Any insight to if a forwarder like this could replace my mini skidder?
Does anyone hand cut with a small forwarder?
The Hanovers that were around my area were double bunk machines with flotation tires. Looked like they were made mostly with John Deere components. I have used single bunk 230D Timberjack's and C5D Tree Farmers, personally I prefer forwarder's to skidders, no heavy lifting and when it's in the rack it's always cleaner than dragging.
Thanks for some insight bushmechanic i read somewhere that they were mad by Ranger but im not sure that is true or not.
Does anyone else have some input it?
Well ive got some info on it from the owner. The motor was rebuilt less than a thousand hours ago, has new hydraulic pump and rotobec grapple. Needs master cylinder for breaks to work shouldn't be hard to fix and has a drip or two allso easy fix if its just hoses. Ive got a few guys really interested in my gafner mini skidder so hopefully things will happen quickly.
Was this the forwarder that was on Craigslist last spring/early summer for around 15k? Sounds similar, no brakes and a couple leaks, looked like a decent deal to me, but what do I know.
Yes it is asking less now
Yeah, I found it on CL again. If I were you if hop on it, just because it would be so handy. I could use one for picking rocks, moving lumber, I beams, brush piles, random heavy things and if course logging. If it's got a rebuilt engine and new hydro pump, seems like a sweet rig.
Hanover was purchased by Allied Systems in 1996 and it appears Allied Systems made a Ranger forwarder.http://www.alliedsystems.com/News/lufkin.htmhttp://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/forest_mgmt/saleprep/smallwood/Forwarders.pdfYou might want to look up how many parts are available for the Hanover before you need to go 3D metal printing replacement parts.What are the other options? Get a log trailer with a grapple crane/ stabiliser legs and pull that with a logging 4wd tractor that you can use for other jobs - snow blowing, trailer hauling etc. or a small log trailer with atv or pickup.If you had the work and the dollars something modern might be better long term.http://www.machinerytrader.com/listings/construction-equipment/for-sale/12291627/2006-deere-1010dHow far do you think the landowners will go eventually? Preference given to 'amish style' logging crews with horses and cart and suggest trees are cutdown with hand saws and axes and no fossil fuel to be used on their land.
I am going to do my very best to get the forwarder seems to me like a good deal and like you said their are lots of other uses for it.One thing to make it even better would be to put plexiglass in the cab and a small Heater for the winter.As far as a logging tractor I've been down that road and would never do it again. I have no other use for a tractor and to me the forwarder would be much better. Thank you for the info so far its been a big help. Parts i dont think will be any more difficult to find then they are for my gafner skidder. What cant be found can be made by a fabrication shop or good machine shop.
Yeah buddy, I hope it works out. What does a Gafner skidder look like?
I think if you can keep the skidder to and use it to pull the trees out to where you can buck them . May be better than trying to get the forwarder beside the tree . Just my 2 cents it's not my money .
No the forwarder will be just fine by itself. Being a short wheel base it will get around the woods well
Anyone have an idea what the loader will lift?
Quote from: logman81 on October 30, 2016, 05:16:18 AMAnyone have an idea what the loader will lift?Loader will probably lift 3-4000 lbs up close, the machine will tip before the loader says no more if the hydraulics are functioning properly. The rotobec bucket is a little nicer, inside that head are 2x wire wrapped hoses and a 2x banjo swivel fitting, I would keep one on hand because they always go on a Friday. You can probably get 2+ good cord on that. I would find a set of ice chains for the front, they help slow you down, a good load on and a little ice / snow / downgrade on a well worn trail and it's quite the ride when she takes off.
Thanks for the reply bardgemonkey that should be plenty of lift capacity. And also a good tip on keeping some spare parts on hand for it. Im really hoping it will all we out for me and i can make the switch.
Im planning to go look at it tomorrow and was wondering if thier is anything i should pay particular attention to on a forwarder other than the normal stuff like tires, pins bushings ect.
Mine was a partial train wreck when I bought it, at that time it was what I could afford and I spent alot of nights in my shop going thru it, doesn't matter how close you look when you first buy it your going to find stuff after the fact.Load it right up and make sure you have enough power, mine has a 353 and I regret not doing a 4BTA conversation when I had the chance.Check your driveline, forwarders are hard on u-joints and shafts. Welds in odd places, see if the bunks have been broken off it before.Hoses are the big killer, 3/4 of the hose on my boom was toast, find a spot to mount a toolbox and carry a pile of wrenches and a few spare hoses.
Does that machine have straight hydraulic, pilot operated, or electric over hydraulic controls? The electronic controls on some older forwarders are impossible to get parts for.
I would imagine its old school controls.
I looked up Hanover forwarders. Found a couple diffeant styles. Going to take a picture for us??
I havnt been able to go look at it yet, still trying to line up a buyer for my skidder.