132 Franklin Forwarder

gjersy · May 11, 2015, 06:58:09 PM

Got the old Franklin going, it sat 2 years after Pa died so i got it running, it started right up after 5 seconds never even charged the batteries. The vane-pump(runs the steering, blade & winch) was tired so i rebuilt it and changed all the hyd oil as there was condensation in hyd tank. I serviced, repaired a few minor things. I had several guys look it over but no one wanted to give Mom what i thought it was worth, so i bought it. It's old, but low hour rebuild 453 Detroit, good 28L rubber, a winch and it's not all busted and rewelded like a lot from those days. Pa owned it since it was pretty new, late 70's, we used it for swamp jobs only. I rented it from Pa 5-6yrs ago to help skid a swamp job, other than that it just got used around the shop the last decade. Still a sound reliable machine, as he was always on top of maintenance, should last another 40 years.

Maine logger88 · May 11, 2015, 07:02:11 PM

Looks like a nice machine! My uncle has one that looks a lot like it but his only has a 353. What brand winch is that on the front it looks handy

mad murdock · May 11, 2015, 07:03:08 PM

That is a looker for sure!! Nice!

gjersy · May 11, 2015, 07:08:16 PM

Thanks, I'm sorry it is a 353, my Timberjacks are 453, wasn't thinking. Not sure on the winch brand he put it on a few years after he bought it. the winch is handy but geared way to slow so i'm going to gear it up i have a better orbital motor that should do it.

chevytaHOE5674 · May 11, 2015, 07:10:54 PM

Wish I could talk to wife into a machine like that for around the farm. Be so handy for making firewood, selling some logs, handling hay, picking up stumps/rocks/brush/etc.

Maine logger88 · May 11, 2015, 07:35:57 PM

It almost looks like the Tulsa winch on my fathers lowbed his is slow too but pulls really well!

gjersy · May 11, 2015, 08:21:09 PM

Right on Maine Logger88 it is a Tulsa winch. This ones geared to slow, as you can get out and barely see it move lol. It still beats waiting for another machine to come over and pull you out of the muck though.

tantoy · May 11, 2015, 08:53:28 PM

Sweet rig, glad you can use and or preserve it!

BargeMonkey · May 11, 2015, 11:19:46 PM

Looks like a nice machine. ;) those 28L's have to be pretty stable, mine with 23.1 is still pretty tippy. There is a sister to that machine over Hunter Mt way working, guy logged in softwood down here 2x winters and then sold it to a local guy here, not pretty but moves alot of wood without a stupid payment.

gjersy · May 12, 2015, 06:48:10 PM

Yes it's pretty stable, there are still quite a few of the old Franklin 120's & 132's in WI. My bud had a 132 skidding behind his 133 Fabtek all winter, he said it kept up and impressed him, of course it wasn't a real long long skid. Is your 132 thats tippy a roof mount boom?

BargeMonkey · May 12, 2015, 07:05:33 PM

Ive got a 230 long bunk with a serco 4k, 23.1 rubber, its ok if picking bunched wood but off the trails she is a pig. I get alot of lots it wont take more than a 1/2 bunk load up the hill. Ive talked about a used small processor for softwood but around here its still 80% skidder work unless you want to cut alot of roads in with the dozer.

timberlinetree · May 17, 2015, 06:04:24 AM

Nice machine! Sorry about your dad. Nice to see its up and running. Our franklin is nice to have and comes in real handy. Wish franklin was still in business.