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General Forestry => Forestry and Logging => Topic started by: Pclem on January 21, 2017, 02:04:41 PM

Title: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Pclem on January 21, 2017, 02:04:41 PM
Any chance anybody uses or have used them? They're popular in Europe. I'm interested in the small acreage/ small diameter market. [ 1st pine thinnings, and sourcing logs for firewood business]. I see farmi makes one for small-mid size excavators. Probably the only dealer in the states?? Hahn machinery in minnesota also makes a CTL head recommended for 20-25k machines. I'd like to keep it small enough to haul myself for the smaller jobs
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: barbender on January 21, 2017, 06:38:02 PM
I've wondered the same for first entry pine. Our Ponsse processors seem like overkill in it, and it's a struggle to make a profit in it in a lot of stands. I have a hunch those stroke heads would delimb it better, too. Especially in warmer weather.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Pclem on January 21, 2017, 07:16:47 PM
Yeah, from what I understand, the stroke harvesters are stronger than the roller type? That's probably more the case with smaller hp machines. Not sure on price. The small Hahn roller ctl is 80k new. I would hope the stroke type are cheaper
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: 1270d on January 21, 2017, 09:41:07 PM
Stroke harvesters are capable of more brute force, but usually won't work as good as a faster roller feed head.  Consider a swinging axe, vs one that is slowly pushed.

That aside Kesla makes a nice looking little stroker, and I believe there was a Tapio stroker as well
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Pclem on January 22, 2017, 08:12:05 AM
Looks like kesla has a couple dealers in the states... I'll check them out. Thanks 1270
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Jamie_C on January 22, 2017, 08:49:05 AM
The little Arbro 400 heads appear to be gaining popularity again around here, they are commonly mounted on mini excavators.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: quilbilly on January 22, 2017, 07:12:38 PM
What is the necessary flow required for a stroke? I thought most were mounted on midi excavators. We have a 35 Kubota and remember it being to small for recommended gpm.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Jamie_C on January 22, 2017, 07:21:23 PM
Quick Google search says 45-80 liters per minute and 2500 psi is all that's required for the Arbro 400
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on January 23, 2017, 02:47:28 AM
I am also looking for a small roller head harvester for my Bobcat E80
I am leaning towards the Hahn since it is made in Minnesota.
so 75k + controls in the cab + shipping = $$,$$$
still considering it.

but then with a stroke i could count the number of strokes and judge how long the log is.

so far these are the heads i have found

the prices i list are NOT in concrete
logmax     928a =  too big
hahn     hsg-140 = have not been made in a few years, they have the parts, Made in MN, $75,000 and up
hakmet     275R
hakmet     375R
hakmet     Arbro 400 = $45,000 and up
hakmet     Arbro 1000 = $64,000 and up
Naarva      S23c = $26,000 and up
Naarva      S250
Naarva      S250r
kesla     16RH
kesla     20SH-II
ponsse     H5 = need 50 gpm, 100 hp
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Pclem on January 23, 2017, 08:52:18 AM
I looked up info on the arbro 400, and it looks like they have a measuring system somehow for lengths. I see hakmet has tons of dealers in the states, so that may be the best route for service and parts
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: TroyF21 on January 23, 2017, 05:50:46 PM
Good evening.  I had too reply about a stroke head.  I have a 2006 tapio . It limbs well but that's about the only good thing I can say about my head . My head has a major flaw in the design of the saw motor. The shafts are too light and the only thing that holds the sprocket on is a 6mm bolt that breaks every time .  I have spent 1000s on it and rebuilt it all new three times in less than the 2 years I've owned it  . These shafts are 800$ each  plus labour. Mayb the new ones have changed but my head has pretty well ruined me  because it is poor set up.     
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: chester_tree _farmah on January 26, 2017, 11:40:56 PM
Stroke processors are inherently slower but typically less expensive. Measuring length  is simple for either.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on January 27, 2017, 01:34:52 AM
Quote from: TroyF21 on January 23, 2017, 05:50:46 PM
..........sprocket on is a 6mm bolt that breaks every time .....
On my Multitek 1610EZ the saw has a 1/4 inch bolt = 6mm
the cylinder that moves the saw to cut has a pressure relief valve.
does your Tapio have one?

may not look like this but should have a set screw


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/27421/_HYDRAULIC_FLOW_PHOTO_3.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1483058642)

in photo below, above hose is from saw motor, left hose goes to cylinder, front hose goes back to the tank.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/27421/GEDC1647.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1485498686)
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: TroyF21 on January 27, 2017, 06:08:46 AM
I've changed that valve.  We have now drilled holes in the coupling and put set screws in it too hold tight on the shaft. Got it all back together again yesterday so hoping for some luck today  with it
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: 1270d on January 27, 2017, 07:33:46 AM
You can buy some sprockets with a wedgr lock
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on January 27, 2017, 11:49:02 AM
Quote from: TroyF21 on January 27, 2017, 06:08:46 AM
I've changed that valve...........

good, but did you adjust it?

also please update your profile so we can see where you are at.
City, state, country. or the equivalent. do not need street address.

example, my profile shows Glendale Oregon, that is about 2 miles from my place.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: TroyF21 on January 27, 2017, 02:02:32 PM
Yes it was stuck on 160 bar and supose too be at 80 . We run it today with no issues   Would that valve not working properly would that wreck my shafts and break the 6mm bolt ? We are from Nova Scotia Canada.  Thanks for your reply I've had this machine going on 2 years and my 1st one. Nothing but trouble with the shafts. No support here for tapio heads as well . I had a log Max mechanic helping us thank goodness.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on January 27, 2017, 02:09:22 PM
yep, 160 vs 80 = twice the power that should be

glad it is working.
here is a link to my headache.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,93354.0/all.html#top

Everything "seems" to be working now but time will tell.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: 1270d on January 28, 2017, 01:32:54 PM
Is it a keyed shaft?   Have any pictures of the saw  area?   Is the sprocket shimmed to the correct alignment with the bar?
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Riwaka on January 29, 2017, 03:53:27 PM
How small is small ?  Beer can diameter?
Might look at the overall operation  machinery requirements.  Fell, move to skid/landing, processing and loading.
Small / part-time or a 5-6 day a week/ 10 hour per day or longer operation etc.
Do you want to use a chainsaw for a little bit of too big logs etc ?
See if you can get rebuilt (to a high standard) roller head to fell, delimb and process (Finland - some firewood operations use roller heads to process firewood).
Drop off the head and use a grapple to load, if self loading trucks are not economic (one or two machine operation - with a good profit as a minium goal)
Used logmax 928 or waratah 412 (rebuilt) on used ten tonne excavator with a few mods etc.
https://youtu.be/iGPCXR8YHdc
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Pclem on January 29, 2017, 07:24:54 PM
That eucalyptis is pretty small and smooth compared to what I would have. The red pine around here has more and bigger limbs [1st thinning maybe up to 2 inches in dia.] Preferably, I would like something to handle diameters up to 10 inches. I realize the stroke harvesters are slower, but I like the smaller investment to start out and see how big the need is to start out.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Pclem on December 30, 2017, 08:39:04 AM
Quote from: DDW_OR on January 23, 2017, 02:47:28 AM
I am also looking for a small roller head harvester for my Bobcat E80
I am leaning towards the Hahn since it is made in Minnesota.
so 75k + controls in the cab + shipping = $$,$$$
still considering it.

but then with a stroke i could count the number of strokes and judge how long the log is.

so far these are the heads i have found

the prices i list are NOT in concrete
logmax     928a =  too big
hahn     hsg-140 = have not been made in a few years, they have the parts, Made in MN, $75,000 and up
hakmet     275R
hakmet     375R
hakmet     Arbro 400 = $45,000 and up
hakmet     Arbro 1000 = $64,000 and up
Naarva      S23c = $26,000 and up
Naarva      S250
Naarva      S250r
kesla     16RH
kesla     20SH-II
ponsse     H5 = need 50 gpm, 100 hp


DDW, Did you ever pursue any of these?
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on December 30, 2017, 02:31:57 PM
on March 2017, looked at the Arbro 1000. shipped from Canada, computer + joystick + wiring + rotator + shipping = $69,000
I would have to supply the mounting plate and extra hydraulic lines.

It looks like my E80 can use either the 400 or 1000. although the 1000 is a little on the big size
Now looking at the 400 with 16 inch bar= about $46,500 plus freight for the same setup. a savings of about $23,000. i can do a lot with the 23k

looking to use www.agdirect.com for the financing, have used it in the past with no problems.

for removing small trees and brush from the fence line i thought of using something like this
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,54852.0/all.html
the fence line is 28,000 feet plus cross fencing.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on December 30, 2017, 02:51:17 PM
would LOVE to get the  Hahn hsg-140 since is it made in the USA. but since it has not been made in a few years and is on the upper limits of the E80.......

kesla, was told that there was no service in USA
hakmet 275R, too big
Naarva, max cut 12 inch, too small
AFM     AFM 35, too big
Nisula  425C,  no service in USA
ponsse H5, too big
Farmi = Naarva
logmax 928a, too big


hakmet 275R, too much $$ for me
hakmet 375R, too much $$ for me
hakmet Arbro 1000, 22 inch max cut, at the upper limits for the E80
hakmet Arbro 400,  16 inch max cut

plan to use the harvester for most of the work. then a chainsaw for the bigger felling and the harvester for the delimbing
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Skeans1 on December 30, 2017, 08:21:37 PM
There's a new head out by eco forest, your dealer would be Crostrek/Pioneer Machinery. There was a local guy that had a small dangle on mini Kubota that I think was a Kesla.
There's a dealer here in the states Woodland Equipment, Inc. I've never dealt with them but I'm sure someone is back there can chime in.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on December 30, 2017, 09:34:46 PM
Quote from: Skeans1 on December 30, 2017, 08:21:37 PM
There's a new head out by eco forest, your dealer would be Crostrek/Pioneer Machinery. There was a local guy that had a small dangle on mini Kubota that I think was a Kesla.
There's a dealer here in the states Woodland Equipment, Inc. I've never dealt with them but I'm sure someone is back there can chime in.
can you please add a link?
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Skeans1 on December 30, 2017, 10:00:36 PM
http://www.woodlandequipment.com
https://youtu.be/OV0bmuydLWY
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Pclem on December 30, 2017, 11:26:23 PM
Yeah, I talked to Hahn last summer about a used morbark wolverine with their head on it. He said they "should be able" to supply parts for them still. There's been a couple used machines out there with the head still, but kinda scares me being out of production. I'm still dreamin'. Just had another guy the other day want a 5 acre CRP white pine stand thinned. [25 yrs old]. There's gotta be a way to do those jobs profitably.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Logger RK on December 31, 2017, 08:11:19 AM
Years ago there was a small tracked machine called a Mackeral,(or similar)that I thought would be handy for doing small pine.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: timbco68 on December 31, 2017, 11:28:19 AM
I know of an Arbro 400 sitting at a dealer in Wisconsin that you could buy for 15 k not including mounting on your machine. Northern Clearing bought it new on a new kubota track excavator but took it off due to it being too slow I think. It probably has less than 100 hours on it and the dealer is hungry to sell. I looked at it last summer thinking to mount it on an excavator I have.  it just looked like it was built so light I couldn't justify it in my mind. I mean the rotator hangs from a 1 Inch pin and the iron in it just seemed so light. Keep in mind though that my main equipment is a timbco, stroke delimber, 648 skidder so maybe I was expecting too much in terms of how heavy it should be.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: timbco68 on December 31, 2017, 11:34:17 AM
One more thing. My neighbor used to have the Hahn head on an excavator. I watched it working and I think there's good reason they don't make them anymore. Unbelievable slow. I think these small stroke heads work better.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Pclem on December 31, 2017, 12:21:08 PM
Timbco, any chance you'd give up the name of the dealer? I'd like to check it out
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Skeans1 on December 31, 2017, 12:38:42 PM
Just to throw this out there with a fixed processor head you really need a feller buncher boom for the reach as well as being able to tuck the head in to turn the machine in tight areas for thinning.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: timbco68 on December 31, 2017, 03:32:57 PM
Lulich equipment- Mason Wisconsin phone 7156317040 - The head is basically new with a little paint wore off a bit. It sits in their yard on a steel pallet. They have the computer and joystick handles in the shop. I know that you could get it for 15k because that's what I offered them if I decided to go that route. I guess I'll pass. Good luck!
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on January 11, 2018, 01:16:36 PM
well, starting the paperwork for the Arbro 400, putting it on the E80. getting it shipped from the California dealer.
it will be about a month till i get it.
using Agdirect.com for the financing, 5.14% fixed for 4 years.

also got a Turbosaw for the smaller excavator. just the standard blade.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Pclem on January 11, 2018, 06:11:04 PM
Keep us posted DDW!
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on January 11, 2018, 07:05:35 PM
Quote from: Pclem on January 11, 2018, 06:11:04 PM
Keep us posted DDW!
will do.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: Cedarman on January 12, 2018, 07:32:13 AM
We have a Patu head on a skidder platform. 2 foot stroke delimber with computer sets in the cab.  We used it for a while in ERC.  Worked great.  Also used it in some pine. Worked great.  The seal at the bottom of the mast is leaking and is a little tedious to change so it sets.  It is for sale.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on January 12, 2018, 12:32:15 PM
Hakmet in California = $46,500 plus shipping

Agdirect = 30% down for logging equipment, 5 year max

Called Lulich equipment 715-631-7040. they have sold the Arbro 400 head.
Title: Re: small diameter logging with stroke delimber harvester
Post by: DDW_OR on February 04, 2018, 02:44:55 PM
just hooked up the Turbosaw to the Bobcat 331 excavator
http://www.cleartrees.com/excavator-brush-cutters.html
for 6 inch and less it works great. anything over 6 inches takes time but i have done 13 inch cedar.

rotating the blade angel from Horizontal to Vertical is done by removing 4 bolts, then manually turning the saw head, then re-install the 4 bolts.

i have had a bypass valve added to the return line on the excavator. this allows the fluid to split, sending some through the valve and some to flow around the valve. this also helps with the Brush hound flail mower. i do not have a RPM meter, but it sounds a little faster. the Bypass cost about $500

Conclusion:
if i was younger or more agile i would not have purchased the Turbosaw.
but i am happy i have it. especially since my 87 year old dad can use it.
will have to add a sheet of Lexan Polycarbonate in front of the windshield.