Don't know anything about conditions in Alaska except there is permafrost and mud in the summer. The lightest CTL from Bobcat weighs 6,000+ lbs. Would expect just about any equipment could make a mess, but maybe keeping a light footprint is a good thing?
Buying Advice What to buy for remote Alaska property
- Thread starter ChugiakTinkerer
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Don't know anything about conditions in Alaska except there is permafrost and mud in the summer. The lightest CTL from Bobcat weighs 6,000+ lbs. Would expect just about any equipment could make a mess, but maybe keeping a light footprint is a good thing?
MinnesotaEric
Super Member
Look at compact telehandlers with AUX-hydraulics on the boom or a track loader like Terex or ASV with AUX hydraulics. If you get a track machine get a pressure washer too and use it.
http://www.machinerytrader.com/list...-sale/list/category/1038/forklifts-telescopic
http://www.machinerytrader.com/list...-sale/list/category/1038/forklifts-telescopic
OP
ChugiakTinkerer
Bronze Member
Thanks, I'll check it out.
OP
ChugiakTinkerer
Bronze Member
The low ground pressure from the CTL is what originally got me looking at them. They are pricey and new ones are out of my budget. There is a small pool of used equipment here, but I am also looking at buying used in the lower 48 or Canada and shipping to me. About the only drawback I see is the operational cost of maintenance. I need to do more research but I recall reading somewhere that one should allow for $10 in maintenance costs per hour of run time.
Egon
Epic Contributor
I'm thinking a good sturdy winch, lots of cable and snatch blocks would be a very helpfull addition.
Pull out the tractor. Pull logs. Use with log tripod for hoisting and moving timbers. There are some neat ways for a single person to raise tripods. Some chain hoists & come alongside might be handy.
Interesting prodject.
As to the tractor, if weight is limiting factor, you choices are all good. Think about four really ugly tire chains, a full skid pan, a sturdy expanded metal cage around the front and sides to keep errant limbs from rearranging the mechanicals systems.
Pull out the tractor. Pull logs. Use with log tripod for hoisting and moving timbers. There are some neat ways for a single person to raise tripods. Some chain hoists & come alongside might be handy.
Interesting prodject.
As to the tractor, if weight is limiting factor, you choices are all good. Think about four really ugly tire chains, a full skid pan, a sturdy expanded metal cage around the front and sides to keep errant limbs from rearranging the mechanicals systems.
oosik
Epic Contributor
I'm familiar with the Lake Louise area - worked for Ak Dept of Fish & Game out of their Glennallen office.
Chances are IF you can get any kind of normal tractor in to your property in the winter - its going to sink out of sight in the summer muskeg.
Take a hint from military operations and get some type of WIDE tracked vehicle. Like a Thiakol or Nodwell. They will carry a lot of supplies over some pretty mushy ground. And believe me - in the summer if your aren't on the ridges - you are in the mush. And even at that - you drive the same route three or four time and you just might turn the dry tundra into an impassable field of mush.
You must be driving into the Lk Louise Lodge and across the lake and onto your trails from there.
Folks - this is truly some VERY wild remote country. I remember the kids coming to the door of our log cabin on Halloween - it was -35F and dark as india ink.
If you are looking for where the OP is located - Google Lk Louise, AK - its about 185 miles north of Anchorage and about 290 miles south of Fairbanks.
Chances are IF you can get any kind of normal tractor in to your property in the winter - its going to sink out of sight in the summer muskeg.
Take a hint from military operations and get some type of WIDE tracked vehicle. Like a Thiakol or Nodwell. They will carry a lot of supplies over some pretty mushy ground. And believe me - in the summer if your aren't on the ridges - you are in the mush. And even at that - you drive the same route three or four time and you just might turn the dry tundra into an impassable field of mush.
You must be driving into the Lk Louise Lodge and across the lake and onto your trails from there.
Folks - this is truly some VERY wild remote country. I remember the kids coming to the door of our log cabin on Halloween - it was -35F and dark as india ink.
If you are looking for where the OP is located - Google Lk Louise, AK - its about 185 miles north of Anchorage and about 290 miles south of Fairbanks.
OP
ChugiakTinkerer
Bronze Member
Hey oosik, how you doing almost-former-neighbor? It's a balmy -30 F in Glennallen today. You are right about parking at the LL Lodge and riding across the lake and along trails. My plan, such as it is, is to keep the equipment on my property in the summer and out of the muskeg. We are on high ground and have a decent mix of clayey, sandy, gravel that pretends to be soil. The only time I plan to be crossing the muck is when it is frozen. That said, something on tracks will provide a light footprint year-round that will be easy on the vegetation and soil.
fried1765
Super Star Member
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For your very specific use...
TRACKS.....TRACKS.....ONLY..... RUBBER TRACKS!
You will curse the day that you bought ANYTHING with wheels!
dickfoster
Elite Member
I sure hope you invited them in and gave them a treat. We don't get any kids here on Halloween and there are couple of kids right next door.
I did two seasons all over the Alaskan bush and came to the rapid conclusion that there were far too many skeeters and other blood sucking, biting critters for me. And that was the summer time when life is easy. Winter brings on a whole nother set of even bigger challenges. I met a guy at Chandalar Lake that put on snowshoes and hiked several miles up a mountain in sub zero temps just to get a glimpse of the sun. I don't mind admitting that I'm too much of a wuss for Alaska.