The best configuration for mini skid highway, what plywood dimensions?

E

erwin

Participating member
Location
st. louis
Since I’m getting the new Vermeer slc100 with much higher traveling speed than my old mt55, I’m going to transition away from labor intensive material moving. I have some 3x8 polymer mats and some 3/4 plywood. However, I’m never really happy with that dimension. Of course, that’s the optimal dimension for truck n chipper, but I rarely have the need or space to move the rig to the tree. So, that dimension does not really make much sense. I’m thinking about 4x4. It’s munch easier to organize n move around. A stack of 30 or 40 pieces of it can get the skid 120-160’ into the yard. What works for u guys? Thx for any inputs.
 
Big gap in the materials handling market here. The branch manager grapple should have an extension to carry plywood. As is, the bmg bollard termination sticks up vertically instead of sideways, so plywood is awkward to carry with it, instead of easy.

@TopNotchEquipment Dave, did you migrate to a different treebuzz name when you split Top Notch off from bmg, or is this still yours?
 
Has anyone tried 2x8 plywood?

I had to make 4x4 the other day to crib a crane. It was decent for escorting the crane out of the yard afterwards, and a bit easier to carry, but I still haven't found what I'm looking for...
 
I've picked up 3+ sheets of plywood in a stack with my BMG, and stack plywood on top, with the grapple uncurled mostly, and the rear of the sheets on the loader arms.

I"m going with 3/8" plywood for my mini (under 3,000 pounds operating weight) plus load.
 
Like stated in my OP, I’m not happy with my 3x8 arrangement because the stack is 8’, too long. Also if I cut 4x8 plywood sheet into half, I won’t waste any part. The 4x4 square pile will b a lot easier to move around with the fork. Plus, 4’ wide highway will b a lot stronger than 3’ when the loaded mini travels on it when it goes over very wet lawn. Just a theoretical exercise. Hope I’ll like it when put in practice. Hate to cut up another $300 of plywood without being sure
 
erwin said:
Like stated in my OP, I’m not happy with my 3x8 arrangement because the stack is 8’, too long. Also if I cut 4x8 plywood sheet into half, I won’t waste any part. The 4x4 square pile will b a lot easier to move around with the fork. Plus, 4’ wide highway will b a lot stronger than 3’ when the loaded mini travels on it when it goes over very wet lawn. Just a theoretical exercise. Hope I’ll like it when put in practice. Hate to cut up another $300 of plywood without being sure
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t go any less than 4’ wide, regardless of the length.

I thought about ripping 4’x 8’ sheets down to 82” so they would lay flat in the dump trailer but that sucks on the 14” of waste.


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Full sheet of 3/4 would b the best just harder to handle. That why I’m thinking about 4x4. I didn’t hear any first hand experience about that so far so it’s still a theory.
 
I think @FJR uses 4x4 sheets. Not sure if thickness though. I stick to 4x8x3/4 because of running the bucket truck on them. If I still was climbing everything it would be 1/2” for the mini in 4x8
 
Yep, 4x4' sheets are the key for us. We keep multiple stacks on pallets. With a machine you can lay down paths pretty quickly.

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colb said:
Big gap in the materials handling market here. The branch manager grapple should have an extension to carry plywood. As is, the bmg bollard termination sticks up vertically instead of sideways, so plywood is awkward to carry with it, instead of easy.

@TopNotchEquipment Dave, did you migrate to a different treebuzz name when you split Top Notch off from bmg, or is this still yours?
Click to expand...

We spun Branch Manager LLC out of Top Notch
My son got the MN Dealership - Top Notch Equipment
I retained the Branch Manager Attachment Line and Giant Wheel Loaders
 
tnttree said:
We spun Branch Manager LLC out of Top Notch
My son got the MN Dealership - Top Notch Equipment
I retained the Branch Manager Attachment Line and Giant Wheel Loaders
Click to expand...

Best thing since the wheel.
da282dab140e43749e005426940f2e1b.jpg





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Thanks for all the articulating inputs. But the goal of this post is to figure out the most sensible plywood configuration that has been already accomplished (4x4). This post is for people who can only have one does it all machine, tree material handling AND digging and grading. We r well aware of the advantages of the articulated machine for tree work, but it can not compare to a mini when comes to digging n other dirt or rock work. And I can only own one for the foreseeable future.
 
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