Author Topic: Cat or JD skidder? (Read 3684 times)

PA_LOGGER · « **on:** March 01, 2009, 10:45:12 pm »

well my boss is looking at buying a new skidder and cant deside on a Cat or JD skidder we got a Cat 541 Feller and we love it, but we cant deside if we want a Cat 525c grapple or a JD 648h does anyone have experience with these two machines?

John Woodworth · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2009, 11:45:33 pm »

Either one will do you fine, Cat has heavier planetaries plus your paying for the name but are a yarding fool. The one thing I didn't like about the cat I ran was the Esco grapples, too narrow a gripping face and are really misserable when the sap is running, I ended welding chain links around the inside face and then cutting the links half off to create teeth to hold the logs, have never worked with the JD grapple the others who have can help you there, I feel that it is probably a better grapple.

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2009, 04:51:01 am »

The grapple on the CATs seem smaller by far. I think the John Deere grapple is far better. Bigger, built more rugged, and it will really clamp the wood. I think the John Deere skidder also has more gears, allowing you to be more flexible with your speed and torque while under a heavy load.

PA_LOGGER · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2009, 08:04:54 am »

hmm kind of a mixed review. is there a big difference between the cat 525 to the cat 535 from what i see its just HP or am i wrong. I think were going to test out both models and see what they got.

timberfaller390 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2009, 08:11:33 am »

The Deere will keep running long after the kitty CAT is asleep on the porch.

PA_LOGGER · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2009, 08:38:03 am »

Quote from: timberfaller390 on March 02, 2009, 08:11:33 am

The Deere will keep running long after the kitty CAT is asleep on the porch.

is this from personal experience or you just dont like Cat? thats a big thing to say if its not true.

timberfaller390 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2009, 09:07:14 am »

Ran deere all my life. Don't have anything personal against CAT, my girlfriends dad was the area rep for CAT forestry and I saw way more CAT's in the shop than I have Deeres in my life

beenthere · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2009, 09:55:32 am »

Maybe the CAT is sleeping, 'cause the work is all done. ??

Just like the slogan "Nothing runs like a Deere" can be taken two ways....

But...to each, their own. Talking up (or down) two brands of equipment is the Ford/Chevy argument or the Stihl/Husqvarna argument, or the WM/Baker, or the Lucas/Peterson. They all are good equipment and won't run good without good operators, or....they will run great and long with good operators.

Ron Scott · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2009, 11:06:34 am »

Both are good machines from what I know and seen of them. A lot depends upon how they are or have been treated. Like chainsaws, always consider having a good reliable dealership nearby that can take care of any servicwe and parts need that you have in a timely manner.

PA_LOGGER · « **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2009, 11:19:30 am »

Thanks everyone for the quick replys I talked to the boss man and he said were going to test the cat first so cant wait to try her out.

dsgsr · « **Reply #10 on:** March 02, 2009, 06:22:56 pm »

PA_LOGGER , Your boss must be optimistic about the Logging industry too be out buying a new machine?

David

thompsontimber · « **Reply #11 on:** March 02, 2009, 06:57:19 pm »

I too find it suprising to see that folks are in the market for new logging equipment....I know where there is plenty of good equipment for sale. Just stop by any logging site in this area and they will put you in business quick

As for the question, I have ran crews running both, and in my opinion the JD is a superior machine, though both are good machines. I agree with the points brought up about the grapples and see that aspect as a positive for the JD. If you do long skidding on good skid trails, the JD will be faster and the steering is a plus over the slap skid steer of the Cat. At higher speeds, the cat can be real jerky if you are bouncing along with a grip on the wheel. Perhaps they have improved the hydraulic over-ride with the steering in recent years, but in the past you weren't able to operate a dual arch very well pulling yourself out of a hole with the Cats. If you try to jack yourself out with the arch, you cannot steer. If you steer, the arch won't work. You can still come out of a hole and utilize the dual arch to its fullest with the JD. As for differences in the 525 and 535, there was quite a difference back in 2002 when we tried out the 525, 535, and 545. The 535 was the best of the bunch, plenty strong and fast and would sure outpull the 525. The 545 was a big heavy machine and ran as such. It wouldn't tackle the slopes with the 535 and felt really bulky when operating it, didn't feel nimble on the ground at all. All three were too fast in low gear. When pushing brush, to get the horses turning and kick in the torque converter in first gear, you were sailing along and plowing up stumps. At any lower speed, you didn't have the power. Those are some of the faults I found with the Cat skidders that aren't issues with the JD. Again, both options are good skidders, but if I had a choice I'd go with the 648 over the 525.

PAFaller · « **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2009, 07:06:29 pm »

Hey, PALogger, where are you at in PA? I may know of some outfits that have both Deeres and Cat and you can talk to the owner and see which ones they like. As for me, I am cutting in front of a 515 cable machine. Its a great machine for a cable skidder, starts every day and runs like a top with over 10000 hours. However, with limited dealer support and no competition in this area, dont ever break down with one. For instance, front wheel seal requires the whole axle come out from under the machine. If you dont have a shop that can handle equipment that size on your own and you bring it to the dealer its an $8400 fix. Dont ask me how we know. Not sure what it would be on a new Deere rig, but the older G series deeres were pretty wrench friendly, i would imagine the new ones are as well.

PA_LOGGER · « **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2009, 07:25:00 pm »

Im up in northeast PA. Thank you for finally saying about the 525 to the 535 Ive aslo read somewhere that the 535 is the best out of there 3, but wasnt real sure.

spencerhenry · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2009, 09:15:50 am »

continuous rotation grapple on the JD

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2009, 05:02:00 pm »

^^^ ;)Thats the selling point for me.

logger444 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2009, 11:42:29 pm »

I have heard for years that a cat is a wolf. Cat skidders wolf down the fuel while a deere nibbles on it. Deere is supposed to be the best, then cummins, then cat.

Maineloggerkid · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2009, 06:37:17 am »

When I ran grapple skidder, I used a 648GIII, and I went thru about 25-30 gallons in a 12 hour day. I don't know aobut the other skidders, so I can't make a comparison.

Dale Hatfield · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2009, 12:17:01 pm »

I have had a bad run of luck with brand new cat equip. Leased new skidder it ate hydraulic pumps. Rented for the weekend brand new wheel loader fuelline fell off inside of tank ran it out of fuel. Worked 2 new Skid steers to have them consume 3 hydraulic pumps in 4 months. After all that I wont rent buy use or barrow a Cat.

John Woodworth · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2009, 10:47:17 pm »

Is Cat getting it's parts from China now?

News:

Author Topic: Cat or JD skidder? (Read 3684 times)