Author Topic: Pettibone 501 skidder info (Read 6976 times)

barbender · « **on:** December 11, 2009, 11:36:13 am »

I'm looking at a late 70's model Pettibone 501 cable skidder, 3-53 detroit, gearmatic winch. It looks pretty basic, like the old timberjacks I have run. Any concerns or problem areas on these machines? You don't see many of these, even though I think they were made in Duluth,MN. In fact, this is the only pettibone skidder I have seen in person. Any info anyone has is appreciated.

barbender · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2009, 03:07:27 pm »

C'mon you guys...someone on here has to know something about these machines

maple flats · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2009, 06:29:44 pm »

Years ago there was a Pettibone factory in Rome, NY. I know they made some heavy equipment, big fork lifts and cranes, but do not know if it included skidders.

Mark K · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2009, 06:36:03 pm »

They made skidders there. There are a handful still around here. Look pretty simple like older timberjacks and treefarmers.

barbender · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2009, 10:18:16 am »

That's what I thought too- looks like an old tree farmer or timberjack, pretty simple.

240b · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2009, 02:15:12 pm »

just make sure you can get parts for it. including those "special" Pettibone parts. there is most likey at least one oddball part which is next to impossible to get.

barbender · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2009, 10:00:08 am »

That's what I'm leary of 240b, with the old timberjacks and tree farmers, there are lots of them sitting around in folk's backyards being parted out, but I've never seen one of these machines around. I'm just afraid, say the transmission is Pettibone specific or something like that. It could be impossible to get parts for.

Ron Scott · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2009, 01:14:15 pm »

Yes, that could be problematic. The last one that I had anything to do with was about 1970. It had an Allison transmission and it was a problem machine compared to the Timberjack.

barbender · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2009, 02:24:22 pm »

This one has a manual 4 speed, I don't know what make. I'm considering this machine because mainly because it is so clean, I have never seen an old skidder as straight as this one. Original paint, no dents in the metal, no cracks or leaks that I can see. It even has a couple of decals on it still, it is the "Mountain Goat" model and has a goat sticker on it

I need to have the owner fire it up and see if everything works right, winch, brakes etc. The price is right and it is small enough, I think I can haul it on my gooseneck trailer, I would guess it to weigh 12- 14,000 lbs.

LOGDOG · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2009, 09:29:10 pm »

Barbender,

Call up to the headquarters in Baraga, MI. You can see the Pettibone lift in my gallery. After I bought it, I called up to the factory and got the complete parts and service manual and found that all parts are readily available. NOT cheap ...but available. Sometimes you find with these older machines that a part or two can cost as much as the whole machine. Then you have to wonder if it's worth putting that kind of money into parts for that machine. But I've enjoyed mine. It's the second Pettibone I've had.

LOGDOG

IMOWOOD · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2009, 07:39:51 pm »

A freind of mine mad two at one time. . . .from what i understand they were good machines, i think they both had detroits in them. about the size of a 440a/b same approx. hp and pulling abbility, and simple i guess. this is just what i know from "shootin the [I have typed a profane word that is automatically changed by the forum censored words program I should know better]". I dont know about getting parts though, but pritty much any thing that is mated to a converter motor can be found at any auto/heavy truck store.

barbender · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2009, 09:05:33 pm »

Well, the only way I figured I could learn a lot about this Pettibone is if I bought it and go pull some wood with it. So I bought it today, I'll pick it up on Friday and go pull some Red Oak firewood with it. I'll get some pics up soon. I'm feeling like a kid in a candy store

Bobus2003 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2009, 05:41:17 pm »

Does it have a Blade or the Log Loader on the front?

barbender · « **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2009, 09:55:40 pm »

It has a blade- it's a real basic machine, one thing that I noticed that is different than a tree farmer or TJ is it oscillates in the rear frame instead of the front axle pin. Both the axles are fixed to the frame, if that makes sense without pics. I'll go try it out tomorrow, I haven't brought it home yet because where I bought it is by the job I'm doing.

Reddog · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2009, 10:07:15 pm »

Quote from: barbender on December 31, 2009, 09:55:40 pm

it oscillates in the rear frame instead of the front axle pin. Both the axles are fixed to the frame

Iron mules are the same way, as are a lot of forwarders.
I think one called Mountain logger from out west may have been that way also on the early models.

barbender · « **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2010, 12:47:37 am »

Yep Reddog- I've noticed most forwarders and harvesters are that way, never seen an Iron Mule in person. Hopefully it's not too cold to get it started tomorrow, I can see how everything works.

beenthere · « **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2010, 12:53:30 am »

barbender
Too cold? -2° tomorrow and -29° tomorrow night.

Sounds like some cold to me.

Good luck with starting it up.

barbender · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2010, 02:57:14 pm »

barbender · « **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2010, 03:02:36 pm »

The guy's at Ponsse, where I bought the machine, are friends and were having a little fun with my wife, Jen, cause she wasn't real hot on this purchase. I ended up starting the wood hauling job this week so Jen had to go drop off the check for me, they took a picture of her with the machine and you'll notice the "Jen's" above the speed skidder logo

barbender · « **Reply #19 on:** January 02, 2010, 03:06:17 pm »

barbender · « **Reply #20 on:** January 02, 2010, 03:07:31 pm »

stonebroke · « **Reply #21 on:** January 02, 2010, 03:12:16 pm »

So somebody traded it in on a Ponsse, Somebody really upgraded.

Stonebroke

barbender · « **Reply #22 on:** January 02, 2010, 04:01:24 pm »

Right! Actually, they traded a few pieces in on a Ponsse processor head.

Rob-IL · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2010, 07:23:55 pm »

Looks early 80s to me. I once owned one of the last (if not the last) 501L Pettibone's built. I believe it was an 82 model, built almost identical but you could only get on from the left side as the lift controls were on the right. Will try to post a picture of it.

barbender · « **Reply #24 on:** January 02, 2010, 09:07:06 pm »

I'd like to see those pics. This is a 79 model. How did you like yours Rob IL?

woodsy · « **Reply #25 on:** September 01, 2011, 07:40:57 pm »

I was searching for info on Pettibone skidders and came across this thread.

I am considering the purchase of one so I am curious how you made out Barbender and what you think of the Pettibone you purchased. Do you still have it?

Thanks.

barbender · « **Reply #26 on:** September 01, 2011, 11:18:10 pm »

Yep, I still have it. I haven't worked it all that much, probably pulled 7 or 8 loads total with it. Definitely still a hobby machine at this point. I like it, but like the Detroit 3-53 less all the time. It runs fine and uses no oil, it has decent power too. I just find the lack of low end torque gets a little irritating when you're doing a lot of maneuvering, also the noise is neat at first, but that wears off quick

I need to put a new muffler on it (or 2). Overall, I am pleased with

the machine. Still trying to get my wife to warm up to it though

Taylortractornut · « **Reply #27 on:** September 02, 2011, 07:36:29 pm »

Barbender I d find a Cummins for it. I have a friend that had a TJ that spun a bearing. He put in a smaller cummins and loves it.

barbender · « **Reply #28 on:** September 03, 2011, 08:54:34 am »

Taylor, if anything happens to the 3-53, I will find a Cummins 3.9bt to put in it. I can't justify pulling a good running engine to swap at this point, though. Unfortunately, I think this is the tightest Detroit I have ever seen, it doe ::)sn't even leak oil

Taylortractornut · « **Reply #29 on:** September 03, 2011, 09:28:26 am »

I need to see this a Detroit that doesnt leak. I had an old Detroit mechanic tell you you could get a Detroit block in a new crate and set it in the shop and their would be a puddle of oil under it. I bet that motor never was let idle for a a long time. THats what he said caused them to get loose.

Bobus2003 · « **Reply #30 on:** September 03, 2011, 05:49:06 pm »

Quote from: barbender on December 31, 2009, 09:55:40 pm

One thing that I noticed that is different than a tree farmer or TJ is it oscillates in the rear frame instead of the front axle pin. Both the axles are fixed to the frame, if that makes sense without pics.

The CAT 518 at work is the same way.. its actually pretty crazy too run.. I hit stumps and it throws the whole machine, where as my 440 just lets the tire walk over with minimal cab movement

barbender · « **Reply #31 on:** September 03, 2011, 10:56:46 pm »

Bonus, this doesn't throw you any more than the front axle pin setup. One thing I notice is you don't get the surprise slap of the head against the cab when a back wheel goes over a stump you didn't see. Also, the blade follows whatever the front wheels are on, instead of the rear. As long as it's durable, I prefer this setup.

woodsy · « **Reply #32 on:** September 04, 2011, 08:46:27 pm »

Thank you for replying to my questions barbender.

barbender · « **Reply #33 on:** September 05, 2011, 10:55:35 am »

Sorry, Bonus. I didn't mean to call you "bonus". I've been posting on a smart phone and I make even more typing mistakes on this than a regular keyboard

barbender · « **Reply #34 on:** September 05, 2011, 10:57:57 am »

You're welcome, woodsy.

linkbelt88 · « **Reply #35 on:** November 29, 2011, 04:34:33 pm »

i bought a master 501 forwarder and am trying to get a manual for it but i need the serial number for the machine. does anyone know where to find this. i looked most places on the machine but couldnt find it. also does anyone know what transmission are in these units. keeps kicking out of second, opened up the top and it appears the sincro is worn, also may need a bearing or two. any help would be great. thnaks

barbender · « **Reply #36 on:** November 30, 2011, 09:21:19 pm »

Linkbelt88- the serial number on mine is on a metal tag below the seat, right out in the open. Bobus, I just realized that my "smart" phone was auto correcting my spelling of your name to "Bonus", I think I've finally got it.

tree chopper · « **Reply #37 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:43:31 am »

when i was 18 that was the first skidder i baught a 79 501 mountain goat it was identical to yours 353 standard shift wit 18.4-34 rubber it was a great machine i put wood up for anther jobber back then and he had a 78 501 that was power shift we skidded alot of wood with those 2 machines and had hardly any trouble at all stuff like a blown hose repac a cyl. winch parts normal wear parts but in the end his tranny would get hot and slip but that was a good machine too

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Author Topic: Pettibone 501 skidder info (Read 6976 times)