me.(207)942-8331 or Davco in Farmington Me.(207)778-9060.

 Could you take some more pictures of the controls, transmission and center pins?

[Dave Shepard]

I'll take some this morning, and have them up sometime in the evening. Thanks for the help.


Dave

[Dave Shepard]

Here are the pictures of the controls, MaineLogger.

The dash board showing gauges, steering lever, blade lever and winch control:



The shifters. The top one, with black knob, goes to the transmission, the bottom black knob goes to transfer case (H,N,L ?) the middle one without knob goes to bellhousing, and the vertical one is parking brake.



This is a shot of the lever that goes to the bell housing, a reverser maybe? The rod is just a tad to the right of center, and running vertically.



These are the grapple controls, just to the right of the seat. The hydrualic lines run all over the place, so they have either been replaced, or had nowhere to be routed under the tunnel.




Dave

[a old timberjack]

dave, i can answer your question about the levers. yes, it is obvious . it is a stright 4 speed . thal lever to the side of your tranny is a reverser it has reverse in all 4 gears. parking brake, pretty simple, that little swivel knob on top is the p-brake adjuster ( if it is not froze ) last, the lever in the middle is going stright down is hi and low on the transfer case. all the way forward is hi and back 1 notch is neautral and all the way back is low. when you use your winch, the t-case must be in neautral and your tranny gears determans your winch speeds. i use 2nd when winching,...Brandon

[Dave Shepard]

That's cool, a multi speed winch! I have a Farmi, and I like the speed, it will be handy to be able to tailor the speed to the load. The p brake adjust works, it even has a new cable. Anyone know what brand and or model of winch this might have had? I would like to get a winch back on it, if it will fit in between the grapple frames. I don't know if the winch was removed to put the grapple on or not, I think they were both on together at some point.

Update on the rearend parts: talked to the mechanic who took it apart, and he said the last owner vamoosed with them. Have to start calling around for another axle.


Dave

[a old timberjack]

dave, you should check 2 things when you get a rear. 1st take off the yoke going to the front end and on the end of the pinion shaft ( behind the big nut on the pinion shaft) in small print, it is stamped in , you mite have to clean it with break clean to read it is the ratio .......verry very critical. whatever you get for the back has to be the same.also somewhere on the front end should be a tag on top of the pumpkin or on the back mite be a tag. you have to determin what brand it is a eaton or rockwell. if you are not sure take a pic of the front tire and make sure we can see the hub in the center of the lugnuts ( just by looking at the planetery cover from the side we can tell you what you have )

[Dave Shepard]

Here is a shot of the front hub. I'll have to poke around to try and find the front ratio. I hope they are fairly standard. I know where there is an old Trojan loader with this type of axle, but I have no idea if the ratio, and width is the same. Thanks.




Dave

[MaineLogger]

That's cool, a multi speed winch! I have a Farmi, and I like the speed, it will be handy to be able to tailor the speed to the load. The p brake adjust works, it even has a new cable. Anyone know what brand and or model of winch this might have had? I would like to get a winch back on it, if it will fit in between the grapple frames. I don't know if the winch was removed to put the grapple on or not, I think they were both on together at some point.

Update on the rearend parts: talked to the mechanic who took it apart, and he said the last owner vamoosed with them. Have to start calling around for another axle.


Dave

Your skidder had a Eaton(Hercules) winch.

[MaineLogger]

Here is a shot of the front hub. I'll have to poke around to try and find the front ratio. I hope they are fairly standard. I know where there is an old Trojan loader with this type of axle, but I have no idea if the ratio, and width is the same. Thanks.

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)


Dave

I'm not familiar with this type of planetary.My guess is Rockwell or Clark.?Like Brandon said we'll need to look at the #'s or tag on the axle housing itself.

[amberwood]

Dave
I have a 205HR, and manuals covering 201-200-205-207-209-217-230. They all seem to use the same Rockewell 5-39, 7.8:1 ratio axle. It looks just like yours.

DTR