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8-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Steer Tractor Equipped
I operate a sawmill and recently built an 8-wheel drive, all-wheel steer tractor equipped with a crane that swings 180 degrees. The end of the crane is equipped with a removeable swivel-type grapple fork that I use to load logs. It really works good on hillsides because I can swing logs from side to side without worrying about tipping over. I also use the grapple fork to move sheds, corrals, and equipment. When equipped with an extension the crane reaches up to 25 ft. high. The grapple fork can be replaced by a backhoe bucket that'll dig 6 ft. deep. I've also got a 12-in. dia., 10-ft. long post hole auger that mounts on it.
  The tractor measures just 6 ft. wide and 12 ft. long so it can work its way through the woods with minimal damage. And because all 8 wheels drive it'll walk right through bogs. It's powered by a 4-cyl. AMC gas engine off a military truck and is equipped with two 4-speed military-style transmissions that gear it down. In first gear it can creep along at only 1/2 mph. Top speed is about 30 mph. I used military front wheel drive front ends off a Jeep to build it. I plan to build a cab for it. My total cost was about $9,000. (Abe Dyck, Box 168, Sydney, Manitoba, Canada R0J 0T0 ph 204 466-2815)


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1999 - Volume #23, Issue #3