4x4 Vs 2wd forestry tractors

[openspaceman]

Hi guys

 

 

So how many of you guys have 2wd tractors for forestry work and how do you find them?

 

 

I started with a Fordson Major hauling out 10ft poles on a buck rake, with the wheels off the ground and soft tyres it got about fine, getting back in unladen was often a problem.

 

Standard machine for big logs was a Major and Cooks winch, never travelled with the log, just move on, winch in, move on. Never used brakes just let the spades trail and then dig in. Messy.

 

It was all a bit inconvenient so went 4wd for speed and a bit more power.

 

Evenso for getting about a ford 4000 with half tracks got places the County wouldn't, I had one rival team of 3 cutting, extracting and loading 25 tonne of hardwood pulp everyday using said 400 with a trailer mounted FMV 1600 that had b***r all reach so it had to be placed precisely alongside the artic trailer. I could never work that hard.

[codlasher]

I started with a Fordson Major hauling out 10ft poles on a buck rake, with the wheels off the ground and soft tyres it got about fine, getting back in unladen was often a problem.

 

Standard machine for big logs was a Major and Cooks winch, never travelled with the log, just move on, winch in, move on. Never used brakes just let the spades trail and then dig in. Messy.

 

It was all a bit inconvenient so went 4wd for speed and a bit more power.

 

Evenso for getting about a ford 4000 with half tracks got places the County wouldn't, I had one rival team of 3 cutting, extracting and loading 25 tonne of hardwood pulp everyday using said 400 with a trailer mounted FMV 1600 that had b***r all reach so it had to be placed precisely alongside the artic trailer. I could never work that hard.

 

You had one, weren't they fun! (4000 that is) My mum has a picture somewhere of that and the DB. C1974!

codlasher

[fergusonforestry]

old 4000 at college

[aspenarb]

I love 2wd as you can turn on a sixpence; I actually prefer it to a 4wd when winching, water fill the front tyres or front weights yes. Amazing where you can get a 2wd in to...

 

Our old Nuffield winch tractor goes places our 4x4 tractors and Mogs cant get through. Many occasions its had to drive through where they are stuck up to the belly plates and winch them out. I think its more to do with the fact they weigh nothing and are sat on a relatively large footprint.

 

Bob

 

[Richard]

Thanks for all your help guys, I am looking at a massey 690 at my local dealer, is this about the right size for working a 50yr old ash coppice up to 4m lengths. But also will be used in younger blocks too.

 

Cheers

[slack ma girdle]

Our old Nuffield winch tractor goes places our 4x4 tractors and Mogs cant get through. Many occasions its had to drive through where they are stuck up to the belly plates and winch them out. I think its more to do with the fact they weigh nothing and are sat on a relatively large footprint.

 

Bob

 

 

Aaahaa a rivel for the most mighty Nuffield of power.

[pycoed]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCcd5J-f1ZA]Zetor Super tuning - YouTube[/ame]

 

Seems like this one could do with a bit of front wheel assist?

[Brushcutter]

Currently two lads are using the MF 390 2wd with a Fransgard 6.5 tonne winch on the back. Skidding 5m chestnut poles. Once they started using the independent breaks they LOVE the set up.