Pettibone 501 skidder info

[barbender]

[stonebroke]

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

Stonebroke

[barbender]

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

[Rob-IL]

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]

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

[woodsy]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Thank you for replying to my questions barbender.

[barbender]

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]

You're welcome, woodsy.

[linkbelt88]

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]

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]

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