Tigercat Equipment

[BingDeere909]

Hey all
Just wanted to start a discussion regarding Tigercat equipment especially the feller bunchers (LS855E & LH855C models in particular) and see if anyone has any experience with these machines. Mainly interested in reliability, common issues, component life and cost of parts but all info is appreciated. I'm contemplating following my dream (corny way of putting lol) and starting up my own small ground based crew in the near future. Probably wouldn't buy brand new gear obviously. And I like the sound of these Tigercat bunchers. From what I've heard the engine needs replacing anywhere around the 7k-9k hour mark but have been told (don't quote me) that you can pick a new engine up for around $50k NZ. Any thoughts?
Cheers

 

[Hallback]

I've had many of them I've had 855 processors, felling machines and shovels. They're good machines but they're expensive to run and maintain and are very finicky. I made the switch to TimberPro for the leveling shovel logger because it has more horsepower, swing torque, longer boom, more flow is heavier and has more track power

 

[Hallback]

In my opinion the undercarriage on a tigercat is good for 6,000 hours, The E models you are lucky to get 7,000 out of the engines and the pumps are usually good for about the same

 

[BingDeere909]

Doesn't sound to inviting when you put it like that, or is it worth it, replacing engines/pumps etc every 7000 hours. Not much Timberpros that I know of over here in New Zealanf. You ran any other leveler? Cats or John Deeres. I operate a 909MH for guy at the moment and it seems like a good machine. What's your guys thoughts on other levelers?

 

[JaredV]

We've got a Weiler (Cat) B458 (I think). The operator is very experienced and he doesn't think much of it.

 

[Hallback]

I've run every brand of leveler out there except for the eltec.
Any of these late model emissions machines do not have a long life expectancy on engines and let's face it, these things are absolutely being abused day in and day out. They just have a short life expectancy compared to a loader sitting on a landing

 

[Hallback]

You're going to have many people saying tigercat is the best and the only thing there is out there because they've been drinking the Kool-Aid and they are fanbois.
Personally, I like the TimberPro as you can buy parts for it at any local parts house it seems.
If I had my choice I would clone the tiger cat and the timber Pro

 

[BingDeere909]

Yea thats well put, they are Frontline machines when you think about it. I havnt heard much hood nor bad about the Cats (Weilers). Our 909 is a couple hundred hours away from 10000 hours, and we just done the rear main seal and replaced the main hydraulic drive gear while it was apart. But other than that we havnt had much problems with it. I just feel like it is abit harder to get around the hill compared to the Tigercat and Weilers. But it could just be or ground, I'm on the East Coast of New Zealands North Island and it's pretty much one pass otherwise your tracks dissappear. Or do you guys think other brands get around the hill better?

 

[Hallback]

The 855 is quite a bit lighter than that 909 so that will help it with getting around but you sacrifice power and strength in that lighter package. Personally I prefer the heavier machine like the big deere, the 775 Timber Pro, etc

 

[BingDeere909]

What about John Deere forestry equipment in general. Do you know much about the reliability of its equipment? The Tigercats seem real operator friendly but sound contractor enemy as to say lol

 

[Hallback]

What about John Deere forestry equipment in general. Do you know much about the reliability of its equipment? The Tigercats seem real operator friendly but sound contractor enemy as to say lol

I've owned over half a dozen John Deere machines. They're not the same quality as a caterpillar but they are good machines and the manufacturer financing makes it very attractive with low or zero interest

 

[BingDeere909]

I've owned over half a dozen John Deere machines. They're not the same quality as a caterpillar but they are good machines and the manufacturer financing makes it very attractive with low or zero interest

Do you own a crew off your own? What sort of gear do you mainly run?

 

[Hallback]

Do you own a crew off your own? What sort of gear do you mainly run?

Yes, I've had multiple sides for a lot of years. Just sold everything off in June.
We run about every brand out there and they all have their positives and negatives. In my opinion the link belt & caterpillar are the best

 

[BingDeere909]

What made you sell up or do you still have a crew running? Yea we run mainly Cat apart from the Deere buncher. What influenced your choice to go with the Timber pro instead of the Deere, or was it what you mentioned earlier? The John Deere buncher is sounding like the direction to head I think

 

[Hallback]

I sold everything. I got sick and tired of feeling like I was held hostage by employees, Timber companies not wanting to pay what it cost to get stuff done and the equipment shooting up in price so astronomically like it has. On top of that If you do make any money you just have to give it to the government so in the end 7 days a week 18-hour days are for the birds.
I like the Cummins engine in the Timber Pro, I like the fact that it has 400 horsepower, I like the rexroth pumps and valving, I like that it has caterpillar undercarriage and even has the tag still on the track frames so you know it's authentic caterpillar. It has the highest swing torque and longest boom.

 

[Alusium]

Any of these have good service in your area?

 

[BingDeere909]

Yea the crew I'm in runs cat apart from the Madil 123 and the John Deere buncher. We got a 320D with 23000 hours on the original motor nothing major done to it which I think is a testament to Cat. What's some hour tallies on some of your gear? Any in the 20k hour mark?

 

[Hallback]

I've had a couple over 20,000 hours, a cat 324 DFM stroke delimber and a link belt 240 LX with a 622 processing head but those were just spare items. I try to roll my gear over between the five and 7,000 hour mark definitely by 10,000 hours though

 

[BingDeere909]

Hey all, abit off topic but would anyone know why a John Deere 909MH is running hotter than usual? The engine temp usually sits around the 88-89 degree mark but late it has been getting up to 91-94, only when i am using the tracks. No alarms or warning lights are going off as it isnt overheating but it has only just strated doing this.It is summer where I am at the moment but it has never done it any other summers. Any thoughts. Thanks

 

[Mike L]

Clean the radiator.