Just scored a me ramrod.

[Ertreesurgeon]

I drive to Indiana sunday to go get it. 10 hr drive. Can anyone tell me what to look for when I try this thing out? Thanks

 

[frashdog]

Is the one u looked at in Indiana. Mine is a kohler gas engine. Now I'm already Regretting my purchase

I do believe it was Indiana.

Why regretting?

I hope I did not discourage you. I think they are great machines. That's why I got this one. Mechanical stuff breaks, I won't buy something with out knowing the worst case synarious of costs. I always research the type of machine and the availability/cost of a replacement parts bla bla bla.. I feel pretty confident of finding a used kohler command pro within 30 minutes of my house and cheap. I know my buddy down the road has an extra one besides the one on his mill. My truck and chipper I can source parts quick and cheap and I do all the work. I'm mostly mentally prepared for anything to break.

 

[randyg]

Congrats on the new ramrods

Maintenance is just part of the game, and not just the preventative kind like grease and oil and filters. Looks like better numbers on those machines than my 600, lower machine weight and lifts more? I got tracks thinking lower impact but that is true only when empty. Pick and carry big load and all the weight moves to the very front of the tracks, just like it was on two front tires anyway. Can be a real back saver though, and I'm sure you will appreciate them. Good luck...

 

[Ertreesurgeon]

I know that the tracks get more traction, especially on rough terrain. I've had experience with tracks on a back yard lift. It would rip the turf right up when you made a hard turn. Next I guess I'm going to have to find someone who knows how to service the machine in my area. Most people I talk to never even heard of ramrod.

 

[frashdog]

Next I guess I'm going to have to find someone who knows how to service the machine in my area. Most people I talk to never even heard of ramrod.

If yer smart enough to cut trees down and not get hurt I'm sure you got the smarts to service a mini skid. Not anymore difficult then servicing a vehicle. Actually they are very simple. Lawnmower enginge and some hydraulics. Did I mention the support I recieved when I called the factory? Do not even think of bringing it to a dealer.

Not trying to be mean to ya, but I could not imagine buying something and wondering who will fix it. At my stage I could not afford to own the stuff I do if I had to have some one else fix it. When I do have the money to pay some one elses to do it I will "most likely" not get screwed because I will know exactly what is wrong and what needs to be done. All it takes is tools man, dive right in until you get confused, ask questions get'r done. Maybe if your too busy and you got plenty money or a bud who will hook you up be it.

You've heard the jokes about what many faces qualifies some one to run a tree service? Besides and arborist you need to be a saw, small engine and automotive technician as well as counselor, medic and many times a Macguever.

 

[arbor pro]

If anyone ever finds 'green' tracks for mini skids, please post to this site. I'd like to get a set for my mini but have only ever seen them for larger skid steers. They look like they would really save on lawn wear.

Scott
(Mt-50 owner)

 

[Ertreesurgeon]

Between working 50-60 hrs a week at my full time job , doing estimates and the jobs they bring in, keeping 3 kids(6 weeks, 2, 12) and a wife happy, I find it hard to find much extra time for anything let alone trying be a mechanic. Don't get me wrong. I can do things I have to when I need to. Like you said I find myself being a macguiver more times then I like. I think my company is running at a pretty low cost. All my equipment is paid off and like I said I mostly only work on the weekends

 

[frashdog]

Between working 50-60 hrs a week at my full time job , doing estimates and the jobs they bring in, keeping 3 kids(6 weeks, 2, 12) and a wife happy, I find it hard to find much extra time for anything let alone trying be a mechanic. Don't get me wrong. I can do things I have to when I need to. Like you said I find myself being a macguiver more times then I like. I think my company is running at a pretty low cost. All my equipment is paid off and like I said I mostly only work on the weekends

word

 

[arbor pro]

Between working 50-60 hrs a week at my full time job , doing estimates and the jobs they bring in, keeping 3 kids(6 weeks, 2, 12) and a wife happy, I find it hard to find much extra time for anything let alone trying be a mechanic. Don't get me wrong. I can do things I have to when I need to. Like you said I find myself being a macguiver more times then I like. I think my company is running at a pretty low cost. All my equipment is paid off and like I said I mostly only work on the weekends

ditto here. If I can keep busy with tree work I have no problem paying the local mechanic to do repairs if I don't have time to do them myself. The way I look at it, it's an even wash moneywise - if I'm in the shop working on equipment then I'm not on the jobsite making money. My labor rate is the same as my local mechanic's rate. My expertise is in tree care, the mechanic's expertise is fixing what I break. Makes sense to do it yourself if you have the spare time but also makes sense to let the mechanic do it if you would otherwise lose tree work by tying yourself up in the shop working on equipment. It all comes down to the bottom line of what makes you the most money by year-end and, for me, I'm better off letting the mechanic take some of my money while I make more doing tree work.

scott

 

[Ertreesurgeon]

That's what I'm thinking. Did you use your ramrod yet. I'm thinking of getting a set of forks for it. I don't think the brush manager will work for me. I have 2 of them already. There called ground guys. I need something to carry large rounds of wood. It seems like most of the removals I do are silver maples. And the trunks are huge.

 

[treemandan]

One of the most awesome attachments I have for mine is the York rake. I don't use it as much as I do the bucket and forks but I have to say there is not a wild rose bush I am afraid of anymore. Of course a woods mower will do a good job to but for size and expense and ease you can't touch the York rake.

 

[duane4y]

Ramrods are awesome machines. I have a 900T and a 910T (track). I use these machines to the extreme and they hold up well. Over the last 10 years I have no regrets of owning them and use one or the other almost daily. I have the PSI on the track machine cranked up to 3300 and today I loaded a log 22"x9' over the side of my trailer. Big results with a machine that can be hauled with a 1/2 ton pickup and a single axle trailer.

 

[squad143]

I love my min-skid steer. Carrying logs, moving trailers or the chipper. We call it "Thomas the extra ground guy". Actually it does the work of 3 or 4 extra guys. Our backs love this thing.

Congrats on the Ramrod purchase.

 

[Ertreesurgeon]

Ramrods are awesome machines. I have a 900T and a 910T (track). I use these machines to the extreme and they hold up well. Over the last 10 years I have no regrets of owning them and use one or the other almost daily. I have the PSI on the track machine cranked up to 3300 and today I loaded a log 22"x9' over the side of my trailer. Big results with a machine that can be hauled with a 1/2 ton pickup and a single axle trailer.

What attachment do you use to carry those large logs.

 

[treemandan]

I love my min-skid steer. Carrying logs, moving trailers or the chipper. We call it "Thomas the extra ground guy". Actually it does the work of 3 or 4 extra guys. Our backs love this thing.

Congrats on the Ramrod purchase.

That's it?

 

[treemandan]

Forks, pintle, pulling hook, rake, ripper rake, spade... it all just goes in that hole.

 

[treemandan]

Forks, well it was a bumper off a Jeep at one time.

 

[treemandan]

For bigger logs that I don't want to cut I use this.

And this

The axle used to be a bumper as well.

 

[treemandan]

If you see the wieght on the front of the loader, its pretty heavy. I just had the machine apart for service. Its good to take it apart and clean out the areas where dirt accumulates and such.
So back to the weight on the front of the loader, like I said it is pretty heavy. I am not sure I really need it and was thinking of taking it off to accomadate heavier loads. What do you guys think? I am pretty happy now but it gets a little tippy with heavy stuff sometimes.

 

[treemandan]

I dug these holes

With this

And the bucket. I imagine if I had teeth on the bucket it would dig better but I like the smooth dust pan style for stump grindings.
I did break the little digger but did get my money's worth out it so I spent another 10 bucks and made another.