MINI SKID STEERS

Ever thouth of making the grapple out of aluminium (note the english spelling /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif ) to allow for bigger lifts? I plan to fabricate a frame for each side of the rear of the machine to place small garden tractor sized counter weights.
 
English spelling, what the . . . Never thought of using aluminium, Price would probably skyrocket, it would have to be pretty thick, I am not talented enough to work with it /forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif + It would be harder for the end user to repair.
 
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Mangoes:

You maybe on to something, however, I am wondering why some one has not done it yet.


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'Cause......I'm.......a.......genius?

/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
Nice article, sounds like Aluminium would make a fine grapple with proper engineering. I am no engineer obviously, what I got out of the article was you would increase material thickness by 50%, increase some welding and bracing. Material Costs might increase 50% since the article stated the relative similarity of steel to Alum by size. Bottom line the Alum grapple would maybe weigh in at 140 lbs compared to 200 in steel. 60lbs is 60 lbs but with most of these machines you can easily add 60#s of counterwieght and gain the extra lift obviously at the cost of the machines longevity. .. . Alum sounds good for small grapples but it is out of my league at least at this time /forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
How many of you out there have the brush wolf mower for a mini skid steer? If you do have one how is it't performance? It seems that there are alot of thomas mini skids in the tree industry, are they better suited for tree work than other brands?


Thanks
Derik
 
I have had one for years - tough amazing mini brush cutter. I have beat 3" trees to the ground, I don't recommend that but it can do it - 2" a better top end stem. It doesnt go out that much but when it does it saves our arse.

I run and sell Thomas brand because of their excellent value. When you compare all the stand ons - GPMs, ground speed, lift height and capacity, wheels, tracks they all are generally pretty close. Depending on what you are doing any one of the brands are going to save you a ton of labor.
 

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I suppose it's all in what you call "mini".The machine in the picture is rather small and can be hauled on a standard 7,000 lb gvw trailer,behind a pickup truck.
This one belongs to my little bud,Tom,the tree guy.It will pick up around 1500 lbs.
It sure does save the back.This is a classic case of working smarter and not harder.The machine,diesel powered,cost him around 9 thou,used of course.
 

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I really like the idea of skid steers. I know everyone has their favorite brands for whatever reason. My question is, tracks or tires. What are people using, and why? Which are better in the snow? Any other feedback would be great as well.

Thanks
Derik
 
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I suppose it's all in what you call "mini".The machine in the picture is rather small and can be hauled on a standard 7,000 lb gvw trailer,behind a pickup truck.


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The equipment Industry seems to include all Skidsteers in the compact category. To me "minis" weigh less than 2Tons. That New Holland has to be 5k or better.

Everbody seems to be high on tracks, they climb better, go through mud better, but if your not careful turning they are lawn damaging, Wheels are my choice, very lawn friendly at least "mini's" in the 1 ton range.
 

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Thanks Mark for the welcome. I have visited here alot decided to finally sign up.
That is me in the bobcat and my oldest son Craig on the grab truck. He was loading hay as seen in my avater, and unloading it into the feeders.
Versital rigs those grab trucks the hay is 5' thick and 6' round and weigh around 1800lbs.
Here's another pic of the bobcat it is 35inch's wide comes in handy for those backyards and many other tasks.
 

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I think a good definition of a mini skid is one that fits through a back yard gate.

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Right on brother -- dammit though. . my thomas's are 40" wide. But we still squeeze them in tight spots. the only 36 and smaller that I know of is the walk behind dingo track, and the bobcat tracks, ride ons are the boxer(retractable tracks) and the kanga kid(13hp 30"wide?) /forum/images/graemlins/bigeyes.gif

I love hydraulics - thought about it on that bucket rack, but than I had to think to much, I like ekka's KISS build mentality. I am sure my crew will use the Thomas to fold it up when the need to, it is a heavy bugger. Have not pulled a trailer (for small brush Jobs) behind it yet, stay tuned. /forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
You had to ask, heres murse's T85 with a grapple. A true mini sit down skid steer, weighs in at 3000#s only 36" wide, and they give you a 5 year warranty. I know he loves it.
 

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Heres Gary Erwin in Indiana, he played with this machine for about an hour in his yard, and then he bought it
 

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