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Ideas for delimbing fir trees

Started by Haymaker101, December 30, 2017, 02:40:02 PM

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Haymaker101

Hi,
I have 600, 30' fir trees to clear planted 8' on center. I need a way to delimb the bottom 16-20' of the tree. I will process this wood into firewood. The tops I will burn in the spring.
The branches I need to trim are no more than 1" and the treees do not exceed 10-12" dbh.
I have tractors, grapples, trackscavator, skidsteer,
And farminwinch available to use.
How would you do it besides which a chain saw? I found YouTube video of what's called a Karsis Oy. They are not found America though, at least not online. I would like to buy something like this rather than try to build on.
Let's hear your ideas, thank you

DDW_OR

"let the machines do the work"

DDW_OR

also please update your profile so we can see what country and city you are in.
"let the machines do the work"

chubby


DDW_OR

"let the machines do the work"

DDW_OR

"let the machines do the work"

barbender

In the frozen north, all you have to do is skid them to delimb, they all snap off.
Too many irons in the fire

Haymaker101

I'm looking for this https://youtu.be/TlR5qPXBPlQ but in America, not Europe. Anyone seen one before? Sure I can weld and make one, but why reinvent the wheel. Thanks

DDW_OR

"let the machines do the work"

starmac

Up until 2 years ago the sawmill had their own logging crews here, it is pretty much all winter logging so they would just use rub trees and pretty much delimb with the skidder, any limbs left at the landing they would run the skidder over them and break them off. There were loggers logging pulp that did the same, when we had a pulp market.
Now the mill does not run their own crews anymore and prefer wood that has been run through a processor head. I do not even like skidder processed wood for my own sawmill either. Even the guy I hauled firewood logs to this year, much prefers wood that has been run through a processor, he has to do a little chainsaw work to skidder limbed wood before he loads it on his firewood proccessors.
Old LT40HD, old log truck, old MM forklift, and several huskies.

Jeff

Oh man, I gotta quote that one.  :D

Quote from: starmac on December 30, 2017, 07:23:34 PM
Up until 2 years ago da millin machine had their own logging crews here, it is pretty much all good sleddin season logging so they woulda just use rub trees and pretty much delimb with da skidder, any limbs left at da landing they woulda run da skidder over dem and break dem off. There were loggers logging pulp dat did da same, when us guys had a pulp market.
Now da mill does not run their own crews anymore and prefer wood dat has been run through a processor head. I do not even like skidder processed wood for disguy's own millin machine either. Even da guy I hauled smoked suckers logs ta dis year, much prefers wood dat has been run through a processor, dat guy has ta do a little powersaw work ta skidder limbed wood before dat guy loads it on dat yooper's smoked suckers proccessors.
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Haymaker101

I'm looking for the $500 dollar option, not 5k to 120k as shown. Thanks guys

thecfarm

And you guys have to remember,he only has a tractor. He's not going to bull through the brush without doing some damage to his tractor.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

Logger RK

If it's cold enough & it's not a high production job,tie one end of a long chain to something solid & the other end that's has a slip hook around the tree your skidding out.Pull ahead & if it's cold enough you'll leave the limbs with the chain. Iv never tried it but a Women Skidder Operator I knew told me her & her Dad logged Balsum with a tractor like that.

Skeans1

My question would be are you thinning, clear cutting, or just removing the bottom limbs for looks?
Before we had a processor or a pull through we used a chain flail mounted to the back of a JD 555 track loader with a small shear head for cutting up front.

Haymaker101

I'm clear cutting the area and will stump it on the spring. The area will be replanted with Christmas trees in the spring of 2018. All ground in flat and the trees are planted in straight runs.
I'm just looking for a cheap and easy way to delimb the trees so we can put it through our firewood processor. The top of the tree I will burn.

Southside

I think the "stripper" is around a $5K option.
Franklin buncher and skidder
JD Processor
Woodmizer LT Super 70 and LT35 sawmill, KD250 kiln, BMS 250 sharpener and setter
Riehl Edger
Woodmaster 725 and 4000 planner and moulder
Enough cows to ensure there is no spare time.
White Oak Meadows

Skeans1

Maybe a limbing gate would be an option. Are you already in the Noble fir Christmas tree business? Only reason I ask is there's been a ton planted in the last year so they'll be another glut coming in the future.

Corley5

I'd agree that a limbing grate would be a good way to go :)
Burnt Gunpowder is the Smell Of Freedom

starmac

WOW Jeff, I go to a lot of trouble to not type how I talk, then youse change it right back.
Old LT40HD, old log truck, old MM forklift, and several huskies.

Ljohnsaw

Quote from: Haymaker101 on December 30, 2017, 02:40:02 PM
Hi,
I have 600, 30' fir trees to clear planted 8' on center. I need a way to delimb the bottom 16-20' of the tree. I will process this wood into firewood. The tops I will burn in the spring.
The branches I need to trim are no more than 1" and the treees do not exceed 10-12" dbh.
I have tractors, grapples, trackscavator, skidsteer,
And farminwinch available to use.
I have a bunch of cedar with 1.5 to 3" limbs (dead) and some live limbs.  I used my Skytrak with forks - start at the top and just drop down - they pop right off (standing trees).  How high can you reach with your grapple?
John Sawicky

Just North-East of Sacramento...

SkyTrak 9038, Ford 545D FEL, Davis Little Monster backhoe, Case 16+4 Trencher, Home Built 42" capacity/36" cut Bandmill up to 54' long - using it all to build a timber frame cabin.

Grandpa

When you read Jeff's translation, remember that proper Yooperese is spoken with a Finnish accent.

I refer you to Youtube, Da Yoopers.

DDW_OR

Quote from: DDW_OR on December 30, 2017, 05:42:21 PM
The Stripper Delimber
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSqfpSgNk38
I agree the Stripper is too much $$ for your situation

maybe fabricate something like it.
for the base, use the trailer hitch frame from a manufactured home
for the vertical post, use a 12 inch pipe
for the head, use a 12 inch pipe cut in half with a heavy piece of steel for the handle
for the swivel, a pipe to fit inside the 12 inch vertical pipe. do not forget to grease the swivel.
"let the machines do the work"

DDW_OR

Quote from: Haymaker101 on December 30, 2017, 05:07:45 PM
https://youtu.be/TlR5qPXBPlQ
I'm looking for this but in America, not Europe. Anyone seen one before? Sure I can weld and make one, but why reinvent the wheel. Thanks
yep a good cheap setup, but have to re-clamp around every tree.

Modify - i watched the vid and it looks like they are delimbing the same tree.
"let the machines do the work"

Haymaker101

I agree with building a delimberbased off a old trailer frame. I don't need somthing that rugged as in the videos and appreciate the feedback

Chop Shop

Quote from: Haymaker101 on December 30, 2017, 07:41:00 PM
I'm looking for the $500 dollar option, not 5k to 120k as shown. Thanks guys

How about an AXE and a CHAINSAW. 

snowstorm

chain saw your only gonna have what 40 cd maybe

JerScout

Haymaker (and others),
I know this is an old thread, but I'm curious what you ended up using to delimb your 600 trees? The Karsis Oy you mentioned is kind of a neat idea! I see why it wouldn't be profitable/feasible for most guys, but something like that would work great for my 6"-12" DBH Doug Fir thinning project. 

Of course I'm not opposed to grabbing the Stihl, just always looking for faster ways. *DanG full time Pipe Fitter job gets in the way of my personal Forestry work  :D

I'm currently using a Farmi 3-point Winch on the back of a Tractor. The kick-plate has a large surface area on the Farmi, got me wonderin' if I could fabricate something similar to the Karsis Oy but run it with my Farmi instead.......
I could pull the log to the kick plate and set the choker in the notches, which keeps the butt off the ground. Run the winch back out, and pull the DIY delimber backwards w the winch. Idk, might be worth at least trying! Most of this thinning will end up firewood. 
Grew up in timber country, now I'm raising my own Family on a small Tree Farm.
BB Chevy Scout (cuz hell yeah!), Stihl saws, Farmi Winch.

Firewoodjoe

Build a limboing gate for the tractor. It's almost like a root rake. That will get a lot off. Just space blades about the tree size. 

JerScout

 

 

Simplicity at it's finest!! I limbed a handful of tree's w this yesterday, worked like a champ! I have a Farmi Winch, so I skid the logs into the kickplate, then run the winch out again and drag the wheel w hooks at 10 & 2 O'clock backwards down the tree. Works awesome! I wish I could figure out how to post a video
Grew up in timber country, now I'm raising my own Family on a small Tree Farm.
BB Chevy Scout (cuz hell yeah!), Stihl saws, Farmi Winch.

mitchstockdale

Quote from: JerScout on January 29, 2020, 01:42:38 PM


 

Simplicity at it's finest!! I limbed a handful of tree's w this yesterday, worked like a champ! I have a Farmi Winch, so I skid the logs into the kickplate, then run the winch out again and drag the wheel w hooks at 10 & 2 O'clock backwards down the tree. Works awesome! I wish I could figure out how to post a video
Ya you gotta post a video of that.  Try to youtube then post link.

JerScout

Grew up in timber country, now I'm raising my own Family on a small Tree Farm.
BB Chevy Scout (cuz hell yeah!), Stihl saws, Farmi Winch.

Old Greenhorn

That is slicker than deer guts on a door knob! Nicely done. 8)
Tom Lindtveit, Woodsman Forest Products
Oscar 328 Band Mill, Husky 350, 450, 562, & 372 (Clone), Mule 3010, and too many hand tools. :) Retired and trying to make a living to stay that way. NYLT Certified.
OK, maybe I'm the woodcutter now.
I work with wood, There is a rumor I might be a woodworker.

doc henderson

that is a cool idea for those with a winch.  i came across a large pile of cedar trees, 20 or 30 (3/4 of a whack)  that had been burned in a pile.  the limbs were gone but the char only extended about 1/16th inch into the sap wood, no bark and limb stubs about 4 inches long.  milled just fine.
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

barbender

Too many irons in the fire

doc henderson

what all species have you tried this on.  I assume softwood,  any others.  cooool
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

JerScout

Doc Henderson,
So far I've only used it on the stand of Douglas Firs I'm thinning. It's a neat idea, and with my Son "setting the wheel", it keeps things running smoothly. I still plan on building a Limbing Gate for when I'm working by myself. 
I also think you could use the "Limbing Wheel" like a gate, by strapping it across two trees and pulling the tree thru the wheel
Grew up in timber country, now I'm raising my own Family on a small Tree Farm.
BB Chevy Scout (cuz hell yeah!), Stihl saws, Farmi Winch.

doc henderson

lots on my plate, but if I can try it on cedar I will post some pics.  prob be next month.  what is the wheel off of, did you cut out the center, or is it a hub-less ag wheel
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

Gearbox

What I did with Balsam was skid past a good solid tree . Loop a chain around the bottom of the stem and hook back to the anchor tree { just a big loose loop } drive away all the limbs stay with the chain . Once you get a big pile of limbs if your tractor will just back the stem through the brush pile then hook the chain and drive away .
A bunch of chainsaws a BT6870 processer , TC 5 International track skidder and not near enough time

doc henderson

I assume butt first?   :o  so make a complete loop around the log, and go back to the anchor tree, and then pull the tree on through.  not sure what you meant about picking up the big pile or limbs.  do you leave a chain on the ground and pick up after several trees?  thanks I will try this at the farm giving me the ERC.  will save him some time and sounds kinda fun/dangerous! 8)
Timber king 2000, 277c track loader, PJ 32 foot gooseneck, 1976 F700 state dump truck, JD 850 tractor.  2007 Chevy 3500HD dually, home built log splitter 18 horse 28 gpm with 5 inch cylinder and 32 inch split range with conveyor powered by a 12 volt tarp motor

Gearbox

Doc you do not complete the loop around the tree . Just under over and back to anchor tree . Anchor tree rubs the limbs off the inside . Backing into a pile of limbs acts just like a limbing gate rehook the chain to finish cleaning the stem
A bunch of chainsaws a BT6870 processer , TC 5 International track skidder and not near enough time

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