Branch manager attachments

Unfortunately our minis get passed around
We hardly ever have the same guy running the same machine 2 days in a row. Certainly not idea but too many variables to make each machine dedicated to a particular crew. I didn't see the bmg being a good fit for that application. Besides the hose routing and the rotation the ryans seemed like a heavier duty unit
 
aaaaah,
Sorry, lots goin on in life, not much time left for ck’in at the Buzz ,
This thread surely started out great. . . years ago
Sure Hurts to loose a customer over the hoses. I tried out some 1/4 “ hose a while back which were pretty wimpy, seemed easier to get pinched in the tool carriers roll back – I have since gone back to a stiffer ½” hose
I know the hose pinch problem has been a PIA for a lot of people, some obviously more than others. Some of the machines amplify the problem by having their couplers mounted low on the boom arms like the Ditch witch 650. Maybe Jeff can post a picture of his ziptie fix?
I will sell replacement hoses at my cost ~ $24 to anybody who is getting reamed at the local hose shop.
( Rant and Rave section - says I can Brag)
Don Ryan makes a very nice grapple No doubt about it.
All I can say is
Mine is the lightest largest opening Mini. I can put rotators on mine but they cost a lot and they do add more weight + I believe you can get the majority of forwarding/chipping operations done without powered rotation.. Ryans only opens to 40”, my BMG is 53”, 240# to my 200#. People love the bollard.
I state that the Bollard is rated at 200#s, Truth be told I know the bollard and frame will hold much more. The problem with trying to rate it, is its dependency on the machines tool carrier. Every machine is different, age, wear, and angle of the rigging all but makes for impossible quantifying.
So I rated it at 200#s in the hopes that even the most beat up mini would hold up and also so a Moron wouldn’t sue me. My hopes are that everybody uses a little common sense when using it. Portys are great, but a fixed bollard always available when the mini is present is even better.
Seriously would like to make a GRCS like video and drop a volvo on it - but I am to cheap to destroy a Mini or a Volvo. I suspect it would rip the BMG right off its mount, and or the mini would go up the tree.
I also believe in Multiple purpose attachments – (always hated switching out attachments) I am the only Mfg that has the Rake and clamshell options that pin to my mini grapple. The clamshells are getting fantastic revues from everyone who has bought them. Here is a little better video of the rake and scoops in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trXeni32VNk&feature=vmdshb

If you ever have issues with any of my Branch Manager products, contact me and I will do my best to remedy the situation.
Dave tnttreeman@topnotchequipment.com
 
I have a BMG grapple mounted on my Boxer 427. I have been using the setup for 4 years. I replaced a hydraulic hose that got pinched once and after that I wrapped the vulnerable area with tite seal hose protector. Problem solved.
 
Wow I totally missed this thread.

Regarding the hose routing, I suggest a 4 wire, 3/8" hose with plastic spiral wrap. Using that, I went through... maybe an additional 2 sets of hoses in 1500 hours of operation.

I never knew the bollard had a rating, I agree the 200lb rating is worthless (and as Dave said, totally arbitrary). I've used the bollard on the HD BMG with a Gehl 340 and 540. The 540 has a max tractive effort (line pull) of 7400lbs and I've stalled it before pulling with the bollard (not tree felling). I've done the same with the regular BMG as well.

The power rotate feature can be added to the BMG, if someone was so inclined. However, for the average tree work I don't see it being a big help on a mini, especially feeding chippers. Then again most mini's have dismal controls for doing tree work. Thomas had the best, Vermeer currently has the best with their 600 and 800 series. Being able to control all the functions (drive, loader, aux) without moving your hands allows for a much more fluid operation of the machine and thus the grapple.
 
Just called dave because my pivot bolt's nut came loose on my grapple and the threads were stripped. He sent one out no charge. Thats a business you want to work with. Way to go Dave! Thanks.
 
We're going to start putting red locktite or other positive locking means on those nuts to prevent a reoccurrence. Apparently we got a batch of less tight nylocks than what we're used to.
 
Man, that's weird. I was about to ask the same question out of the blue. (what happened to the beak?) I'm guessing it just didn't sell enough, or maybe supplier issues. Seems like a great tool. I could be wrong, but it looks like it would be a lot better for brush piles than the grapple, and it can hold a ton of logs horizontally. Long time ago I found a pic online of a Thomas with the beak holding a log that looked as big as the machine. Had to be 36" plus and 3 feet long.
 
Want to add this to equipment list, just wondering if you make one to fit a ASV rc30? Just the grapple dont need the rake or clam buckets. What the cost shipped to Canada?

Thanks
Ben
Bushwacker Tree
 
I only skimmed this so someone may have already mentioned it... I pinched my hoses less than a year after I got my grapple... added a bungee cord and keep a spare in the manual box on the side of the unit just in case and haven't had a problem since. Pretty straight forward but if someone wants a pic let me know and I'll try to get one
 
A well thought placement of an extra hydraulic hose clamp mounted on the lifting arms of your machine does wonders. I added one on mine and no more pinched lines. The nut on the grapple I tack welded too. Had it fall totally off on a job and that was no fun.

Hydraulic-Hose-Clamps.jpg
 
My first Beak Kinda died - forks are handy now and then, and log loading, brush is great if you have big acess, doesn't feed a chipper worth a _____
slide0005_image020_zps7ca8e4c0.jpg


The last beak - my design Forks were 2 wimpy (#900) for the newer more powerful minis
Beakshotlog1.jpg


Still can get this one, (#2000frks) I pull the bolts and put in 1" hitch pins - so you can remove the Beak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HaU9WQBIV4Y
Got to be the worst video I ever made can't even see the Beak
 
Yep, that's the pic I remember. Forgot the log was hollow, but still an impressive load, with room on the forks for more.
 
[ QUOTE ]
A well thought placement of an extra hydraulic hose clamp mounted on the lifting arms of your machine does wonders. I added one on mine and no more pinched lines. The nut on the grapple I tack welded too. Had it fall totally off on a job and that was no fun.

Hydraulic-Hose-Clamps.jpg


[/ QUOTE ]

Can u send me a pic of this set up?

Thanks!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Want to add this to equipment list, just wondering if you make one to fit a ASV rc30? Just the grapple dont need the rake or clam buckets. What the cost shipped to Canada?

Thanks
Ben
Bushwacker Tree

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes we do!

Did Dave get you taken care of or are you still needing assistance?


Carl
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
A well thought placement of an extra hydraulic hose clamp mounted on the lifting arms of your machine does wonders. I added one on mine and no more pinched lines. The nut on the grapple I tack welded too. Had it fall totally off on a job and that was no fun.

Hydraulic-Hose-Clamps.jpg


[/ QUOTE ]

Can u send me a pic of this set up?

Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

It's irrelevant unless you own the same machine.

Basically just watch the hoses through the range of movement up and down. I am talking about welding this to the loaders arms, not the grapple's frame. In my case it made them more rigid/less floppy, not allowing them to pinch in the curl plate area.
 
It's an sk650 we're running. We'll have a look at the placement possibilities. I'd think being on the grapple itself would be better to maintain the quick disconnect capability.
 
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