Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[IXLR8]

I dropped a tree on a guy once. Totally his fault, to the point where I really didn't feel too terrible about it.

Long story short, when I tell you where I'm going to drop a tree, don't let me find you standing exactly there when I'm in the middle of making the cut. Then, when I stop cutting, shut off my saw, remove my ear muffs and shout at you to get out of there, don't go sneaking back to that same spot a second time, after I get back to cutting.

You can't fix stupid. Hope he learned something, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[John_Mc]

I gave my crane a field test yesterday...

I made a video. Half hour. It has two parts. The first spot, just starting out, with small wood and the third spot after a little practice. I work slow and try to keep my mind on what I am doing. Even so, I push the hydraulic lever to hard relative to the weight involved once in a while.

gg

That's a great back-saver without having to spend a fortune on a forwarding trailer with hydraulic loader.

It seems you are doing the lifting with your logging winch raised up off the ground. Are you at all concerned about twisting the 3 point linkage, especially when the boom is out at 90˚ to the side with a heavy log? Makes me wonder if some telescoping outriggers might be in order. They could be manual telescoping - nested tubes with holes at various points into which you could set a pin. Just something to limit the amount of twist.

Does your toplink have double piloted check valves? Mine does not, so does tend to leak down over time. I keep meaning to add some, just haven't gotten around to it.

BTW: I like the shirt you are wearing in the video. I have one just like it. How did I not know you were a Vermont Coverts Cooperator (or if I did know, how did I forget)?

 

[Hoobie]

I gave my crane a field test yesterday. I picked up wood in 3 spots. Each spot had bigger wood, getting a feel for things as I went. I knew that the boom hinge post needed to be plumb. If it is at an angle the boom will seek the lowest point and rotating it from there is like pushing up hill. When released it will rotate back down on it's own. I use this to my advantage when traveling. By tilting the post back the boom will drop to the back and follow behind the tractor. I use the tractor TnT hydraulics to plumb the post. I was surprised how quickly the cylinders drifted and I needed to continually readjust to plumb. I see some check valves in my future. Other than that there were no nasty surprises. I picked up a strong half cord.


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I made a video. Half hour. It has two parts. The first spot, just starting out, with small wood and the third spot after a little practice. I work slow and try to keep my mind on what I am doing. Even so, I push the hydraulic lever to hard relative to the weight involved once in a while.

I hope to use this set up in a section that is isolated above a vertical rock ledge. The narrow trail up to it slabs the ledge and make a sharp hair-pin turn at the top. I can't skid any thing longer than 8 or 10 feet down thru there. Plus it is almost a mile away from my wood pile. But, there is a ton of beech with BBD up there. Perfect firewood.

gg

Great invention Gordon. I like your work pace. Steady, methodical and careful.

 

[Gordon Gould]

That's a great back-saver without having to spend a fortune on a forwarding trailer with hydraulic loader.

It seems you are doing the lifting with your logging winch raised up off the ground. Are you at all concerned about twisting the 3 point linkage, especially when the boom is out at 90˚ to the side with a heavy log? Makes me wonder if some telescoping outriggers might be in order. They could be manual telescoping - nested tubes with holes at various points into which you could set a pin. Just something to limit the amount of twist.

Does your toplink have double piloted check valves? Mine does not, so does tend to leak down over time. I keep meaning to add some, just haven't gotten around to it.

BTW: I like the shirt you are wearing in the video. I have one just like it. How did I not know you were a Vermont Coverts Cooperator (or if I did know, how did I forget)?

Yes, I wondered about the side twist also. The swing is limited to less than 45* though. I kept the design as simple as possible on purpose thinking that would be a good starting point. This was a field test to find out what changes or additions I need to make in order for it to be usable.

I thought that I mentioned that it looks like check valves are in my future - or simple shut-off valves.

gg

 

[WinterDeere]

I thought that I mentioned that it looks like check valves are in my future - or simple shut-off valves.

Check valve cylinders are much nicer than shutoffs, as there's no extra lever to turn or forget. Totally automatic.

 

[John_Mc]

Yes, I wondered about the side twist also. The swing is limited to less than 45* though. I kept the design as simple as possible on purpose thinking that would be a good starting point. This was a field test to find out what changes or additions I need to make in order for it to be usable.

I thought that I mentioned that it looks like check valves are in my future - or simple shut-off valves.

gg

limiting to 45˚ should greatly reduce the strain on the 3 Pt hitch arms. I was picturing it swung 90˚ out from the tractor.

You probably did mention the check valves or a shut off. My memory is getting like swiss cheese lately... to much going on to keep up with. I do second WinterDeere's recommendation of check valves over shut offs. So much more convenient.

 

[Alan46]

My wood and latest tractor picture
Got a call yesterday that part’s are in ( only took six days )
Need to get the wood to the shed, the rains are coming!
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Update on the blown head gasket.
Getting it buttoned up today tightening the valve over bolts and heard a pop the valve cover has a slight hairline crack. So off to my welder, Tim said he will have it done in the morning after letting it soak overnight hopefully it’s cast aluminum and not something he can’t weld!

 

[WinterDeere]

Check valve cylinders are much nicer than shutoffs, as there's no extra lever to turn or forget. Totally automatic.

More time to type now. Here's what you want, it's called a "double-piloted check valve", and totally prevents the bleed-down you're seeing, unless the cylinder itself has a leaky seal.

Note, this one may not be the size you need, just an example:

Hydraulic Double Pilot Operated Check Valve Kit for Double Acting Cylinder 3/8" | eBay

A Double Pilot Operated check valve is used to block the flow of oil out of the cylinder, which in turn locks the cylinder in place until it is supplied with pressure to release it. Pilot Ratio = 1:4 to 1:4.5.

www.ebay.com

 

[John_Mc]

More time to type now. Here's what you want, it's called a "double-piloted check valve", and totally prevents the bleed-down you're seeing, unless the cylinder itself has a leaky seal.

Note, this one may not be the size you need, just an example:

Hydraulic Double Pilot Operated Check Valve Kit for Double Acting Cylinder 3/8" | eBay

A Double Pilot Operated check valve is used to block the flow of oil out of the cylinder, which in turn locks the cylinder in place until it is supplied with pressure to release it. Pilot Ratio = 1:4 to 1:4.5.

www.ebay.com

Is the threaded fitting on most hydraulic cylinders the same? I have no idea what's on mine. I have been meaning to look in to this for years, but never gotten around to it. That link just might get me off my butt to get it done.

 

[WinterDeere]

Is the threaded fitting on most hydraulic cylinders the same? I have no idea what's on mine. I have been meaning to look in to this for years, but never gotten around to it. That link just might get me off my butt to get it done.

Nope. Many are ORB, maybe even most hydraulic top links, but some are NPT. Most cat.1 or cat.2's are probably 1/2" port sizes (1/2" NPT or ORB#8), but even that could vary.