Excavator questions

[YotaAtieToo]

If your going to be working in any kind of tight area (around trees you don't want to fawk up, buildings, ditches without much clearance on both sides) I would get a movable boom. Although I liked mine when they moved at the house instead of on the boom itself. There is usually more swing that way.

Your wrong about working around trees, the fixed boom will tuck back up into the machine more. I ran a 145 link belt with a fixed boom and a 308 with an articulating boom on the same job. We were working up against a vertical wall, the 145 could put the bucket above the cab and spin 360* even the much smaller 308 couldn't come close.

​​​​​​It's also another set of wear points.

The articulating boom is good for things like doing footings all the time. I'd absolutely go for the fixed boom.

Fwiw, most 308e models seem to be articulated and 307e's seem to be fixed. Not sure about the older ones. I'd be looking at 312-316 sizes though.

So I have found a semi promising machine. Problem is that it has rubber tracks.

So is it economical to go from rubber to steel? Anyone done it and have any idea on cost? I was going to call the local dealer and ask them what they would charge but who knows if I get a real price or the soaker bath price...

Rubber tracks like a skid steer or rubber pads?

Like I said, some companies like cat use bolt on rubber pads over the steel pad. Just unbolt and go. Other companies, like link belt use a whole different rubber bonded track pad. So you'd need to replace them with a whole different steel pad.

Fwiw, I wouldn't worry too much about the rubber pads, we ran them on everything in the woods, and they still climbed shit well, kinda nice when you're on rocks actually. If the rubber just un bolts from the steel go for it, but I wouldn't go dropping a ton of money for all new pads. If they're off a 314, I might know someone who would want them.

 

[Mr Stubs]

I have spent 45 minutes trying to find what model number of Bobcat is close to a 18k machine... Google is ghey.

Anyone got a number for me? 337 and 341 are too small.

 

[Mr Stubs]

Your wrong about working around trees, the fixed boom will tuck back up into the machine more. I ran a 145 link belt with a fixed boom and a 308 with an articulating boom on the same job. We were working up against a vertical wall, the 145 could put the bucket above the cab and spin 360* even the much smaller 308 couldn't come close.

​​​​​​It's also another set of wear points.

The articulating boom is good for things like doing footings all the time. I'd absolutely go for the fixed boom.

Fwiw, most 308e models seem to be articulated and 307e's seem to be fixed. Not sure about the older ones. I'd be looking at 312-316 sizes though.

So I have found a semi promising machine. Problem is that it has rubber tracks.

So is it economical to go from rubber to steel? Anyone done it and have any idea on cost? I was going to call the local dealer and ask them what they would charge but who knows if I get a real price or the soaker bath price...

Rubber tracks like a skid steer or rubber pads?

Like I said, some companies like cat use bolt on rubber pads over the steel pad. Just unbolt and go. Other companies, like link belt use a whole different rubber bonded track pad. So you'd need to replace them with a whole different steel pad.

Fwiw, I wouldn't worry too much about the rubber pads, we ran them on everything in the woods, and they still climbed shit well, kinda nice when you're on rocks actually. If the rubber just un bolts from the steel go for it, but I wouldn't go dropping a ton of money for all new pads. If they're off a 314, I might know someone who would want them.

No, like straight up rubber tracks.

It’s all about swapping out rubber to steel.

 

[Dethmachinefab]

Your wrong about working around trees, the fixed boom will tuck back up into the machine more. I ran a 145 link belt with a fixed boom and a 308 with an articulating boom on the same job. We were working up against a vertical wall, the 145 could put the bucket above the cab and spin 360* even the much smaller 308 couldn't come close.

​​​​​​It's also another set of wear points.

The articulating boom is good for things like doing footings all the time. I'd absolutely go for the fixed boom.

Fwiw, most 308e models seem to be articulated and 307e's seem to be fixed. Not sure about the older ones. I'd be looking at 312-316 sizes though.



No, like straight up rubber tracks.

It’s all about swapping out rubber to steel.

Run the rubber tracks. They are fine for what you want to do.

 

[Benny]

I have spent 45 minutes trying to find what model number of Bobcat is close to a 18k machine... Google is ghey.

Anyone got a number for me? 337 and 341 are too small.

I am not positive, but I don't think bobcat makes a machine that big.

 

[Chzbrgr]

Bobcat E85 is the new 18,000# machine. Switching from rubber tracks to chain and grouser pads will probably need different sprockets and idlers. I know they look similar but don't think the dimensions are typically the same.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

I have spent 45 minutes trying to find what model number of Bobcat is close to a 18k machine... Google is ghey.

Anyone got a number for me? 337 and 341 are too small.

442

I only know because 2bb sent me a link to one the other day.

I'd think swapping from rubber track to steel would be pretty damn expensive. I'd just keep looking for the right machine.

Seen any takehuchi's listed? I've always heard good things about them.
​​​​​​

I am not positive, but I don't think bobcat makes a machine that big.

They actually make a 38k lb excavator.

My was partnered up with another contractor who was all about Bob cat, many guys will dies by their skid steers, but I wouldn't touch their newer excavators. He went through 3 brand new e85s last year. Nothing but problems. Apparently they're made by doosan.

 

[Mr Stubs]

442

I only know because 2bb sent me a link to one the other day.

I'd think swapping from rubber track to steel would be pretty damn expensive. I'd just keep looking for the right machine.

Seen any takehuchi's listed? I've always heard good things about them.
​​​​​​




They actually make a 38k lb excavator.

My was partnered up with another contractor who was all about Bob cat, many guys will dies by their skid steers, but I wouldn't touch their newer excavators. He went through 3 brand new e85s last year. Nothing but problems. Apparently they're made by doosan.

What numbers correlate with the Takeuchi’s? I haven’t seen any in my 308, 78, 80, 75, 342, and now 85 search

 

[Captain Call]

Most minis are made by someone else. It's all about dealership network. As long as you aren't a waterhead rubber tracks will be fine.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

What numbers correlate with the Takeuchi’s? I haven’t seen any in my 308, 78, 80, 75, 342, and now 85 search

Good question, I'm not sure. Might just have to search excavator or track hoe and sift through your price range.

I still say go a little bigger, the price doesn't seem to jump too much since the 18k lb machines are so popular. Loading a log truck with a 307 would suck.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Most minis are made by someone else. It's all about dealership network. As long as you aren't a waterhead rubber tracks will be fine.

Rubber tracks will suck if it gets slick, he keeps mentioning crawling around the woods and gathering trees. Not saying rubber tracks won't work, but I'd avoid them. They aren't that common on that size machine anyway.

 

[Baconator]

So I have found a semi promising machine. Problem is that it has rubber tracks.

So is it economical to go from rubber to steel? Anyone done it and have any idea on cost? I was going to call the local dealer and ask them what they would charge but who knows if I get a real price or the soaker bath price...

Used rubbers have a resale value? Are they machine and model specific or more of a general generic size?

What machine?
It is possible, but not inexpensive. I believe the idlers/sprockets and rollers are all different, so they would all need to be replaced.
As for used values it completely depends on the condition. Tracks are somewhat universal, but not really at the same time. They are sized by their length and width, some machines use the same sizes, but some are machine specific as well.
I know your set on steel, but we do a bit of forestry work with a large skid steer on rubber tracks, and a 5MT ex on rubber as well. They have held up pretty well all things considered. We have rented a 35ton machine on steel and bent a track pad due to getting stupid with it, so in our limited experience the rubber has worked better.

 

[2big bronco]

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/hvo/d/valley-center-bobcat-excavator-model/7171927852.html


Here you go, great deal on an 18000lb bobcat

 

[larboc]

Zero turn, thumb, and blade are required. I need to be able to use this in a forestry application harvesting trees. I have to be able to pick them up easily to load log trucks, cut into firewood, use with a brush rake, etc..,

Are you planning on a rotating grapple or a long enough stick to work from the end of the pile? Seems like you'd end up rubbing the trees around in the dirt a lot trying to get them perpendicular to a regular bucket+thumb. I was trying to figure out how to move pulpwood length logs with my mini and decided it would be faster to use the forks on my tractor's loader.

I'm sure it's location specific but around here you rarely see excavators, or anything with tracks for that matter, used in a logging operation aside from building roads and I'd think there must be a reason. Harvesters process the logs, forwarders or skidders bring them to the landing and stack them, and then all the log trucks have their own loaders on them.

 

[Mr Stubs]

Are you planning on a rotating grapple or a long enough stick to work from the end of the pile? Seems like you'd end up rubbing the trees around in the dirt a lot trying to get them perpendicular to a regular bucket+thumb. I was trying to figure out how to move pulpwood length logs with my mini and decided it would be faster to use the forks on my tractor's loader.

I'm sure it's location specific but around here you rarely see excavators, or anything with tracks for that matter, used in a logging operation aside from building roads and I'd think there must be a reason. Harvesters process the logs, forwarders or skidders bring them to the landing and stack them, and then all the log trucks have their own loaders on them.

My tree situation is kinda different. The trees now are at a pre-commercial harvest size. They are planted too tight and need to be thinned. Do to their smaller size and proximity to each other they don’t easily fall to the ground when just thinning. A Excavator will help push them down.

I also plan on using a pole tong mounted to the bucket, not as good as a grapple but definitely cheaper.

I have access to a small skidder, so the excavator isn’t really needed to get the trees out of the woods.

 

[larboc]

My tree situation is kinda different. The trees now are at a pre-commercial harvest size. They are planted too tight and need to be thinned. Do to their smaller size and proximity to each other they don’t easily fall to the ground when just thinning. A Excavator will help push them down.

I also plan on using a pole tong mounted to the bucket, not as good as a grapple but definitely cheaper.

I have access to a small skidder, so the excavator isn’t really needed to get the trees out of the woods.

Can you not just wire up a roomba to a D8 and let it go for a while and let the slash rot if all you're trying to do is thin or has it gone so long the trees that need thinning are useful and can be logged?

 

[Mr Stubs]

Can you not just wire up a roomba to a D8 and let it go for a while and let the slash rot if all you're trying to do is thin or has it gone so long the trees that need thinning are useful and can be logged?

Trees are large enough to be useful and can be logged.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Are you planning on a rotating grapple or a long enough stick to work from the end of the pile? Seems like you'd end up rubbing the trees around in the dirt a lot trying to get them perpendicular to a regular bucket+thumb. I was trying to figure out how to move pulpwood length logs with my mini and decided it would be faster to use the forks on my tractor's loader.

I'm sure it's location specific but around here you rarely see excavators, or anything with tracks for that matter, used in a logging operation aside from building roads and I'd think there must be a reason. Harvesters process the logs, forwarders or skidders bring them to the landing and stack them, and then all the log trucks have their own loaders on them.

It's the exact opposite, basically everything in the woods is steel tracks. Feller Bucher cuts, skidder drags it to the landing (most are rubber tire, but most operations have 1 grapple dozer) processor delimbs and cuts to length, and heel boom loads the trucks.

All except some of the skidder and the occasional loader are steel track.

 

[arse_sidewards]

It's the exact opposite, basically everything in the woods is steel tracks. Feller Bucher cuts, skidder drags it to the landing (most are rubber tire, but most operations have 1 grapple dozer) processor delimbs and cuts to length, and heel boom loads the trucks.

All except some of the skidder and the occasional loader are steel track.

Around here all that shit is on tires 90% of the time.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

It's almost like logging equipment and process varies by region? ​​​​​​

The biggest difference is the size of the trees, 30-36" diameter trees aren't uncommon at all. I know some older guys who have done more than one, single or 2 log loads