Transporting a Mini

[arbor pro]

:spam::spam::spam::spam:

####in' loser.

Anyway. Arborpro, nice set up. The grapple looks bad ass. Let me know how it does with some big wood. Congrats on finding a paint guy. I do my own, it's a #####, but I do it.

Really got to try out the new grapple on saturday. Should have taken pictures to show how much that thing will hold! I've never been able to bog down my 1800a chipper with brush before. Did it on Saturday with the new grapple. It'll fill that infeed and then some with brush. As for logs, I can pick up 3 - 15" x 4' Ash logs and still have plenty of room to spare. The extended bucket and grapple length really makes a difference. It would never work on a smaller mini skid with a lesser lifting capacity.

I have to admit, the Boxer is growing on me. Still getting used to the controls and that ride-on platform but really impressed with the lifting capabilities.

 

[treevet]

Attached are some updated photos of the grapple after paint.

Dimentions are: width: 35", depth: 30", bottom of bucket to grapple: 46", Log capacity (if log is long and resting on sides of bucket): 40"

Total weight: not sure yet but guessing 300#. It's heavy but it sure can hold a lot!

That grapple looks like it may block your vision while loading. I have a Branch Manager and a Dingo grapple for my 525 tx and find them both useful and very easy to see thru and around while loading and picking up.

 

[arbor pro]

That grapple looks like it may block your vision while loading. I have a Branch Manager and a Dingo grapple for my 525 tx and find them both useful and very easy to see thru and around while loading and picking up.

Doesn't block vision any more than any other grapple I've ever used on a mini or full-sized skid steer. Works pretty good from what I've seen so far.

 

[treevet]

Doesn't block vision any more than any other grapple I've ever used on a mini or full-sized skid steer. Works pretty good from what I've seen so far.

No offense but if there was an operator you could not see him and conversely......

 

[treevet]

as opposed to....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qU0ZMIAjIg

 

[arbor pro]

When the grapple is wide open, you can look under, around and through it just fine to see what you are picking up. When the grapple is closed around the brush or logs, you look over it while carrying the load low.

It doesn't block your vision. I can say this with actual hands-on experience with it.

 

[MillwrightChris]

We image the machine rocking and slamming down into the bed. Would rather not add 3rd truck and trailer to the mix. What do you do?[/QUOTE]

I'm just throwing this out there. But back in the day when I was a rigger, (before the advent of hydraulic trailers and ramp trucks) to load a forklift or piece of heavy machinery on a flat bed we'd run the front wheels of the truck up on a set of ramps, similar to those used to change your oil, only heavier duty and a little higher. Then attach a set of ramps to the rear. It makes for a smoother transition from the ramps to the bed of the truck with less break over. Archaic, but it works.

 

[arbor pro]

We image the machine rocking and slamming down into the bed. Would rather not add 3rd truck and trailer to the mix. What do you do?

I'm just throwing this out there. But back in the day when I was a rigger, (before the advent of hydraulic trailers and ramp trucks) to load a forklift or piece of heavy machinery on a flat bed we'd run the front wheels of the truck up on a set of ramps, similar to those used to change your oil, only heavier duty and a little higher. Then attach a set of ramps to the rear. It makes for a smoother transition from the ramps to the bed of the truck with less break over. Archaic, but it works.

You just go slow at the break-over point. You get the feel for it and it doesn't slam down. It just takes a little practice and you hold your breath the first few times until you get a feel for the machine.

 

[arbor pro]

I shouldn't hijack this thread but just had to mention - I came home from the hospital a few hours ago with my wife, 3 little girls and now my new little arborist, all boy, who was born Friday morning. I suppose there's a lot a guy could complain about these days but, I feel pretty darn blessed.

 

[Blakesmaster]

I shouldn't hijack this thread but just had to mention - I came home from the hospital a few hours ago with my wife, 3 little girls and now my new little arborist, all boy, who was born Friday morning. I suppose there's a lot a guy could complain about these days but, I feel pretty darn blessed.

 

[treevet]

Congratulations Arborpro. You are blessed. :agree2:

 

[tntree]

congrats again daddy times 4

 

[Greystoke]

Worth the hijack pard! Congrats

 

[BakerTREE]

Wow sirs! Congratulations indeed to your whole family!

 

[arbor pro]

Attached are photos of the new truck setup I'll be using to haul my Boxer mini skid. The ramps fold up/down for easy loading. With the headache rack installed, the loading platform is a bit narrower than my 1-ton setup but it'll work fine. We sometimes pile logs where the mini rides - also, tools, gas cans, wheelbarrow, etc - thus the reason for the HD headache rack to protect the cab and chip box.

Everything is off to paint now. I'll post more pictures of the finished truck and grapple when all is done.

Here are some progress photos. The truck came out of paint last week and I'm working on puting vinyl graphics on this week. Also bought some stainless wheel simulators that really look nice (no pics of those yet).

I think the paint came out really nice. Not going to win any car shows but really nice for the price. I'll tally all my project costs for you all when I submit the final pics with graphics so you know what my investment is in the truck. AP

 

[Ed Roland]

Bumping this thread in the hopes of learning more about Arborpro's finished truck.

 

[arbor pro]

Bumping this thread in the hopes of learning more about Arborpro's finished truck.

more on the truck in this thread: http://www.arboristsite.com/commercial-tree-care-climbing/151415.htm

or this article in tcia: http://www.tcia.org/Digital_Magazine/TCIEL_Fall1011/TCI-Equipment-Locator-Fall-2011/#?page=8.

AP