ALL ABOUT JOHN DEERE SKIDDERS

A John Deere skidder lifting logs in a forest

It's easy to be confident with John Deere skidders on your logging site. Backed by more than 50 years in the woods, our tree skidders are designed to help you outrun the competition.

Skidders play a critical role for many logging operations. These forestry machines can increase productivity on site by quickly and efficiently pulling large quantities of felled timber out of the forest.

Why do loggers choose John Deere skidders?

John Deere L-II Series reliable skidders are equipped to keep you up and running in the woods. Our skidders deliver the performance and toughness needed to power through a variety of conditions – whether you're dealing with wet, muddy, uneven, or hilly terrain.

We offer one cable skidder, one bogie skidder, and four grapple skidders as part of our full line of forestry equipment.

Our skidders provide loggers these advantages and more.

The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) combines the efficiency of a direct-drive transmission with the smoothness and ease of a hydrostatic drive.
An impressive horsepower and power-to-weight ratio combined with a constant engine speed delivers superb responsiveness with maximum efficiency.
An easy to maintain design offers machine accessibility, and the rugged axles maximize durability.
Rock-solid stability provides excellent pulling power, especially when climbing hills, navigating adverse terrain, or hauling bigger payloads.
Choose from a range of box-style, powerful tong grapples to fit your operation.

When choosing the right skidder for your logging operation, keep in mind the size and scope of your business, and the power needed to transport your timber.

Need more details about our skidders? Contact your local John Deere dealer today. You can also build your machine using our online configurator.

A John Deere skidder prepares to haul logs in a forest

Technology to optimize your operation

Seamlessly coordinate your team's performance in the woods and in the office with John Deere forestry and logging technology solutions. Our skidders come equipped with a powerful set of core technologies and capabilities to help you manage the health and performance of your fleet.

John Deere Connected Support™ creates a partnership between your dealer and teams at the factory to improve the uptime and profitability of your equipment. John Deere Operations Center™ allows you to monitor your fleet and can improve machine health through data insights and remote diagnostics to minimize downtime.

Additionally, with John Deere Precision Forestry tools, including TimberMatic Maps^TM and TimberManager^TM, contractors and operators can share real-time production and location information. This helps you make more effective business decisions that affect your bottom line.

Adding John Deere skidders to your fleet of forestry equipment is just one way to succeed in the trees. Making the most of our world-class dealer network is an easy way to decrease costs, increase uptime, and stay on top of your logging operation.

Ready to outrun expectations with John Deere skidders? Contact your local John Deere dealer for details today.

a skidder hauling multiple tree logs through a foresting site, overlayed green text says "6-year 12,000 hour skidder transmission coverage"

Rest Assured

Our skidder transmission assurance program provides coverage for repairs and replacements for 6 years or 12,000 hours, whichever occurs first.

The program is available starting January 1, 2025, on all skidders built on or after January 1, 2020, and is transferable.*

Contact A Dealer about Rest Assured

*Qualified skidders include new Skidder models (640L-II, 648L-II, 748L-II, 768L-II, 848L-II, or 948L-II) built on or after January 1, 2020, and purchased prior to December 31, 2026. Some exclusions apply. See your local John Deere dealer for full terms and conditions.