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Linkbelt yarder

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Spook

Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2011
Messages
8
Location
Battle Ground
I stumbled across this picture while looking to see how other folks set up link belts as yarders. This actually belongs to my cousin. I've worked under it and I've got to say that i prefer this yarder over a skagit gt3. If anyone has any questions about it i couldd answer them. It was completely redone by my cousin with a little help from myself. And the comment about these things being slow doesn't apply to this one. It can pull a turn at approximately 35 miles an hour:)
 
Redwood Climber

Redwood Climber

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 25, 2011
Messages
208
Location
Blue Lake
Welcome Spook!

Spook said:
I stumbled across this picture while looking to see how other folks set up link belts as yarders. This actually belongs to my cousin. I've worked under it and I've got to say that i prefer this yarder over a skagit gt3. If anyone has any questions about it i couldd answer them. It was completely redone by my cousin with a little help from myself. And the comment about these things being slow doesn't apply to this one. It can pull a turn at approximately 35 miles an hour:)
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum Spook, you may have to post another time or two before you can post pictures, then log out & back in. You should then be good to go....that unsolicited advice comes from someone who still can't do the pic bit..... good luck on it, I really look forward to seeing the Linkbelt in action.
 
Redwood Climber

Redwood Climber

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 25, 2011
Messages
208
Location
Blue Lake
Love to see yarders in action!

Thanks Eric1975 for the video link.......I agree it may have started out as a loader, but it's 100% yarder now. 12-15 loads a day is doing well in todays timber, many many loggers would like to be putting out that kind of production. Some of the timber being logged today it's tough to do.

I agree with Log Jr, two guylines in a hard pull can sure make you pucker, but I've worked on towers with eight guylines, and you still pucker. If it were easy and safe and cushy anyone could do it. It's part of why we do what we do........not because it's easy, but because it is hard. Thanks, got more? We'd love to see pictures, specs, etc.....thanks again. And hey, there's a thread for loaders too...
 
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Eric1975

Active Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
30
Location
SW Washington
Redwood Climber, I have worked around quite a few yarders and people for that matter. There is always going to be the guys that have the cult following of the Thunderbird brand. There is even one guy I heard of that has the logo tattooed on his back.LOL More power to them! Thats great! Just dont come on here, talking a bunch of crap about a machine you know NOTHING about. I've seen alot of guys just like "former contract logger" that have all the answers to everything. Funny thing is, that most of the time, they either work for someone else, or have went broke trying to make it on their own. I am not trying to act like I have all the answers, because I definately dont, but I have found what works for me. My Link-Belt makes me money and that is all that counts. As contract logger put it, "cranes are cheap and yarders are very very expensive". Exactly my point. That is why north idaho is full of Link-Belts. They are cheap to buy, and operate. If contract loggers points were valid, the place would be full of Thunderbirds. I guess it all comes down to one thing, theres more than one way to skin a cat.
 
Contract Logger

Contract Logger

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
1,321
Location
SW Washington, SE Alaska
Occupation
Equipment Broker
He is right. After all, the Amish are still plowing with oxen, and some people enjoy logging with horses. I guess it just comes down to how much technology you choose to embrace, or not. One thing is for sure, my inbox fills up with people looking for swing yarders. I have 2 LS-98's (standard configuration with Young booms) and a TL-6 on rubber I'd sell pretty cheap, but never any takers on those machines. Everyone wants a 255 or TTY-70 these days....fortunately for me, too- or I'd be pretty hungry I suppose.
 
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Eric1975

Active Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
30
Location
SW Washington
I'm sure someone that talks the way you do about Thunderbird, probably wouldnt sell much other than Thunderbird. lol
 
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Eric1975

Active Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
30
Location
SW Washington
And you are right, single lever controls would be a wonderful convenience, but at the end of the day, I dont think they will get any more logs up the hill.
 
Contract Logger

Contract Logger

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Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
1,321
Location
SW Washington, SE Alaska
Occupation
Equipment Broker
It's all good! I like yarders of all kinds and would enjoy watching your Link-Belt for a day. If it burns diesel I'm a fan. Sooner or later the Feds will make everybody conver thier yarders to solar-power or you'll be forced have a windmill on the gantry.
 
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Contract Logger

Contract Logger

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Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
1,321
Location
SW Washington, SE Alaska
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My favorite machines are the big slacklines of the early 1970's- Skagit, Washington, Berger, and Madill. The Thunderbirds are just newer and faster, not half as big or powerful. Everybody now wants newer and faster I guess. 35MPH turn speed is really, really impressive with that Link-Belt!
 
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Eric1975

Active Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
30
Location
SW Washington
I guess I'm forgeting the point of this forum......... for us to view photos and conversation about the heavy iron we all enjoy. lol
 
Contract Logger

Contract Logger

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
1,321
Location
SW Washington, SE Alaska
Occupation
Equipment Broker
Well I just sat down and re-read this thread again and there is no doubt that I came off as arrogant and dismissive toward your yarder.

I apologize for that right here and right now, and I enjoy every single picture posted in these threads and I sure don't want to offend anyone. I say things as they come into my mind and walk off without thinking about what I said or how. The last thing I want is to irritate or annoy anyone and that's the truth to be sure. I've seen loggers with shiny, new equipment who didn't understand how to use it, and I've seen loggers with old equipment who get more logs than should be possible. I've gone broke using new equipment (poor management), and I have friends who became wealthy with old equipment (and old-fashioned ingenuity).

At the end of it though we'll be better people tomorrow because of the dumb things we did yesterday.
The verbal sparring was fun for a minute but I took it too far for sure.
I said some dumb things in this thread and apologize to Eric1975 for that. His Link-Belt really does look great.
 
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