Franklin Skidder-- what can you tell me?

[Okrafarmer]

This skidder the boss man looked at today, he was told is a 1982. I really don't know much about it. Neither he nor I have ever owned or operated a skidder, but this one is at a somewhat attractive price, and he's kind of hankering for one. I want to tell him to hold out for a TJack, but he's drooling. Here's the pic he sent me. I don't know the model, maybe somebody can tell me more about it. I don't understand what little I see of the rear end, either-- is that part of a winch, grapple, or ?  ???



 

[JamesE. PikeLogging]

looks like a nice ole 170 franklin but looks like its missin the arch and fenders on the rear end

[Okrafarmer]

That's what I was wondering. . . . .

[thecfarm]

Tires look good. Kinda odd the paint job. I mean it's looks new. With no winch or fenders on the back? A project not finished? parts are behind the barn?

[mad murdock]

The front of the machine looks like a vintage 80's. Could be a grapple skidder without the grapple and arm? Hard to tel from this angle. My brother and I had a new Franklin 132 shortwood(forwarder). They are a stout machine and well built!

[donny hochstetler]

I remember seeing this on cr.lst. I think  If I would have to guess I would say it was used in land clearing operations possibly pulling big heavy plows thats why no fenders if I remember it does have a winch looks like somone stuck a fairlead on there I would just raise it up a little  but as far as franklin goes there tough as they get easy to work on fulltime 4 wheeldrive Ive run them a lot in my earlier years

[treefarmer87]

thats a mid 80s 170, great machine. similar to what i have. probably has a 453 turbo and a powershift. it might have been used for pulling stuff on the farm in the pic maybe ??? i have seen them used for fertilizer app, etc. before. the winch is still on looks like. you could turn it into a grapple easy. W&W truck and tractor in Moncks Corner, SC has grapple assemblies and parts for franklins.

[lumberjack48]

I never bought a Franklin, because i was told by many the transmission didn't hold up. The thing is i haven't got a clue if this is true or not. Like i've said in other post's, you put somebody on a power shift with no experience how to run it, he could burn it up in one hour or less.

I always leased a machine for a month or two before buying to make sure there wouldn't be no big surprises. Buying a skidder can be fun and rewarding or turn in to a nightmare, paint just makes-em look good.

I would feel on comfortable buying a Franklin Power shift, compared to a TJ, TF, JD, PB with a stick shift, now this is just my thinking.

[Okrafarmer]

Thanks, guys, sounds good, I think he decided he needs a bucket truck next, not a skidder. I hope so, because we really do need a bucket truck, it would make a lot of jobs easier.

[Maine372]

that looks like the mount for either an esco single function grapple or a swing grapple.