I'm investigating skid loader tree saw and shear options. I have narrowed my search to Turbo-Saw, Dymax-Qwik Saw, and Robo-cut. However, I'm open to other brand suggestions. I own a "standard flow" 763 Bobcat skid loader. Hydraulic flow (psi) seems to be an issue. Most saws perform best or only with high flow skid loaders. I have trees consisting of elm and cedar ranging from 3" to 20" diameter. Any input on saw performance and or challenges is welcomed. What options and issues should I be privy of (ie: saw teeth replacement, blade thickness, etc.)? Any thoughts in support of a shear vs. a saw...I'm leaning towards a saw. Can a shear be matched to my skid loader tree cutting capacity and accomadate a larger diameter tree? Any and all Title comments are appreciated.
Skid Steer Loader Tree Saw or Shear
- Thread starter laskaland
- Start date
RPW
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2009
- Messages
- 1,105
I've seen some shears from various manufactures that can cut flush to the ground. personally I'd go with a shear primarily for safety. With a saw you have a spinning blade or chain and debris can go where you don't want it to. With a shear there isn't any flying debris. More controlable. Also with a standard flow you don't have to worry about not enough fluid with a shear.
Good luck
Good luck
radman1
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
- Messages
- 3,017
- Location
- midwest
- Tractor
- JD 4520, Toolcat 5610, Bobcat S300, Case-IH 125 Pro, Case-IH 245, IH 1086, IH 806
You need to try a saw before buying one. I demoed a new Bobcat brush saw before I bought my tree shear. IMHO, it was very poor at cutting anything over 4-5". Used it on a Bobcat 873 with 19 gpm. The bigger trees would bind badly on the saw blade and stop the saw. It was really bad in a mild breeze with a tree binding even more. It was very slick with small trees or brush. If you have any rocks, the rotary blade is going to get nicked badly. Shear is easy to sharpen. I am not sure how you sharpen a blade.
Another advantage to the shear is ability to pick up a cut tree and moving it out of the path. Can't do that with a saw. I see a lot of tree shears but almost never see a saw. I bought a Dymax 14" ranch axe instead of the saw. It is a beast. I used it on my Bobcat S300 and now on my Toolcat and compact wheel loader. IMO, it is the best tree shear made. A dymax ranch axe is probably too heavy for a 763. The ranch ax with brush gaurd weighs over 1800 lbs.
Another advantage to the shear is ability to pick up a cut tree and moving it out of the path. Can't do that with a saw. I see a lot of tree shears but almost never see a saw. I bought a Dymax 14" ranch axe instead of the saw. It is a beast. I used it on my Bobcat S300 and now on my Toolcat and compact wheel loader. IMO, it is the best tree shear made. A dymax ranch axe is probably too heavy for a 763. The ranch ax with brush gaurd weighs over 1800 lbs.
I appreciate the comments offered and find them helpful! I've been taking a closer look at shears. One shear in particular is M&M Engineered Products, LLC a 12" Model at 800 lbs. that is suppose to accomadate a Bobcat 763. A question I have is how big a tree will a shear handle? I'm trying to determine versatility (trunk diameter) and cost effectiveness. I will take a second look at Dymax. P.S. I had to ask my wife, a teacher/computer guru, what "IMO" meant...great shortcut...IMO. Thanks. :thumbsup:
HenRut
Bronze Member
Apologies for hijacking this thread but your experience with the Dymax Ranch Axe and Toolcat is right up my alley. I, too, was looking at tree saws vs shears for both a CTL (Terex 100G) and 5610 TC. The Terex will handle it with no problem, but how would the stock 5610 TC fare at handling the single grapple ranch axe at 1,950#? I know the loader arm/cylinder is only rated at 1,500# but I've heard that number is conservative. Thanks for any reply.