3205 Fall Duties

jsoluna · #1 11-12-2016, 05:13 PM

Just thought I'd share some pics of my workhorse, a 99 3205. Have been skidding a pine tree that we felled down in our woods, and started clearing back some of the property.

The tree had to be pulled up from the valley, I cut it into manageable sections and will be giving it to my neighbor for his outdoor wood burner. The front blade, you may have noticed, isnt factory. I modified a wide frame subframe and a 2000 Series center lift bracket, and the blade itself is an old heavy MTD.

Tom4981 · #2 11-12-2016, 05:29 PM

Those are some pretty nice size logs.

john hall · #3 11-12-2016, 05:35 PM

Seems to be a pretty nice machine you have there! How are you hooking to the logs, got a set of grabs or are you just wrapping the chain around them?

jsoluna · #4 11-12-2016, 07:59 PM

I use a 10 ft x 5/16 chain and a 20 ft winch strap to skid the logs. It's wet pine so it is decently heavy. Definitely had to get a running start to get the big ones to budge.

ccguy · #5 11-12-2016, 08:31 PM

Looks like you gave the 3205 a good workout!

jsoluna · #6 11-13-2016, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccguy

Looks like you gave the 3205 a good workout!

It certainly did. Buried it up to the rear axle in soil a couple times, pushed too hard with the blade and did a couple wheelies (those are exciting). It feels like being a kid again.

OldSkull · #7 11-13-2016, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsoluna

It certainly did. Buried it up to the rear axle in soil a couple times, pushed too hard with the blade and did a couple wheelies (those are exciting). It feels like being a kid again.

You killing it! 3000 tranny cost a arm+ a leg to repair! You need to lift the log before pulling it, you can made a log skidder trailer, many guy show their "home brew" design on Youtube. Commercial unit are very neat and very expensive.

Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs09WG8xhrE

jsoluna · #8 11-13-2016, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldSkull

You killing it! 3000 tranny cost a arm+ a leg to repair! You need to lift the log before pulling it, you can made a log skidder trailer, many guy show their "home brew" design on Youtube. Commercial unit are very neat and very expensive.

Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs09WG8xhrE

That's a great idea.

I've repaired 3k differentials before, most of the failures occur on the diff lock models due to improper difflock engagement. Both the diff lock and open diff models also had issues with the carrier bolts backing out as well. I have beat the crap out of mine for years and not had a problem with it though. I think the diff gets a worse reputation for its design than it deserves.

It would certainly be easier on it to lift the log and roll it out, though. I may fab one of those up.

Oak · #9 11-13-2016, 10:32 AM

Looks like you gave the 3205 a good workout and I bet those tires bite in pretty good too. Thanks for sharing the cool pics.

jsoluna · #10 11-13-2016, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oak

Looks like you gave the 3205 a good workout and I bet those tires bite in pretty good too. Thanks for sharing the cool pics.

The tires bite great for forward motion, but kinda suck in reverse. I have them filled and tubed, aired down to about 4-5 psi. One of the things I do like about them (other than the fact that they were virtually free) is the increased ground clearance they provide for woods crawling. That helps quite a bit. They also self clean real well. I think they look really funky, but I'm more function than form.

If I had the money, there would be some Firestone 23 Degree tires on it