Any hydraulic geniuses?

mike_belben · January 14, 2018, 03:35:34 PM

Twist hubs is a great idea. But you wont find them in a junkyard off a rear end. An electric PTO clutch could be useful but its not gonna do anything special or as cheap as a belt idler. Look at your mower deck, belt idler has worked to turn that on and off for near a century. Much more reliable than a DC pto clutch also. Fwiw, the ones on york AC compressors are the strongest ive seen at throw away pricing.

An over running clutch is gonna help you get down in a hole you think u can make, get stuck and have no reverse to get out

Gearbox · January 14, 2018, 05:17:21 PM

Maybe one made like a 4x4 front hub will lock after 1 or 2 turns each way .

Pclem · January 15, 2018, 08:47:37 AM

I appreciate all the feedback and ideas guys! Now I just need to figure out what will work the best for me. [ And find enough ambition to tackle such a project

] I've kicked the idea around of getting a small cable skidder again, but people sure seem to like the idea of their wood carried not skidded.

mike_belben · January 15, 2018, 11:03:49 AM

I have a 742b bobcat in "farm condition" and a spare parts rolling chassis 743 that ive told myself will one day be grafted into a micro forwarder by putting OTT tracks on the power unit and cutting the spindles and chainbox/motor parts into a hydrostatic walking beam. I have a mercedes OM617 turbo diesel set aside for it.

My perception is that stave and veener tracts are being depleted and subdivided out of existence, hopefully im mistaken. But if not, and If i want my kid to ever cut veneer, it looks like im gonna have to go manage some stands 50yrs in advance for him.

moodnacreek · January 17, 2018, 08:30:24 PM

Look at wheel motors in surplus center catalog or chain up a hyd. motor to a light truck rear axel as stated by others. Sizing the motor is tricky [ for me] but it could be a little to fast because you will need a flow control valve anyhow. Surplus has all this stuff and not that expensive.

thecfarm · January 18, 2018, 07:35:06 AM

How are loading that trailer? Looks like a couple cords?

mike_belben · January 18, 2018, 09:08:29 AM

Ya load with the stump grapple. In small wood like that his pile will stack out id say around 3/4 cord. I have a very similar setup that makes a half cord every time.

Pclem · January 18, 2018, 12:18:00 PM

Yes, load with stump grapple. Trailer holds an easy cord. A big bypass grapple is on the wish list. I think I'd be able to 'short skid' much more to the trail each trip

Randy88 · February 02, 2018, 07:24:20 AM

For the amount of time and money you'll spend, I'd opt to put that towards a small tractor with front wheel assist and use that to pull the load, the skid steer to load it and use the hydraulics off the tractor to dump the load and I think you'll be much happier all around.