bell feller buncher question

[central pa]

Has anyone ever or is it possible to switch a lever control bell to joystick
Have you run both what's your opinion is it worth the time an money to do it

[Riwaka]

What type of Bell feller buncher are you referring to? There are quite a few different models - T-120, Ultra Logger etc

It would depend on the hours and condition of the machine and how much you are prepared to spend on new hydraulics, the type of trees you are cutting and might be cutting long term etc. Always compare costs against getting into a specialist 360 degree feller buncher or 4 wheel drive pivot feller buncher, getting newer Bell  etc

[Loghauler86]

We don't have a Bell but we run two Morbark three wheel shears. One is joystick and one is levers. I personally prefer the levers. Simpler, better feel and I think it's faster. All preference though.

[central pa]

Went to look at it yesterday stuck my head   in the sand an bought it it's an super t 32" bar saw under 3,000 hrs straight as an arrow
Got it to try on hard wood clear cuts bunching for 450 tj and a 275 barko with a stripper delimber
Just the boss and I neither of us is afraid to climb out an use a chainsaw on the bigger trees

[Weekend_Sawyer]

 Congratulations on your purchase. Hope to see some pics of it running soon.

Jon

[central pa]

Probably take little till I get it guy that does our equipment hauling is going to put it on his wide load blanket permit .it's 9'4"wide and we're polluted with dot cops
23.1 26 tires same as the skidder nice plus

[central pa]

Some of the people I talked to said make sure you get a joystick machine levers are a pain
I drove it around a little bit didn't cut any trees decided we'll try it out then go from there . Did a little pricing I'm pretty sure I could put joysticks in for under 5,000 doing all the work myself which is half the fun
Any tips on running  things you don't do.
Or things you can do that improve operation an longevity of it

Thanks for sharing

[BargeMonkey]

 They look kind of neat. My cousin bought one about a yr ago from southworth, they wouldn't let him try it or test it out, they loaded it on his trailer and didn't want to see it again.  :D. I guess they had someone else come "try it out" in the yard and blew thru a fence and tag a new machine, it didn't look bad shape and I guess he got it cheap. He didn't have it long, not much flat ground around here.  :D
I deal with Bailey hydraulics and discount hydraulics in PA alot, converted my 230 from 5 lever to mechanical joystick and foot swing for about 1500, be worth checking with them, Bailey has a pretty good catalog and I see more pilot / electric over hydraulic stuff now. I recently updated the controls in my stroke delimber and bought handles from a company call "scorpion technology", great place if your looking for handles or switches/ buttons for a machine.

[treeslayer2003]

any time these are difficult to control, check the treadle linkage bolts and pins. any slop will make the peddles move under your feet.

[central pa]

Thanks for the company references barge definitely will check them out as we often  do are own repairs
Was wondering if the pedals have adjustment I disengaged the pedal lock it promptly stalled of I was like 😦 he said to give it a little throttle did better still crept a little

[treeslayer2003]

yes, you can adjust. you want them in neutral locked together. but the slop will make it impossible to adjust. make sure to di this with machine off and never ever start it with out the peddles locked together.

[kiko]

Just do it!   Lock the pedals, start it, throttle it and go. You will have the most control at full throttle.  Never exit  the machine with the engine running.   If I recall two levers must be activated to saw on a super t .   Grab the tree lift the weight off the tail wheel and saw , this will lift the tree off the stump as you saw.   But first you gotta learn to load it on the lowboy .   With a two ramp lowboy,  swing the tail wheel up one of the ramps and back it on the lowboy, no problem.   Now to unload it,  do the same as above (starting) but much more quickly, because you got to get reigned in before it goes over the side.  The is nothing else like a super t .   Big wood is where it shines.