USED JOHN DEERE 648H

This 2013 John Deere 648H skidder for sale in Munfordville, Kentucky is priced at $74,999 and features a seller-reported rebuilt engine with approximately 2,500 hours since rebuild, a dual-arch grapple configuration, and new tires. The seller describes the machine as tight and dry with no known leaks and reports strong hydraulics and drivetrain performance.
Built as a purpose-designed articulated 4WD forestry skidder, the Deere 648H combines a 6.8L PowerTech Plus diesel engine with the traction, grapple capability, and hydraulic performance required for commercial timber harvesting and logging operations. Buyers searching for a used John Deere grapple skidder, logging skidder, or commercial forestry machine should consider this Kentucky unit.
Contact Trustworthy Equipment LLC for availability and additional information.
Available in Munfordville, Kentucky, this 2013 John Deere 648H skidder for sale is a heavy-duty articulated 4WD forestry machine equipped with a dual-arch grapple setup and backed by significant seller-reported mechanical work. The engine has been rebuilt and has approximately 2,500 hours since the rebuild, and the machine has also received new tires.
Priced at $74,999, this 648H is being offered for professional logging, timber harvesting, land-clearing, and forestry operations that need a purpose-built grapple skidder rather than a converted agricultural or construction machine.
The seller describes the machine as tight and dry, reports no known leaks, and states that the hydraulics and drivetrain are strong. It has remained in active forestry use and is being represented as a solid working machine for continued production.
John Deere 648H Forestry Skidder
The John Deere 648H belongs to Deere's H-Series of purpose-built forestry skidders. The platform was designed around the demanding requirements of moving stems and timber from the cutting area to the landing while operating over rough, muddy, uneven, and heavily wooded terrain.
Its articulated 4WD chassis provides the traction and maneuverability expected from a commercial logging skidder, while the rear grapple and arch arrangement allows an operator to gather and transport timber without relying exclusively on cable chokers.
This particular machine is equipped with the seller-described dual-arch setup, making it a strong candidate for commercial logging crews, independent timber operators, land-clearing companies, sawmill operations, and forestry contractors looking for a used Deere grapple skidder.
Rebuilt Engine — Approximately 2,500 Hours Since Rebuild
A major selling point is the seller-reported rebuilt engine.
The seller reports approximately 2,500 operating hours have accumulated since the engine rebuild. Those hours should not be interpreted as total machine or frame hours; total lifetime machine hours have not yet been confirmed.
The 648H was built around Deere's 6.8-liter PowerTech Plus 6068H six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. Published Deere specifications show different horsepower ratings depending on the transmission configuration:

Direct-drive configuration: approximately 172 gross horsepower
Torque-converter configuration: approximately 185 gross horsepower
6.8L / 415-cu.-in. displacement
Six-cylinder diesel
Turbocharged
Air-to-air intercooled
Tier 3 generation PowerTech Plus engine

The exact transmission configuration on this individual machine should be confirmed by serial number before assigning a single horsepower rating.
Dual-Arch Grapple Configuration
The rear dual-arch arrangement is one of the important features of this 648H.
The grapple-skidder configuration allows operators to collect stems and maintain control of the load while pulling timber toward the landing. This can improve production in applications where repeated timber extraction is required throughout the day.
Published Deere information for the 648H included multiple grapple-head configurations. Standard published specifications included approximately a 115-inch tong opening and 10.4-square-foot enclosure area, while a larger high-capacity grapple option offered approximately a 125-inch opening and 12.5-square-foot enclosure area.
The exact grapple head installed on this machine should be confirmed before relying on a specific grapple-capacity figure.
Articulated 4WD Drivetrain
The 648H is a four-wheel-drive articulated skidder designed specifically for forest conditions.
Published model specifications include:

Articulated 4WD
Fully hydraulic articulated steering
Approximately 45 degrees of articulation in each direction
Heavy-duty planetary final drives
Wet-disc service brakes
Oil-cooled braking system
Spring-applied, hydraulically released parking brake

The articulated chassis allows the machine to maneuver through timber and work areas where a conventional rigid-frame vehicle would have difficulty changing direction.
Transmission and Travel Performance
John Deere offered more than one drivetrain arrangement on the 648H, so the exact configuration of this machine should be verified.
Published configurations included:
Direct Drive

8 forward gears
7 reverse gears
Up to approximately 14.3 mph forward with specified tire configuration

Torque Converter

6 forward gears
3 reverse gears
Up to approximately 15.8 mph forward with specified tire configuration

The seller describes the drivetrain as strong. Verification of whether this particular unit has the standard direct-drive system or optional torque-converter system would allow the listing specifications to be narrowed further.
Strong Seller-Reported Hydraulics
The seller reports that the hydraulic system is strong.
The 648H grapple skidder used a variable-displacement axial-piston hydraulic pump. Published Deere specifications list approximately:

Maximum hydraulic flow: 42 GPM
Hydraulic reservoir: approximately 15 gallons
Hydraulic operation for grapple, arch, steering, and blade functions

Strong hydraulic performance is especially important on a grapple skidder because daily productivity depends heavily on smooth and responsive arch, grapple, steering, and blade operation.
New Tires
The seller reports that new tires have been installed.
Fresh forestry tires are a meaningful consideration on a machine of this size because tire replacement represents a significant operating expense. Exact tire size and brand should still be documented for buyers, since John Deere offered the 648H with several tire configurations depending on application and machine setup.
Published tire options also materially affect overall machine width and ground clearance.
Seller-Reported Tight and Dry Condition
The seller describes this 648H as a tight, solid machine that has been maintained in working condition.
Seller-reported condition includes:

Engine rebuilt
Approximately 2,500 hours since engine rebuild
New tires
Machine described as tight and dry
No known leaks
Strong hydraulics
Strong drivetrain
Used in active forestry operations
Maintained for continued working use

Buyers are encouraged to inspect the skidder personally or through an independent equipment inspector and verify its current mechanical condition before purchase.
Size, Weight and Forestry Capability
Published Deere specifications for the 648H vary depending on tire size, transmission, grapple, arch configuration, and optional equipment.
For a dual-function grapple configuration, published operating weights are approximately:

32,245 lb — direct-drive configuration
32,595 lb — torque-converter configuration

Additional equipment, tire choices, chains, fluid, winch equipment, guarding, and other accessories can change the machine's actual working and transport weight.
Published dimensions for common 648H configurations include approximately:

Overall height: approximately 9 ft. 11 in. to 10 ft. 3 in., depending on configuration
Width: varies substantially with tire choice; approximately 10 ft. 2 in. and wider configurations were available
Ground clearance: approximately 20–27 inches depending on tires
Wheelbase: approximately 135–137 inches depending on drivetrain
Overall length with grapple: approximately 23 ft. 9 in. before certain longer arch/configuration adjustments
Standard blade width: approximately 86 inches, with wider configurations available

Actual dimensions should be measured before arranging transportation.
Built for Serious Forestry Work
A machine in this class is best suited for buyers who understand commercial forestry equipment and need a dedicated skidder for applications such as:

Timber harvesting
Log skidding
Full-tree logging
Moving stems to a landing
Sawmill timber supply operations
Forestry contracting
Land clearing
Storm and timber cleanup
Woodlot operations
Commercial logging crews

The combination of the rebuilt engine, approximately 2,500 hours since rebuild, new tires, dual-arch setup, and seller-reported strong drivetrain and hydraulics makes this individual machine worth consideration for buyers searching for a used John Deere grapple skidder.
Asking $74,999
This 2013 John Deere 648H skidder is currently offered at $74,999 in Munfordville, Kentucky.
Trustworthy Equipment LLC is marketing this unit on behalf of the seller and can help connect qualified buyers with the appropriate party.
Financing assistance may be available to qualified buyers through independent financing providers. Approval, rates, terms, and conditions are determined by the financing provider.
Nationwide transportation assistance may also be available through independent transportation providers.
Contact Trustworthy Equipment LLC for current availability, additional photos, machine information, or help coordinating an inspection.