Pictures from the last 2 weeks

[QwikDraw]

The first few jobs I rented a Bradco Magnum. These are pictures from the orchard I pruned and then mulched the branches and did some clean up around the edges.

Some before and after pics, actually during as I wasn't finished.

I finally decided on the FECON. It seems a little better built then the Bradco and I feel does the quicker job. The Bradco has the faster recovery time BUT the Fecon stalls a whole lot less, it pulls through wood that the Bradco would not. I took down a 15 inch pine and chopped it up in less then 5 minutes, just to show someone it could. I am very happy with this choice.

Here is the mulch rig and my Bradco root Grapple.

The is the first part of a road and 10 building lots I have started this week. This is a few towns over from where I live and it has totally different
trees and no rocks like near my house.

I blew one hydraulic line for the quick attach system, after this job I will be fabricating some guards.


Ted

 

[johnno]

Nice fleet. Should make some good money for you. Those RC 100's are nice machines, we rented them a couple times and they can move a lot of material. Can't wait to get some work lined up to try one of those heads.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Hey Ted. Your pictures and work look great. Those will make good web site pictures. It feels good to be mulching doesn't it??

I think your choice of the Fecon was a wise one. It should last you awhile. I still haven't demoed the magnum and I'm not sure I will. I'm trying to be patient and see where God leads our company and what will be next. I'm waiting to see if a second tractor is warranted and let it have a carbide head. I have ordered a set of the new alloy blades for my timberax so we'll see how they hold up.

ASV has a good guard for the connection block, If I remember correctly it was only about $50.00. That was the first think I added. I will soon add a overhead canopy over the engine compartment to keep debri out. Also you will want to fab a guard for the rooftop A/C unit. A few trees pushing on it and those dinky L brackets and they will break. I just had mine replaced with angle iron while it was in the shop. Everyone of mine broke and the unit was held on with bungies till it went to the shop.

Also watch the hyd tank cap, it will vibrate open and let dust and dirt into your hyd tank. Put a tye wrap thru the lock and the cap, that work good for me.

Oh yea, Your killing that poor trailer aren't ya????? Nice setup though, looks very functional. My setup is twice as long and twice the headache.
Later Robbie

 

[QwikDraw]

Thanks.

The trailer is 16K GVWR, 18 feet long, so it's only a little over weight, with some weight on the hitch it's close enough....about 13,600 + light trailer at 3100.

The biggest problem I am having is the rear plate, the one below the engine compartment. Just behind the rear axle, under that plate I seem to get some sticks wedged in there and have to drop that almost everyday. It needs to be reinforced or have some more ancor points toward the front.

I can see where that pressurized cab would be nice, dust seems to be pulled into the cab. I'm going to try and seal them some how. I have already mounted a 1/2" polycarbon "forestry door".

Ted

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

The way my tractor processes material it all stays out in front so I don't run over any unprocessed material. But I do understand what your saying. What if you welded a plate onto that plate that covered the axle and overlapped onto the large middle plate. You could put a slight up angle on it to make it sit flat up against the middle plate. The new forestry skid pans are hinged right there. That would be nice.

What door did you get?? I've looked at them all. I can get the best price on a ASV door, but the price still sucks! Alot of dust comes from where the cab sits on the fenders and from the engine compartment. Under the A/C intake vent under the seat its open to the engine compartment. Dust comes into the engine comp. where the drive hyd hoses inter and then under the seat. When I had my cab up I put some weather stripping down there and on the fenders. It helped some but has worn off. Maint. Maint. Maint.

That is a high rating for a bumper pull trailer. I was commenting about the tires touching the fenders. I would like to have a small trailer for local jobs. Oh well.

Robbie

 

[QwikDraw]

I didn't really buy a forestry door, I just added a 1/2 poly sheet to the front of the exsisting one.

It does make me slightly nervous, as I probably can't get out through the window now. I thought about securing the new safety window right to the exsisting one but wasn't sure if it would hold the weight then I could just kick both out forward if needed. I bought the poly from a friend of a friend who works with the stuff, he had this lying around and charged me $60, that plus some spacers, bolts, nuts and rubber washers was under $100.

I thought about extending that belly plate but was not sure how much movement the rear axle did and if it actually came down below the plate when it was unweighted.

A shot of the Fecon's teeth....

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Your door looks good. I have a friend who is offering to make me a door about the same but wants to try 1/2 plexi. I think I will try your design. I have an easy solution for your front door emergency exit. Buy clevis pins the same size as the bolts holding your window that have multiple holes in it. on the inside put a cotter pin thru it. In case of emergency just pull the cotter pins out, push the clevis pin out and out you go. You will have to use a foam spacer of some sort to keep the assembly tight. Does that make since.

As far as the skid pans go the suspension piece between the pans doesn't move. Just the ends. The piece under the tractor is solid mounted so your good to cover as you see fit. After I told you about the hyd fill cap I was looking at mine today and low and behold my tye wrap is gone!! They guy at the shop cut it off and I didn't think to check and put one back. Just talking about maint. helps us maint them.

That head looks mean. Is work steady for you?? Robbie

 

[QwikDraw]

Steady....no not yet but things are just thawing out here and spring is when things pick up.
I have this job and then the 10 lots as they sell plus the lawns and walks/patios/walls for the development. I have picked up a few 1-2 day mulch jobs too. I have a BIG bluestone job after this and that should take me in to May by then a few other mulch/clearing jobs should be ready. I am still waiting to hear on a 18-20 acre job that would really take some pressure off.

Thank you for the advice on the cap and all the other info for that matter, you have been a big help. I have made a lot of good contacts and am confident this is the right direction for me.

Ted

 

[QwikDraw]

Robbie you should make some calls and find a shop that uses sheets of poly, they should sell you a piece. I cut the door on my table saw and used a hole saw for the wiper and door handle, really not that hard. I am going to give that cotter pin idea some thought...

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Im glad you feel good about your new business. If you follow God's lead he will take you on one heck of a ride. I'm enjoying my ride. I think you starting this time of the year will pay off. Time to develop contacts and work out the bugs in your operation. Take care of your tractor and she'll make you money. Yes big jobs ease the pressure but a few little ones add up pretty qiuck also. I had almost forgotten about your landscaping work, one should lead right into the other. I stress over our weather I would go crazy with your. Makes for a short mulching season!!