VW engines

[dozerman37]

why is it that people seem to use volkswagen engines on a lot of logging applications? i know german made things are awesome but why not toyota or gmc or fiat? im just trying to figure out why people dont just follow the leader.
example...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glPEzSkOpKM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np9l8YD36d8

 

[RandyMac]

I have seen VDub motors on portable sawmills, nowhere else though.

 

[logging22]

Dont know. But the second vid is funny. How slow can you go?

 

[indiansprings]

Probably because they are air cooled and they don't have to mess with cooling systems. Our Vermeer stump grinder had a 60hp air cooled deutz, we had several pieces of equipment in the army that run on air cooled deutz engines.

 

[treemandan]

Probably because they are air cooled and they don't have to mess with cooling systems. Our Vermeer stump grinder had a 60hp air cooled deutz, we had several pieces of equipment in the army that run on air cooled deutz engines.

That's it right there. They are self contained just by being air-cooled. Man that anti freeze system takes up a lot huh? Just think about all the stuff you need for it.

 

[link523]

there cheap!!!

 

[redprospector]

I put a 1600cc dual port gas engine on my bandsaw mill when I built it. There were several reasons I chose the VW when I did, one as mentioned earlier was price. Another was that being air cooled means less maintenance. Another reason is parts are relatively cheap, and the only engine simpler to work on is a chainsaw.
When I built my mill there were several outfits in Arizona that would send you a complete rebuilt engine ready to run for about $750 exchange. You can't touch an Onan, Kohler, or Honda for that, and the VW is twice the HP.

Andy

 

[redprospector]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.
Fuel economy, If you burn 8 gallons of gas in one day in my mill...........well, nobody has to rock you to sleep that night.

Andy

 

[bogiemsn]

why is it that people seem to use volkswagen engines on a lot of logging applications? i know german made things are awesome but why not toyota or gmc or fiat? im just trying to figure out why people dont just follow the leader.
example...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glPEzSkOpKM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np9l8YD36d8

In the first vid they were using a VW diesel in which case they were following the leader. VW TDIs rock!

 

[ms290]

one good reason is there is a lot of them still around. and i do mean A LOT! they are simple and cheap to run. you can also really abuse them too. they just hold up.

the second vid is so dumb. i like the idea but i can see some things i would change. too SLOW i could cut a log and split it by the time this guy does.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

That second video is funny. I think that "processor" is about 3x as slow as making wood the ole fashion way.

 

[Steve NW WI]

why is it that people seem to use volkswagen engines on a lot of logging applications? i know german made things are awesome but why not toyota or gmc or fiat? im just trying to figure out why people dont just follow the leader.
example...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glPEzSkOpKM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np9l8YD36d8

Both vids use older VW DIESELS - not air cooled like the bug motors, and definitely a far, far, distant relative to the TDI motors mentioned.

Why? Small, cheap to run, much lighter than an Agricultural/Construction/Heavy Truck motor, and fairly easy to find. Why not Chev, Toyota, Fiat? None of them had a diesel of that size that was very successful (at least in the US). I know there was a Chevette diesel, and some Ford Escort diesels as well, but they're fairly rare compared to the VW diesels.

Are they the cat's meow? Heck no. Gimme an A4 Perkins, 4B Cummins, or even a 3.9 Deere, and I'll live with the weight penalty and have 2x the power and longevity, plus better parts availability.