Will be buying a shovel logger in the next few weeks. Already have a thunderbird 738 clean tight machine, but trying to get something a little more geared towards shovel logging. Looking at john deere 290 kobelco 290 and 300 and link belt 3400q... but what im asking for is, opinion s on what youve ran seen run been around what you prefer pros cons.. need a shovel that can travel well strong and reliable will be logging in pacific northwest so the wood is bigger than most.. logging big seco d growth redwood short logs, fir and spruce long logs.. thank you everything helps makes my decision easyier
You"d be best served by a purpose built machine like a deere 2954 or 3754....or hold out for the 3154 in development.Hitachi also markets equivalent machines in their paint/engines too.
I know of a Thunderbird 1240 great condition new undercarriage.excellent shovel logger.I think asking around 70-75 pm me for number
The 2954 is very stable but not as powerful as I prefer. If you are looking at older machines the 4300 & 5800 link belts, 330 cat and big Thunderbirds would be my choices in no particular order.