5030 "skidder" pics - the "tree-bota" in action

[bam747]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

From my experience with hard core 4-wheeling and winches (see my user name icon), I can tell you that when a steel winch cable snaps under serious load, you don't want to be any where near it at all. The steel winch cable stores a tremendous amount of energy under load which causes it to whip if it brakes. If this happens, it can cause serious, if not fatal injuries if it hits someone. You'll find a serious warning about this problem in all winch manufactures operating manuals.

As I understand it, the advantage of synthetic cables is that they store very little energy under load. If they break, they do not tend to whip. It is for this very reason that synthetic cables are now mandated at all off-road rock crawling events for spectator, not to mention participant safety.

 

[Hootie]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

Unloaded and stored 50 bales of hay last week-end. My first really heavy stuff to lift with the 5030. I was really impressed with its power and the ease with which it handled these 1600 lb. round bales. Yes 1600 lbs., that new JD 5X6 baler is a dandy and will make a mighty fine bale. I say impressed until I say your 5030 with that log. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[bird1968]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

That is one bad machine....now, if we could only get thom & John together on one project /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif nothing would be left behind them.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Keep having fun & thanks for sharing with us at TBN.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

Hootie: Glad to hear you're as impressed with your 5030 as I am, they really are great machines aren't they? I'm going to be wishing I had your cab soon - they're predicting a cold spell, followed by warming around March. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'd love to make my FOPS cage fully enclosed, with lexan top and windows, and a HEATER. Gonna start building it the 1st ... the first chance I get. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

That is quite a baler you've got there, and quite the tractor for handling the bales. Sure is nice to have hydro for working with big loads with "pucker" potential. Take care, John

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

Bird1968:

Thanks for the reply - It's a pleasure to share my very gratifying outcome with everyone at TBN. All of your great advice helped me make my first tractor purchase possibly my last.

As for Thom and me teaming up, it looks like he's doing pretty darn well all by himself, but thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Best regards, John D.

 

[slowzuki]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

That is a nice setup there! I'm trying to figure out what to do with my 5030 once we return the borrowed logging winch. I have a hydrowinch of the same model as yours but have to build a 3 point rig to attach it to the tractor. A grapple would be nice as would a small pulp loader, I'm wondering if I could rig something up.

The thing that catches my attention is the electric valve setup and joystick! You don't have a photo of the valve bank and location do you? I'm try to decide between buying more remotes or doing something like what you have with the electrics.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

Hi Slowzuki, thanks for the kind words. I'll post some pics of the hydraulic solenoids ASAP. In addition to the 3 behind the seat for the rear grapple there's naturally one more for the front grapple that I'll show you as well. I really do like the electrics - in addition to giving you more ease of operation, they give you a lot of flexibility in where to locate the various components. And hey, check out my other post ("Our 5030 ...) if you haven't already, there's a "shout-out" to you in there. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Nice to meet you, John D.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

Slowzuki:

Here's a closeup of the 3 hydraulic solenoids mounted on the ROPS. And yes, that is indeed a weld. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif It wouldn't be there if I thought I was going to be injured because of it, and I'm not worried about what someone has to say about it when I sell my tractor because that AIN'T happening. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The solenoids are Vickers with 1/2" ports - feel free to PM me if you need more specs on them.

Regards, John

 

[slowzuki]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

I'm curious about the hookup to the bota's hydraulics... how to they tie in below?

If I could stack a set of those in there it would be much cheaper than all the kubota remotes.

Is the joystick control proportional or on/off?

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Re: 5030 \"skidder\" pics - the \"tree-bota\" in action

Ken,

I'll work on an answer for you about the hydraulic plumbing, with pics, schematic or both.

The electric joystick has contacts inside that are either closed or open, so no, it's not proportional. You can't "feather" the rear grapple like you can the loader arms/curl, but until you just mentioned it I hadn't even thought about it. I've never wished that I had "analog" control of the rear grapple functions.

And as I've mentioned, what's nice is that you can control more than one valve with a single movement of the joystick. Because of the way the hydraulics are plumbed, one cylinder doesn't steal power from another, at least not to any noticeable degree. And another nice feature on the joystick is a safety trigger that must be squeezed before current can be sent to the solenoids. The ergonomics are great, the trigger is not a hassle at all. I can give you the make and model of the joystick - it cost $100 or less as I recall.