- Location
- Flagstaff Arizona
I agree, part of the crack looks rusty, been there for a while.
Chipper tongue failure
- Thread starter NMETreeman
- Start date
- Location
- The BETTER Maine
[ QUOTE ]
If the insurance company totals it, what happens to it next? I can't tell from the pics but it doesn't seem like the damage that could have been done can't be fixed. I'm just curious.
[/ QUOTE ]
Although it does seem as though there is much damage, after we righted it onto its wheels, you can see the frame by the in-feed chute is bent, the motor has been ripped off its mounting, cowling damage, radiator damage. The feed wheel is shifted to one side which could mean the shafet/bearings are damage. With the engine pushed over it may have damaged the clutch or the shaft for the belts. If the insurance company does total it, they offer first bid to the owner to buy it back and that amount is deducted from the settlement. If we dont buy it back then it goes out to bid.
If the insurance company totals it, what happens to it next? I can't tell from the pics but it doesn't seem like the damage that could have been done can't be fixed. I'm just curious.
[/ QUOTE ]
Although it does seem as though there is much damage, after we righted it onto its wheels, you can see the frame by the in-feed chute is bent, the motor has been ripped off its mounting, cowling damage, radiator damage. The feed wheel is shifted to one side which could mean the shafet/bearings are damage. With the engine pushed over it may have damaged the clutch or the shaft for the belts. If the insurance company does total it, they offer first bid to the owner to buy it back and that amount is deducted from the settlement. If we dont buy it back then it goes out to bid.
- Location
- The BETTER Maine
[ QUOTE ]
From the pics, that was waiting to happen. From the looks of it, the tongue was almost worn through and cracked. I may be wrong but that is the way it looks.
[/ QUOTE ]
THe part that looks worn was where the tongue rubbed on the road before the operator realized the chipper was gone. There is only a very small portion that shows any rust (1/2 inch long) by one of the bolt holes. Otherwise than that the break seems fresh. This part sits within the receiver part which would make it virtually impossible to see unless you pull the pins and extend the tongue out.
From the pics, that was waiting to happen. From the looks of it, the tongue was almost worn through and cracked. I may be wrong but that is the way it looks.
[/ QUOTE ]
THe part that looks worn was where the tongue rubbed on the road before the operator realized the chipper was gone. There is only a very small portion that shows any rust (1/2 inch long) by one of the bolt holes. Otherwise than that the break seems fresh. This part sits within the receiver part which would make it virtually impossible to see unless you pull the pins and extend the tongue out.
- Location
- The BETTER Maine
[ QUOTE ]
From the pics, that was waiting to happen. From the looks of it, the tongue was almost worn through and cracked. I may be wrong but that is the way it looks.
[/ QUOTE ]
The bottom of the tongue in the picture does not have rust. What may seem like rust is the wet sawdust, chips, etc from when I pulled it out of the truck bed. I dragged it out to take the photo and some of that dust was left of the tongue.
From the pics, that was waiting to happen. From the looks of it, the tongue was almost worn through and cracked. I may be wrong but that is the way it looks.
[/ QUOTE ]
The bottom of the tongue in the picture does not have rust. What may seem like rust is the wet sawdust, chips, etc from when I pulled it out of the truck bed. I dragged it out to take the photo and some of that dust was left of the tongue.
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
Long and short of it, failure occurred without the backup system able to function as designed. With ours we also increased the size of the chains used. In one situation the driver hadn't checked the pintel hook and it came off as he left the highway. the chains easily kept the chipper attached and the only damage was his ego.
The lesson to take away is check the back ups to be comfortable with how they function in a failure.
The lesson to take away is check the back ups to be comfortable with how they function in a failure.
- Location
- The BETTER Maine
[ QUOTE ]
Long and short of it, failure occurred without the backup system able to function as designed. With ours we also increased the size of the chains used. In one situation the driver hadn't checked the pintel hook and it came off as he left the highway. the chains easily kept the chipper attached and the only damage was his ego.
The lesson to take away is check the back ups to be comfortable with how they function in a failure.
[/ QUOTE ]
I just pulled the tongue out of our Morbark Strom 2012D and check the tube for cracks. Nothing found by eye. Does anyone know of a test to check for minute cracks? I know about magnetizing the tongue and placing metal shavings on it but someone else states it should be dye tested. I don't know anything about dye testing. We replaced all of the bolts with new ones and installed 3/8 inch high tensile chain from the receiver part of the tongue to the pintle ring and then to the truck. We also secured the chain together where it passes through the loop that Morbark welded and then again just behind the plate that has the pintle ring attached. This will stop the chipper from sliding on the chain should the chipper come off the pintle or if the tongue should break again.
Long and short of it, failure occurred without the backup system able to function as designed. With ours we also increased the size of the chains used. In one situation the driver hadn't checked the pintel hook and it came off as he left the highway. the chains easily kept the chipper attached and the only damage was his ego.
The lesson to take away is check the back ups to be comfortable with how they function in a failure.
[/ QUOTE ]
I just pulled the tongue out of our Morbark Strom 2012D and check the tube for cracks. Nothing found by eye. Does anyone know of a test to check for minute cracks? I know about magnetizing the tongue and placing metal shavings on it but someone else states it should be dye tested. I don't know anything about dye testing. We replaced all of the bolts with new ones and installed 3/8 inch high tensile chain from the receiver part of the tongue to the pintle ring and then to the truck. We also secured the chain together where it passes through the loop that Morbark welded and then again just behind the plate that has the pintle ring attached. This will stop the chipper from sliding on the chain should the chipper come off the pintle or if the tongue should break again.
I have a magna-flux unit to check for cracks(I still have the engine machining equipment left over from the stockcar days) an automotive machine shop would have one along with dye penetrant. ON the magna-flux you put the test unit where you want to check ,pull the trigger to magnatize it and sprinkle iron powder on it. If theres a crack the iron powder will be drawn to the crack and you'll see it.With paint on it I don't think the dye would work to well. With the dye you spray on a cleaner and let it dry.Then you spray on a dye and let it dry.Then you spray on a developer and it will show up cracks. The dye is more for aluminum items that aren't magnetic.
- Location
- Longmont, CO
First, I am sorry for your loss. Dang, that sucks!
When I had a tandem axle dump trailer I was impressed with how little load was on the tongue. I was also impressed with the suspension and how much smoother it drove over RR tracks and bumps.
So, when I got my Bandit 90 with a single axle, I could feel everything! In fact, there are certain sections of road I have to slow down significantly because I am nervous of something failing.
My dump trailer was 4,500lbs empty. Yes, I know they made the trailer with two axles because I was adding additional weight, but when it was empty, it towed great.
My chipper is 4,600lbs.
The first day I towed the chipper I wondered why they didn't have double axles. I have a 16' chip box so my truck is long. The combination of the single axle chipper and long truck is bad. It makes for a real bumpy ride.
And that bumpy ride is putting additional force at the hitch and chipper connection.
So, where am I going with this? I wonder how much time the tongues of the chippers with a single axle will take that load? It looks like the Morbark wasn't long enough.
When I had a tandem axle dump trailer I was impressed with how little load was on the tongue. I was also impressed with the suspension and how much smoother it drove over RR tracks and bumps.
So, when I got my Bandit 90 with a single axle, I could feel everything! In fact, there are certain sections of road I have to slow down significantly because I am nervous of something failing.
My dump trailer was 4,500lbs empty. Yes, I know they made the trailer with two axles because I was adding additional weight, but when it was empty, it towed great.
My chipper is 4,600lbs.
The first day I towed the chipper I wondered why they didn't have double axles. I have a 16' chip box so my truck is long. The combination of the single axle chipper and long truck is bad. It makes for a real bumpy ride.
And that bumpy ride is putting additional force at the hitch and chipper connection.
So, where am I going with this? I wonder how much time the tongues of the chippers with a single axle will take that load? It looks like the Morbark wasn't long enough.
- Location
- Lexington, Kentucky
Man, that sucks. We own a Morbark Model 17 from 1992. It's seen it fair share of accidents. For us, I think we got plates welded on the sides of the tongues to strengthen it when an old employee bent it backing up. Lengthened it and strengthened it.Also have had the truck hitch pop off while pulling the chipper on an interstate. Luckily like yours, it was deserted. Luckily for us, the chipper just drifted into the ditch, no flipping, etc. It was just the whole recieving hitch on the truck that popped off. Bolts gave way. Now we have a giant one on the back, thats bolted with something like 1/4 to 1/2 bolts.
- Location
- Flagstaff Arizona
One thing that we have been able to catch on the truck due to daily inspections is sheared/loose bolts on the pintle ring/hook. One other problem that has been run into is the top part of the pintle hitch had not fully locked even though the pin went through the hole. Just a few things that I thought of after reading about the accident.
Years ago the City I worked for had an old Chipmore drum chipper that did the same thing except we caught the crack in time. That machine was nowhere near the weight of your machine. You are exceptionally lucky that the incident happened where it did. Several years ago a similiar accindent happened in the Pittsburgh area killing a young father and two of his triplet children. The judge has ordered that the driver keep a photograph of the victims and that he looks at it every day for the rest of his life. Point is, be very careful with this equipment on the road. Just because the speed limit is 65 doesen't mean yohave to go that fast.
- Location
- The BETTER Maine
[ QUOTE ]
where are the pictures?
[/ QUOTE ]
Look about 1/2 way down page 2, there are 3 individual pictures
where are the pictures?
[/ QUOTE ]
Look about 1/2 way down page 2, there are 3 individual pictures
- Location
- Longmont, CO
The other day I was leaving a job and something didn't feel right. I felt a jerk and then heard something behind me. Yep, the chipper fell off!
We were in a private community and I was only going 5mph. My groundie forgot to put the pin in.
It jumped off right in front of a bunch of guys remodeling a home. So, I had help. One guy got a small car jack and jacked it up high enough for the chipper jack to take over.
I could not help but picture that happening on the highway doing 60mph and all hell breaking loose.
Boy am I glad it fell off where it did.
I told my groundie, "Everyone gets one mistake like that. No more."
We were in a private community and I was only going 5mph. My groundie forgot to put the pin in.
It jumped off right in front of a bunch of guys remodeling a home. So, I had help. One guy got a small car jack and jacked it up high enough for the chipper jack to take over.
I could not help but picture that happening on the highway doing 60mph and all hell breaking loose.
Boy am I glad it fell off where it did.
I told my groundie, "Everyone gets one mistake like that. No more."
jim454
Participating member
- Location
- The land of Utopia
I am curious to know if a cop showed up and if so did he ask to see your pre trip inspection report?
- Location
- Longmont, CO
Pre-trip and Post-trip inspections are only necessary for those who have registered their trucks as commercial and have been issued a DOT#. At least, that is, what I have understood. Correct me if I am wrong.
It is good practice a to inspect our vehicles before and after use.--That is for sure.
It is good practice a to inspect our vehicles before and after use.--That is for sure.
- Location
- The BETTER Maine
[ QUOTE ]
I am curious to know if a cop showed up and if so did he ask to see your pre trip inspection report?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes the State Trooper did show up and No he did not ask for the pre-trip inspection report. The failure occurred inside the receiving tube so the failure would not have been visibly detected during the pre-trip inspection.
I am curious to know if a cop showed up and if so did he ask to see your pre trip inspection report?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes the State Trooper did show up and No he did not ask for the pre-trip inspection report. The failure occurred inside the receiving tube so the failure would not have been visibly detected during the pre-trip inspection.
- Location
- The BETTER Maine
I have received an email from Morbark. Their engineering dept is "seeing signs of over loading occurring in two spots one from side load and the other from the top or bottom." I am not sure what that means. Morbark has decided to put together a kit which will limit the amount of travel of the tongue by securing chains under the tongue. "These kits are available thru our dealers". If you have a unit with extendable tongue, please look into securing the 2 parts of the tonque.
TreeCo
Carpal tunnel level member
Jack knifing during backing is one way to side load the tongue. It could also down load at the same time. I've seen lots of chippers that have their engine protection guards bent from jack knifing.
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