How to protect tractor when brushogging

[SPYDERLK]

I have seen that before. Kind of unwieldy and expensive for trimming things under 8-10'. The bucket can reach that high by itself. IIRC, the Limbinator goes for around $2000.

What I'd really like is something with a 3-4' bar. Not to cut anything that big, but to go trough brush and briars. Ken

Maybe buy only the hydraulic saw. Youre going to need torque and ruggedness to make up for lack of fine control.
larry

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have seen that before. Kind of unwieldy and expensive for trimming things under 8-10'. The bucket can reach that high by itself. IIRC, the Limbinator goes for around $2000.

What I'd really like is something with a 3-4' bar. Not to cut anything that big, but to go trough brush and briars.



I suspect Rube Goldberg was around when that was invented, LOL. I didn't seen how it was controlled (or maybe it isn't :confused2.

It did give me an idea though, I have an old electric chain saw. Maybe I could bolt it on to the bucket and control it with a switch. Maybe I can power it with an inverter or bring along the Honda generator!

Of course the best way for clearing the sides of a trail would be a helicopter. Last year I saw them clearing limbs on a power line right of way. They had a 40' pole hanging down with a dozen 2' circular saw blades spinning on it. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. There are videos on youtube.

What does work well for lower stuff is a batwing mower with the sides up at an angle. That clears the lower 4-5 feet pretty well. You just need a trail big enough for the rig....and of course the batwing and a tractor big enough to operate it (80 HP or more). It does a really nice job with the wings at 45 degrees.

Ken

Maybe a chainsaw with a hydraulic motor or just a blade on a hydraulic motor like an old limbwood saw

oops didnt see the previous post - brilliant minds think alike

 

[Dead Horse]

Both of my fender lights are broke, i bent the metal hyrdo hose on the bucket arm and bent my step. Is there anything made to protect the tractor more then the front brush guard.

It always happens when im brushogging the sides of my trails. The hanging branches kill me.

I mow an apple orchard every August.......... BEFORE I even install the bush hog, I remove the tail and flasher lights on the Kubota. I got tired of spending $$$ on new ones every year. I put em back onjust in time for winter plowing. Takes me about 10 minutes to get them off and 15 to put them back on... Approximately the same amount of time I use to spend replacing the broken ones.........!!!!!!!!!!

And NOTHING is tougher than an apple tree.......


Hoses I have no trouble with........ just watch out what ya run over.... Lord knows I have done enough damage in the past to have that in the forefront of my mond now..... (finally)

 

[Dead Horse]

when bush hogging new areas, I always like to back the deck in and watch the deck's wheel to stay out of diches and mud, etc. I like the idea of using the bucket when mowing fwd.

On my place we call that the "Braille" method, and it is VERY effective at keeping parts costs down!

 

[Ken45101]

Maybe a chainsaw with a hydraulic motor or just a blade on a hydraulic motor like an old limbwood saw

I've though of both ideas, but I'm not a mechanical tinkerer. The chain saw would need a feed for bar oil.

There's an ancient buzz saw blade back in the woods....all I need is a mount and a motor, LOL.

It just seems to me that someone ought to be making a device like this for trail maintenance.

I've even thought of mounting an old lawn mower deck sideways. I won't telll OSHA :confused2:

Ken

 

[Gordon Gould]

I've even thought of mounting an old lawn mower deck sideways. I won't telll OSHA :confused2:

Ken

Don't laugh I have a neighbor who maintains snowmobile trails and that is exactly what he has on each side of a trailer pulled by his ATV. I have not seen it in action but have heard all about it. They call it "scissors hands" if you remember the movie. Not something I would enjoy running. I don't even like running my sickle bar in a verticle position on smooth ground and would never do it on a rough trail in the woods. All mine are full of holes, rocks, and roots and not at all level..

 

[Ken45101]

I don't even like running my sickle bar in a verticle position on smooth ground and would never do it on a rough trail in the woods. All mine are full of holes, rocks, and roots and not at all level..

They actually make a vertically mounted sickle bar attachment for skid steers that apparently works pretty well as long as you don't hit anything big. But it's around $8000 IIRC.

The best attachment for clearing along trails is a mulcher attachment for a mini excavator. Even more money ($12K?) and you need a protected cab on the mini ex.

Here is one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7M92LpT6_s

Ken

 

[Gordon Gould]

I mow an apple orchard every August.......... BEFORE I even install the bush hog, I remove the tail and flasher lights on the Kubota. I got tired of spending $$$ on new ones every year. I put em back onjust in time for winter plowing. Takes me about 10 minutes to get them off and 15 to put them back on... Approximately the same amount of time I use to spend replacing the broken ones.........!!!!!!!!!!

And NOTHING is tougher than an apple tree.......


Hoses I have no trouble with........ just watch out what ya run over.... Lord knows I have done enough damage in the past to have that in the forefront of my mond now..... (finally)

You are right about apple tree branches. They are tough to deal with.
Did you ever consider a sicklebar. They do a great job reaching under trees. Never having mowed an orchard I don't know if it would be practical overall but cutting under would be easier.

 

[soulasphil]

It always happens when im brushogging the sides of my trails. The hanging branches kill me.

Trees everywhere here, oak, apple, cypress, alder, what have you. The lower branches always seem perversely to grab at the tractor (or my head). I need to take apart and weld the bracket for the amber strobe (cautiously left in the garage) about 3 or 4 times a year. The lights on the ROPS sit at a peculiar angle but have survived so far. Rearview mirrors often need adjusting but have also survived contrary to expectations. There are 2 or 3 deep marks on the hood from swinging branches. I cannot think of a protection that wouldn't make matters worse by preventing branches to rub freely along the tractor. No trouble so far with hoses. I use the protection of the FEL cautiously because it can very quickly seriously dammage a precious tree.

 

[foggy1111]

Soulasphil....can you tell me where to find a clamp-on mirror like mounted on your JD grip in the picture above? Is it a glass mirror or metal?