refurbished chip truck and chipper

[derikL]

Do you have any better pics of the mini skid area. We are looking at building up a newer chip truck and I would like to do a similar set up.

 

[arborpro]

We sandblasted it down to get any pit rust areas out of it. It wasn't as rusty as you might think. We then built it up with lots and lots of primer and rust inhibitor then 3 coats of urethane plus a topcoat sealer. Spent a grand in primer and paint alone.

I did a 1-ton pickup this way 8 years ago - paint still looks great today.

 

[arborpro]

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Do you have any better pics of the mini skid area. We are looking at building up a newer chip truck and I would like to do a similar set up.

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Don't have very good pics of the fab process but here you go...

 

[arborpro]

one more pic

 

[TreeJunkie]

Great looking transformation! how long are the ramps? Looks like a hell of an idea! I'd like to mount similar ramps on our flatbed bucket truck...concerned it would be excessively steep angle to be loading/off loading the mini.....

 

[arborpro]

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Great looking transformation! how long are the ramps? Looks like a hell of an idea! I'd like to mount similar ramps on our flatbed bucket truck...concerned it would be excessively steep angle to be loading/off loading the mini.....

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Ramps are about 7' unfolded. Previously, I loaded my mini skid onto the flatbed of my 1-ton using my 6' dump trailer ramps and it worked great. We calculated the same angle for the new chip truck and came up with 7' to account for the few inches of increased height to the platform. I think the mini loads great. Have to go a bit slow at the breakover point with a tracked machine so it stays straight but, once you get used to it, you can get the mini to tip in slow motion and it's not scary at all. Of course, a wheeled machine would transition even better. I've loaded/unloaded 4 different mini skids using this method and all did just fine: bobcat mt50, bobcat mt52, ditch witch sk500 and boxer 532dx. The boxer was a 3000# brute and the ramps held it just fine - no bowing whatsoever.

From all the comments I'm reading, I think I should be marketing these platforms - have my welders fab them up as a platform with ramps already attached and start selling them..........

ap

 

[arborpro]

Here's where I carry the mini skid attachments...grapple, stump grinder, etc.

 

[derikL]

Thanks for the extra pics. We are hoping to put together a truck with a 25-30yd chip box and a carrier for the dingo.

 

[AmericanArborist]

This is the coolest thing I've seen in a while.


I'd like to know what the truck GVRW is. Most of these man cab asplundh trucks are 21,000 or 23,000. Dry weight of the truck is around 14,000 or 15000. Given the weight of the skid, you may only have around 4,000 lbs for chips and logs.

Also, can the notoriously slow 6.0L engine handle all this weight and a chipper?

 

[arborpro]

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This is the coolest thing I've seen in a while.


I'd like to know what the truck GVRW is. Most of these man cab asplundh trucks are 21,000 or 23,000. Dry weight of the truck is around 14,000 or 15000. Given the weight of the skid, you may only have around 4,000 lbs for chips and logs.

Also, can the notoriously slow 6.0L engine handle all this weight and a chipper?

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My truck has the 7.4L which has plenty of power when fully loaded with chips and the mini skid and with a 9000# chipper in tow. Really handles it nicely.

 

[AmericanArborist]

Very cool. I was very excited to see this unique idea. You should totally start prefabing these platforms for people to buy. Way more useful than a man cab.

 

[arborpro]

[ QUOTE ]
Very cool. I was very excited to see this unique idea. You should totally start prefabing these platforms for people to buy. Way more useful than a man cab.

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I'm looking into prefabing them and talking to a couple local shops about it. Not sure the market will bear what I'd have to get for one though. The price of steel is so high right now, i'd probably have to market it at around $4k plus shipping to make it worthwhile. I could palletize it but with the weight I'm sure it would be about $500 to ship.

Do you think folks would pay $4500 for a ready-mount platform?

AP

 

[treecareinc]

I think it is an awesome idea. I wonder how many people own "man cab" units that have mini loaders? I think it may be a tough sale at $4500.

Your truck looks great and you should be proud of you ingenuity!!!

 

[Crazy_Jimmy]

No way I could pay 4500 for it.Im sure my welder-mechanic could do it for way less.Its a great idea hope you dont mind me borrowing it.

 

[arborpro]

well, due to the response from this forum, I submitted a write-up on the truck's transformation to TCI magazine today along with pics. The editor said he would likely run it in the arborist innovations column. Guess I'll see if it shows up in a month or two...

ap

 

[matdand]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Great looking transformation! how long are the ramps? Looks like a hell of an idea! I'd like to mount similar ramps on our flatbed bucket truck...concerned it would be excessively steep angle to be loading/off loading the mini.....

[/ QUOTE ]

Ramps are about 7' unfolded. Previously, I loaded my mini skid onto the flatbed of my 1-ton using my 6' dump trailer ramps and it worked great. We calculated the same angle for the new chip truck and came up with 7' to account for the few inches of increased height to the platform. I think the mini loads great.
ap

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What is the height of the platform from the ground?