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Once again, this is definitely not a VanNatta Machine. It is presented here as a typical example of a contemporary hydraulic log loader. The log loader is modified somewhat from the standard excavator. Most obvious is the high clearance carbody which provides 30" of ground clearance instead of 20" which is standard. The track gauge is also widened from 8'6" to 9'7" for greater stability and the overall weight is increased to 89,000 lbs up from the 76,000 lbs standard for the excavator. Other specifications are set forth in the table:
| Cat330LSpecifications | |
| Engine | Cat 3306TA@220hp |
| Weight | 89,000 lbs. |
| Hydraulics | 2@63.4gpm |
| WorkingPressure | 4980 psi |
| Reach | 32 feet |
It is one of Cat's larger machines and the high ground clearance is of importance. You see these machines also are used in some situations for 'loader logging'. In this method of logging the loader is simply driven out through the woods and the operator picks up the trees and swings setting them down as far as he can in the direction of the landing. This is repeated in multiple passes through the woods. Instead of a well defined landing, the logs are just relayed to where they are in reach of the truck road. The loader then walks down the road behind the truck and loads out the trucks. A high ground clearance loader is appropriate for this so it can drive over stumps and debris out in the woods.
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On flat ground this is quite effective. The principal downside is that it does some pretty nasty things to the undercarriages of the machines. Those undercarriages sort of assume they will be driven on flat firm surfaces and when you start driving these machines out through the woods, it takes its toll on the hardware. I think the loader loggers sort of regard their loaders as expendables. Beside just wrecking the tracks, it is not unheard of for the loggers to break the carbodies (the lower frame). The carbodies are designed as a single rigid platform to support the weight of the machine and provide a place for the tracks to attach. If the operator '3 corners' the machine and then 'rares on it' (and that is the nature of loader logging) the car body is put to the test, a test that it sometimes fails. The tendency is to use smaller lighter loaders for this. The don't need the 4 foot wide pads of the large excavators which means they get around better, but they are also pushed to the limits of their capacity which means the pieces come of them more quickly.
This logging method has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is not unusual for an operator to add hydraulic winches to such a machine to yard out the hard to reach corners. This method has a lot of believers and sets the stage for a 'one machine in the woods' logging operation. Just don't buy the machine after it has been used for this.