The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Forestry and Logging => Topic started by: Roundhouse on August 25, 2021, 01:07:45 AM

Title: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: Roundhouse on August 25, 2021, 01:07:45 AM
We have a railroad that runs behind the house and last week one morning I heard the sing of a saw at work. A quick check of the backyard confirmed there was a contractor back there brushing back limbs along the right of way. I'd never seen one of these a Jarraff in action. Pretty interesting rig making quick work of the branches and limbs with a circular blade. 


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/42799/MP414cutter_nr_081621.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1629863728)


As the cutter moved up the line a bit to the next trees another contractor followed along with a self loader clearing the cuttings off the main and side track. 


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/42799/BrushTruck_Cutter_nr_081621.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1629864000)


They don't do this too often and normally with the railroads own cutter that focuses on the ditches, not the high overhead stuff. I happened to have a picture from a week before with allowed for a before and after. In the top photo the branches have grown over the main track and you can make out the outline of the train where the hole in the foliage is.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/42799/BrushCutBeforeAfter_nr_081121_081621.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1629864138)


I had to look up this machine for a crash course on what the Jarraff is. It looks like this one might be a couple years old compared to what they show on manufacturer website. A couple days after I saw it working they had it parked, waiting to be trucked to the next job I presume. 


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/42799/thumbnail_IMG_1006.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1629864399)


Interesting machine, am I right in thinking the basis for this machine is an off-the-shelf running gear normally part of a skidder or forwarder? I can just about imagine a cab fitting onto that notch at the back of the engine hood.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/42799/Jarraff_nr_081921a.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1629864561)
Title: Re: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: Nils Jonsson on August 25, 2021, 03:58:26 AM
I saw one of those in France once. Amazing machine. According to the French people who showed it to me the name "Jarraff" refers to the animal giraffe. It was claimed then to be a French machine but I'm not sure about that. 
Title: Re: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: mike_belben on August 25, 2021, 08:59:06 AM
i let the clearing contractor park one on the lawn overnight for safe keeping when they came through a few years ago. 


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/0508181608.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1525836326)



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/0508181608e.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1525836342)
Title: Re: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: Tacotodd on August 25, 2021, 09:00:44 AM
Very cool of you Mike, VERY cool indeed.
Title: Re: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: Southside on August 25, 2021, 10:13:05 AM
Any reverse engineering inspection done that night Mike?    :D
Title: Re: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: Resonator on August 25, 2021, 10:47:34 AM
Did they check the hour meter when they picked it up? ;D

Quoteam I right in thinking the basis for this machine is an off-the-shelf running gear normally part of a skidder or forwarder?
Looking at the website and pictures everything looks custom fabricated especially with the side tilt crane turntable, and railroad wheel setup. The hydrostatic axles and engine would be "off the shelf" parts.
Also good to see they are built in St. Peter MN, USA. smiley_thumbsup

Title: Re: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: mike_belben on August 25, 2021, 12:36:53 PM
Quote from: Southside on August 25, 2021, 10:13:05 AM
Any reverse engineering inspection done that night Mike?    :D
not that they know of.   ;)
Title: Re: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: moodnacreek on August 25, 2021, 12:44:28 PM
Quote from: mike_belben on August 25, 2021, 08:59:06 AM
i let the clearing contractor park one on the lawn overnight for safe keeping when they came through a few years ago.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/0508181608.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1525836326)



(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/0508181608e.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1525836342)

How many nights did you stay up trimming your trees?
Title: Re: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: mike_belben on August 25, 2021, 01:42:15 PM
thats for amateurs.  i doze anything i dont want to grow and gravel it. have an acre yard that can be done by weedwacker now. 
Title: Re: Jarraff in the neighborhood
Post by: thecfarm on August 26, 2021, 05:59:18 AM
Just saw one that looked like that on a back road. I think Lucas had it.