Ideas for delimbing fir trees

[Chop Shop]

I'm looking for the $500 dollar option, not 5k to 120k as shown. Thanks guys

How about an AXE and a CHAINSAW. 

[snowstorm]

chain saw your only gonna have what 40 cd maybe

[JerScout]

Haymaker (and others),
I know this is an old thread, but I'm curious what you ended up using to delimb your 600 trees? The Karsis Oy you mentioned is kind of a neat idea! I see why it wouldn't be profitable/feasible for most guys, but something like that would work great for my 6"-12" DBH Doug Fir thinning project. 

Of course I'm not opposed to grabbing the Stihl, just always looking for faster ways. *DanG full time Pipe Fitter job gets in the way of my personal Forestry work  :D

I'm currently using a Farmi 3-point Winch on the back of a Tractor. The kick-plate has a large surface area on the Farmi, got me wonderin' if I could fabricate something similar to the Karsis Oy but run it with my Farmi instead.......
I could pull the log to the kick plate and set the choker in the notches, which keeps the butt off the ground. Run the winch back out, and pull the DIY delimber backwards w the winch. Idk, might be worth at least trying! Most of this thinning will end up firewood. 

[Firewoodjoe]

Build a limboing gate for the tractor. It's almost like a root rake. That will get a lot off. Just space blades about the tree size. 

[JerScout]

 

 

Simplicity at it's finest!! I limbed a handful of tree's w this yesterday, worked like a champ! I have a Farmi Winch, so I skid the logs into the kickplate, then run the winch out again and drag the wheel w hooks at 10 & 2 O'clock backwards down the tree. Works awesome! I wish I could figure out how to post a video

[mitchstockdale]

 

Simplicity at it's finest!! I limbed a handful of tree's w this yesterday, worked like a champ! I have a Farmi Winch, so I skid the logs into the kickplate, then run the winch out again and drag the wheel w hooks at 10 & 2 O'clock backwards down the tree. Works awesome! I wish I could figure out how to post a video

Ya you gotta post a video of that.  Try to youtube then post link.

[JerScout]

January 29, 2020 - YouTube

Video of my DIY delimber using my Farmi Winch

[Old Greenhorn]

That is slicker than deer guts on a door knob! Nicely done. 8)

[doc henderson]

that is a cool idea for those with a winch.  i came across a large pile of cedar trees, 20 or 30 (3/4 of a whack)  that had been burned in a pile.  the limbs were gone but the char only extended about 1/16th inch into the sap wood, no bark and limb stubs about 4 inches long.  milled just fine.

[barbender]

Right on👍

[doc henderson]

what all species have you tried this on.  I assume softwood,  any others.  cooool

[JerScout]

Doc Henderson,
So far I've only used it on the stand of Douglas Firs I'm thinning. It's a neat idea, and with my Son "setting the wheel", it keeps things running smoothly. I still plan on building a Limbing Gate for when I'm working by myself. 
I also think you could use the "Limbing Wheel" like a gate, by strapping it across two trees and pulling the tree thru the wheel

[doc henderson]

lots on my plate, but if I can try it on cedar I will post some pics.  prob be next month.  what is the wheel off of, did you cut out the center, or is it a hub-less ag wheel

[Gearbox]

What I did with Balsam was skid past a good solid tree . Loop a chain around the bottom of the stem and hook back to the anchor tree { just a big loose loop } drive away all the limbs stay with the chain . Once you get a big pile of limbs if your tractor will just back the stem through the brush pile then hook the chain and drive away .

[doc henderson]

I assume butt first?     so make a complete loop around the log, and go back to the anchor tree, and then pull the tree on through.  not sure what you meant about picking up the big pile or limbs.  do you leave a chain on the ground and pick up after several trees?  thanks I will try this at the farm giving me the ERC.  will save him some time and sounds kinda fun/dangerous! 8)

[Gearbox]

Doc you do not complete the loop around the tree . Just under over and back to anchor tree . Anchor tree rubs the limbs off the inside . Backing into a pile of limbs acts just like a limbing gate rehook the chain to finish cleaning the stem