Hello everyone , need advice on upgrading a logging tractor

[SwampRooster]

Hello everyone, I have a few questions on logging tractors. Right now I have a TC33d and it has been a great little rig. I mostly log with horses but have the tractor there for assist and to pull a sled or trailer in hill situation. I have been thinking of getting a 50hp tractor to replace this one or something close to that. I also have a Fami 501 winch. This winter I skidded to trails with the horses , loaded sled with the tractor and hauled it out. It was so simple and fast. I have a few questions . Lets say I haul out about four loads a day like this one in the pics and or between 2 to 4 cords a day. I do my loading of sled/wagon with the tractor and pull out around a 40 deep with it. How long would a decent tractor loader last doing that with a set of forks or a Frosbite style bucket on it ? Also would a Kubota MX5800 be enough tractor to do this or should I get a gear drive tractor. I may also pull a logging trailer with a loader some of the time but mostly I would like to just load and unload with the tractor its self.. At times I do some rock work and landscaping as well where there is a lot of loader work..
I am kind of a dreamer and like doing things out of the box I guess so I might have some other brain storms on here as well , LOL.. Thanks in advance , SwampRooster.

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN!

 

[Cycledude]

That looks like a pretty nice trailer and loader you have. Pretty easy to understand why you would like a bigger tractor. I’m curious what state do you live in ?

 

[grsthegreat]

Fjords…….
Ive skidded logs with mine also…fun but very dangerous.

 

[Thomas]

Welcome to TBN...enjoy.

There a thread on TBN...Tractors in woods! show pics. those gentlemen have good advice.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Welcome to TBN. I'm not sure what you are asking but usually it depends mostly how you take care of it. I think a 50 or 60 hp tractor will suit your needs fine. I have a Kubota M5640 (56 hp gear drive, 7500 lbs) with a FrostBite grapple and Farmi 501 winch. I will handle what you are showing fine. I have never operated an HST so can comment on that other than wonder why it matters. There are plenty of them out there in the woods.

gg

 

[2manyrocks]

The advantage of the HST is you can nearly instantly adjust your ground speed to suit ground conditions, but the disadvantage is you need to maintain your HST filter and fluid. The HST is also very handy for loader work because you can ease up on your speed so easily.

 

[Hoobie]

Welcome to TBN.
I have a Kubota mx5100, 50 hp with hydrostatic transmission. Going on 1700 hours on it with no issues. I do a fair amount of woods work with a Wallenstein winch. No grapple yet but I use forks. This tractor suits all my needs, winching, loading and hauling. Tires are loaded. I have a 900 pound homemade counterweight I can quickly lift with the winch when needed for extra heavy loader work. Combined weight with winch is 1400 pounds. Winch is equipped with a removable ball hitch which is great. And a good set of chains is essential here where I live.
I find the HST is great for what I do. In all my year round work I do a lot of what I call creeping work. With HST I have total control. But that is just me. Many prefer geared transmissions.
Good luck.

 

[Gordon Gould]

One thing I did think of was that if I had an HST I would want to be able to use the steering brakes in a convenient manner. Especially in snow when skidding out a hitch. I often set my hand throttle and use my right foot to run the steering brakes or diff lock.

gg

 

[Hoobie]

One thing I did think of was that if I had an HST I would want to be able to use the steering brakes in a convenient manner. Especially in snow when skidding out a hitch. I often set my hand throttle and use my right foot to run the steering brakes or diff lock.

gg

I think I get what you mean. I use my left foot for steering brakes. Not a big issue for me. But I sometimes run cruise control with my left hand so I can use my right foot.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have a 900 pound homemade counterweight I can quickly lift with the winch when needed for extra heavy loader work. Combined weight with winch is 1400 pounds.

That's great idea Hoobie. How do you mount your counter weight ? Hang it off the slotted choker rail or some other way ??

gg

 

[5030]

Welcome to TBN. I'm not sure what you are asking but usually it depends mostly how you take care of it. I think a 50 or 60 hp tractor will suit your needs fine. I have a Kubota M5640 (56 hp gear drive, 7500 lbs) with a FrostBite grapple and Farmi 501 winch. I will handle what you are showing fine. I have never operated an HST so can comment on that other than wonder why it matters. There are plenty of them out there in the woods.

View attachment 3201372

View attachment 3201373

gg

You need a cab on that unit so you don't freeze your jewels off...lol

 

[5030]

Back in the day (many moons ago) when I lived in Northern Ohio and owned a place with a huge woodlot, I heated with wood and sold it as well and I skidded ALL the logs out with a 1949 Farmall A and froze my butt off as well. All in the tires and transmission as well as some weight on the drive tires.

 

[John_Mc]

Welcome to TBN, @SwampRooster . I recognize your setup from the Facebook group we are both in.

 

[SwampRooster]

Thank

Fjords…….
Ive skidded logs with mine also…fun but very dangerous.View attachment 3201366

Yes it sure can me . My goal is always to get a horse and make them less dangerous by the time I am done with them. They can sure move a lot of wood.

 

[SwampRooster]

Welcome to TBN, @SwampRooster . I recognize your setup from the Facebook group we are both in.

I recognize your pic as well. I love to see what other are doing in this industry.

 

[SwampRooster]

Thank.. That looks like a nice set up you have there.

Welcome to TBN.
I have a Kubota mx5100, 50 hp with hydrostatic transmission. Going on 1700 hours on it with no issues. I do a fair amount of woods work with a Wallenstein winch. No grapple yet but I use forks. This tractor suits all my needs, winching, loading and hauling. Tires are loaded. I have a 900 pound homemade counterweight I can quickly lift with the winch when needed for extra heavy loader work. Combined weight with winch is 1400 pounds. Winch is equipped with a removable ball hitch which is great. And a good set of chains is essential here where I live.
I find the HST is great for what I do. In all my year round work I do a lot of what I call creeping work. With HST I have total control. But that is just me. Many prefer geared transmissions.
Good luck

 

[SwampRooster]

Welcome to TBN. I'm not sure what you are asking but usually it depends mostly how you take care of it. I think a 50 or 60 hp tractor will suit your needs fine. I have a Kubota M5640 (56 hp gear drive, 7500 lbs) with a FrostBite grapple and Farmi 501 winch. I will handle what you are showing fine. I have never operated an HST so can comment on that other than wonder why it matters. There are plenty of them out there in the woods.

View attachment 3201372

View attachment 3201373

gg

That look like a nice set up you have. I guess what I am asking or part of it is, if the loaders hold up well to that amount of lifting . I do anywhere from around 400 to 600 cords a year . I had someone tell me if I tried to load , and load my truck , and or pile all of that it would wear the loader out and the front end of the tractor. I have no idea or at least a limited idea because most of what I have done is with commercial grade skidders and forwarders or for the last 20 plus years horses . I know some of you guys between farming and logging have done a LOT of loader work and know what they can stand.
My thought is to skid to the road / trail with horses , load sled / wagon with the tractor and then forward out , load the truck with tractor as well. Maybe that is asking to much out of a tractor , I am not sure .

 

[SwampRooster]

Thanks man .

Welcome to TBN...enjoy.

There a thread on TBN...Tractors in woods! show pics. those gentlemen have good advice.

 

[Gordon Gould]

That look like a nice set up you have. I guess what I am asking or part of it is, if the loaders hold up well to that amount of lifting . I do anywhere from around 400 to 600 cords a year . I had someone tell me if I tried to load , and load my truck , and or pile all of that it would wear the loader out and the front end of the tractor. I have no idea or at least a limited idea because most of what I have done is with commercial grade skidders and forwarders or for the last 20 plus years horses . I know some of you guys between farming and logging have done a LOT of loader work and know what they can stand.
My thought is to skid to the road / trail with horses , load sled / wagon with the tractor and then forward out , load the truck with tractor as well. Maybe that is asking to much out of a tractor , I am not sure .

Your production level is way over what I do so I am not sure either.

If you are going to load and unload with a grapple and if it requires any amount of precision I would also worry about the clutch also in a geared transmission tractor.

gg