which skidder?

[lumberjack48]

I ran Treefarmer 30 yrs. ,  a C5-D was the heavy duty locking rear ends, a model 119 Gearmatic winch, a 353 Detroit [ A poor mans diesel, cheap to fix] if you like the noise or can stand it their a tough motor. I used to get about 8 yrs out of a overhaul. The main trouble with a C5 is the blade, onless its been rebuilt or beefed up right, this is a must to look at. It is a good all round horse.
A side saddle TJ is a dangerous machine to run, you have to be carefull, you can't see off it, hard to deck with, ect., othe then that its a good horse.

[ford62783]

both are nice machines here in ny its real easy to find tj parts and detroit parts the tree farmers are getting harder without going out to vermont but the duetz parts here are scares to say the least i guess it all depends on location i run a 240e and i can tell u that the eaton parts are tough and that they are easy to find and good quality machines for the money in good shape i personally would take the tj 230e but its all preferance on ur part but after running a tree farmer for a while i will say that the tj cabs r much more protective if the tree farmer dsnt have anydoors and are much easier to get in and out of in deep snow also the tj are mcuh more protected on the belly pans than the tree farmer if the tree farmer dsnt have the plates to cover the access holes i hope u have great luck

[treefarmer87]

im going to have the c5 delivered sometime this week hopefully if anyone is interested there is a c5 with a grapple on ebay in good condition for $3500 with 353 detriot motor
 

[treefarmer87]

heres the link
http://cgi.ebay.com/C5-Tree-Farmer_W0QQitemZ180483387593QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a05a5f0c9

[treefarmer87]

well looks like ill have to get the TJ 230 somebody bought the skidder today heres the one im gonna try to get now http://www.equipmenttraderonline.com/find/listing/-TIMBERJACK-230-96170823

what are your opinions on this one

[Bobus2003]

Maybe its just what i'm used too, but I think it would be a real pain in the butt having to get on and off the Left side only.. I love my 440 being able to hop out or get on from either direction.. I really Don't miss having to use all levers for steering and blade.. That was a huge downer for me when i ran a 666 Clark

[240b]

Maybe its just what i'm used too, but I think it would be a real pain in the butt having to get on and off the Left side only.. I love my 440 being able to hop out or get on from either direction.. I really Don't miss having to use all levers for steering and blade.. That was a huge downer for me when i ran a 666 Clark

The levers are all right in front of you w/ the tj --Plus all the hydralics are in one little valve. I ran a clark and a TF and it helps to have an extra arm, things are all over the cab- in those rigs, and a far a getting out only on the left, how many times do folks get out the right side of there pick up truck? Not an issue imo.

[mad murdock]

On my Garrett, all of the controls are in front, I can get out on either side but usually set up for some reason or other to get in and out on the left, as the winch lever (gearmatic 8A) is on the right, and it does require a conscious effort to not get hung up on the handle as you go past it.  The left side has no obstruction.  As I think now about it, it just works out that I end up getting out the left side more than the right, probably an unconscious bias on my part.  I have run a Clark 666 also, and the Garrett is alot easier, even though it doesn't sport that Allison Automatic Tranny.  The TJ looks like it would be alot easier to bet on and off than the TF, as you just physically don't have as high to climb.  Something I am sure would become more and more appreciated as one ages.

[FFLM]

TJ's are very easy to get in and out of the cab, I would not even consider it to be a climb.  Looks like an alirght skidder, but much of the time you get what you pay for.

[timberjackrob]

i have a tj 208 one tough machine. u can get most all parts from aftermarket parts i think their website is rightparts.com.timberjacks are fairley easy to work on,and alot of parts such as u joints and bearings and seals can be purchased locally.the herculies winch has performed trouble free since ive owned the machine for 9 years,i think on later models they used eaton winches but i think they are the same

[treefarmer87]

I also found a franklin 170 http://www.tylosales.com/index.php?/FORESTRY/69-FRANKLIN.html  in my price range, looks a little rough though, there is a 440 deere a mile down the road with a brand new motor too. im kinda confused now. i have never had a skidder and i need something for work mon- fri getting at least 2 loads a day

[timberjackrob]

had a older 440 once u never had to worry about losing it u could track it by the leaking hydraulic fluid. ajohn deere is a great machine as long as everything is working actullay easier to use than a timberjack,however they are extremley hard to work on to many hydraulic parts and valves. everything is enternal even brakes require complete teardown,not to mention parts from dealer are out a site.unless u are an experienced deere mechanic iwould stay away. deeres are harder to get on and off of also.

[treefarmer87]

yea i know there is a guy that hauls to the same mill i do and he told me not to get that skidder cause it is beat up i like that 170 though

[Bobus2003]

had a older 440 once u never had to worry about losing it u could track it by the leaking hydraulic fluid. ajohn deere is a great machine as long as everything is working actullay easier to use than a timberjack,however they are extremley hard to work on to many hydraulic parts and valves. everything is enternal even brakes require complete teardown,not to mention parts from dealer are out a site.unless u are an experienced deere mechanic iwould stay away. deeres are harder to get on and off of also.

I have a late 60's 440 and I love it.. Its not hard to work on.. Yeah the valves are a bit complex and $$ to fix if you go to Deere.. I havent really found it hard to get any parts through Deere or that expensive.. (I also have a Complete Extra Parts Skidder). I had some issues with a Clutch a for a few weeks, but that was just a Shim issue.. Still lost on that one though

[Jim H]

TF, check Charlottesville Craigslist,there's a c5d with a detroit for $6500 in the farm and garden section.

[treefarmer87]

i just seen that a little while ago, thanks jim it has been on there before, probably about december, the they took it off first they wanted $8500 for it then dropped it to $6500 it went off craigslist in jan i think. now its back on

[treefarmer87]

hey jim h, thanks for the info on the treefarmer, checked it out yesterday- going to bring it home tomorrow

[Jim H]

Glad that worked out, it sounded like it might be a good machine. On another subject, do you run into much cedar on your tracts? I could use a load or two from time to time.