iDRY Vacuum Kilns

Sponsors:

minimum tractor size for log skidding

Started by TGofWNY, December 29, 2007, 09:55:32 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

TGofWNY

Hey yall, I am shopping for my first tractor and know very little about them. I want something universally helpful around my acreage for digging , snow removal, mowing, etc. I would like it to be small enough for mowing the yard, and big enough to pull decent sized logs when need be. What should I be looking for in this tractor as far as size ,HP,etc. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

Wallys World

I've got a Kubota BX 22 TLB (tractor/loader/backhoe). You can get a mower deck for it (I don't have one I use the JD 445 instead). It is small enough to get around the yard but I have puller red oak 16 feet long by 16 inches. I also pulled a white pine log 36 inch X 8 foot. It pulled it but it was all it could do (and that was flat dragging it).  The only reason I ended up with the orange instead of green was I don't like 3pt. hitch backhoes, JD mounts theirs with a sub frame under the tractor and the Kubota is intergral to the frame. One seat that turns around instead of two. I have run both for my hours and perfer the Kubota setup for the backhoe. (I'd still rather have green!)
Wood-Mizer LT28G25, Wood-Mizer EG10 Edger, Wallenstein Timber Talon log loader trailer, Wallenstein GX640 wood splitter, Wallenstein WP835 Fire Wood Processor, Kubota BX 22 TLB, JD 445, JD Gator, Home made arch, Stihl 024 Super, MS251, MS311, MS440 Magnum & MS660.

snowman

Kinda depends on how often you want to drag logs.If you drag a log now and then and have time to mess with it I imagine anything called a "tractor" would do.If however you want to skid logs on anything like a regular basis I'd say 40hp minimum and look for the heaviest tractor you can get, weight matters in a tug a war with logs. Also get ag tires not those turf things, tires make a huge differance.

stonebroke

Buy a garden tractor to mow your lawn and then buy the biggest tractor you can afford to haul logs. Remember the farmers motto, Too big is just right.

Stonebroke

letsgetitracing

I have 1805 massey 4 wheel drive that has a 3208 cat motor in it that articulates in the middle i use for snow plowing i was thinking of putting forestry tires on it and making a boom to skid logs out cheaper than buying a skidder.

Remember one thing the bigger the tractor the cheaper they get .
Homemade firewood processor, 200 ton log spliter, 322 cat excavator, 966 c cat loader, 3 semis, 11 trailers, 50 ton low boy 12 inch tree chipper 3120xp 394 xp 372 xp 3 365  357 55 rancher 346xp 338xp  stihl 056 mag ms 290 026 echo cs440  4 cs3000's  jonsered 2165 2150

go BIG or go Home

mainiac

I do some logging with a Kubota B7500 which is 21hp on the motor and 17hp on the pto. I built a 3pt platform that I mounted a Mile Marker 10500lb hydraulic winch. I am amazed at what it will pull through the woods, but wish I had a bigger tractor that could handle a regular logging winch. Plus bigger (taller) tires to get me through the snow.

For a first tractor, I would be looking at 30+ hp 4x4. This size can run 95% of the equipment on the market for tractors on one scale or another. Mine is a little to small for some of the things I want to run. ie a chipper that has a feeder on it.

Hope this helps.

Mainiac

Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.

sgtmaconga

I usa a farmtrac 535 with a front end loader. she is a workhorse build from the same dies as the old ford 3000 tractors.
Measure twice cut once

thecfarm

I have 2 tractors,a BX 18hp Kubota,that I call a glorified lawn mower.Works great for mowing the lawn and with a snow thrower on the back.Can't beat it for that.I have tried to do a few things with it out in the woods.Not something that even begins to do it,IMO.The tractor was not designed to do that.I only bought it really to mow with.I have a 40hp Ford that I use for digging
and working in the woods.No comparion between the two.I was looking at a 26-30hp 4wd to replace the Kubota.I feel that would be the ideal tractor.Not too big for lawn work,but not too small either.Go with 4wd for the woods no matter what.It's so much easier.Like what was mentioned,buy a garden tractor for the lawn and one for the woods.
Just depends on how much you will use it in the woods.I myself would not want anything smaller than a 40hp,but I'm on it almost everyday that I'm have off from work.Money will come into the deciding factor too.


Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

WDH

I tend to agree with Stonebroke.  Mowing the lawn and skidding logs are incompatible uses because the requirements are at opposite ends of the scale.  If you try to split the middle, you may not be happy mowing the lawn or skidding logs.
Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark.  hamsleyhardwood.com

RSteiner

Like others have said bigger is better.  I have a 30 hp. Kubota 4X4 with a Farmi winch on the 3PH.  The one problem with smaller tractors is that they have a high center of gravity usually because of the narrow wheel track.  So, a tractor that would make a good lawn mower because it is short and narrow enough to get in and around things is not good in the woods.

The second issue is tires.  Ag tires give good traction but most people would not want to mow a lawn with them.  Being made for field work they do not have the puncture resistance of a forestry tire.  If you are careful where you go in the woods there should not be a problem.

Before I got my Kubota I used a Ford 8N with the Farmi winch for light logging and firewood gathering.  It was a very good tractor on rough ground and was heavy enough to pull a good hitch of logs.  The tractor was geared a little high for the woods at times.  The Kubota is a little more horse power than the 8N but is not as heavy, 4 wheel drive makes up for that.

I would agree 30 hp is minimum, 40+ would be better.

Randy
Randy

dboyt

You can get by with less hp if you use a log arch.  After I got mine, I was able to easily pull logs that I couldn't budge before with my old 8N Ford.  I've seen ATVs move impressive logs using an arch, but that could give you a fast downhill ride!  To me, weight & braking ability are more important than pulling.  No logs in my patch of woods worth getting hurt over!
Norwood MX34 Pro portable sawmill, 8N Ford, Lewis Winch

pineywoods

I agree, trying to do the lawn and log skidding with one machine, you won't be happy with the results. Buy yourself a zero turn mower for the lawn, if money is tight, it's hard to beat an old 8N ford for skidding and they are cheap.  You can even get new (rebuilt) ones. If you are handy with a cutting torch and welder, it's simple to cobble up a pto driven winch. Just don't try to put a front loader on them. A set of forks on the 3 pt hitch works fine for loading logs on to a mill.

1995 Wood Mizer LT 40, Liquid cooled kawasaki,homebuilt hydraulics. Homebuilt solar dry kiln.  Woodmaster 718 planner, Kubota M4700 with homemade forks and winch, stihl  028, 029, Ms390
100k bd ft club.Charter member of The Grumpy old Men

stonebroke

One problem with 8n is the brakes. They tend to get oil soaked and don't work to well. Try a little more modern tractor.

Stonebroke

RSteiner

Quote from: stonebroke on December 31, 2007, 10:01:51 AM
One problem with 8n is the brakes. They tend to get oil soaked and don't work to well. Try a little more modern tractor.

Stonebroke

I put new brake shoes on my 8N and they still were less than desirable going down hill with my log arch or trailer in tow.  :o   When moving loads down hill with the log arch I made sure I had a log in tow on the ground to act as a brake.  I must admit I had a ride or two down hill that was more "fun" than I was looking for.

I did have a Wagner front end loader which allowed me to load logs onto the mill or log pile.  The 8N with a Sherman hi/low transmission was a tank in the woods, I have even seen one with tracks.

Randy

Randy

Randy

Dave Shepard

I agree to getting two different machines as well. You can get a good lawn tractor for not a lot of money, especially used. ;) Probably for the same money that you would spend on the mower deck on a new tractor. This will allow you to get a larger tractor that will do much more for you. I would worry about turning one of the overgrown lawn tractors over skidding logs, just not enough weight, even if you are extra careful. I have the Kubota L48, which is 48 HP. I am getting it set up to do some logging. It has good power for the Farmi winch. It depends on what size logs you want to pull out of the woods. If you have a lot of larger logs, you will need a fairly robust tractor. A used 50-60HP 4x4 farm tractor with FEL can be had for what you will spend on a new mini-tractor with all the bells and whistles.


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

stonebroke

Something like a JD 4020 would be a good skidding tractor.

Stonebroke

thecfarm

A 4 wheel drive tractor is the only way to go for a trailer behind you.The front wheels will hold you back.I use to take my Fathers Ford NAA,little bit bigger than the 8-9n,kinda scary to say the least.Brakes are not much use on a well traveled woods roads going down hill.I now have a 4wd tractor.What a differance.I control the speed going down the hill now.No problem at all.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

stonebroke

If you get a 100 hp two wheel drive tractor with a fel, Put chains on and then use the fel to slow you down on the real steep parts. A big tractor with chains will outpull a four wheel drive small tractor. The weight of a big tractor makes a difference in braking also.

Stonebroke

Dave Shepard

Of course for 10K you can get yourself  a Timberjack. ;) :D Rereading the OP, he said it was going to be his first tractor. We've already graduated him from that and upgraded him about four times, and he hasn't even bought it yet. :D :D


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Ed_K

 I'm using a 60 hp Landini 4x4 w/loader and 3pt winch, wish it was 90hp. bil runs a 4230 2 wheel drive with double ring chains and 3pt winch and wishes it was 200hp
Ed K

routestep

 I have a JD 990 4x4 with turf wheels. It has 42 hp and a front end loader and forks. The back tires will slip sometimes with a heavy load on the forks, so fwd is good to have. I tend to chain logs up to the bail on the fork frame and then raise the forks up some to get the log off the ground. I think the largest log I've pulled is about 14 inches and 22 feet or so. It will just pick up a 9x12 by 28 ft oak beam.  That said the JD 650 cuts the grass.

Dave Shepard

You can skid a pretty big log, even with a small tractor. Here is my L48 with a couple of oaks I brought out to build a truck rack a couple of months ago. They are both over 40', and around 500 board feet, if I remember correctly.



Those logs were a pretty good load however, and can present a few problems. I caught the butt of this log in a little dip. It broke the lower link pin, it could have turned me over though, as I was moving along at a good clip. Extra care is needed skidding with little tractors.




Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Ironwood

I agree with most all that was previously stated, and I too have used an 8N for skidding, and yes it is very respectable, and if you have a FEL it will give some counter weight if your rear load is heavy. 8N's are great if you don't need to stop fast or are generally on level to reasonably level ground, I have way too many hills, and while I used several over the years, I decided to go modern w/ a small hydrostat. It is generally too light for skidding but man does it work well for what I do. I have considered making a log arch with a hydraulic surge brake tongue and brake axles. As previously stated once the log is up off the ground a reasonable distance getting it moving is generally not a problem, STOPPING it is . I could also skid a fairly large log with may 20 HP 4x4 900 lb. Gator as well.  I was thinking a size between the Tractor arch and the smaller one (by Logrite) would be about right. I would use skid steer tires for durability as well. If I where doing the skidding alot I would look for AT LEAST 30HP 4x4 and flip those narrow rims around to give a wider, more stable stance. And WITHOUT question a HYDROSTAT and FEL (you can always slow a decent w/ a bucket dragging the ground). I may upgrade my JD655 to a 755 or 855 if my dealer comes up with a good used one in the future. Things around here tend to improve once they arrive, not depriciate, so I will always be able to trade my 655 in with little lose of equity for a bigger unit. And I always ALWAYS, have tire chains for everything with wheels on our place. Scrap yards always tend to have big tire chains laying around from dump trucks and equipment. They tend to be beefier and I often reweld many extra cross links in for more bight.


           Ironwood




               Ironwood
There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love to do, there is only scarcity of resolve to make it happen.- Wayne Dyer

Woodhog

You have gotten good replies for your question...

Regarding the logging jobs with your future machine dont overlook the underneath section of your tractor choice.

Ground clearance should be quite large in the woods  from a min of 9-10 inches to around
14 to 16 inches for farm type tractors at the lowest points, also many of the machines will have small hydraulic lines, wiring and other plastic pieces including plastic fuel tanks in positions where they can be torn off or punctured when the machine is taken off the field or level ground.

You can lose 1000.00 in one crunch as the machine hangs up on a rock or stump....or a piece of brush tears off a vital piece of the machine that they only designed to operate in a field....

Good Luck

Climber

Hello Guys,
Let me try to help TGofWNY.

His keywords: FIRST, digging, snow removal, mowing ... decent sized logs WHEN need be

1. New or used? I vote for new. Here is why:
   I feel like used decent tractors are not going down in price.
   You can get financing for new much easier then for used.
   I love to brake-in my equipment then when last for much longer.
2. What brand? Ford (New Holland), JD, Kubota. My choice is Kubota. Here are the reasons:
   All leading manufactures of tractors are good.
   You can get better, bigger and more HP for same money from Kubota.
   0% financing for 36 moths – come on who can bit this?
3. 4x4 or 4x2? I think no question here 4x4 IS MUST.
4. Tires. Ag, industrial or turf
   Ag tires are good grip but not acceptable on lawn.
   Industrial not as good grip and still not acceptable on lawn
   Turf tires are bad for grip and only one you can use around nice yard.
My choice turf tires because I can not tear lawn and when loaded whey have traction good enough for me for last 3 years.

5. How many HP? Any think under 20 Hp is too small. Over 60 Hp not good idea for mowing.

6. Manual or Hydrostatic transition? My choice Hydrostatic.
   Hydrostatic is very (VERY) easy use around house or other structures. Try ones and you will be hooked on it.

Here is my application:
Owner from August 2005
Kubota B7800 HST with front loader cost $15,500 for 36 payments 0% financing $430 per month,
another $5,000 - $6,000 for backhoe
$1,000 - $1,500 for fine cut mid grass mower
It has diesel 30Hp
Turf tires

Running tractor for my tree service company 5 days a week about 45 weeks a year.
Have Farmi JL351P for winch ~ $3,500
AND Wallenstein LX360 ~ $1,400

What am I doing with it?
Falling and pushing trees to the right direction; feeding chipper; drugging, rolling logs;
Holding logs wile cutting for firewood, loading truck with firewood; swiping into bucket sawdust and all crap from the ground; cleaning snow and MUCH more.







Ironwood

Climber,

The one exception I would add is that Skidsteer tires ARE acceptable for the lawn, and HOLY #$%#@ is there a difference in the puncture resistance and rigidity, my tire guy could barely get the front on the rims they were so ridgid. I am constantly scruffing around old fence rows (rusty invisible half buried metal posts), glass, pieces of pipe and sorted metal, I can't even consider lawn tires, far as I am concerned it does a disservice to the customer to even put those wimpy thing on tractor like yours (no offense, nice tractor , and chipper too ;D), if you need to you can always add chains for woods work (but watch yer side walls, they are really thin on a turf tire). You should go to a tire shop that has each and compare, 2/3 heavier at least. .02 cent

           Ironwood
There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love to do, there is only scarcity of resolve to make it happen.- Wayne Dyer

Climber

Guys, please don't take it to extremes. TGofWNY not asking for "constantly scuffing around old fence rows" tractor.
I have "those wimpy thing" on my tractor for almost 3 years commercially use every day and NO PROBLEM. I guess it's about what is around your property.
New tractor does not come with skidsteer tires. If some one have problem with tires can put them later for additional $$$.

thecfarm

At an additional $$$ is right.For what I use a tractor for,if I was to buy another new one,just to work it in the woods,I would insist on 8 ply tires to be put on.That's what I'm running now.But on the small tractor for the wife,we run the turf tires with hardly any air in them to smooth out the ride for her.A head injury reguires this for her to be able to use it.Just depend on what you are going to do with it.Like I say,you really need 2 tractors to do everything you want.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

woodmills1

howdy climber!!!!


I work with climber from time to time and everything he said is right on the mark.  His Kubota has performed way beyond what I first expected.  It has picked up logs so big, we pushed up on them to assist the hydraulics.  With those tires and the small rolling arch there is very little damage to lawns, yet It works even in snow.  I get probably 40% or more of my logs from climber and once again this year topped 100k in logs sold and cut on my woodmizer plus much firewood.  I contine to be amazed at the little bota.
James Mills,Lovely wife,collect old tools,vacuuming fool,36 bdft/hr,oak paper cutter,ebonic yooper rapper nauga seller, Blue Ox? its not fast, 2 cat family, LT70,edger, 375 bd ft/hr, we like Bob,free heat,no oil 12 years,big splitter, baked stuffed lobster, still cuttin the logs dere IAM

Ironwood

Hey, I said Nice tractor! The thing is a work horse for sure, I just think,  why have the tires be the weak link, Let the axle or something break first. NICE TRACTOR.

              Ironwood
There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love to do, there is only scarcity of resolve to make it happen.- Wayne Dyer

shinnlinger

I would show you my set up, but for some reason I am not allowed access to albums or some BS  I have put photos up here before so I guess I upset someone or something.

Any whoo, I have an 34 horse 4x4 kubota with loaded Ag tires that I use to mow my lawn AND skid logs for my mill.  If you do not turn sharp, the Ags really don't dig in on the lawn. 

I will say that unless most of my work was on concrete and construction sites, I absolutely would not get r-4 industrial tires.  My machine out performs my buddies 50 horse 4x4 JD with loaded r-4s in the woods and the feilds all the time...he thinks so too.  My neighbor has a 43horse kubots like mine but with r-4's and he HATES his tires, but both of us have some acerage

I have skidded many 30+ft pines over 20" in diameter with a simple little rig I welded up on the back.  I made some forks for the bucket to drop the same logs on my rails.

I would agree, 30+ horse and 4X4 with loaded tires are a must.  I prefer ags as the r-4s dig up almost as much but dont offer the traction.  Turfs might be OK especially with chains and higher ply ratings are nice if you have that option,  Hydrostats are also nice, but tend to be more $$$ intially and in the long run and I prefer shuttle shift for that reason.  It has taken me for a ride going down big hills, but if I go slow in low gear and rev the engine this is much less of a problem.

Good luck!
Shinnlinger
Woodshop teacher, pasture raised chicken farmer
34 horse kubota L-2850, Turner Band Mill, '84 F-600,
living in self-built/milled timberframe home

Furby

There is a simply solution to your pic problem and we can work it out.
The reason you can't get pics in, is because you never created an album and the pics you posted before went into a folder that was open to everyone for a short time.
That folder has been closed.
I'll send you a message in a minute. :)

Dave Shepard

If you go up and look at my Kubota, you will see it has the R4 tires, a requirement if you want to put a hoe on it, the ags technically won't take the weight. I have never found myself in a position where I felt ag tires would have made a difference. I have found that the R4s are almost as good as turf tires for floatation. I have done a very wide variety of work with my machine, and the R4s have proven to be the best choice.


Dave
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

johnjbc

I use a Kubota L48  49 H.P. and a little over 8000 pounds. And unless you are on level ground I wouldn't want any thing lighter. The only problems I have had are with brush.
Watch out for underbrush, don't backup. Buy a lawn tractor and a used 4x4 full sized backhoe.
I agree with Dave about the r4's



LT40HDG24, Case VAC, Kubota L48, Case 580B, Cat 977H, Bobcat 773

Larry

I've skidded well over a 100/mbf with a 1720 27 HP Ford in rough terrain...pics in my gallery.

So with the hindsight of experience what would I buy now?  I would want a big enough tractor to handle a Farmi style winch and be able to skid with it on the tractor.  I would want heavy and powerful enough to lift the maximum size log my mill can handle with the FEL.  Neither of these requirements can be met by my present tractor.  Guessing to meet those requirements I would need to be in the 50 horsepower range.
Larry, making useful and beautiful things out of the most environmental friendly material on the planet.

We need to insure our customers understand the importance of our craft.

Don K

I'll have to agree that the R4 tires are a good tire. I grew up using ag tires and was dubious about buying my first MF tractor (33 hp) with them. It had 4wd and FEL. It would outpull my fathers 30 hp kubota with AG tires anyday. I'm not trying to start a tractor war either. I like all tractors, they all get the job done. It was strictly because the weight of the MF was a little greater, but I can go into wetter places than he can because the flotation is better. Also the traction is not that much different.

One big advantage I have found of R4 tires over Ags is that they will tote a much heavier load without squatting as much at equal pressures. That is a big plus with FEL and also heavy lifts on the 3 PT. I have updated to a 47 hp that is the same style as the 33 so now I can pull more, dig deeper, and lift bigger logs. ;D ;D. Now, if I can find the money I want a 60 ot 70 hp. :D :D


Don
Lucky to own a WM LT40HDD35, blessed to have a wife that encouraged me to buy it.     Now that\'s true love!
Massey Ferguson 1547 FWD with FEL  06 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4X4 Dozer Retriever Husky 359 20\" Bar  Man, life is getting good!

bull

Out of the 4 Kubota's I have owned the best woods machine was my 1987 L2550 GST 4x4 w/ 3pt skid plate. That thing would go anywhere and would skid 4-6 topless tree length red oaks with out any trouble. "20-40 footers " I used that machine in the woods for 13 years then sold it to a friend who's is still using it although he has not kept it up as well as he should. I updated in 2000 to an Ll4610 HST, great yard machine but no comparison in the woods.... I now have a 2005 M6800 w/ cab Works ok and has plenty of power but I am always worried about wrecking the cab, also requires wider trail and clearance for the height of the cab.....  My first Kubotas was a 1979 L 195 4x4 no loader skided single logs up to 20 ft was light in the front end,did the job but was just a little to small for any production.......
Could skid out 2-3 thousand ft a day and all the tops with the 2550. A 2 man crew 1 cutter and myself , skidding/bucking. everything was brushed to slash law requirments. skidways and landing were kept clean daily as well.....
I'm very fussy about My landing and woodlot...

Pilot

Climber's setup is pretty impressive, but what do you mean by pretty good sized logs?  Where are you located?  A pretty good sized log in Wyoming might be a 16" lodgepole, in Iowa a 24" oak with a 10' log on it, here in Oregon, a 42" Doug fir, 40 ft. long.

Don't think just tractor.  Here in Oregon a guy makes log arches to use behind ATV's.  They will handle a 2,000 lb., 24" log.  The ATV may be more maneuverable, easier on the ground because of lower ground pressure and maybe cheaper to buy.  It is surprising the range of attachments they make for ATV's.  Won't do all the things a tractor will do, but as others have said you need a separate mower anyway.  Google "future forestry products".

Furby

Future Forestry is now owned and operated by LogRite Tools in Vernon, CT.
You can contact them via their link on the left side of your screen. :)

Climber

Seeing is beliving.
jan 8 2008
white pine 5 feet wide 6 feet long



Any one need it? Woodmils1 didn't wont it. I'll give it for free. Yo just pay shipping. UPS is recomended.

:D

The Woodcooker

I have a cub cadet compact 4 wd 23 hp tractor with a quick hitch and a 25 in tong that attaches to the hook on the hitch.  I haul up to 27 in logs x 12 ' without a problem.  I wrap a piece of polyethylene around the drag end ( with a ratcheting tie down) and I don't get any mud or dirt on the log.  The terrain of my woods is moderate.  No Big hills, but some wet areas. 

The Woodcooker

23 hp Cub cadet with a quick hitch and a set of 25 in tongs,  the hitch and the tongs get the log off the ground( no snow plowing) and I cinch a piece of polyethylene 1/8 in around the drag end of the log.  I have no problem dragging a 27X 12' log through moderate incline woods with very wet areas.  ( I lay slabs of wood to help traction).

beenthere

Couple a comparative posts from The Woodcooker.
:)

Are we gonna see some pics of your rig?  We like pics... ;D ;D
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

ID4ster

I've used a 30 HP Yanmar (essentially a JD) equipped with a Farmi 351 winch. It wasn't powerful enough to do the job. It couldn't pull an 18" top diameter by 20' log up a slight incline. You couldn't even winch the log up the incline. The landowner sold it and replaced it with a 53 HP Kubota with the same winch and that works well. I've used a 45 HP Kioti equipped with a 4T Tajfun winch and that worked well. We personally bought a 55 HP Kioti and equipped it with a Fransgard V-4000 winch for logging on our property and it works very well. If you want to skid logs with your tractor and perhaps use it for other purposes such as snow plowing, hauling, powering a firewood splitter, etc., than go with a 40-45 HP minimum sized tractor with a 55 HP being even better yet. Unless you are going to be running some sort of processor than a 55 is about the biggest you need to get since anything larger is going to run into excess weight and compaction problems once you get it out onto your forest soils. If you seriously want to skid logs though don't get anything less than 40 HP and 45-55 is better.
Bob Hassoldt
Seven Ridges Forestry
Kendrick, Idaho
Want to improve your woodlot the fastest way? Start thinning, believe me it needs it.

shinnlinger

Here is my tree puller,

34 horse 4x4 with loaded AG tires.  Not in the bussiness, but it does the job for me



My skidder attachment on the back works well too, more of it is in my album, but I do not have this picture thing down yet. 

Thanks Furby for getting me this far.
Shinnlinger
Woodshop teacher, pasture raised chicken farmer
34 horse kubota L-2850, Turner Band Mill, '84 F-600,
living in self-built/milled timberframe home

Furby


bull

shinnlinger thats the ticket. next one up from the 2550... is it standard,gst, or hst.... Go Kubota 8)

shinnlinger

Bull,

It is an '85 L2850....why the 2850 is 34 horse and the 2900 is 29 horse I have no idea.  I think the 2550 was 28 horse.

I have what I call a forward reverser "shuttle shift"  4 forward and reverse gears with a high low range.  Does that make it a standard?

I am very pleased with what I have done with this tractor.  From plowing (I put a wing blade on mine) to mowing to logging to milling to building , I have frequently asked quite a bit from it and it has always delivered.

I think if I had to get a new tractor it would be close to this one in power.  MOre is always nice but for an all around machine, mid thirties can get it the bigger stuff done but still not tear up the yard and the budget.
Shinnlinger
Woodshop teacher, pasture raised chicken farmer
34 horse kubota L-2850, Turner Band Mill, '84 F-600,
living in self-built/milled timberframe home

beenthere

shinnlinger

Do you have a pic of that wing you put on yours? :)
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

shinnlinger

 Here is the wing...



I have dial up and have not really figured the photo thing at this site...I find it a pain the rear actually, not the site, I think this site is great, but I'm not smart enough to work this the photo upload thing.

Anywhoo, I hope there are no rules against this, if so delete this, but if you want to see more of the wing (which I find works really well for pushing snow banks back) go to nettractortalk.com and check out the homemade implements section.
Shinnlinger
Woodshop teacher, pasture raised chicken farmer
34 horse kubota L-2850, Turner Band Mill, '84 F-600,
living in self-built/milled timberframe home

stonebroke


thecfarm

There's a few members that have dail up too.I have to do it.The sizing and up laoding get easier the more you do it.Just like riding a bike.I probaly have 100 pictures in my gallery.Nice set up you have there.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

shinnlinger

Cfarm,

I can now upload easy enough, and you are right, it does get easier, but it is the sticking it in my post.  I find a picture and click on it but nothing happens, so I have to copy the gobbly gook underneath to paste it in..Then when I go back to grab another my post dissapears.

I am sure there is an easier way?  Sorry to hijack.
Shinnlinger
Woodshop teacher, pasture raised chicken farmer
34 horse kubota L-2850, Turner Band Mill, '84 F-600,
living in self-built/milled timberframe home

Furby

You need two windows open.
Right now hit the Ctrl (Control) button and at the same time hit N.
You will have two windows.
When you post, got to the top of the page and hit image archive and it will open in a new window so you can go back and forth between the two windows.

Hermio

Old thread, to be sure. But I qwill add this: when I bought a ZTR, it was MUCH better at mowing lawns than any tractor. If you can afford it, get a ZTR to mow the nlawn, and get a tractor for the rest.

Puffergas

This is my tractor skidder, about 4hp...  😉

Jeff
Somewhere 20 miles south of Lake Erie.

GEHL 5624 skid steer, Trojan 114, Timberjack 225D, D&L SB1020 mill, Steiger Bearcat II

Thank You Sponsors!