Storing a branch manager

ATH

ATH

Been here much more than a while
Location
Findlay, Ohio
When you are swapping attachments and taking a branch manager off, do you do anything to keep it from tipping over? Grapple open or closed? Maybe I just need to work on technique more, but I don't have a system down.

This is on an avant which I know has a narrower attachment plate which may be part of the instability.

My initial plan will be just to leave a log to grab and then set the plate on that... But that probably takes up a little bit more room than I would prefer.

My next question is going to be about storing the auger drive unit! But I think I have a plan in mind for that...
 
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Don't grab a log and disconnect, more pressure in lines will make re-attaching no fun. Also don't leave in the sun for extended time for the same reason.

SOP: Open most of the way, turn off machine, cycle to relieve pressure then disconnect. As the arms are open you place those down then back up so the plate is plump or somewhat tipped forward and the arms are neighborhood of 45 degrees making a stable tripod. Orient hoses so the quick connects are not hitting the ground, use dust cap covers on the machine side fittings.
 
Serf Life said:
Don't grab a log and disconnect, more pressure in lines will make re-attaching no fun. Also don't leave in the sun for extended time for the same reason.

SOP: Open most of the way, turn off machine, cycle to relieve pressure then disconnect. As the arms are open you place those down then back up so the plate is plump or somewhat tipped forward and the arms are neighborhood of 45 degrees making a stable tripod. Orient hoses so the quick connects are not hitting the ground, use dust cap covers on the machine side fittings.
Click to expand...
You don’t need to do all that cycling and dust cap stuff on an Avant.
 
Anything with hydraulic cylinders I always store with the cylinders fully retracted so there is no cylinder rod exposed to the atmosphere. Rods can rust and there goes the seals.
 
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ATH said:
When you are swapping attachments and taking a branch manager off, do you do anything to keep it from tipping over? Grapple open or closed? Maybe I just need to work on technique more, but I don't have a system down.

This is on and avant which I know has a narrower attachment plate which may be part of the instability.

My initial plan will be just to leave a log to grab and then set a text replaced on that... Put that probably takes up a little bit more room than I would prefer.

My next question is going to be about storing the auger drive unit! But I think I have a plan in mind for that...
Click to expand...
Grapple open, touch the grapple to the ground, back up 2-3 feet, flip switch, rock down, pull back and done.

If you're looking to store it on a trailer for transport, you'd need to make a grab point, similar to the bm rake opening.

No tips on the auger.
 
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I've been storing mine in the trailer with the scoops on, it stays upright without tiedowns.

If I unhook it at home, I always lay it down or unhook it then knock it over. To risky in my opinion to keep it balanced upright when kids might climb on it and have it fall on them. My shop is at my home. If yours is separated then this may not be an issue.

As far as laying it down with the machine, unhook the hoses and pins, tilt it down until the grapple drags the ground, drive forward until its folded back towards the loader, then set the butt plate down and tilt out of it. Its ready to hook back up without being so easily unbalanced.
 
I keep the scoops on as much as possible so unhooking is super easy. And I just balance it upright when the scoops aren’t on, no kids to worry about, and the grapple almost closed up tight but still a little wiggle room for easier hydro hook up.
 
ATH said:
My next question is going to be about storing the auger drive unit! But I think I have a plan in mind for that...
Click to expand...
I presume you are talking about planting?
Lately I just run with the drive and auger on the machine and bucket and forks in the back of the truck. They are easier to chain down than the auger/drive.
But I suppose if I were going to do storage I would use a heavy walled pipe/tube, of close inner diameter to match the drive, welded to the trailer. Drop the drive tang inside and chain away.
 
One of our biggest suppliers recently started selling these:
beiler-campbell.bidwrangler.com

Auger Caddy

Post Hole Digger Auger Caddy
beiler-campbell.bidwrangler.com beiler-campbell.bidwrangler.com

I can't find a link to them other than to a couple they sold at a recent auction they hosted, but you can get an idea of what they look like. Seems like one of these set up for your preferred auger sizes might be the ticket, especially since you can move the whole contraption around with the quick attach built into it.
 
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flushcut said:
I presume you are talking about planting?
Lately I just run with the drive and auger on the machine and bucket and forks in the back of the truck. They are easier to chain down than the auger/drive.
But I suppose if I were going to do storage I would use a heavy walled pipe/tube, of close inner diameter to match the drive, welded to the trailer. Drop the drive tang inside and chain away.
Click to expand...
Yes...for planting. I'll likely do as you say and keep the auger on the machine and forks separate. It's how to store it at the shop.

I was thinking along those lines with a heavy pipe to put the drive unit into that and hold it upright.

Maybe something more like this for the bits...but not quite.

auger-racks-star-industries-auger-racks-star-industries-154605.jpg


I have a 40" diameter x 18" depth (28" overall length) and a 24" diameter x 36" depth so they won't quite store on that exact rack. (will probably also get one to do post holes...not that I want to do fences, but to it seems to make sense to buy the bit since I've got a drive unit)
 
I have a 12” auger that I do the occasional footing for deck builds, I’ve got a few buddies in the construction biz. And use it for one gallon installs. It’s nice when the custy wants a green fence but doesn’t want to pay for bigger stock. IMO if you have it you’ll find a reason to use it. A 24” is on my list. A 4” is real handy for vert mulching.
 
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ATH said:
When you are swapping attachments and taking a branch manager off, do you do anything to keep it from tipping over? Grapple open or closed? Maybe I just need to work on technique more, but I don't have a system down.

This is on and avant which I know has a narrower attachment plate which may be part of the instability.

My initial plan will be just to leave a log to grab and then set a text replaced on that... Put that probably takes up a little bit more room than I would prefer.

My next question is going to be about storing the auger drive unit! But I think I have a plan in mind for that...
Click to expand...
I cut down an old pallet to be narrow enough to fit in my trailer then put extra plywood on top to handle crush. Grapple leading edge, back up to stretch dangle out on grapple, set it down and disconnect. Have since grabbed a couple of free plastic pallets to remake this once wood one is too chewed up.
 
If you ever can't get the coupler to reconnect, loosening a hose-end fitting at the grapple relieves pressure for connection.


Different amount of pressure on the grapple or different temps might make it hard, as best I can tell IME.
 
southsoundtree said:
If you ever can't get the coupler to reconnect, loosening a hose-end fitting at the grapple relieves pressure for connection.


Different amount of pressure on the grapple or different temps might make it hard, as best I can tell IME.
Click to expand...
We bought one of these a few months ago: https://ebay.io/m/Wm78tM

So far, it has worked perfectly every time. No more disassembling hoses to dump pressure, just line up the connectors, and start squeezing the handles.
 
That's an interesting work around. The Avant leveraged handle works flawlessly to connect and disconnect. When I've heard this discussed in the past I've thought I would get an Avant hyd connect part and install it if I had other equipment, or, I've since seen a similarly made copy of that unit.
 
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