New feller grapple, anyone?

[frashdog]

New GIERKINK GMT 035 Feller grapple (cuts horizontally or vertically)
works on any machine with two circuits, max. cut 14", max. lift 4,400 lbs.
max. opening 33", weighs 506 lbs….price $24,800 first dealer in the u.s., timberland truck out of Va.

Few other vids on youtube with this mounted on various booms.
K-boom game changer?
Thoughts?

 

[classictruckman]

Been interested in something like this since making the decision on a kboom

 

[craneguy1]

But it doesn't hold it to keep it from moving...much like the r&r.

 

[SRTsteve860]

But it doesn't hold it to keep it from moving...much like the r&r.

almost seems inefficient when picking bigger vertical wood, because you will need to take such small pieces to prevent any violent tipping when the pick is freed. Also, it appears any brushy picks will be coming down tips first, which (in my experience) can cause some conflict in tighter landing zones. I prefer the piece to come down butt first so it can either be grabbed and managed with a machine, or fed right into the chipper.

-Steven

 

[frashdog]

Looks like it does hold the piece mostly vertical until it goes horizontal?
Looks like it also has rotational hold as well?

clearly due to the cutting diameter capacity it would not be able to do big spars...

seems like it would speed up the removal of limbs and smaller trees...alot!

I'm wondering, due to the obvious slightly dynamic nature of the cutting operations, what safety factors with regards to capacities are recommended.

 

[frashdog]

Thats quick!

From this vid, I'm going to imagine it has an ability to hold vert up to an amount where the hydraulics float, to horizontal

 

[SRTsteve860]

Thats quick!

From this vid, I'm going to imagine it has an ability to hold vert up to an amount where the hydraulics float, to horizontal

that seemed violently quick when it took that top

 

[Mark13y]

I thought the boom snapped on the first pick, uneasily fast and violent

 

[craneguy1]

So how much dynamic loading can take place before the boom snaps?

Btw....that is a very small loader...no thanks...concept looks good on paper but i don't agree with the execution. Doubt that M. P. would attempt that sloppy a$$ crap with his 175 m/t. K-booms are not designed to be up-loaded; same as any crane.

 

[SRTsteve860]

So how much dynamic loading can take place before the boom snaps?

Im quite inexperienced with K booms, so it may be a dumb question. but on a very large dynamic load, would it be the boom that would crumple and fold, or is it more likely that the hydraulics would blow?

 

[craneguy1]

Would it really matter? An "ouppsie" either way is bad in our customers eye.

 

[SRTsteve860]

Would it really matter? An "ouppsie" either way is bad in our customers eye.

i wasnt asking with the thought one is better than another. I was just wondering from a purely engineering / structural standpoint.

 

[AxeTree]

My guess would be boom failure as the grapple an saw its self is not seeing near the force as the boom stretched out and taking all that shock loading

 

[allmark]

I would say the boom would fail first on the side loading but hydraulics could fail first on the verticals on a kboom

The videos parented don't show complete control. Maybe it is just the. Operator. I would be interested I seeing more.

 

[frashdog]

I've watched several videos on this...
The smaller faster booms seem more applicable to the use of device, yet they have shown it used on some decent sized kbooms.