Best knuckle boom for this application

Gus_B · Feb 11, 2020

If you're planning on using a grapple saw I wouldn't recommend a fly-jib crane on a single axle chassis. Yes you will get the reach but the jib won't pick anything up when extended on a smaller crane due to the added weight of the rotator, grapple and quick connect.
Currently finishing this build on a 33,000 GVW 4x4 Pete with a 14ft deck and a HIAB X-HiDuo 258 E-8 with Mecanil SG 160 grapple saw. Legal payload is small but customer is working in back country cottages mostly and doesn't care about hauling the wood out as the cottage owners keep it and use it as firewood. Package is fully 360 degree stable in all slewing sectors under full load and no crane de-rating Not the best pictures but all I could manage currently. Should have this completed by the end of next week. This was about the largest crane I could install on this Pete as it was heavier due to it being all wheel drive.

bunkerhilltree · Jan 24, 2021

When buying used, should I look for a truck that already has a pto?

oceans · Jan 26, 2021

Evan_WI said:
Westminster Hydraulics built this truck for me 3 years ago. It is a Palfinger Pk18002 EH on a GMC T7500 Chassis. It has 4 outer boom extensions and 3 fly jib extensions for a total of 70' of boom and ~82' tip height. Palfinger said this was the largest crane they would mount on a single axle truck. I have seen Effer and PM mount 22tm cranes on single axle trucks, but they don't have a fly jib. My truck is a 170" wheelbase, ~25' long. I think the length of that truck is going to limit the crane size you could mount more than the weight of the crane. My truck weighs around 26k lbs. Allmark is right, you need to talk to a crane builder to get specifics.

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Does your truck have a double frame?

Evan_WI · Jan 27, 2021

oceans said:
Does your truck have a double frame?

It isn't a full double frame, but it has an additional channel from the cab back. This was an option on the GMC 7500 that is a little difficult to find on used trucks.

oceans · Jan 27, 2021

Evan_WI said:
It isn't a full double frame, but it has an additional channel from the cab back. This was an option on the GMC 7500 that is a little difficult to find on used trucks.

That’s a cool truck!

oceans · Jan 27, 2021

Gus_B said:
“...If you're planning on using a grapple saw I wouldn't recommend a fly-jib crane on a single axle chassis. Yes you will get the reach but the jib won't pick anything up when extended on a smaller crane due to the added weight of the rotator, grapple and quick connect...”

I would agree with that after all the research and conversations I’ve had. I think the way to spec and build a truck is to work backwards from knowing the tree size you intend to work on. That way you can choose the right crane and then figure out what chassis will hold it and provide a full chart.

Steve Connally · Jan 28, 2021

Totally agree with Oceans on this. You have to start with the boom selection based on your urban forrest and then build backwards from there.

squad143 · Feb 10, 2021

Gus_B said:
If you're planning on using a grapple saw I wouldn't recommend a fly-jib crane on a single axle chassis. Yes you will get the reach but the jib won't pick anything up when extended on a smaller crane due to the added weight of the rotator, grapple and quick connect.
Currently finishing this build on a 33,000 GVW 4x4 Pete with a 14ft deck and a HIAB X-HiDuo 258 E-8 with Mecanil SG 160 grapple saw. Legal payload is small but customer is working in back country cottages mostly and doesn't care about hauling the wood out as the cottage owners keep it and use it as firewood. Package is fully 360 degree stable in all slewing sectors under full load and no crane de-rating Not the best pictures but all I could manage currently. Should have this completed by the end of next week. This was about the largest crane I could install on this Pete as it was heavier due to it being all wheel drive.

I recognize that truck.
A friend owns it.
Sub to him quite a bit.

TUBES · Feb 14, 2021

To me it would be really nice to have a grapple saw truck that also doubles as a log truck with decent payload capacity?

oceans · Feb 15, 2021

bck said:
To me it would be really nice to have a grapple saw truck that also doubles as a log truck with decent payload capacity?

Every market and business model can benefit from a particular truck design. I would be best off with a wallboard style truck since trees typically aren’t massive. The right truck could carry an entire tree back to my yard and feed it through the chipper there after sorting and decking logs.

oceans · Feb 15, 2021

Steve’s truck would be great for anyone looking to follow his subcontract model, or owns enough infrastructure and has enough crew members to keep up with their own work. There are other folks that keep the crane as a separate entity from their tree company, allowing a mix of both without dissuading those that contract.

Steve Connally · Feb 18, 2021

oceans said:
Steve’s truck would be great for anyone looking to follow his subcontract model, or owns enough infrastructure and has enough crew members to keep up with their own work. There are other folks that keep the crane as a separate entity from their tree company, allowing a mix of both without dissuading those that contract.

Thanks Eric

Gus_B · Mar 8, 2021

squad143 said:
I recognize that truck.
A friend owns it.
Sub to him quite a bit.
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Hi yes we built that package for Mike at MC Tree. Great pictures thanks.

Gus_B · Mar 13, 2021

bck said:
To me it would be really nice to have a grapple saw truck that also doubles as a log truck with decent payload capacity?

You get what you pay for and what you are willing to sacrifice. In this industry to get something you give something. If you want a truck that can haul the wood out you need a bigger truck which typically means less turning radius.

treesap · Mar 19, 2021

Mercedes Unimog, U1300 would be a good start, will go darn near anywhere, can get workgroup gears (For pulling the moon closer) PTO, knuckleboom's are very common, and they aren't super expensive (Compared to say a brand new kenworth)

also have the Mercedes OM series diesel engines, so they are super reliable, but parts are gonna cost (Mainly because you will most likely have to import them)

edit: almost forgot to mention, the longbed version will have a little spare room for short logs, but still have a good turning radius
you also get a 46 degree approach angle and 51 degree departure angle (unloaded of course)