Mini Skids

I just went through the buying process on a small loader and chose an Avant for my situation . Climbhightrees analogy above applies to Lumberjack in that he is a human being and human beings have preferences. In my opinion it breaks down soon after that in that I found Carl very easy to redirect over to my interests if I ever thought he was gravitating toward his personal biases.

I bought a new chipper a year and a half ago after searching and researching one and a half years longer than I wanted to in order to be clear I was getting what was right for me and my needs. Frequently I would walk away from an incounter with a sales person and think "you wouldn't say stupid things like that if you came and chipped with me for a day or a week."

Carl got me to all the right info and perspectives in a very efficient manor. I always got off the phone feeling my questions got answered or soon would be and that I just spoke to someone far and away more familiar with that equipments capabilities in tree work applications than I.

I see Carl as a valuable and self paid resource. Any research and purchase that doesn't involve talking with him could have very easily left some rocks unturned.
 
Thanks Carl for an honest answer, with prices no less. And thanks Merle, but I already knew that about Carl and Dave :) They're top notch! See what I did there?
 
Still say that floppy BMG Grapple is the BOTTOM of the line and inferior to fixed grapples that can doze into a log. They are big sellers I am sure, but that is from lack of comparison and cheapo price. I have owned both so no need to give me a comparo spiel.

That BMG Grapple is like playing the grapple game in the big plastic see thru box in restaurants where you TRY to grab the stuffed animal (this is where kids first learn to swear in my opinion). If you have a load of criss crossed logs...you constantly have to get off the machine to open a space for the 2 (both) grapple prongs to get below the mid point of the log.

With my more expensive grapple...you can just doze into a log and grab, or hyd. force the grapple arms down over the top of the log, or grab the butt end of the log.

Also these small (relatively) mini skids are SO much easier to transport than those big articulating loaders. I may still buy one but I will then have both. Beware what you buy if it is your first machine as you may regret your choice down the line as to what you should have bought.

 
treevet said:
Still say that floppy BMG Grapple is the BOTTOM of the line and inferior to fixed grapples that can doze into a log. They are big sellers I am sure, but that is from lack of comparison and cheapo price. I have owned both so no need to give me a comparo spiel.

That BMG Grapple is like playing the grapple game in the big plastic see thru box in restaurants where you TRY to grab the stuffed animal (this is where kids first learn to swear in my opinion). If you have a load of criss crossed logs...you constantly have to get off the machine to open a space for the 2 (both) grapple prongs to get below the mid point of the log.

With my more expensive grapple...you can just doze into a log and grab, or hyd. force the grapple arms down over the top of the log, or grab the butt end of the log.

Also these small (relatively) mini skids are SO much easier to transport than those big articulating loaders. I may still buy one but I will then have both. Beware what you buy if it is your first machine as you may regret your choice down the line as to what you should have bought.

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You and I have hatched this out before...so I wont drag up old threads or videos ;)

I will just restate what I said earlier in this thread (at that time directed towards what mini brand to buy) try different grapples and attachments etc, and see what works best for you...and run with it. These days you can rent a lot of different attachments to try them out (though not usually hanging grapples).

I personally have no problem using a BMG for twisted tangled wood...videos on my youtube channel.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
 
Its verrrrry rare that I get off to position my BMG. BMG skills are different than fixed grapple skills. Different than nun-chuck skills, computer hacking skills, you know...skills. For tricky grabs, part of it is "throwing" the grapple onto the log in the right orientation, timing, and machine 'english'. Sometimes, its planting one grapple arm on a stationary location (log, dirt, etc) and pivoting and manipulating the machine.


Maybe we should have a grapple rodeo. Video tricks like they pick up tiny objects with an excavator.

TreeVet, would you say that you are a very experienced BMG operator with BMG tricks up your sleeve?
 
southsoundtree said:
Its verrrrry rare that I get off to position my BMG. BMG skills are different than fixed grapple skills. Different than nun-chuck skills, computer hacking skills, you know...skills. For tricky grabs, part of it is "throwing" the grapple onto the log in the right orientation, timing, and machine 'english'. Sometimes, its planting one grapple arm on a stationary location (log, dirt, etc) and pivoting and manipulating the machine.


Maybe we should have a grapple rodeo. Video tricks like they pick up tiny objects with an excavator.

TreeVet, would you say that you are a very experienced BMG operator with BMG tricks up your sleeve?
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"nun chuck skills" lol

I got a couple years on the BMG and probably 8 years on the other grapple. Sold the Bmg and happy to say bye bye aFu_ChickenDance.gif
 
Vet, I'm thinking of getting a grapple. I know you don't love the BMG, but do you miss the ability to grab brush or drag large material lengthwise?
 
Thanks, Tree Vet. I just don't tend to make piles of logs that aren't going to be moved by the same means or larger grapple truck.

My access is typically tight, widthwise grabbing wouldn't work for me.
 
Bucknut said:
Vet, I'm thinking of getting a grapple. I know you don't love the BMG, but do you miss the ability to grab brush or drag large material lengthwise?
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If you have a pile of brush Bucknut, it is highly unlikely you will be able to grab more than 3 or 4 of the stems when you drop the scissors down on the pile because of the width of the opening. It is ok for grabbing a big limb...but a pile of brush...not.

We just keep a line on our grapple with a mini porty on the machine and a snap on the brush end of the rope(or tie a rbowline) then drag big (I mean BIG) piles of brush with it after elevating the grapple to get the butt ends airborn.

As for dragging a large log lengthwise, we don't do that for the damage it creates and with my grapple lifting a log perpendicular to the machine gives more capacity than lifting a log parallel to the machine with it sticking way out making it more tippy like the BMG.
 
climbhightree said:
These are the ones I'm going with for my 650tx next time
da891ac89be13eb799afb79b27793c9f.jpg


$269 each for the 650tx. I don't know if they have them available yet for the 725tx. They only got the 650tx tracks last year.
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Climbhigh, what is your Vermeer 650tx like when driving across a side-hill? I'm wondering if the mini skids handle a slope reasonably well, maybe better than a tractor.
 
wyoclimber said:
I'm looking into Mini Skids. From what I've seen I'm thinking the big Boxer or Vermeer. Anyone have any experience with them? I may end up looking at a Dingo as well, a lot smaller but I might have a line on a well maintained one for a decent price.
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Wyoclimber, did you end up buying a mini skid? What brand did you get? I'm trying to compare Ditch witch with Vermeer at the moment.
 
treeandland said:
Climbhigh, what is your Vermeer 650tx like when driving across a side-hill? I'm wondering if the mini skids handle a slope reasonably well, maybe better than a tractor.
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Sometimes good sometimes bad
ea4e18f6dd0cfd4243fa82a4e9f0a6ab.jpg


It mostly about being careful how you carry a load.

"Kiss My Axe"
Associate degree in forestry from PSU Mont Alto
Certified Arborist
Owner/operator of Climb High Tree Service established in 2002
www.climbhightree.com
https://m.facebook.com/ClimbHighTreeService
https://www.youtube.com/user/climbhightree
https://www.youtube.com/user/2treekiller2
 
Gosh, that puts a damper on your day. Is that the wide track machine? I talked to a Bartlett employee who said they rolled their Bobcat mini skid so often they ruined the engine. I guess, if you think you're about to roll it, shut the machine off right away, right?


climbhightree said:
Sometimes good sometimes bad
ea4e18f6dd0cfd4243fa82a4e9f0a6ab.jpg


It mostly about being careful how you carry a load.

"Kiss My Axe"
Associate degree in forestry from PSU Mont Alto
Certified Arborist
Owner/operator of Climb High Tree Service established in 2002
www.climbhightree.com
https://m.facebook.com/ClimbHighTreeService
https://www.youtube.com/user/climbhightree
https://www.youtube.com/user/2treekiller2
Click to expand...
 
treeandland said:
Gosh, that puts a damper on your day. Is that the wide track machine? I talked to a Bartlett employee who said they rolled their Bobcat mini skid so often they ruined the engine. I guess, if you think you're about to roll it, shut the machine off right away, right?
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Yeah I wasn't happy...and thankfully I was the one driving it (not a employee).

I was end carrying a log (or 2), as I was going along the side of the hill the logs pivoted down hill. I didn't react fast enough to drop the arms,and the machine tipped over. Keep your loads low and tight! I should have also been carrying them sideways probably, but they weren't big.

I immediately shut off the engine. Thankfully there was a tree on the uphill side I was able to use to quickly winch it upright.

"Kiss My Axe"
Associate degree in forestry from PSU Mont Alto
Certified Arborist
Owner/operator of Climb High Tree Service established in 2002
www.climbhightree.com
https://m.facebook.com/ClimbHighTreeService
https://www.youtube.com/user/climbhightree
https://www.youtube.com/user/2treekiller2
 
Lumberjack said:
Get a BMG from me!

Where are you located, brut4c?
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Carl, if I was to get a Vermeer or Ditchwitch with the narrow track setup, is it possible to put wide tracks on these machines or are you stuck with what you buy? I like the idea of fitting through gates, but I don't know if the narrow tracks are stable enough or as gentle on the ground. I don't think you sell these brands, but do you know about this? Thanks.
 
treeandland said:
Carl, if I was to get a Vermeer or Ditchwitch with the narrow track setup, is it possible to put wide tracks on these machines or are you stuck with what you buy? I like the idea of fitting through gates, but I don't know if the narrow tracks are stable enough or as gentle on the ground. I don't think you sell these brands, but do you know about this? Thanks.
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You can put wide tracks on them...but it isn't just wider rubber.

I briefly looked into for my Vermeer. There is a spacer like thing you have to add too. Unfortunately I don't recall exactly what it was, or the cost.

"Kiss My Axe"
Associate degree in forestry from PSU Mont Alto
Certified Arborist
Owner/operator of Climb High Tree Service established in 2002
www.climbhightree.com
https://m.facebook.com/ClimbHighTreeService
https://www.youtube.com/user/climbhightree
https://www.youtube.com/user/2treekiller2
 
Thanks, Brian, I wasn't sure. The overall frame should be the same on the DW, but rollers/idlers/sprockets are likely moved out like the Vermeer.

That's one big selling point of the Boxer 525DX, the undercarriage retracts and expands hydraulically.


I was in Holland last month and saw a machine with Bixer style controls with a twist that worked pretty well. The bucket and lift arm levers were bent forward instead of being right under the grips. The top of the control was bent to come vertically so you could run it with your finger tips in either direction. This would be a relatively easy mod to the Boxer controls that would be quite the improvement to me.

image.webp
 
tnttree said:
Not a mini skid Butt
damm near same size as the vermeer 600, lighter than the 800,
telescopic boom lifts to 110", twice as fast,
No skid marks, no alturna Mats
Articulating . . . next level up in forwarding loaders
2 year, 1000hr warranty
Avant super dependable, starting @ ~ $25K
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TNT, I'm impressed with the Avant, but that machine isn't in my price range. I can afford a used tracked mini skid steer, and I think I've narrowed it down to Ditch Witch or Vermeer. The 650 model from both brands are about the same weight I think. Which of the two machines would you buy, and which would perform better with the BMG?
 
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