Author Topic: Making a Bombardier log skidder (Read 18048 times)

Ironwood · « **Reply #40 on:** January 10, 2010, 02:40:48 pm »

I recently saw one in the Truck Trader locally here in SW Pa. about the same $4300-4500.

Ironwood

Copes · « **Reply #41 on:** January 11, 2010, 11:10:53 am »

Well, I spoke to a fellow selling a SW plow yesterday. He pretty much talked me out of it for using in the bush. He said the clearance is 6 inches and gets stuck very easily whether it be snow or mud. I may have to go up and try it out for myself, the problem is, he is an hour and half away. They look like they would be capable but perhaps getting a much bigger tractor and chains would be the answer. I'll have to be patient and continue to learn from your experiences. If he was willing to let it go for a couple thousand I would take the chance but not for 4500. I look forward to your updates Silver.

sprucebunny · « **Reply #42 on:** January 11, 2010, 12:10:04 pm »

The problem isn't the clearance as much as the pounds per square inch (psi)

The SW48 and J5 ( which is 60-64" wide and has 16" wide tracks) both weigh around 5000 pounds which means that in all but the hardest snow, they will sink like a rock and be dragging the belly pan. Your skid trails need to be packed after every storm.

A tractor will have the same problem when unpacked snow gets to be 2-3 feet deep.

Then there is the weight equals traction part : a machine with less psi will lose it's grip sooner on a hill when pulling a load.

There is also a great variability in snow it's self !!

I think SW48s and SW54s are too narrow/tippy to use for skidding. Minimum for me would be a J5 with the winch set low.

I realize that the bigger machines cost more and an SW might seem like a good way to start. Please consider getting a J5 instead which was designed to be a multi-season and multi-surface workhorse. It has wider tracks.

My present set up:

beenthere · « **Reply #43 on:** January 11, 2010, 12:52:49 pm »

SB
The pic is the J5?

Looks like fun.

sprucebunny · « **Reply #44 on:** January 11, 2010, 02:30:34 pm »

BT the pic is a Muskeg. Dual wheels/sprockets in each track. Same parts: differential, wheels etc as SW and J5

rwilliamson · « **Reply #45 on:** January 11, 2010, 07:09:52 pm »

When we bought a J5 in the '70s,the seller recommended driving, unloaded, over fresh snow the day before you wanted to skid.
I would recommend inspecting the crosslinks on the tracks very carefully.Any one that is worn enough to be cracked from side to side,needs to be changed
If you break one or two it isn't a big deal,but I broke about 15 in a row just into a mudhole and the track belts/broken crosslinks pulled down on either side of the back tire.The newly slacken track also allowed the rubber drive sprocket to spin against the track, peeling off a couple of the teeth.
I couldn't move the thing and so spent two weekends groping around in swamp goo.
Fixing it was a pretty good accomplishment for a 14 yr.old.

On ours,a very thin-walled 3/4" socket was required to get at the crosslink nuts.I still have it.
One machine that I saw had 12" pieces of 1 1/2"x1 1/2" angle bolted between the crosslinks and the trackbelts with about 8" sticking out to the outside,I assume for extra flotation.

We did get it high-centred a few times on stumps,but the snowplow cylinder could be used to push,pull or lift it.
BTW,it was far better in snow and slop than the 8n and the Kubota 245dt 4x4 loader tractor that I used later.
R

firefighter · « **Reply #46 on:** January 11, 2010, 07:40:24 pm »

Sprucebunny you have a nice set up could you tell me who makes the log trailer you have and how does it handle I have been looking at one from Anderson thanks.

sprucebunny · « **Reply #47 on:** January 11, 2010, 07:54:21 pm »

Firefighter, It is a Majaco; now called Anderson, 140 = 14' reach.

I haven't made very many trips yet. The tires sink into mud that you can't even see that the Muskeg went over.

The combination of the two machines seems very good, so far. The trailer backs well and follows well.

Yes, packing the snow in advance and after every storm makes a big difference. I'll tell you more in Febuary

Ironwood · « **Reply #48 on:** January 12, 2010, 05:21:24 am »

Neat set up. How long before there are tracks over the trailer tires? How many HP are the Muskeg's? Gas or diesel?

I looked up the SW in the truck trader I was wrong, it is $6900, "one owner" likely a local muncipality, and is offered by a truck dealer in the Cleveland Ohio area. He also has what looks like local county/ city plow trucks for sale. Anyone interested can PM me, it looks like this one, including the V plow.

Ironwood

GRANITEstateMP · « **Reply #49 on:** January 13, 2010, 09:12:09 am »

CL in Maine has a 1967 Bombardier SW67 for $1500. It's got a pic looks like it needs some TLC or a rebuild, posting was late Dec.

Matt

moonhill · « **Reply #50 on:** January 13, 2010, 12:29:20 pm »

Matt what is CL in Maine? How does one fine the pictures and more info?

Tim

sprucebunny · « **Reply #51 on:** January 13, 2010, 12:47:21 pm »

I think he means CraigsList, Tim .

Ironwood, This machine has a Chrysler Industrial 318 (5.2L) I don't know the HP.
Ya, tracks for the loader would be cool but probably won't happen soon.

Ironwood · « **Reply #52 on:** January 13, 2010, 02:38:17 pm »

Here is a link.
http://maine.craigslist.org/rvs/1517984824.html

Ironwood

Sliver · « **Reply #53 on:** January 13, 2010, 09:21:19 pm »

Nice find Ironwood. I like the "bush bars" on it

. I was out on tuesday cutting and managed to drag out another half dozen trees

I know its not much but the little skidder worked great no probs so I didn't work too hard and just enjoyed the day. sorry all, I got some pics but forgot the camera in the skidder

. The biggest one was about 18" hard maple with not much taper. I cut it into three peices and dragged it out all in one shot. This tree would have been two maybe three trips with the little tractor so I am really happy with the improvement. I know there are some concerns out there about the rig being tippy, but as with all machinery there are limits--so if in doubt I use the winch. Had about 50 feet out for one tree and only used about 1/4 of the spool. well thats all for now I will post the pics when I get them

Sliver · « **Reply #54 on:** January 13, 2010, 09:29:39 pm »

Oh Ya Copes,
where are you at? I'm Just north of Kingston Ontario and offer free test drives. They are six hours each and bring your saw!

GRANITEstateMP · « **Reply #55 on:** January 14, 2010, 08:54:44 am »

Thanks for posting the link Ironwood, I'm not that computer savy.

Matt

Ironwood · « **Reply #56 on:** January 14, 2010, 01:00:30 pm »

Good luck Matt, if we got more snow I would be headed up there to get it. Neat machines.

Ironwood

Sliver · « **Reply #57 on:** January 16, 2010, 11:03:23 am »

I know everyone likes pics. so here are the ones from last tuesday. The first one shows the terrrain( not much but would wrap up a tractor). the next 3 are of the knock em down drag em out operation

The tree in the pic is one of the smaller ones maybe 16" at the butt. It is taking me about half the time of when I was using the tractor.

Copes · « **Reply #58 on:** January 16, 2010, 01:34:50 pm »

Thanks for posting the pics Silver. My little tractor would never have been able to pull through that. I have found a couple muskegs for sale but have settled on an old Alpine snowmobile for now. They are suppose to be pretty hardy machines, no where near the pulling capacity the SW. I will have to float any logs I cut out on skiis I would think.

Coon · « **Reply #59 on:** January 16, 2010, 02:52:17 pm »

Copes I think a skidding arch on skis would be what you need. I will go out and takes some pics of mine. I still got some welding to do on it this week to finish it up and put it to work.

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Author Topic: Making a Bombardier log skidder (Read 18048 times)