Caterpillar

The new Cat C-Series wheel skidders are powered by Caterpillar’s C7 ACERT engine that uses proven technology. The C7 engine provides extended 500-hour service intervals and delivers improved fuel efficiency, lowering owning and operating costs. An updated operator station offers more comfort, improved ergonomics, relocation of the dozer control and governor pedal, and a new display cluster. A redesign of engine enclosures, more serviceable hoses in the hitch area and new environmentally friendly ecology drains on all fluid compartments make service easier and faster.

For steep ground applications, Cat also offers the 517 and 527 track skidders, both with cable and grapple configurations. They feature a large, heavy-duty torque converter, three-speed planetary power-shift transmission, heavy-duty track roller frame and a field proven Cat 3304 diesel engine.

Operations can match their Caterpillar skidder with a Caterpillar grapple. These grapples feature wear-resistant cast tips and tong redesign allowing for increased loading performance and maximum log retention.

www.forestpro.com

Forcat

The Forcat 2000 is the only small skidder specifically designed for low impact/select logging that is able to get right next to the trees because of its small size and maneuverability, according to the company. The Forcat 2000 is equipped with an industrial 27 hp engine and a variable flow hydrostatic transmission that allows the operator to work both tracks independently for better traction and a 0-degree turn radius. Its 2.3 psi ground impact also allows the operator to log in soft areas. The Forcat 2000 is equipped with a powerful hydraulic winch, a hydraulic lift rear back plate, a hydraulic lift front pileup blade, a fire extinguisher and four chokers. Every accessory has a hydraulic floating position for better performance in all situations.

www.berfor.ca

Franklin Equipment Company

Since 1962, Franklin Equipment Company has been a pioneer in the manufacturing of rubber-tired timber harvesting equipment. The company’s cable and grapple skidders are fourwheel drive, power-shift, frame-articulated vehicles with centre section or front axle oscillation. Cable skidders are offered in horsepower ratings from 174 to 200, with a 40,000 lb line pull winch standard. Grapple skidders are offered in horsepower ratings from 174 to 215, with single or dual arch grapple configurations carrying sorting or bunching grapples from 90” to 134”.

Recently, Franklin instituted a factory remanufacturing program for qualified Franklin products that provides dealers and customers with good machinery at a reasonable price.

www.franklin-treefarmer.com

John Deere

John Deere offers five different skidder models. In grapple skidders, loggers can choose from three single-function or three dual-function versions—the 548G-III, 648G-III, and 748G-III. With horsepower ranging from 117 to 171 and a variety of choices on transmissions, axles, grapples, winches, and cab comforts, loggers can build their own ideal skidder.

The 748G-III has an oscillating front axle allowing the wheels to “step over” uneven terrain while the operator remains relatively level. The grapple tongs feature a box design to add strength without extra weight.

The 540G-III and 640G-III are the cable choices. The standard 4000 winch and optional 6000 winch are easily operated with a single lever. They feature power line pull, sealed wet-disc clutches, and spring-applied, hydraulically activated brakes. Both the 540G-III and the 640G-III feature a comfortable roomy cab, and offer a choice to couple a direct-drive or torqueconverter transmission to the powerful John Deere engine. The wheels can be synched with full diff-lock for maximum traction, or unlocked for less tire scuffing.

The grapple has an L-shaped A-frame which allows for the drag of wood to be pulled forward to help balance the load on each bogie. The clambunk can be self loading with a live heel on the boom or work with a shovel machine.

www.deere.com

KMC

The KMC model 1000H hydrostatic drive track skidder is designed specifically for West Coast selective or thinning logging operations. This medium-sized track skidder, with its unique torsion bar suspension and “live” high-speed steel track, has speed and maneuverability second to none, according to the company.

It is capable of working on steep slopes, wet/boggy ground or environmentally sensitive soils where conventional vehicles cannot. When combined with other standard logging equipment, the KMC 1000 series skidder will work to increase production, reduce operating costs and allow skidding at times when operations are normally shut down due to weather, says the company. The KMC 1000 series hydrostatic drive track vehicles have also been used as carriers for mulchers/brush cutters, fire suppression vehicles, utility man-lifts and digger derricks. The service vehicles come with a flat deck and crane.

www.kmc-kootrac.com

Prentice

The Prentice 2432 dual arch skidder features a new engine and hydraulic system, more durable centre joint and a more comfortable, functional cab. The skidder has the new Tier III Cummins QSB 173 hp engine with improved low end torque to accelerate faster with full loads. The new Kawasaki hydraulic system is simple, reliable and field proven. The Prentice skidder is more stable as a result of better weight distribution and a longer wheelbase. At 150”, it has the longest wheelbase of all skidders in its class, says the company. New components increase the durability of the centre joint: three-inch pins, front and rear frame plates from 40 to 60 per cent thicker and tapered roller bearings that replaced spherical bushings top and bottom.

The redesigned heat/AC system directs more airflow on to the operator. Changes to the boom and arch geometry of the dual arch skidder have increased its lifting power 52 per cent and improved holding ability 71 per cent. The 2432 can lift and move a Prentice 384-class TMS unit with ease. Continuous and non-continuous rotation heads are available in various sizes to suit a wide variety of applications.

www.blount-fied.com

TimberPro

TimberPro is now in production with its eight-wheel, tree-length skidder which can be set up as a clambunk or grapple. The grapple has 25 sq ft of tip to tip area and the clambunk has 33 sq ft. The grapple skidder will carry at least double the load of a large four-wheel machine and the clambunk three to four times the load. Another advantage of the clambunk is that it can be equipped with a cutting attachment. This allows for the one machine to cut the trees then lay them in the clambunk for skidding.

www.timberpro.com

Tanguay

The newest TG88E track grapple forwarder, formally known has the Trans-Gesco TG88, boasts an enormous 35-ton payload capacity and a gigantic 45 square foot grapple mounted on an 18-foot reach dual boom set. These booms fold upon themselves for better weight distribution and offer the ability for the machine to push itself in difficult ground situations.

Powered by a 400 hp Cummins QSM Tier III engine, the low maintenance, 100 per cent hydrostatic eight-wheel drive traction provides over 140,000 lbs of drawbar pull and exceptional maneuverability. Long 80.5” bogies and a choice of track shoes, from 36” to 60” wide, are available for extremely low ground pressure.

The TG88E grapple forwarder with its fast loading cycle is productive on short or long skidding distances and it is also an effective and safe complement to grapple yarder and high lead operations. The TG88E is also available as clambunk or shortwood forwarders.

www.tanguay.cc

Tigercat

Tigercat builds a full range of log skidders including the 604 cable skidder, 610, 620C and 630C grapple skidders, 625C and 635C six-wheel drive skidders and the C640C clambunk skidder.

Electronic control technology allows Tigercat hydrostatic skidders to operate at variable engine rpm, automatically increasing the engine speed when additional horsepower is demanded.

The most popular model, suited to the widest range of applications, is the 620C. Powered by a 220 hp Cummins QSB6.7 Tier III engine, the 620C is well suited for selective thinning and clear fell applications.

The new 610 skidder is a quick, efficient mid-sized skidder well suited to selective felling, plantation thinning and lower volume clear fell applications. It is equipped with a 173 hp Cummins QSB5.9 Tier II engine.

Tigercat’s range of dual cylinder grapples has large capacities and wide tip to tip openings. The 610 is available with a 12.5 sq ft Esco grapple or a Tigercat 13 sqft grapple. The 620C can be fitted with Tigercat grapples sized up to 17 sq ft. All skidders are packaged with a roomy engine house and cabs that tilt to provide easy access to the hydrostatic pump stack, motors and driveline.

www.tigercat.com