Does anyone out there know of a small trac type machine that may be just a little bit bigger than a large 4X4 atv(not utv). Nortrac used to have a small dozer but I can not seem to find any information on them now. I am trying to figure a way to limit the impact in wood lot and residential areas.
From contributor Da
do a google search for mule or horse
From contributor ti
yes horse logging will be your best bet for low inpact logging! If your looking too do this full time you might want too serach a site called dapnet for some good advice on how too do this, if you just hve a prodgect too do you can go too rual heritage and they have an extenseve list of horse logger in the us! You can allso find a amish village near your area and sometimes they will hire out too! heres a pic of one of our jobs with horses1
From contributor ja
Thanks for the equine info, however, I have designed and built a log arch that works really well with a 4x4 atv however, where I am at is pretty steep terrain and atv is maxed out! Thought of horses/mules but want to do this myself as a retirement project and at 62 I would be way behind power curve for equine team, I am sure it would take horses/mules to long to teach me how to run them. Ha!
From contributor ti
We use archs all the time one I just developed uses a graple so in the right ground I dont even have to get off . and the right team of horses they will teach you lol!
but another thing you could look into is a trencher ! You can find machines out there that the chain systems are compermised but the rest of the machine is still functional but they have plenty of traction and power they allso artiqulate so you can get around, you can pick one of these for 3to 40000!
From contributor st
www.struckcorp.com has some small track type tractors about the size of a 4 wheeler.
From contributor La
A small tracked skid steer? Check with rental yards. They sell their used ones fairly often. It might be cheaper to just rent one when needed. Many name brands of high quality machines are available: Bobcat, JD, CAT, Case ---. Advantage of these machines is the wide range of attachments available.
From contributor Ma
You might like the Iron Horse by Jonsered. http://www.tiltonequipment.com/product-lines/jonsered/professional/sawmills-iron-h
orse/
I think a track skid steer would work well too.
From contributor Jo
Jan,
I have a small mini excavator on tracks that I've used in the woods. It's not as fast as an atv, but it can pull more plus you have the benefit of the hydraulics of the boom to lift and swing. Also, you can level up spots on your trails, back blade to smooth out traisl, etc. It can spin 360 in it's own space, and lift up logs, not just drag them.
From contributor Er
What you want is a small, tracked excavator with a thumb-bucket, like this example from Kubota. The tracks keep the pressure from the machine equal and distributed. The thumb bucket lets you pick up any log. Excavators rotate easily so you can move in tight spots. The blade can help make roads, and prevent the machine from tipping with heavy logs at the end of the boom reach.
The contractor I worked with had one of these and we pulled 6 loads of cherry through their side yard, and didn't turf a single flower bed.
From contributor Do
Check out Forecat 2000 small tract skidder with winch, you can find it on u-tube. Great machine.
