Cat skidders

southernman13 · Nov 15, 2019

545 & 535. These are like 15’ or 16’ models. There’s a local plantation with these and they want to sell them. What’s the skinny on the cats. You rarely see them around here in sw Ga. are they problematic machines? They seem like really nice units. They have had all the updates and can be bought right I believe. We don’t really have a use for them but I might be interested in one. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks oh and they have 5000ish hrs

Mike L · Nov 22, 2019

I don’t know many of the details on these machines but there is a bunch of them up here in Maine. One of my customers has 4 525’s in service and a couple old worn out 525’s behind the shop and they swear by them.

southernman13 · Nov 23, 2019

Thanks for the reply. Kinda what I’ve heard as well

Hallback · Nov 23, 2019

A cat buncher or skidder is worse than herpes. I have owned both and if I hadn't dumped them they would have bankrupted me!

Mike L · Nov 23, 2019

What kind of problems did you run into hallback?

southernman13 · Nov 23, 2019

Wow howd u get rid of the herepes lol.

John C. · Nov 23, 2019

That area of time they did an update on the skidders into a new model designation and they were just crap. The local dealer bought two of them back. What little bit I get into the woods anymore all I've seen are Tigercat and Deere in that market.
The bunchers have always been crap. One machine that got taken back by Cat had to have the cooling system completely redesigned and they shut down new sales of them for about a year until that got done. I looked at a couple and heard lots of sad stories.

partsandservice · Nov 23, 2019

The D model skidders have not proven to be what the C was. The D is why Cat sold out the Forestry line. The C was one hell of skidder IMO.

Hallback · Nov 23, 2019

Mike L said:
What kind of problems did you run into hallback?

Wiring, hydraulic issues, run way too hot and are fragile as hell.
If you value your money, stay the eff away!

Mike L · Nov 24, 2019

I didn’t realize cat sold out the forestry line. Who bought it?

Hank R · Nov 24, 2019

If I remember right Wheeler ?? but may be wrong about a year ago.

Mike L · Nov 24, 2019

I just googled it. An outfit named weiler from Iowa. Bought the skidded, bunchers, and knuckle boom loaders

Hank R · Nov 24, 2019

I knew I was close but still wrong

partsandservice · Nov 24, 2019

This is my newest addition... It will be parted out.

old-iron-habit · Nov 24, 2019

Quite a few high hour 545s running around here pulling poles. Only been one I know of that lost an engine at 14,000 hours. Never see a Cat buncher though.

Mike L · Nov 25, 2019

I forgot that the 521 buncher was extra flammable. Customer just bought one cheap at a big auction up here last week.

dieseldog5.9 · Jan 25, 2020

There's a reason a Deere 440C is worth more than a 525 Cat even though it's 15 years newer. Local Logger told me cat Skidders sent him to bankruptcy court.

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dieseldog5.9 · Jan 25, 2020

Weiler bought cat forestry, they make paving equipment apparently, some small chippers, still never heard of them.

MattR · Feb 6, 2020

The old 518s were of course some of the best units ever assembled. Old school engineering. I grew up operating them, then moved to ownership. We also had many 227, 225 and 217 bunchers and delimbers

Mobiltech · Feb 6, 2020

On the topic of Cat bunchers how were the 541 series 2?

Cat skidders

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