UPDATE!
Tree Shear arrived yesterday. YEAH. It was on a wood pallet and framed with metal angle iron to form a cage. It was on it's back with the QA and protection grid on the pallet and the shear facing upward. It was well secured to the frame and the frame corners were bolted together and the frame was wired to the shear to keep it together.
All, in all, an impressive way to contain it from damage.
I greased all the pins, YES there are zerks at all crucial points where they need to be. The 5" cylinder is MASSIVE, as is the entire unit. I installed my two male end connectors onto the 3/4" hydraulic hoses, and routed them through the wire grid above the QA plate. This is going to take further thought so I don't end up doing damage to the hoses or end connectors on the torque tube of my loader. The hoses are probably long enough, BUT I have to take into account full range of the entire shear in curl and extend, as well as the ability for the hoses to follow the 'swing' from horizontal to vertical, without any pinch points or strain on fittings / hoses.
The shear works great, BUT one wants to make absolutely sure it is locked into the QA before moving the tractor - obviously; but it bears mentioning due to it's weight of nearly 1000#s!
Once secured and greased, and some Fluid Film or dry graphite sprayed on the shear blade to enhance smooth cuts, away one goes; taking into consideration that there is a serious need for ballast to be used when the shear is on the loader arms. I happen to have my 700# Woods 6' Brush hog on currently. It's adequate, but not enough to be completely safe, especially if turning quickly, etc.
The shear opens and closes somewhat slowly compared to say my grapple jaws or my snow plow swing side to side etc., BUT this is a good thing from the standpoint of learning curve with a new piece of equipment.
Higher RPMs will render the close/open speed somewhat higher, but maximum capability would be better on an actual skidsteer, I imagine, due to their higher pump output.
I can't say yet what the maximum tree diameter that could be cut would be, even though the specs call for 12". I have worked my way up to about 1/2 that so far as I get accustomed to the operation of the shear and gain skill at using it. I will say it does whatever I ask of it so far.
One notable drawback is there is no available manual for the shear - Titan says they are working on one. I sure hope so. This is a potentially deadly piece of equipment; and not having instructions on use/maintenance is totally nuts in my opinion. I can say that there are other shear manuals I've looked at online; and this is a good way to familiarise oneself with the basics of operation/safety, etc.
More later.
Thanks,
CM
