Author Topic: ol Doll in for annual physical (Read 4111 times)

Stephen Alford · « **on:** February 13, 2011, 04:22:02 pm »

With the chatter snow and cold winds of late decided it was time to take the ol doll in for her annual physical. First job was to beef up her brakes. One digger on each side of the blade. Reverse forward and neutral. Like to give her the once over every year, really reduces down time.

bushmechanic · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2011, 06:23:55 pm »

Stephen what is the idea of the scarfier on the blade?

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2011, 08:25:21 pm »

Hey bushmechanic , traditional forestry is pretty much gone . I clear cottage lots along the coast and take the treeline back around licensed shale pits. Do some selective cuts around some pretty fancy homes. Anyway just don't want the ol doll to take off on me. The older you get the harder gravity seems to work against you.

GDinMaine · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2011, 08:35:02 pm »

Looks like cheap insurance to me.
Good old beautiful P.E.I. when we do get to visit we make sure we try as many different kind of milk from local farms as we can find. There are some really good ones.

beenthere · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2011, 09:57:48 pm »

Quote from: GDinMaine on February 13, 2011, 08:35:02 pm

.............. when we do get to visit we make sure we try as many different kind of milk from local farms as we can find. There are some really good ones.

That is interesting. How many different "kinds" of milk are there? Which are the good ones?

GDinMaine · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2011, 04:39:12 pm »

I guess what I meant is that I try milk from as many producers as I can. Last time I found milk from four different producers. That island is not that big but there is a good selection for a milk junky like me.

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2011, 07:35:21 pm »

Well the ol doll failed her center pin test.

Started taking her apart. Was I ever happy to just have wear in the bushings and not the frame. The 3 new bushings were 17$ each. Thought I would clean out the fuel tank. Found my favorite carb screwdriver inside the tank and a couple plug wrenches in the junk underneath. Found a wobble in the rear driveshaft, guess all the frozen stuff was holdin it in place. So I sent that off to Nova Scotia. Got quite a chuckle from the lady at Purolator when she saw the shaft ducktaped to a piece of rough lumber. In the meantime I started cookin some new pins.

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2011, 07:46:41 pm »

steven, how hard is it to replace those center pins?

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2011, 09:07:00 pm »

Hey treefarmer 87, I guess the first thing you need to do is determine what kind of shape your centre pins are in. Get someone to get in the cab and lift the blade all the way up. Drop the blade quick then stop it quick before it hits the ground. While this is being done you have to watch for movement. Repeat this a couple of times. This should give you an indication. The idea is to replace the bushings before the frame starts ro wear. There are members on the forum that know far more than I do. Maybe the thing to do is start a thread "changing center pins". It is kind of hard to tell but I believe members read threads based on the title. That way you would have access to a much broader knowledge base. I am not the bluest smurf in the village so what I do takes planning. With good planning and the necessary tools changing the centre pins is easy enough .

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2011, 09:24:02 pm »

im going to have to replace mine shortly i believe

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2011, 09:47:02 pm »

Will you have a spring break up ? Your log loader will simplify things alot. Just a couple thoughts. You could back her up to a substancial tree and anchor the back half. The bushing in the middle is the eyeball style so you have to spread it just past the hole. Drives out easy with a socket.When you take out a pin you will see if the hole in the top and bottom is eggshaped then thats a bigger and more costly fix. If you have to use grinder or torches should pressure wash it first. Any time torches grinder or welder is used plan to stick around for an hour on fire watch.The bushing in the steering ram on mine was the same so gonna do it at the same time. The new hydraulic jacks that work in any position are helpfull or a powerpack. Taking photos of stuff before I take it apart has helped me. Bottom line if you decide to go ahead will help out just give a shout.

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2011, 09:54:19 pm »

thank you so much

redlaker1 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2011, 06:01:33 am »

if you want to check your center pins you should just be able to put the blade on the ground and push down and watch the midship for play in the top or bottom, if there is some, then block it up and knock the pins out and take a look. make sure you crib the machine up good and after you unhook the rear driveline then you should be able to drive the front half away from the back or push it apart with the steering cyl.. so you have room to work.

so what I want to know is why are the pins being cooked?

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2011, 05:21:12 pm »

Hey redlaker1, sorry for not getting back to you sooner things have been a little busy. Finding material to make pins under all the snow is a pain. The material that is being used to make the pins is the 2" ram out of a hydraulic cylinder. Because of the hard coating the piece is placed in the coals for an hour or so then allowed to air cool over night. Just makes machining it down to 1&1/2" a bit easier. I would sooner be cooking lobsters.

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2011, 04:00:34 pm »

Well the ol Doll made it outside the shop. Got to say there were moments when it looked pretty grim. Just wanted to give a heads up, if you need a part its real helpfull to look for a replacement while you can still measure the old one. If you wait till it blows apart finding or making what you want is difficult.
Just wanted to throw in a pic of a winch with the cover off. Thanks mad murdock for that pancar link.

mad murdock · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2011, 04:40:34 pm »

looks like you're about ready to rock n' roll again! Good show on the pin change. I am glad that you got the info you needed on the winch. I bet it will feel like a whole new machine, only better

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2011, 04:04:57 pm »

Thats for sure . Took a mosey through your photo gallery,thats nice looking country and that Garrett is wicked. I noticed you mentioned in July you were going to overhaul the engine and winch. Did you have an opportunity to do that ?
My next project is to get the summer place ready for company.

mad murdock · « **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2011, 04:45:48 pm »

I haven/t taken the time to tear into the engine yet, have had to use the machine as is for now. I am about at the point where I will bring it into the barn and pull the head to find out what I am in for. I will mess with th ewinch at the same time. I am going through about a quart of oil an hour or so, she's pumping pretty steady!

Hope to get it going by summer.

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2011, 07:18:52 am »

Sounds good, look forward to hearing about the refit. From the sounds of it a parts washer and lots of rags will come in handy. This years firewood season starts tomorrow April 1 seems an appropiate day.

arojay · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2011, 09:38:15 am »

"bluest smurf in the village". I like it!

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2011, 06:49:44 pm »

stephen, what kind of motor is in your C5. im am looking at a newer model C5 like yours, and am thinking about buying it

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #21 on:** April 01, 2011, 08:42:01 pm »

Hey Treefarmer, the ol Doll has a Detroit 353. Did you notice how after spending so much time next to the woodstove this winter she looked just a tad more like a John Deer when she came out, maybe its just my imagination.

Spent the day turning the winter snow bumper blade into a spring mud bumper rake. What do you think ?

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 02, 2011, 04:16:25 pm »

yea, that is a nice skidder, good looking setup on the tractor too

snowstorm · « **Reply #23 on:** April 02, 2011, 05:55:07 pm »

Quote from: Stephen Alford on April 01, 2011, 08:42:01 pm

Hey Treefarmer, the ol Doll has a Detroit 353. Did you notice how after spending so much time next to the woodstove this winter she looked just a tad more like a John Deer when she came out, maybe its just my imagination.
Spent the day turning the winter snow bumper blade into a spring mud bumper rake. What do you think ?

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

that it would work better on the back. put a set of wheels on it back about 2' that you can adjust up down mount it to the 3pt hitich. the wheels ride on the ground thats already been graded. i reworked a york rake set the wheel back 2' works very well

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 03, 2011, 12:42:33 pm »

I got a 3 pt yoke rake for my JD, they are handy

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #25 on:** April 03, 2011, 06:05:38 pm »

Hey Aerojay considering the temperatures in your area I should think more than the smurfs are blue.

Treefarmer 87 considering your tenacity I have no doubt you will find what you want. Your experience with the treefarmer will make decisions easier down the road for sure.

Snowstorm thanks for taking an interest. I had been looking at smaller excavators when I picked that rake up. Had considered a quick attachment for the landscaping I was doing at the time.
It is held to the bumper with a pin so I can take it on and off easily. It turns left and right and will swing under the bumper. The bumper was was to save time and fuel when ploughing. The scraper blade on the back is used for ploughing the heavier pass and the bumper blade allows snow to be moved in both directions. Because of the firewood shear I built there are usually chunks of wood around which are hard on a blower. The bumper is for backdraging the road and landing. When I go to a site I usually load the scraperblade, grapple and shaper on the log trailer which is hitched to the 3pt hitch . I am hoping the rake will help to tidy up where the wood was piled and for site cleanup around new construction where you want to get close to the structure. The digger teeth are for "extra stop". I must admit it is a work in progress but so far the cost has been a chop saw blade and some gas.

ga jones · « **Reply #26 on:** April 03, 2011, 07:34:56 pm »

hey treefarmer Ijust did the center pins in mine its the same setup as yours .Its very easy.Knock the pins out And there will be A bearing in there.Knock that out. You may have to build up the flange Just weld on big washers .Davco has the pins and bearings in stock.

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 05, 2011, 04:19:59 pm »

i need a new steering/blade valve/spool, mine has a crack and is leaking

. im going to pick up a 80's model C5 within the month. i has a new 3 cyl deutz, Can-Car rears and axles, gearmatic winch, i also found another c5 for $1500 with 3 brand new tires, a can-car 20 winch,and deutz motor. it still runs too but needs work, and hasn't been run since last summer.

this is the one with the new 3 cyl

ga jones · « **Reply #28 on:** April 05, 2011, 06:23:59 pm »

I need 2 8 lug wheels 18.4x34 or 4 tires and wheels 16.9x30 or 18.4x26. Davco can help you with that valve.

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 06, 2011, 08:04:41 pm »

i went to see a local mechanic today about the valve, and he gave me a brand new one

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #30 on:** April 07, 2011, 07:26:47 am »

   Well ga 18.4 34's are getting harder to find here too. Good luck with the hunt.

   Treefarmer , I hear those are good engines not sure if they still make them. Da boys tell me a pressure washer will keep them runnin a long time.

   The ol doll is back were she belongs, just wanted to share a look back and a look ahead. Be safe !!

redlaker1 · « **Reply #31 on:** April 07, 2011, 07:50:18 pm »

yep deutz still makes that same engine, nothing has changed with them either.

where I work we run a huge fleet of deutz powered underground equipment, and they run em screamin hot and full throttle all day long. and they last so long its crazy
for sure you want to keep them clean and make sure the fins arnt clogged up, you just take the shroud off the side and blow them out with a air gun or a pressure washer.
the other thing to keep an eye on is the belt for the cooling fan, make sure its in good shape and replace it if its looking ratty. all the ones we run have an electric belt shutdown on the tensioner in case you blow a belt.

a deutz will serve you well they are really tough, and burn surprisingly clean for a mechanical fuel system. which is another nice thing, no electronics to screw up. the engine in that machine probably even has a mechanical shutdown.

and as a plus I think the 3 cylinder sounds good too, maybe even better than the big V8s

treefarmer87 · « **Reply #32 on:** April 07, 2011, 09:08:53 pm »

better on fuel

i have three choices, they are all franklin/treefarmer

Franklin 170

http://www.tylosales.com/index.php?/FORESTRY/69-FRANKLIN.html

Franklin 132 with floatation tires

http://www.tylosales.com/index.php?/FORESTRY/70-FRANKLIN.html

and the c5 in my earlier post. i think the c5 is my best bet though

im trying to take snowstorms advice and buy a prehauler, but im having trouble finding one and they are so far away

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #33 on:** November 20, 2011, 05:13:35 pm »

Hey folks, thought I should mention how the digger teeth worked out, great as a park break and helpfull for piling slash around stumps. The ol doll did start one of her romp and stomps and they did the job but like most breaks they will require some maintenance from time to time.

I am going to try them in the middle of the blade under the arms next. She steers like a moose on a good day, so with the extra width unnecessary damage to residual trees can result.

mad murdock · « **Reply #34 on:** November 20, 2011, 09:58:31 pm »

Stephen, thought I would update you on my garrett treefarmer. I dug into the engine in late spring. Replaced all 4 pistons(3 were broken), rings, cleaned the injectors, hand lapped the valves, overhauled the f I pump. Required the electrics, and it has been running like a dream. Starts up without ether, which was a prerequisite goal for the old girl. I won't be givin her any in the future either. That is why I had the broken pistons in the first place. As far as the winch goes, haven't tore into that yet. I am going to get that going next, and hunt me down a used set of chains at least for the front.

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #35 on:** November 21, 2011, 09:56:13 pm »

Hey mad murdock, thank you for the update. Thats a lot of work but now you know what you have, makes her a keeper. I have always felt that the relationship between a logger/skidder is akin to cowboy/horse. When you have work to do its nice to know whats under your feet. If you have to replace the winch, I wonder how a hydraulic one would work. Spool out/spool in/freespool is a nice combo. On the chains choice I am a big fan of the ice chains. Out over the side of the tire allows her to climb over rather than spin on a stick of wood. Thanks again for posting it is great to know how these projects turn out.

mad murdock · « **Reply #36 on:** November 21, 2011, 11:52:07 pm »

Thanks for the tip on the style of chains. Besides being able to work. In wetter weather, not spinning out on brush is the other reason I want to put them on. I began a thread on Igland 2 spool winchdrum, to get more feedback on my options. I like he idea of a 2nd spool that way I can high lead logs out of some tougher terrain I have here on the homeplace. I have almost a 400 ft elevation change from one end of the forty to the other, with some steep draws in a few spots as well. Plus if I ever quit the day job, I know I could make a decent go of custom logging with a setup like that. The other cool add on available is a remote control box for the winch. It would have the potential of making the old Garrett a lean mean wood-gettin' machine! ( not that it isn't that already), it would really make it a lot better I would think.

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #37 on:** November 24, 2011, 01:59:07 pm »

Sounds like your on the right track. A good paying job that you like has a tendancy to leave you as opposed to you leaving it.

Having a backup plan is a must with things the way they are today. One thing that has helped me a great deal is what I call the "Mr. Beenthere survival tool " ; question everything, especially the things that improve the bottom line and cost you nothing to do so. Let me give you an example that has worked for me. I sell firewood and work alone. Went from an eight foot format to a twelve foot format. Used to start work at crowpiss till about 5pm. Now start around 10am and go till 9pm. Difference was pocket money in more than one way. Keep those pics coming your world is so different from mine. IF you have a need to pass some time I recently added a bunch of pics to my gallery. Be safe.

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Author Topic: ol Doll in for annual physical (Read 4111 times)