backing up chippers

[clearance]

Don't mock me for asking but please give some hints on backing up a bucket truck towing a chipper. I know practice makes perfect, but its kind of embarrising trying to back into a tight spot at the yard in front of the bucket slugs. Before I always took it out for no cleanup jobs or took a 4x4. One of the last things I have to learn. (other than climbing w/o spurs, but not now)thanks for help in advance.

 

[okietreedude1]

1) get someone to watch you. never back any thing you cant see w/o assistance.

2) put your hands on the top of the wheel and turn it in the direction you see the chipper to get it to go the other way.

3) GO SLOW!!!!!!!

4) Stop the truck before turning the wheel.

5) it may take several stabs before you get it right. If you have to pull forward a few times to get it straight, oh well.


Remember too, they were new once too and had to learn how. Its just crap your getting. Someday youll get to dish some out.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

It's counter intuitve, you turn the oposet way you would if just backing up.

Put flags on the courners of the infeed so you can see the thing turning before its too late.

Get into the shop early so that you can get that practice

 

[begleytree]

Okee, #2, I was told to put my hands on the bottom of the wheel, and turn it the way you want the chipper to go. Same thing, just stated different.

Clearance, how's about leave the job before the buckets, and let them have the tight back job while you point at them and laugh? It's just practice. My woodchuck stuck out on each side of my truck, so I could always see it, it was easy, but my morbark is slimmer than the truck, if I'm backing straight, and I can see the chipper, I need to pull up. Backing it blind really sux. a groundie that doesnt tell me the instant it off tracks, and to which side doesn't help either.
-Ralph

 

[jason j ladue]

1) get someone to watch you. never back any thing you cant see w/o assistance.

2) put your hands on the top of the wheel and turn it in the direction you see the chipper to get it to go the other way.

3) GO SLOW!!!!!!!

4) Stop the truck before turning the wheel.

5) it may take several stabs before you get it right. If you have to pull forward a few times to get it straight, oh well.


Remember too, they were new once too and had to learn how. Its just crap your getting. Someday youll get to dish some out.

good stuff okie, you got it.
clearance, you can work your way up too. start w/a smaller setup- a passenger truck and trailer. also just practice backing a truck (by itself) by using only the mirrors to guide you.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

The Z requires a backer all of the time.

On some of my trailer/truck combos I was going straight when I couldn't see the trailer in the mirrors. But with wide truck and narrow trailer having flags is mandatory.

The SOP for backers is to tell the driver which way the trailer needs to go not the truck. The bigger the motion, the more it needs to move.

The easiest way to thread the needle is to have a hitch on the front bumper of the truck and push it in. then drop the chipper and turn around and hitch up again.

 

[darkstar]

i got a real good one for u here .... be carefel u dont hit your head ...but check this open your door and leen way down u can actually see the chipper back underneath the truck .... its a great way to really hone in on a hard back up in a really tight place ... does bend the back a little [ i assuming u cant see the chipper from a back window or mirror etc ..... ] be carfel not to back into any stumps and bend the old door .... good luck the leaning down action has helped me many a time ....my forman is really good at backing up anything and very seldom i school him using this ..............dark

 

[darkstar]

ps the hitch on the front of the truck is still the best

 

[Ax-man]

Backing a chipper is one the hardest things to do, because of it's short wheelbase, they jack knife quick if your going to fast.

One of the things I have found helpful in backing around a corner or what ever it is your aiming for is to use your drivers side as much as possible, you can see so much more from the driver's side than you can using the passenger side, that is the off side to me and you practically have to feel your way along slow and easy.

Got to give you credit Clearance this might be a first for a thread, at least that I know of.

Like JP said, flags on the chipper are great for markers, till they get broke off or bent. What are some of the things some of you guys are using for markers, I have to do this to our chipper, looking for a few ideas I might not have thought of.

Larry

 

[NeTree]

Rebar on mine for markers. Doubles as cone-holders.

 

[jason j ladue]

really, is this a 1st. it seems like a pretty basic question. i like the hitch on the front of the truck thing. here's one- w/technology going as it is, i wonder how afforable it would be to put a camera on back of the truck like they do w/ motorhoms and some passenger vehicles now.

 

[NeTree]

I've seen one or two under $100.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Dont look out the window, stick to your mirrors, in the long term it will make you a safer backer. Practice practice practice practice practice.
If you havent backed trailers much just get a car and trailer and start with that, its a big step to be backing with a truck and trailer. Find an empty carpark late at night and go for it, otherwise the learning curve is way to steep and the mistakes more likely and more costly!

I got out of the game before I really sorted backing up a unit like this (same set up, different company)

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Rebar for flags is dangerous!!!

I made flexible flags for my chipper. Take some old half inch hydraulic line and cut it into 8" pieces. Screw one end to the chipper, maybe the fender. Then slip old rake handles into the tubing, about three inches. Screw through the tubing into the handle or use a hose clamp.

Paint the end or flag it. Keep the ends rounded and low enough so that no one would ever walk into the flag and get a faceful. I've capped the ends with tennis balls too. Paint them pink, well, maybe red or orange

 

[NeTree]

dangerous how?

 

[alanarbor]

Having a spotter is essential. I think everyone else has given you some good pointers. Practice makes perfect. Theres no fast easy fix.

 

[Newfie]

Get out of the truck and let Erik do it.


Really, there is no substitute for practice. I was thinking of trying some flexible plow markers. Inexpensive and easily replaced.

 

[vharrison2]

Get out of the truck and let Erik do it.


Really, there is no substitute for practice. I was thinking of trying some flexible plow markers. Inexpensive and easily replaced.

lol, If you have ever been to Key West...you know the streets are about this wide --- and the tourist are very impatient, honking their horns, yelling. We have a guy heading over to DMV this morning to get his first CDL. He passed all the tests and now will start the learning process.

 

[jamie]

learning too

im learning this skill at the moment as well. joked the other day that soon i will be ready to take my trailer test to make it legal for me to drive on the roads......not that it has bothered me greatly so far....

jamie

 

[topnotchtree]

Having a spotter helps. Remember to back to the drivers side as mentioned. Also remember to roll both windows down on the truck so you can hear them. Make your chipper visible with your truck mirrors as said also. Try to concentrate on the drivers side if you can. Try to pick out a line on the ground and follow it with the drivers side tires, like a crack in the pavement, or the edge of the drive. Try not to keep looking from passenger side to drivers side, that gets confusing.