If being sick isn't bad enough some one decided they needed my Landini more than me. Finally got up enough strength to go logging and when I got to the landing my loader/skidder tractor is gone. I hadn't been to the job in 3 weeks so I don't know when it disappeared.
Anyone have ideas of where else I should alert companys. I put it on Tractor House .com already . Reported to police,dealer I bought it from and to my Insurance (found out that I did insure it) I'm going to call Mcfadden's out in New York too.
:o Someone needs to be dragged behind something.
Ed I'm so sorry >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( what the hell is wrong with people they need the sss treatment do you have a pic of it ill keep a look out for it around my area and let people know again I'm sorry >:(
Sorry for your loss and the problems it'll cause.
Sorry to hear this Ed, perhaps wishful thinking are you sure someone didn't take it for a joy ride and it is still on the property some were?
Could put a ad on line (craigslist) and offer a reward for info, it would also alert people in the market for one so they don't get burnt by buying a stolen tractor.
Wow Ed,That really stinks.That is a sweet tractor.It sounds like you are on the right track.I would call all the tractor dealers in your area.That is a rare tractor and I'm hoping it shows up soon and not damaged.Too many low lifes around.
Hope they find the Dang perpetrators
The land owner next door that lets me use their driveway for me and the log trucks to access my landing spent the afternoon looking over his land to see if someone went thru a fence to get it out. No luck. Has to be someone who knew it was there and when the neighbor would be gone for a while. Here's a couple of pictures.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10257/Landini%20forestry%20setup.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1192059289)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10257/IM000656.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1506983123)
These were before the forestry tires were put on.
thanks ed for the pics don't know if it will ever show up here but if I see something like it ill call the law to let them know about it hope every thing works outs this is not what you needed at this time stay strong
A couple years back someone took my rotten for a ride. They did bring it back. I called the state cops. They told me if they couldn't drive there car to it there was nothing they could do. So I tried the forest service. They were there in less than 2 hrs. They set up cameras. The guy that took it had a hunting close by. I was given the dirtbags name. The forest service called him. Just to let him know he would be watched
Contact all log truck drivers with a picture of the machine,might show up on a landing somewhere.
Very sorry to hear this Ed, McFaddens is a good place to start with notices,
you can check regional CL as well for the tractor whole or the bucket and winch seperated
D
That's some really bad news, people don't have anything better to do these days then steal a working man's tools what a shame. Sorry that happened to you. I'll keep my eye out and spread the word where I can I'm in relatively the same area as you. Hoping it turns up soon. I'm logging a mile from bacons if you want me to let them know about it I will be going in there to pick up some saw parts on thurs.
Sorry for your trouble, hope it's gonna show up some where.
My goodness Ed. There is nothing more despicable than a rotten low life thief. Bad thing about it, I think it's going to get worse. Too many people out there that think we owe them something if we have more than they do. They can't grasp the fact that most of us have been working two or three jobs at at time for our whole lives. Time to bring back public hangings.
Ed, I'll keep you in my prayers. Someone else will have to take up the slack for the low life.
Ed very sorry to hear. We've never met but I can say that ...that sucks. Landini is one of only 3 orchard tractor models that I have my eye on and I've seen the pictures of your build and have a couple saved off and sent to my mechanic/fabricator.
Well, I would suggest that you use the following tool to search craigslist.
www.searchcraigslist.org.
It searches all over the US/Canada. You can sort only by relevance and date so it is going to give you a broad set of search results. What it will do is give results from everywhere. Not always perfect but if they stole it and drove it 400 miles away and post it, you'll find it I'm sure.
Man, so sorry to hear about that. Makes me worried about leaving my property.
Sorry to hear about this Ed, I will definitely keep my eyes and ears open for you. That is one seriously rotten move on someone's part. Just a thought but maybe notify weangers?, the big tractor salvage yard in PA. What part of Massachusetts was it taken from?
That's awful news I'm sorry to hear. Are you near any ports? I hear that alot of these guys will steal em and ship overseas. Maybe try port authority?
Check with and keep an eye on all the auctions, especially those far away from you, it might turn up on auction many states away, those places are supposed to do a check to make sure its not stolen, but its hard to keep up to date on all the stolen serial numbers out there floating around and can be easily missed. Point being, make sure its listed in a national sheet and not only a state sheet reporting it stolen.
Sad to hear about it, but luckily you had it insured.
Sorry to hear that. I farm some fields 30 miles from home and often leave equipment there for days or weeks and I lose sleep at night all the while my equipment is sitting out there. If I don't have reason to be there for more than a day or two the wife and I will go for ice cream and check on it just so I can ease my mind some. Being a "peculiar" model should make it easier to keep an eye on Craigslist, auctions, and equipment jockey lots.
Taking in a man's tools is about as low as it gets. When I was a teenager, I had some buddies who robbed a neighbor's work van, taking tools, etc.
I told them that if they didn't quietly put it back, I'd turn them in--it was a man's tools to earn a living to put FOOD ON HIS TABLE. They returned all of it. bat-smiley
Hate to say it but I would check the scrapyards. Scrappers are still high in numbers and lower than low stealing whatever they can cutting it up and turning it in for scrap prices.
Ed.
Sorry to hear what happened.
I'll keep my eyes peeled out my way as well.
Found out last night a neighbor across the road saw it leave on Sun the 24th was a dark colored truck with black trim probably a one ton. Said it wasn't as big as the gravel trucks that go in and out.
I'm wondering if it's headed to florida for the clean up?
That sucks! Or sold to someone in Florida.
That's awful Ed I hope they get caught. The only thing I agree with Muslims is if you get caught stealing they cut off a finger... Make the 8!@#%^&* think of what they are doing!
only one finger id cut the hole hand or 2 off
That's pretty bad to steal your equipment like that. There may be a way you could get the serial number to all the dealers in and along the east coast ,maybe down the road they would come in for repairs and get caught. Or try getting pictures in truck stops from your area to Florida if that's the way you think it might of went maybe someone seen it. We got to a job one morning and our 460 timberjack was gone luck would have it it snowed a little and we tracked it and found it on her side in a bottom of a creek. Door lock was busted out and they broke all the plastic on the dash to steal the radio, skidder wasn't a year old yet. Pretty sad !
I submitted it to tractor house .com and they put the id # out to all the different equipment co's they are affiliated with.
Good luck Ed,
you really didn't need that.
I hope they get caught.
Jon
Ed I've looked on Craigslist and the only ones I see are from fruit operations, at least so it appears. What was the winch?
The two landi's for sale now are in Roseburg and somewhere in Michigan. The Roseburg one ispretty pricey but the one in michigan is a 2 wd and just 6k.
The rats, :rifle: I will keep an eye out too.
Nativewolf, the winch is a Tajfun EVG 40 A1. The landowner next door has a friend who he says sees things that says the tractor is in springfield Ma. young man with dark hair that has an affiliation with one of the long time trucking firms or construction related companies. I don't know about it but I've been looking at CL in western ma.
Quote from: coxy on October 03, 2017, 06:20:34 PM
only one finger id cut the hole hand or 2 off
I think they do take the hand off and it ain't the one they wipe with ether. We
should start that over here that would slow down the thief's the best thing about
this is everybody knows with the lack of a hand.
Ahhh man that is just terrible. Keep an eye in your wagon ruts he is probably slithern along in one.
Quote from: Ed_K on October 05, 2017, 08:05:34 AM
Nativewolf, the winch is a Tajfun EVG 40 A1. The landowner next door has a friend who he says sees things that says the tractor is in springfield Ma. young man with dark hair that has an affiliation with one of the long time trucking firms or construction related companies. I don't know about it but I've been looking at CL in western ma.
he wont give you a name or an exact place I would call the law anyway and let them know whats up hope things work out for you
Eyes and ears wide open here in southwest Missouri. Sincerely hope you get your machine back and everything works out for the best.
I had to go to the police dept to sign some more paper work. Because my farm plate was on it they can put out an apb as a stolen vehicle to all police dept's to be on the look out for it. When I was there I mentioned about the mind reader ( can't think of the word you call them) and the officer said the person would need to make out a written report. Which won't happen cause the person would even give their name to me.All hoo ha to me.
Both the tractor and winch if it has a separate serial number should be entered into the NCIC computer by the police. Used to be a police officer and I have recovered property that was stolen twenty years earlier. Whom ever is in possession at that time is guilty of possession of stolen property. Not that anything will happen to them if they have a receipt etc. But if it is a $10,000 item an their receipt shows $1,000 then they have some explaining to do.
If you are thinking of purchasing something from an individual and you have a bad feeling get the serial number and call your local police or sheriff's dept. Most will run the serial number for you. Once got a handgun back for someone that had reported it stolen. Guy who had it in his possession had a receipt from a licensed dealer where he had bought it at a gun show.
luvmexfood, I've always been told, once an insurance claim has been paid on something, if the item is recovered it then belongs to the insurance company and not the individual it was stolen from, is this the case??
ED K, If you think that someone may be heading to Florida with your equipment, you may consider calling the the Florida Ag Inspection Stations. They are on just about every road that leads to the Florida peninsula. If they had a description, picture and serial numbers, they could possibly locate it. I remember listing to the Commissioner of Agriculture several years ago while he was speaking to Farm Bureau members about intercepting stolen equipment at the check stations.
http://www .freshfromflorida.com/Business-Services/Agricultural-Inspection-Stations
Quote from: Randy88 on October 06, 2017, 02:24:50 PM
luvmexfood, I've always been told, once an insurance claim has been paid on something, if the item is recovered it then belongs to the insurance company and not the individual it was stolen from, is this the case??
Yes. They paid for it then it's there's.
Quote from: luvmexfood on October 07, 2017, 09:20:11 PM
Quote from: Randy88 on October 06, 2017, 02:24:50 PM
luvmexfood, I've always been told, once an insurance claim has been paid on something, if the item is recovered it then belongs to the insurance company and not the individual it was stolen from, is this the case??
Yes. They paid for it then it's there's.
Correct, the item now belongs to the insurance company. But they are now going to sell it to recover some of their $$, so there is usually an opportunity for the owner to "buy back" the item if they want to.
Many times people don't, because it's been damaged, or they have already spent the insurance check on a new item. But the option is usually there.
Yes, I was told that if it's found that depending on what has happened to it that I can buy it back. If it was to show up in the next few weeks I will probably take it back unless it in bad shape. But I can't afford to wait to long. I need something to work around the farm even if I don't keep logging.
Got a call from the ins. co. check is on it's way. Now comes the hard part,trying to find something to replace it. Anything close to the same age is $25 k and up. Keep telling myself to slow down and not jump on the first thing that looks close.
hopefully you did not take the first number the ins co gave you.
Ed,
What are your needs for the tractor? As far as HP, 4wd, loader, outlets, etc. Let us help ya out in your search. You've been through a lot, put a little of the burden on others.
Worked the logging job today using the skidder (hard getting on and off with weak arms and legs) spent a lot of the time just thinking about what to do. I keep hoping that I'll get better and can keep logging but if I don't then why bother setting up another tractor. Had the perfect set up. 4x4, loader, grapple on the bucket, winch on back, hitch to hook forestry trailer to, forestry tires all around, belly pan, tray on the side to carry saws and gas. It was perfect for bunching, stacking logs or just plain skidding.
I'm going to put the money in the bank and just think about it for awhile. I need Rita's input too.
Good luck to you , Ed. I hope it all works out for you. I'm not that far away, so feel free to ask for help anytime you need it.
Thanks Oliver05262, and to everyone. We talked about what to do when Rita got home last night and decided to buy something comparable to the 5860. We need something here at home for doing our maple operation snow removal and maybe work the sawmill operation more. The biggest thing is a tractor with enough weight to move snow pick up logs/lumber and collect sap. Going with something between 40 and 60 hp.
Went to the job this morning I only have one far corner to log cut 3 trees then started down over a steep bank to check and make sure I wasn't leaving anything saw a patch of blue (I can't believe I missed a tree way down there) walked farther and There It Was found my tractor.
Almost to the bottom up against a big popple tree in some brush so thick you could hardly walk thru it. Stupid me, I looked it over no real damage (bent the bucket a little and a rod that makes the pto clutch work)then I got on started it up and drove it back up even used it to bring out a hitch. I should have never touched it and had the police come dust it for prints. No not me get right on and put it back to work.
Thanks to everyone I know you'all felt as bad as I did. I really don't know why I didn't go over the edge after all that's happened. I thank GOD maybe I'll even get better too.
Ed,
Thats the best news I have heard in a long time. So glad you got your machine back. Guess the neighbor was wrong on seeing it hauled off.
Good for you Ed, glad to hear it! Maybe punks joyriding?
Wow, great news. So now what happens, give the check back minus damages?
8)
I see the Log Street Journal posted about it on FB.
Quote from: leeroyjd on October 11, 2017, 04:31:39 PM
Good for you Ed, glad to hear it! Maybe punks joyriding?
Or Ed-K forgetting to put the handbrake on?
Ed, sorry! i couldn't resist!
Glad you found it!
Now, you have to explain to the police, and to the insurance. Rather you than me! ;D
Don't beat yourself up too much over the prints. Sounds like kids just took it for a ride. To get anything from prints whomever would have to been fingerprinted before for their prints to be in the system and then you have to deal with rain and heavy dews possibly degrading them. Sometime plumb you in a hidden fuel cutoff valve and remember to turn it off at the end of the day.
It's always the last place you look. Sleep well tonight.
That's great news glad you found it looks like a nice rig second on fuel line disconnect or hidden battery disconnect. Glad there was not any signifigant damages as well.
There that makes me happy!!!
smiley_clapping So happy for you. 8) 8) 8)
so happy to 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) wonder if that's why they didn't want to give names maybe it was them that sent it over the bank
There you go Ed. 8) 8) Hope you can work something out with the insurance.
I spent all afternoon calling everyone and getting it taken off the internet. When I called the insurance they said that I need to write void on the check when I get it and send it back. I'm going to send it registered mail. Then the next question was how much damage was done. I had looked it over real good and checked what a rod would cost to fix the pto clutch release and the bend in the bucket is not worth replacing. So I told the ins man not enough the get to the 1k premium so I'm all set with them.
I have a key kill switch on the taylor skidder so I think the landini needs one too. I don't like the shut off on the fuel (there's one on the taylor) and I had to write at the switch to remember to turn it back on after bleeding the system a couple times. So it'll be electrical.
Well here's to a good day working in the woods (I don't hurt to much) going to get to it.
Everyone have a great day and be safe.
I was happy to read about the recovery. :)
Quote from: Ed_K on October 03, 2017, 09:03:40 AM
Found out last night a neighbor across the road saw it leave on Sun the 24th was a dark colored truck with black trim probably a one ton. Said it wasn't as big as the gravel trucks that go in and out.
I would be very suspicious of that neighbor. His detailed description sounds like a diversion.
Ayup sounds kinda odd too. ???
This is the neighbor that mentioned a town as well, yes? Could be involved or could just want the attention, thinking stinging you along is a joke.
Listening again to the truck description, part of my mind goes to an old western... He rode a black horse with a black hat, curly dark mustache, big guns, and I think he was headed West. ;)
Sad to hear of damage, but glad it turned out as well as it did.
Good News!
Quote from: Hilltop366 on October 02, 2017, 03:15:36 PM
perhaps wishful thinking are you sure someone didn't take it for a joy ride and it is still on the property some were?
Ha, look at that! I guess you can tell your neighbour who is the clairvoyant now! :D :D
Glad it all worked out Ed.
Sounds like everything is falling into place, glad things are turning around for you ;).
Ed, sorry you had to go throw that whole ordeal, not like you don't have enough stuff going on as it is! Hope it all turns out ok. Glad you got your rig back!
Glad it worked out 8) 8) 8) 8)
Man , that is great. From were you found it so well hidden.. it almost seems like it was stashed with the intent to get it later. If that is the case your site is not secure. I think there should be more action pics of your tractor and skidder on here so we can keep an eye on them. ;D
Were the keys left in it when the perps took it? If not, how difficult is it to hotwire a modern unit?
I wasn't sure about the key till I found the tractor, the tarp I use to cover the seat and control's was pulled off sideways and I was hiding the key by the fuel tank under the tarp so that's how they started it. It would only take a small screw driver like we use to adjust carbs on saws to stick it in and turn it. Or just unscrew the switch and cross the wires on the back. I'm more leer'y of the the neighbor's now than before. There's a low income development a mile down the road. I only have about 2 weeks left to finish then we move all equipment home for awhile. When the neighbor stated it left the property I gave up looking but the way I was feeling it wasn't hard to quit looking. It's hard for me to walk around in the brush. In some places it takes me 15 mins to get to a tree get it down and measured up.
The clairvoyant and eye witness are two different people but I think their a little odd to me. I don't believe in it but I do believe in dousing.
ed if I lived closer to you I would be there in a heart beat to help you at no charge to get you out of there and on better ground I hate people that do crap like this but for now keep your friends close and your enemies closer for a few weeks
Ed, I wouldn't worry about calling the police and getting them to get any forensics off the machine, after a couple of weeks out in the weather there would be 0% chance of getting any prints or DNA unless it was somewhere right out of the way.
Glad to hear you got it back.
I've watched this thread daily, I am so glad you got your tractor back !!!!! With all the bad going on in the world today it is great to see a good ending.
Ed, glad to see it worked out. I really felt bad for you back when you posted that you may not go back to logging. Then it made me angry that a ... thief stole more than a piece of equipment. He stole a life style.
Had something similar happen to me a few years ago. Some joy riders on four wheelers showed up at one of my remote job sites. The beer cans and cigarette butts told me they weren't kids. I'm guessing they were looking for the skidder key and left the motor panel loose. I looked around but couldn't find that they had done anything. Started the skidder up, backed up, and heard something clang. I had run over the panel. Bent it up pretty good. Straightened it up as best I could, but it's not as square as it should be and is tough to get it latched. Called the law out. Deputy took some pictures, acted like I had wasted his time, and left. I mainly wanted it documented in case more came out of it. I then followed their trail for over a mile through the woods, but lost it when their tracks merged with another group of four wheelers. Area has been known to have quite a bit of drug activity, and one of the neighbors had been busted a few times. I know his driveway stayed pretty busy. Paid him a visit and asked him to help me watch the place. Let him know that the law had been out, and hoped they caught them before I did. Didn't have any more trouble after that, but I felt better when I moved out. Keep thinking I'm going to set a a trail cam at my landings, but that would just be something else to keep up with.
*DanG shame that people can't stay in their own lane. I guess it conforms to the Laws of Nature: predator or prey. Guess it's just part of the "human condition".
We all must decide which narrative we'll run with.
Had a hard time sleeping last night, keep thinking they'll come back and try to burn everything. I have been thinking about a trail camera but like Rita said they probably steal it to, or shoot it up if I could get way up in a tree with no branches >:( .
Just talked to my trucker, we're moving the skidder home this week. Give me something to do when I hurt to much to cut trees. I need to make some kind of ladder system so it's easier for me to get on and off of it. Some kind of telescoping rig. Like they use on the new forwarder's.
Had a friend that had a lifted jeep and a wife that was 5' tall. He used used a stirrup from a saddle. Bolted it to the seat bolt so it could dangle out the door. Didn't need to be brought back in cause it was floating. But if it was left out it got kinda muddy.
This probably won't work to well for you but figured it could be an idea.
A neighbor built a platform for his father that had an electric winch to lift it up to the height of the tractor floor. It wasn't too complicated.
You might go poking around on the internet looking at handicap lifts for rv's. There are several around that would be easy to adapt to a forwarder. I looked at one that dropped a small platform down to ground level. Stand on the platform, flip a switch and the platform rises to floor board level and stows out of the way. Not a wheelchair lift by the way, those can get rather expensive and complex. I spent some time (engineering analysis) designing one for our rv for the wife to use. May do it yet...
Quote from: Ed_K on October 14, 2017, 07:12:34 AM
Had a hard time sleeping last night, keep thinking they'll come back and try to burn everything. I have been thinking about a trail camera but like Rita said they probably steal it to, or shoot it up if I could get way up in a tree with no branches >:( .
I'm thinking it might be worth the investment to get one of the trail cams with a sim card. I might get a picture of the thief before he steals it.
Ed don't know if you get the northern logger book but a few years back there was story on a young guy that go hurt bad in a stock car and they made a lift for his skidder and they also took a mini Toro dingo (think that's the name )tracked skidsteer and put in a chair for him he hunts and looks at log jobs with it the guys that did the fab work did an excellent job for him and if I remember right they did it for free you maybe able to call the NL book and get a date so you can look at it if you want the young mans name pm me and I can give you his info
Quote from: Ed_K on October 14, 2017, 08:40:38 AM
Just talked to my trucker, we're moving the skidder home this week. Give me something to do when I hurt to much to cut trees. I need to make some kind of ladder system so it's easier for me to get on and off of it. Some kind of telescoping rig. Like they use on the new forwarder's.
Take a look at the ladders on the back of ski boats. The top part is fixed but the lower part just folds down into the water with a standoff leg to support it against the transom. That would be an easy build/adaptation. Could use on old extension ladder section for good solid rungs.
Coxy, I remember that article I thought cat did redid the skidder so the kid could lift up into it then lock into where the seat would be and all the controls where redone so he could run it with hand controls. I like the idea of the boat ladder. Rita and I moved the equipment this morning up to the side of an open hay field in sight from the house,where I go into the job so I'll feel a little better now.
Ed, our Ponsse machines have a hydraulic folding ladder. My buddies harvester is a little older and he was having trouble with the hydraulics, so he just eleminated them. Now he just climbs the sreps and pulls them up with a rope he attached to them, and holds them up with a bungee. It would be pretty simple to build a set for a skidder.
Forwarder and Harvester operator get only out of the cab to have a leak, probably don't even need the ladder. ;D ;D
A skidder has to be easy to get on and off because you do that dozens of times a day. I think a simple three step ladder with a hand rail will do the trick and not those hanging cables thingis. Mine are all in the scrap, just can't work like that.
After you get on and off anything enough times a day, no matter how high up off the ground you are, any descent ladder that starts a foot or slightly more off the ground is a welcome relief. I'd vote for the flip down ladder myself with a rope attached to it, we've done similar things to machines before ourselves and it makes life a lot easier.
I'm a fan of the electric cylinder myself, hook it up to 12 volt and stick the ladder straight up parallel to the cab, much like a lot of the older gleaner rotary combines had for their ladders. Some of us are finding we need hand rails as well, built into the ladder mechanism. Just a thought.
Lopet, your completely right😁 Typically, I wouldn't recommend this type of step for a cable skidder, but Ed needs something easy to get on and off right now, and this fits the bill. My old cable skidder has a loop of heavy cable hanging down for a step. It's out of the way and doesn't get hung up on stuff, but it's not much good as a step, either😁
You can add on the list along with the swinging cables, chains with the links welded to form a step, work fine going up, coming off the machine, well, they suck at best, without a handrail to aid you, downright dangerous. The view from the ground looking up as you lay flat on your back after falling, not priceless, but enough to make a change in the step system on the spot.
I guess we are all individual and have different habits how to get on and off a piece of equipment.
No idea what would or will work for Ed, just throwing in a couple of ideas.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15457/IMG_0004_28329.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508079942)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15457/IMG_0005_28329.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508079747)
I have the cable stair at the bottom now and when you get your foot into it slide's in under the belly. Kind'a throws you back. I did find a telescoping ladder for boats that looks promising on amazon. It's cheaper than what I can build. I'm not smart enough to get a picture of one from amz to here. Right now the side of the skidder slants outward as you climb and it's all I can do to hold on to the pieces of angle irons I welded to the side. It was a good idea at first. I'm putting the camera into the lunch box maybe I can remember it's there and take some picts.
ive seen steps made out of what I think is the drive chain from a stroke delimber. weld a section of it together so it its stiff where you step on it, but flexible on the verticle pieces. but because its like a motorcycle chain it only bends in one direction, so it wont slide under the machine like you say.
I took some pictures yesterday of the steps.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10257/IMG_0333.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508271702)
This was the bottom part
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10257/IMG_0334.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508271854)
Here's the top part
the last pict. is a shot of where we're parking the machines since the joy riders had their fun.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10257/IMG_0324.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508271483)
Glad to see you're back at it, your tenacity is beyond commendable.
Btw...nice looking equipment you got there
Over the years I've tried all kinds of "steps". None worked as well as the last ones I built.
UN
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24436/DSCN0476.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508373844)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24436/DSCN0477.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1508373926)
UN, I like your set up. If it was wider would the top step fold over when stepped on?
I did this setup after reading all the good info here. I am sure UN Hooker's setup would be much better.
But it is much easier now than the original 75cm high step before
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/37555/20171018_132852.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1508457052)
No pictures, but I see a lot of lineman's trucks that use thick 1" or so cable to hold the step. Firm, yet gives to a solid object.
Cable came to my mind also but how do you fix it to the skidder and to the step, can't weld a cable ??? ???
I think they put it through a short piece of tubing then put a large crimp on the cable so it can't pull through. Two pieces of cable with a steel step between them on the bottom, similar to yours.
I guess that not everyone would have a crimper that size laying around though. ::)
I've seen those steps many times. But can't remember how it's done.
Ed_K
I'm not sure what your asking. The top step is the angle iron that's bolted to the skiddah. The two aluminum ones are bolted to the heavy conveyor belt and the bracket on the left helps steady them from excessive movement sideways etc. I made them wide enough + to clear my boot. I don't think making them wider (within reason) would have a negative effect.
UN
Quote from: TKehl on October 19, 2017, 09:24:20 PM
I think they put it through a short piece of tubing then put a large crimp on the cable so it can't pull through. Two pieces of cable with a steel step between them on the bottom, similar to yours.
I guess that not everyone would have a crimper that size laying around though. ::)
for the cable set up all you need is the reusable cable ends think there only about 10-15$ a piece
I put the cable in 1" long pipe and weld the pipe and cable (like capping a pipe).
I think Tree Farmer's came with cable steps back in 70's-80's.
UN, I didn't realize the top step was bolted to the skidder also. It's a good idea.