True Turf Friendly!!

[lxt]

Ok, I bid & received the go ahead to remove several large dying pines from a golf course, this is in the Pittsburgh area & of somewhat a high end clientel base............SOoooo, I need a machine that is truly turf friendly & has the ability to lift logs & please a certain brand of lawn mower will only get me laughed at & wouldnt even begin to move the debris!!!

A buddy of mine has a JD crawler with the non marking pads.....he assures me its turf friendly, but we are going to have to cross some greens.......I already have the Alturna Mats but for the work area & loading we will have to be on grass/turf from time to time.

Any suggestions? Even though my contracts have a landscape damage clause section............I dont want it to look like I dragged a log down the fairway....!


thanks in advance!


LXT................

 

[sawinredneck]

ASV RC-30 with the green tracks.

 

[Saw Dust Smoken]

machine to move logs

How big of logs? 1,000 lbs and under? or 1,000 lbs plus. How high to lift to load? Articulated loader would be nice.

 

[lxt]

Log weight would vary? I would say: light side 250lb to 800lb give or take.

gotta rig em down so we`re pretty much at the mercy of ropes/blocks etc... just dont wanna leave a bad taste afterwards with ruts, track indentations, etc...



LXT..................

 

[Saw Dust Smoken]

grapple / fork

Mini machines are nice for lite foot print and tight spaces. Use pallet fork for large logs. We use the grapple by TNT for bush and smaller logs. If your going for bigger / larger logs. Ya need bigger machine. Mine max is around 1,000lbls.

 

[mattfr12]

Little tractor with turf tires. We use a john deer 2305 with a front loader and you can take it in a yard right after it rains lifts around 1000 loader will go up 8-9 feet. It doesn't weigh much.

 

[MarquisTree]

Drive across greens? I would not do that... we could get thrown off the courses we work at for just walking across a green in logger boots.

 

[arbor pro]

mini skid

Log weight would vary? I would say: light side 250lb to 800lb give or take.

gotta rig em down so we`re pretty much at the mercy of ropes/blocks etc... just dont wanna leave a bad taste afterwards with ruts, track indentations, etc...



LXT..................

Doug,

A mini skid should suit you fine. That's all I use now. Had three until last week but just sold one. A bobcat mt52 with ride on platform will lift #1000 as will the larger model dingo, boxer, vermeer or ditch witch. Your choices are many. It really comes down to finding a machine that you like. I personally like bobcat and ditch witch for their controls and power. I recently replaced my ditch witch sk500 (gas machine) with its bigger brother, the diesel sk650. great machine. The sk500 and mt52 are very similar in performance except the diesel motor has more power. Otherwise, they perform very similarly and I like them both.

If the earth is soft, the tracks, even turf ones, might rut a bit so having mats might help especially in turning spots. If carrying 500# or so, mats won't even be necessary. Just use turf type tracks or worn down ones - not new full lug tracks. The grapple debate can go on and on - clam vs bucket or rake style. It all depends on your purpose. I like the demolition bucket style (flat sides) while others swear by the clam style.

I do have a fairly new mt52 for sale but it might be more than you want to swing for a machine. It only has 97hr and with 2 buckets and forks is priced at $15,250. I'll post a picture. Let me know what your budget is for a machine and I'll throw some suggestions your way. I'm regularly buying and selling minis and mini attachments now days (guess you could say it's my new 'side' business) so I have a pretty good handle on what's a fair price and what isn't. You can find good used gas machines for as low as $5k - $7500. Diesels usually go up from there.

Someone else mentioned an asv rc30 with turf tracks. Also a good machine if you want a ride-on style but bear in mind that it's bigger than a mini skid so it won't go through a narrow gate or under tree limbs like a mini will. For those reasons and others, I like the mini skids.

AP

 

[jefflovstrom]

Just wondering how many of you actually work on a golf course. I know I am on them alot.
Jeff:msp_rolleyes:

 

[brookpederson]

Articulated loaders are the way to go, we have two of the old multi-tracs. Looks like the new gehl 140s only blue in color and a few 100 lbs less in weight. They lift 1000 lbs but if you have all the rear weights( or a guy riding on the back) they can lift 1200- 1400lbs. And they are truly a dream on turf. The only turf problems I've ever had is when we have had to bring many many loads over the same area, but were talking over 30 trips though one gate or the like.

 

[Saw Dust Smoken]

g-course

Fallen cottonwood in creek. Backed up water eroiding private property. Golf course mangement supply their toro utility vehicle to haul. Plywood was layed for hauling several trip in same area. Used a 4x4 atv power to lift logs out of creek. Way faster the GRC for this job. Pulley system set over head. Varied atv route each pull to minimize turf damaged.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Doug,

A mini skid should suit you fine. That's all I use now. Had three until last week but just sold one. A bobcat mt52 with ride on platform will lift #1000 as will the larger model dingo, boxer, vermeer or ditch witch. Your choices are many. It really comes down to finding a machine that you like. I personally like bobcat and ditch witch for their controls and power. I recently replaced my ditch witch sk500 (gas machine) with its bigger brother, the diesel sk650. great machine. The sk500 and mt52 are very similar in performance except the diesel motor has more power. Otherwise, they perform very similarly and I like them both.

If the earth is soft, the tracks, even turf ones, might rut a bit so having mats might help especially in turning spots. If carrying 500# or so, mats won't even be necessary. Just use turf type tracks or worn down ones - not new full lug tracks. The grapple debate can go on and on - clam vs bucket or rake style. It all depends on your purpose. I like the demolition bucket style (flat sides) while others swear by the clam style.

I do have a fairly new mt52 for sale but it might be more than you want to swing for a machine. It only has 97hr and with 2 buckets and forks is priced at $15,250. I'll post a picture. Let me know what your budget is for a machine and I'll throw some suggestions your way. I'm regularly buying and selling minis and mini attachments now days (guess you could say it's my new 'side' business) so I have a pretty good handle on what's a fair price and what isn't. You can find good used gas machines for as low as $5k - $7500. Diesels usually go up from there.

Someone else mentioned an asv rc30 with turf tracks. Also a good machine if you want a ride-on style but bear in mind that it's bigger than a mini skid so it won't go through a narrow gate or under tree limbs like a mini will. For those reasons and others, I like the mini skids.

AP

How much more machine is the 52 vs. the 50, Scott? The numbers don't really look that much better to be honest. Also, do you take trades? lol

 

[pdqdl]

Consider Bobcat A300, all wheel steer.

No turf damage, but it is a big machine. 9,000 lbs with grapple! If the ground is soft, you will make impressions, even with the flotation tires.

It's far too heavy to put on a green, but you might be ok on a fairway, and nobody would notice the tracks it makes out in the rough.

 

[the Aerialist]

How about we bury the hatchet Doug?

Look Doug, I know we have had our moments here but seriously, my Steiner with the 8 wheel kit is going to do the least damage on that golf course of any machine you can get. The footprint with the 8 wheels is 4 psi. Remember you have not only the weight of the tractor, but also the load to consider. The one ton cart I have for it also has high floatation tires and can haul quite a load without turf damage.

As far as getting laughed at. the golf course probably uses Steiners already, and if they don't they already know about them and probably want one. I'll offer you my tractor and cart with me as the operator for the same price that you offered me your towable lift last year for my problem tree. I think that's a fair deal. I'll even bring one of my big saws to help cut the things up, cause I don't like to just watch men work.

I think working together would be the best way to resolve our differences and we will both likely find out that we have no reason to be online enemies. Who knows Doug, we might even become friends and help each other out from time to time in the future. I know there are many times I could use some help with the bigger jobs. Why don't we see if we can work together and resolve these issues that have come between us?

Here is a shot with the cart, only loaded with small stuff, but can literally haul a ton of wood. It would be a very efficient way to forward the logs to your trucks. My Magliner ramps are also useful if you have to bridge any creeks or ditches to get the wood out.

The only question is if you can put aside the indemnity you have built up against me (and my tractor) here online to see what I am like in person. I think it would be a good thing to work together, if even for a day.

 

[the Aerialist]

You probably spend a lot of time on the greens putting around ...

Just wondering how many of you actually work on a golf course. I know I am on them alot.
Jeff:msp_rolleyes:

The footprint of you in your golf shoes on the greens is probably twice what my Steiner has even with a load on it. har har!

 

[treemandan]

Just wondering how many of you actually work on a golf course. I know I am on them alot.
Jeff:msp_rolleyes:

I haven't been on one fer years, after the last time I thought I had better cool it. My favorite thing was the sandtrap jumping. You can hang some big air coming off one of them and if you screw the landing they are pretty forgiving.

 

[brnchbrkr]

New Greens

Can cost over 100,000. Each


Plus, guaranteed when you show up to work, the irrigation will be on your whole route....

 

[derwoodii]

Hmm Hire a Hovercraft

AirLift Hovercraft - RIVAC 680

 

[arbor pro]

How much more machine is the 52 vs. the 50, Scott? The numbers don't really look that much better to be honest. Also, do you take trades? lol

Hey, Chris - how go things out east? The mt52 has pretty much the same power and lifting capacity as the mt50. However, they redesigned some things that make the mt52 better: 1) radiator in the front so it doesn't plug with debris so often, 2) easier access to maintenance items such as filters, 3) improved track system, 4) better hood with built in fan, 5) joystick controls and probably a few other things I'm not thinking about right now.

All in all, the machine is just a redesign of the mt50 which, in all honesty, will lift and move material just as well as the mt52. How many hours do you have on your mt50 now? You might have just been joking but, sure, I'll consider a trade. Actually, this machine came from out your way. I bought out another landscraper who went belly up (note NJ logo on machine). Machine had 50 hours on it when I bought it and I've put the other 50 on it grinding stumps and running various landscaping attachments to do some yard seeding, etc.

I'm sure I can resell your mt50 around here. After I sold that mt50 to you, I had a bunch of calls on it. It's actually easier to sell an older machine than a newer one like this mt52. Folks around here don't have much experience with mini skids so they tend to look at them and think 'cute toy' and then expect a price commensorate with a toy. I can sell a $5k - $7500 machine pretty easy but it's like pulling teeth to sell a $15k one - even if it's like new and a lot cheaper than a new one.

I attached some more pics of the mt-52 including engine compartment and controls so you can see the changes. Hope the summer is treating you well, man. Getting slow around here but that's ok - it's August and hot... I like having some time off.

AP

 

[the Aerialist]

The weight and balance on the hovercraft is the problem ...

Hmm Hire a Hovercraft

AirLift Hovercraft - RIVAC 680

And no need to blow off the greens when you are done!

I seriously like your signature derwoodii:

"Your enemy is never a villain in his own eyes. Keep this in mind; it may offer a way to make him your friend." Robert Heinlein.

Maybe lxt will see this as an opportunity to turn an enemy into a friend, I hope so, as actually meeting and working with me will surely change his opinion of me (and my little tractor). I'm sure it will be the same for me.