Good Feller
New member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2009
- Messages
- 2
I'm new to here....hi!
I need equipment but can't make up my mind what to get. I plan to inherit about 80 acres in the near future. 40 of it crop ground and the other 40 rough/timber. I do not want a tractor to farm with (not at this point anyways). I need something for brush cutting/snow removal/fencing/firewood/log skidding.
There will be a big emphasis on using it for loading firewood on my trailer and dragging/winching firewood quality logs out of the timber. I'm interested in a farmi winch for the 3 pt. I'm a forester and run business selling firewood, doing timber stand improvement, timber sales, and tree removal. The trees I cut down for timber stand improvement are all low quality poor formed trees 12"dbh and smaller that I would like to take advantage of for firewood. Right now I have a 500cc 4 wheeler that I thought I could use to skid these small logs out, but it's not hacking it. Get a little bit of snow and ice on ground that has an incline and the 4 wheeler is worthless. I don't have time for that. I also don't have time to load my trailer with wood by hand. I need a loader/forks. On occasion, I cut larger logs (walnut trees 18-22"dbh 8-10' logs) and would also like to be able to load them.
If I get something it has to weigh less than 3500lbs. for hauling purposes. If it weighs more than that I can't haul it to different job sites with my current truck/trailer set up. What do you think I need? I have family and friends that work at our New Holland dealership in my town... that might be good for a discount/help with parts and maintenance.
Whatever I get, it has to have a loader. I'm sick of doing things the hard way. I've thought about getting a conventional log skidder, a forcat 2000, a skid loader, and now a tractor. I think a tractor with a loader will be the most versatile and best bet. The way I see it:
Conventional skidder: 10K-20K for a 30 year old maintenance project. BUT safest most efficient way to skid logs from timber. Also, I have no way to haul it and it only does one thing.... skid logs. Also, when it's time to sell it, there are only so many loggers in my area.
Forcat 2000: Neat little thing. Has tracks and 8000lb winch. Easy on fuel. Low impact/can get in tight spots. Would be able to go in and get 90% of what I cut. New, shipped to my house $24,000.... ouch. Weighs less than 3000lbs. Can't put a brush cutter or post hole digger on it.
Skid steer: No good in the woods. Can't see behind you. Can't brush cut with it. Next.
I've been looking at the TC 30 New Holland. I can't decide on new or used. I could afford 15-20K. 4wd is a must, loader,,, What options should I get if I go with this particular model? I've also looked into the Kubota b7800. It has the same hp but weighs like 600lbs less than the NH!
Does the TC 30 fit my needs? Thanks!
I need equipment but can't make up my mind what to get. I plan to inherit about 80 acres in the near future. 40 of it crop ground and the other 40 rough/timber. I do not want a tractor to farm with (not at this point anyways). I need something for brush cutting/snow removal/fencing/firewood/log skidding.
There will be a big emphasis on using it for loading firewood on my trailer and dragging/winching firewood quality logs out of the timber. I'm interested in a farmi winch for the 3 pt. I'm a forester and run business selling firewood, doing timber stand improvement, timber sales, and tree removal. The trees I cut down for timber stand improvement are all low quality poor formed trees 12"dbh and smaller that I would like to take advantage of for firewood. Right now I have a 500cc 4 wheeler that I thought I could use to skid these small logs out, but it's not hacking it. Get a little bit of snow and ice on ground that has an incline and the 4 wheeler is worthless. I don't have time for that. I also don't have time to load my trailer with wood by hand. I need a loader/forks. On occasion, I cut larger logs (walnut trees 18-22"dbh 8-10' logs) and would also like to be able to load them.
If I get something it has to weigh less than 3500lbs. for hauling purposes. If it weighs more than that I can't haul it to different job sites with my current truck/trailer set up. What do you think I need? I have family and friends that work at our New Holland dealership in my town... that might be good for a discount/help with parts and maintenance.
Whatever I get, it has to have a loader. I'm sick of doing things the hard way. I've thought about getting a conventional log skidder, a forcat 2000, a skid loader, and now a tractor. I think a tractor with a loader will be the most versatile and best bet. The way I see it:
Conventional skidder: 10K-20K for a 30 year old maintenance project. BUT safest most efficient way to skid logs from timber. Also, I have no way to haul it and it only does one thing.... skid logs. Also, when it's time to sell it, there are only so many loggers in my area.
Forcat 2000: Neat little thing. Has tracks and 8000lb winch. Easy on fuel. Low impact/can get in tight spots. Would be able to go in and get 90% of what I cut. New, shipped to my house $24,000.... ouch. Weighs less than 3000lbs. Can't put a brush cutter or post hole digger on it.
Skid steer: No good in the woods. Can't see behind you. Can't brush cut with it. Next.
I've been looking at the TC 30 New Holland. I can't decide on new or used. I could afford 15-20K. 4wd is a must, loader,,, What options should I get if I go with this particular model? I've also looked into the Kubota b7800. It has the same hp but weighs like 600lbs less than the NH!
Does the TC 30 fit my needs? Thanks!