Nothing quite as impressive as an old 740 John Deere flashing up ! Im a retired JD Mechanic and these machines were my bread and butter for 30+ years. We had mostly grapple skidders up here in Canada but some line machines also. Thanks for the awesome video . Brings back old memories .
@@Rene-up1dl We had those also with 4 way blade. We also used to build a heavy steel hood on the engine with a large pre cleaner on the air filter that sat above the hood. Also heavy guarding on the engine side screens .We also made a scarifying model for chopping up stumps in reforestation. They had huge spiked wheels behind the rear apron. I miss working on those machines .
@@Rene-up1dl No, I don't think I have ever seen them. I did work on a few of 666 clarks but not very much. I mostly worked on John Deere and before that I worked on Drott bunchers and JICase crawlers , backhoes etc.
Great video. I'm a forester and I first saw one of these firing up in the Jarrah bush in Western Australia in 1982. The state's largest logging company, Bunnings, had lots of them at the time. Each crew had two JD740s - one with rope (line) and winch for the bigger logs - and one with a grapple for the smaller stuff. They'd pull the wood to the landing where it would be sorted into piles and loaded onto the log truck - usually an R series Mack - by a CAT 966c. Watching a JD740 roll coal on start up was always very satisfying. From memory they had eight forward gears split into high (rabbit) and low (tortoise) range. They were very quick in top gear too (50 km/hr at least). Sadly, they're all gone now. A relic of the past, but in their day they pulled literally millions of tonnes of wood from the bush here (Jarrah and Karri). Interestingly, we never saw CAT skidders. It was all JD740s. Only reason I can think was CAT skidders were more expensive to buy, run and repair, and less robust - unlike their 950c and 966c wheel loaders (which were indestructible when fitted out for bush work). The Clark 880 skidder was tried here in Karri clear cut coupes, but it proved too big and cumbersome, broke down frequently and was expensive to repair.
wow that is so cool, thank you for taking the time to write a comment here. I have always had a soft spot for John deere 740's appropriately nicknamed (Big John ) my first experience was using a grapple 740 to help push a big slackline hauler up a steep grade while it was being pulled by a TD25 Bulldozer. i was young and inexperienced at running equipment, I kept killing it not knowing how to downshift and actually operate, haha it is embarrassing and funny at the same time. got my butt chewed so badly for killing it. The guy in the dozer knew i killed the skidder each time because he said it would almost kill the dozer , the grade was so steep and the hauler weighed over 105,000 lbs. I was 19 or 20 years old. but still remember it like yesterday.
@@DanielBoonesloggingvideos When I started over here, the new guys in the crew would always be put on a rope skidder first, then once they'd learned how to pull wood, they'd graduate to a grapple skidder, and then to a 966C to load trucks. Some of the karri logs were so big they'd have a JD740 rope skidder on the front pulling - usually so hard it'd be doing a wheelie - with the 966 at the back pushing the log. The really big logs i.e. 2+ m diameter & 10m+ long would be end-for-ended with the 966 onto the log-truck jinker. In the late 1960's and early 1970's, before I started, they'd snig the logs in with a big D8 tractor and then push the logs up a ramp onto the back of the truck with a bulldozer. ua-cam.com/video/Zp1sdNL5DCg/v-deo.html
To start those old 740s you pull the stopper knob hard out while cranking. It gives them extra fuel. I have no idea how it works, I just know it works. Spent many thousands of hrs on John Deere skidders.
thats cool Jason a little bit of everything keeps work from getting boring. Thanks for watching and commenting man whats your favorite part of work ? or do you like it all.
The winches were side by side, bigger log arch and 2 roller setup, both had 1 inch main lines, compressed to 3/4 of an inch and it could pull a huge hitch, it had 16 chokers on it, 8 on each line and it did a great job working in a blow down.
The 740 I ran in Ontario and Quebec had 2 winches but the blade didn’t rotate tho, woulda been nice if it did., skidded had a ton of power, just loved running it.
@@DanielBoonesloggingvideos I've been ok for the most part.ive been watching the videos just not commenting so much. Have a good one bud. As always stay safe out there and take care brother.
@@DanielBoonesloggingvideos the one I was around was a 640 I think with a swinger,and the guy was really good on it. I've been good Daniel. Hope the same for you
Nothing quite as impressive as an old 740 John Deere flashing up ! Im a retired JD Mechanic and these machines were my bread and butter for 30+ years. We had mostly grapple skidders up here in Canada but some line machines also. Thanks for the awesome video . Brings back old memories .
Too cool thanks so much for taking the time to comment ! And thank you for watching
I ran one pulling away from a yarder from a while. It actually had an angling 4 way blade.
@@Rene-up1dl We had those also with 4 way blade. We also used to build a heavy steel hood on the engine with a large pre cleaner on the air filter that sat above the hood. Also heavy guarding on the engine side screens .We also made a scarifying model for chopping up stumps in reforestation. They had huge spiked wheels behind the rear apron. I miss working on those machines .
@@gopherholehotel What a beast. Ever see an 880 Clark?
@@Rene-up1dl No, I don't think I have ever seen them. I did work on a few of 666 clarks but not very much. I mostly worked on John Deere and before that I worked on Drott bunchers and JICase crawlers , backhoes etc.
Great video.
I'm a forester and I first saw one of these firing up in the Jarrah bush in Western Australia in 1982. The state's largest logging company, Bunnings, had lots of them at the time. Each crew had two JD740s - one with rope (line) and winch for the bigger logs - and one with a grapple for the smaller stuff. They'd pull the wood to the landing where it would be sorted into piles and loaded onto the log truck - usually an R series Mack - by a CAT 966c. Watching a JD740 roll coal on start up was always very satisfying. From memory they had eight forward gears split into high (rabbit) and low (tortoise) range. They were very quick in top gear too (50 km/hr at least). Sadly, they're all gone now. A relic of the past, but in their day they pulled literally millions of tonnes of wood from the bush here (Jarrah and Karri).
Interestingly, we never saw CAT skidders. It was all JD740s. Only reason I can think was CAT skidders were more expensive to buy, run and repair, and less robust - unlike their 950c and 966c wheel loaders (which were indestructible when fitted out for bush work).
The Clark 880 skidder was tried here in Karri clear cut coupes, but it proved too big and cumbersome, broke down frequently and was expensive to repair.
wow that is so cool, thank you for taking the time to write a comment here. I have always had a soft spot for John deere 740's appropriately nicknamed (Big John ) my first experience was using a grapple 740 to help push a big slackline hauler up a steep grade while it was being pulled by a TD25 Bulldozer. i was young and inexperienced at running equipment, I kept killing it not knowing how to downshift and actually operate, haha it is embarrassing and funny at the same time. got my butt chewed so badly for killing it. The guy in the dozer knew i killed the skidder each time because he said it would almost kill the dozer , the grade was so steep and the hauler weighed over 105,000 lbs. I was 19 or 20 years old. but still remember it like yesterday.
@@DanielBoonesloggingvideos When I started over here, the new guys in the crew would always be put on a rope skidder first, then once they'd learned how to pull wood, they'd graduate to a grapple skidder, and then to a 966C to load trucks. Some of the karri logs were so big they'd have a JD740 rope skidder on the front pulling - usually so hard it'd be doing a wheelie - with the 966 at the back pushing the log. The really big logs i.e. 2+ m diameter & 10m+ long would be end-for-ended with the 966 onto the log-truck jinker. In the late 1960's and early 1970's, before I started, they'd snig the logs in with a big D8 tractor and then push the logs up a ramp onto the back of the truck with a bulldozer.
ua-cam.com/video/Zp1sdNL5DCg/v-deo.html
I have never seen a blade rotate on a skidder ever before in my life. That is cool
It was a option on most 740&748s
My good friends up here have a beautiful 748E dual function with a4way blade
sweet !
To start those old 740s you pull the stopper knob hard out while cranking. It gives them extra fuel. I have no idea how it works, I just know it works. Spent many thousands of hrs on John Deere skidders.
The blade thing is definitely new to me👍
it is pretty neat to have that feature for sure !
The blade rotates!!! Wow! That’s a badass skidder!
Thanks for the watch!
you are welcome Jason thanks for watching man. whats new with you these days ?
Daniel Boone's Logging videos
Part time logging, excavating, and full time mechanic! Same ole routine.
I Always dig your vids buddy....seen them all!
thats cool Jason a little bit of everything keeps work from getting boring. Thanks for watching and commenting man whats your favorite part of work ? or do you like it all.
Daniel Boone's Logging videos
I pretty much love it all. Can’t get enough of the excavating and logging to feed my addiction sometimes though! 😆
I feel you there man when I was doing it I couldn't get enough of it haha
I'm liked your other commenters in that I've never a blade like that either! Very cool!
Right on David thanks for watching and commenting dude. How have you been, whats new out there ?
We had every one from the 540b to the 640d cable skidders
I have an old 340d rusting in a paddock, still goes I believe
O man awesome video. I really like those old skidders.
thanks Tim nothing like old tech right here !
Old machines never quit on us
The winches were side by side, bigger log arch and 2 roller setup, both had 1 inch main lines, compressed to 3/4 of an inch and it could pull a huge hitch, it had 16 chokers on it, 8 on each line and it did a great job working in a blow down.
wow thats amazning !
Whats the purpose of the second winch control lever?
I just looked and it is disconnected. not sure about the original reason for it.
Great video, shes old but still going
Thanks Harry this is a darn good skidder still works and earns a living.
The 740 I ran in Ontario and Quebec had 2 winches but the blade didn’t rotate tho, woulda been nice if it did., skidded had a ton of power, just loved running it.
wow thats cool were the two winches for a highlead type of setup ?
We had a 648d that my dad put a motor out of a 9965 cotton picker that thing would run off and put pull the other three skidders we had
Wow that’s wild. Where are you from ?
Hello there bud. Hope you and your family are having great holidays. Thank you for the awesome cold start.
Its all good over here Joseph the kids are growing not much new, thanks for watching buddy how have you been ? havent heard from you in awhile ?
@@DanielBoonesloggingvideos I've been ok for the most part.ive been watching the videos just not commenting so much. Have a good one bud. As always stay safe out there and take care brother.
@@josephboley thats all good man, I just noticed havent seen you around. I'll certainly do that. you do the same buddy.
Hey dan is the transmission not working in that thing or what
yeah there is something wonky with it.
Tilt blade? Nice. I've only seen one other Deere skidder with a tilt blade
this guy has 4 of these 740's and they are all tilt blade crazy. How have you been Bryan ?
@@DanielBoonesloggingvideos the one I was around was a 640 I think with a swinger,and the guy was really good on it. I've been good Daniel. Hope the same for you
yeah its been good around here nothing too new to speak of just family drama you know how that go's.
Black smoke is good!
Yes it is Rick. I havent forgot about you. when I get up that way I'll get in touch. How have you been ? whats new with you ?
Daniel Boone's Logging videos wish the log market was better but things are good otherwise
@@HubertofLiege I understand, I've got friends that are suffering right now. Thats good to hear things are good..
Very nice Dan. Is that a six cylinder? Sounds like some power under there
yes it sure is. yeah this skidder has some serious power !
Is that a 4 cylinder or a 6 cylinder?
6 cylinder
Reving on cold engine😰 sounds good tho
They don't make them like that anymore I loved those old deeres
Couldnt use the oid girl in Cali. The CARB police would be on your tail! Lol. Todd the retired trucker.
haha I know it.