Lift Capacity Maximized

[jim454]

[ QUOTE ]
I tried that Dan. But it takes too long to hook up a log.

The chain doesn't choke like the cable would. So, it can slip and you loose your balance point.











You can buy a slip hook at most any hardware store, the chain would work more like a choker cable.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
will that lil mama fit through a 36inch gate?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep! It has a variable track system. 43" wide for more stability (for slopes or something). And it narrow down to 35". I like that.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
Check into getting some logging tongs.

Or...cut the chunks just a little shorter when you block the tree down.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a good reminder Tom.

I have looked into skidding tongs in the past, but they cost money. My thing at this time was a cheap solution. A friend of mine gave me the wire core lanyard and Gibbs ascender about 3 years ago. I never used them. They were just sitting in the garage.

I just may do the skidding tongs later.

 

[Stumper]

Jamin, That doesn't look like a Gibbs. Microcender? Similar but different.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I think on of our brothers from the Great White North fashioned this. Who made this? I can't remember. Mangoes?

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
Jamin, That doesn't look like a Gibbs. Microcender? Similar but different.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good eye! I went out to the garage and there isn't a brand name anywhere on it. Ha! I just put a name on it because of commonality.

 

[CleanupPro]

Jamin,
Way to improvise. You are sure right about losing capacity when the load is farther away. I just tried out a grapple similar to the Branch Manager (but made for the bigger machines 7,000 pounds and up) on our 240 Swinger. I could only carry 1 log with the rotating grapple but two logs the same size in our normal grapple bucket. Keeping the weight close is everything.

Might I suggest to you when the Gibbs and flipline go that you use a chain with a slip hook on one end. If you attach a grab hook to your machine (maybe onto that chain you have on already) you will be set to go. (I was going to recommend welding a grab hook on but that might interfere when you start putting attachments on.) The welded on hooks are nice if you have a place to put them. We have a grab hook welded onto each end of our log loader buckets for when we can't reach the log and need to use a chain.
Sorry I'm so long winded. PS Jamin, your avatar is classic.

 

[Colin]

[ QUOTE ]
PS Jamin, your avatar is classic.

[/ QUOTE ]

All it's missing is a big, beaming smile!

<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>

Every click a different pic!

 

[Waratah]

Get a grapple you will love it, i would not trade my for any thing.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

BMG Grapple comming soon.

 

[Noel]

the only bad part about the system you have is that you lose the lifting height you would get with tongs or grapple. We use nearly the same setup as you with the dump trailer, and we can load logs right over the sides of it with the vermeer grapple on our mini skid.--does the branch manager always hang straight down, or can you raise the grapple end up?

 

[jim454]

Or, put the ramps down and drive the load into the trailer, that's what I do.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I tried that Dan. But it takes too long to hook up a log.[ QUOTE ]


The chain doesn't choke like the cable would. So, it can slip and you loose your balance point.











You can buy a slip hook at most any hardware store, the chain would work more like a choker cable.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dan &amp; Jim. You're right. I forgot about those things.

I got some the other day.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
the only bad part about the system you have is that you lose the lifting height you would get with tongs or grapple.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're right Noel. I run into that problem. But, this is a temporary fix for now...

I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[Paul Biester]

Jamin,
Is the bmg the grapple of choice? I have a new holland tractor w/ forks and I want a grapple (duh!). Do you feel the bmg is the best choice ?
Thoughts ,comments

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Here she is. My boys and I were experimenting with it the other day.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
Jamin,
Is the bmg the grapple of choice? I have a new holland tractor w/ forks and I want a grapple (duh!). Do you feel the bmg is the best choice ?
Thoughts ,comments

[/ QUOTE ]

Honestly, I don't know. Do you mean, is it the best choice for brand name, or is the grapple the tool of choice?

As much as I see the advantages of a grapple compared to forks, I still believe in the principle of "use the right tool for the job."

Fred Berkelhammer brings forks and the grapple to his jobs. I think I'll do the same.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

This next pic is not in the context of maximizing lift capacity, but it good to show how useful a mini-skid steer can be.

I ordered a blank attachment plate and had a hitch receiver to it. This way when I rent a 50' JLG tow behind lift, I can easily maneuver it around. Especially in tighter access areas. I rented the lift this week because of two reasons.

1- I don't own a bucket truck
2- I was structure pruning over 100 trees and they were too small to climb, but too large to get with a 10' orchard ladder and pole pruner.

The lift made it possible to make quality reduction cuts.

 

[jim454]

Jamin, I like the sign On the side of the truck, How 'bout a better pic.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Back to the grapple. Before I bought the chipper I was hauling and burning all my brush. Let's say I got a little backed up with my burn cycle. So, I've been slowly getting rid of the piles.

The BMG grapple was nice to use with grabbing a huge pile of brush. It's nice to hear the crunching branches.