Turbo Forest Mini Skidder

[Scott]

Hi everyone. My father and I are looking at purchasing a Turbo Forest mini skidder thats for sale locally. I'm Looking to talk to someone who has some experience with these skidders. Parts are available from the manufacture but I was wondering how pricey they are and how difficult it is to work on. Any info or experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Ryan D]

Hey Scott, is that the one that is for sale at Hants Equipment? I was thinking of stopping in there just to take a look at it. Not looking to buy but have never seen one in person. I think I may know who used to own that one.

[Scott]

Thats the one Ryan. Saw one years ago at the equipment show in Moncton, they're neat little rigs. The asking price on this one seems very reasonable. Do you think you could get me contact info for the previous owner? I'd like to ask him a few questions about it. Just don't want to buy it and get some unpleasant surprises haha.

[Ryan D]

I'll try to find out if it was his. I know he bought one years ago. He actually used it to pull a log trailer around and forward behind a small processor. I know he liked the machine but said parts were a bit pricey for it compared to something like a timberjack.

[thecfarm]

I used turbo skidder in the search and came up with this thread.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,13679.0.html
There 2-3 other threads too.

[Ken]

Personally I think you would be better off getting a nice TJ 225 or 230 or maybe a JD 440.  Nearly as small and parts availability are proven.  In addition those machines are tried, tested an proven.  I think if the Turbo Forest mini skidder was any good it would have taken off when it was launched several years ago.

[barbender]

They look like a nice, nice small machine. However, like the others, I would be very concerned about replacement parts. I think the reason they never took off is who can afford an $80,000 small skidder to do TSI work with?

[longtime lurker]

I had a bit of a look over an Iwafuji a while back, which while not the same breed is at least in the same size/weight class. Unlike TurboForest theres about a million of those little Iwafujis out there - mostly in Japan - parts are mostly off the shelf Isuzu truck etc.
It appeared to be a well built machine in good order and I got the "I want one's" pretty quick.

Thing is though, it's like barbender said: that size machine is really only suitable for very specialised applications. You'd need to be getting a pretty fair premium for the reduced impact it has either in increased dollars or more work; because in terms of tonnes/day production it will be constrained even compared with the likes of a 440. Most of us get paid by the ton / cord/ cube, and it ain't worth more on the landing because you did less damage putting it there.

[Scott]

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking at this machine for our the family woodlot, its not going to be a money maker haha. The asking price on this machine is about the same as you see a lot of 230 TJs listed for, very reasonable IMO. I always had my eyes open for a nice 208, missed one a few months back. It sounds like a decent little machine but do you roll the dice of it or stick with the tried and tested old TJs? The old TJs are simple to work on too and the Turboforest is all hydraulics. My main concern would be the price of parts, especially where everything is hydraulic. Might head down friday to have a look anyway and see what kind kind of components it has and try to price some of them out. Anyway thanks again

[Maine logger88]

If it was me I'd look for a 205 208 or 225 cause parts are reasonable and will be available for a long time. The turbo Forest does look like a handy little machine tho.