mini-skidder, mulching version wish list

[deniscimafinc]

Hi all,

My brothers Ben and Simon have been working on the development of a mini-skidder (see their web site).

Of course, they are talking about making a specific version to be used as a mulching platform. From reading the posts here, I know people often make mention of pressurized cab, A/C, and easy cleaning of engine and rad as important features.

What else would you wish for to make it your dream little mulching machine? Who knows, with your feedbacks, maybe they'll make that dream come true


FD

 

[RAW]

That's a really attractive package.
If something like that had been available as a mulching package when I was looking to purchase . . . wow.

I'm assuming all of the hydraulic lines are well-protected.
Have you given thought to how a heavy implement like a mulching head will affect center of gravity, especially on an articulated steering machine?

I notice on my machine that having a big mulching head out front really makes me anxious on side-slopes and off-camber situations.

Do you know the price range?

Do you need testers?

I've got 258 acres in W.NC that is steep and heavily wooded. IMO, the perfect test location.

Seriously though, if you and your brothers are looking for regional people to run demos . . . I'd absolutely be interested.

This is what I've been using . . .

Out here:

Definitely keep us all updated.

 

[deniscimafinc]

To be honest, I'm not knowledgeable much regarding these mini-skidders. I'll get Ben to register to TractorByNet, so you'll have direct answers from the "factory"...


FD

 

[RAW]

To be honest, I'm not knowledgeable much regarding these mini-skidders. I'll get Ben to register to TractorByNet, so you'll have direct answers from the "factory"...


FD

Cool.
I'm guessing you'll have to learn too.

Going from a skidding platform to a mulching platform will require a decent amount of re-engineering I'd think. That's a lot of weight that the machine will now be carrying around out past the axle. I'd think that you guys will have to work pretty closely to get this idea ready for market.

But then again, the hydro-ax has been used as a mulching platform and a skidder and a feller buncher and . . . so I suppose your brothers can model their prototypes on those established carriers.

I'm hoping some of the mulching business owners (rutwad, robbie, cbturf, etc) will start to chime in here.

 

[Awassos inc]

Hi,

So here it is, the "factory answers".

The idea of turning the mini-skidder into a mulching version vehicle is in the air since the very beginning of the compact skidder project.

Of course, there would be many modifications to come, to have the more stable vehicle possible, and enough power to makes it fun to work with.

It would use the same frame size, with some minor modifications, as reversing the cab position onto the frame. It would keep the mulching head closer to the axle, and let the bigger engine works as a counter weight.

The real work of engineering will probably begins in 2009, hoping to have a prototype running in 2010 at the latest.

For any questions or suggestions...they are welcome!

 

[cbturf]

Since I was invited to stick my nose in I will (like I had to be invited huh). Using a skidder platform is a good idea if you can get your center joint to handle the added stress of mulching. I have seen skidders go where you do not even want to walk, their rough terrain capability is much better than the simple joint on a feller buncher chasis.

What I want in a mulcher...when you think you have enough engine, make it bigger. Torque is king, if you can find a way to get a 6 cylinder in there do it.

When you think you have enough cooling, double it. Cooling is the single most important issue when designing a mulcher, build you machine around your coolers. Reversing fan is a no brainer.

Hydrostat drive, mulchers change direction to much to use a gear transmission.

Use the best possible components that you can find. Front end costs are nothing compared to dead time costs. If you sell a contractor a piece of equipment you must be sure that it will hold up. Down time on an expensive piece of machinery causing financial stress will quickly destroy a business, family etc.

I have more but that would be nitpicking.

 

[RAW]

Hi,

So here it is, the "factory answers".

The idea of turning the mini-skidder into a mulching version vehicle is in the air since the very beginning of the compact skidder project.

Of course, there would be many modifications to come, to have the more stable vehicle possible, and enough power to makes it fun to work with.

It would use the same frame size, with some minor modifications, as reversing the cab position onto the frame. It would keep the mulching head closer to the axle, and let the bigger engine works as a counter weight.

The real work of engineering will probably begins in 2009, hoping to have a prototype running in 2010 at the latest.

For any questions or suggestions...they are welcome!

First, let me say welcome! I'm glad you joined up to look for suggestions and to answer questions.

What else can you tell us about the skidder platform? It looks to be a perfect compromise on size--big enough to have some power and mass, but not too big to get around in the woods.

Are you thinking of doing the mulching head as a hydraulic unit? And will it be mounted on lifter arms that are essentially just scaled-down from larger skidders? And if that's the case, will you design other attachments that can be used on the lifter arms? What kind of reach will it have?

Will the mulcher version keep the rear blade? Will that blade be engineered as a scraping/pushing blade? Or is it more of an anchor for the skidding platform?

I'm still a bit surprised that none of the usual mulching guys have hopped in here to comment. Hopefully, good business is keeping them away from the forum.

 

[Groo]

it looks like your brothers are in the range of a minitrack loader for width and power, so you might as well make a universal loader attachment on the lifting arm to give it more veratility, suck as getting log loader bucket. that would also let them or even the customers buy whatever mulching head they wanted

I would think, basically put a sealed and filtered cab were the winch is (maybe with a rear exit to the middle). shorten the wheel base a touch. you can probably use shorter tires too as there would be less need to clear stumps. basicly you'd be making a long articulated skidsteer, so look to skidsteers for ideas and competition. I would think you biggest potential bigest potential selling ponit would be the quiet cab, so make sure it is well isolated from engine and impplament noise.

 

[RAW]

Oh, here's an idea:

For the sealed cab, the "glass" panels should be flat and easy to replace.
An owner should be able to walk into any glass shop and have a new panel cut. I know that doesn't work out as well for the Awassos folks who would stand to profit on every new piece of glass, but . . . .

One of the things I dread with my Antonio Carraro cab is a busted piece of glass. Every panel is made up of compound curves. I'm assuming it would cost me a fortune to replace any of the pieces. If I ever break one, I'm gonna have to come up with something else.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

I was kinda of waiting to see who suggested what. I will use a quote from a movie. Built it and they will come!!! The MD 60 platform would be perfect for our newest baby. We would need a hydo trans as CB said. I also like the square flat pieces of Lexan, glass would be okay but would have to have a lexan cover for the front, I would even angle the windows out at the tops to limit dust buildup. The simpler the arms the better. I also like the idea of leaving the blade. In the up position it would protect the radiator and then put down to unpile debri or smooth whatever, it would just need to be twice as tall.

 

[Awassos inc]

Well, here are some more informations about what I have in mind in the development of the compact-skidder platform for mulching:

I want to use skid-steer like arms, to keep the load of the mulching head as close as possible to the vehicle.

The reversing fan would be a standard features as it is simple to include in a system, and it is an efficient way to keep a rad as cleen as possible, and its efficiency as constant as possible.

The hydrostat. transmission is as well a features that is obvious for us to be used in the package. We are actually working on the hydrostat system for the skidder, as a basis for the next steps into the mulching unit.

And the rear scraping blade is something that makes sense and it would not add any kind of engineering, as it is already designed.

The front loader would be using quick attach system in order to be able to use the vehicle for other purpose, but it will be optimized for a mulching head.

It would then be possible to install an already owned head, or any other tool using hydraulic power.

That is about it for now, further informations will be posted. And I will continue the look at any suggestion to help me in the engineering of a product that users will find convenient.

 

[RAW]

Sounds great!
When can I get one?


In all seriousness, I look forward to hearing more about the platform as you develop it.
Best of luck.

 

[brianidaho]

I like the idea of a mini-skidder platform, I've been doing some research on them and not finding alot. For the small rural landowner with a woodlot, and especially significant hills, it's darn tough to find one machine to do it all. I don't like to run my CUT on significant hillsides, and it's too light to push significant dirt. A TLB is great for it's purpose, but without a 3-point and PTO, gives up a lot of flexibility. A cat is too slow and inflexible.

I like what I see in your mini-skidder-what I would like to see is a 3-point option and PTO, as well as front mount options for different powered implements, either via a PTO or hydraulic motor.

Uses/impliments I would see a need for as a rural landowner are:

Dirt blade
FEL
Snow blade (with power angle)
Snow blower, preferrably front mount
Front mount bush hog/mulcher
Back hoe
Log arm/winch

These are just some thoughts...I really haven't found a tool like this on the market.

Bri

 

[Awassos inc]

Bri,

here are couple of things that are coming-up about the mini-skidder itself:
I have been looking into offering loader arms, the same you would find in a farm tractor. It is not yet available because I need to make some modifications on the arms pins system in order to make it as simple as possible to get it on and out easily. It would have auxiliary hydraulic lines to use powered tools as snow blower, brush grapple, etc.

The 3-point is something that should come at one time, as I was looking also to offer a lowering shield at the back.

Back hoe might be available too at some time, I already have designed a rear frame that would gives all the flexibility to use many other tools.

The PTO at the rear is also in the "think box", it would probably an hydraulic PTO, as it is easier in an articulated frame vehicle to bring hydr. lines at the back, then it is to get driving shafts trought articulation, and keep it safe to operate. It is not yet designed, but this is my first lead to work on.

And we would not be building tools to add to the arms. I prefer to keep as close as possible to vehicle business, and let the tools manufacturer compete each other. I would have quick attach system to le the customer use whichever tools he is looking for, if it is fitting the specs for both mini-skidder and tools.

I am looking to have the loader arms ready in 2009, the 3 point hitch would come probably somewhere around end of 2009 - beginning of 2010, depending on the brush-cutter unit that is also to come soon.

 

[RAW]

Do you have pricing in mind for this new unit?

 

[atgreene]

I've been watching the Awossos website for a while. I would love to have a mini skidder for low-impact logging. I'm glad to see you're adding some ideas to your line of products, hopefully it will keep you guys going for a long time to come.

Any plans to attend the North East Forest Products Show? I think it is in Bangor Maine next year. I'd love to see you skidder up close.

Good luck!

 

[Eagleview]

More times than not , i find that the trees do'nt really need to be mulched . People wanting fencelines , firebreaks etc. Are not really worried about the trees laying allong the sides of the clearings or if they are simply put into burn piles for later burning or left for natural breakdown . I would like to have a machine with a mulcher on the front and a grapple on the back . The mulcher would mow the smaller stuff and cut the bigger trees off at ground level . It would be a simple matter to spin around and grab the big trees with the grapple and skid them out of the way . This would be ideal when fires are in the area and trails need to be blazed for fire fighter access to save property and lives . Mulching of trees in these circumstances would be the last thing on anyones mind . It seems to me that your mini skidder would be ideal for this as it would only need an air cab , big hydraulic pump and cooler , the rear grapple and the front mounted mulcher . And if the trees need to be completely mulched it would have the capacity to do so .

 

[ClearViewGroup]

This is a REALLY exciting idea...like a few have said..the idea of a small machine with the go anywhere ability of the skidder is going to be huge...I can't wait for some more updates...

 

[RAW]

Has there been any more development of this idea?

 

[tonyoz]

What a beaut idea,I have been considering a small size big HP tractor for awhile now and the nearest thing I could find is a Ditch Witch trencher with all the trenching gear striped off and replaced with a cat 2 linkage. But I think this tractor would be much better,140HP JD engine,Saur Danfoss pumps,cat 2 hydraulic linkage (so the tractor is more versitile)would get a huge thumbs up from me.:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: OOPPS just read the dates on this thread.