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

[CT_Tree_Guy]

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

This last pic shows how the two hoses for the rear solenoids are routed along the right-hand underside of the tractor. Again, nice and neat. My tractor guy did one heck of a job.

I guess he wouldn't mind me giving out his name (again) - Bob Wolff, at Woodbury [CT] Tractor. Great guy, great service. I recommend him highly, and have read many posts here about him from many happy customers who have the same high regard for him that I have.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

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

No problem Ryan, happy to post them. Did you get your remotes put on yet? I'll be happy to help you rip them off again. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

To all: Feel free to ask any questions that you might have, I want to make sure I've explained this as well as it deserves to be explained. It really is a great way to go, and it's not just for tree guys.

Part of the reason I got so wordy about Western Union, airplanes and mules, and probably bored everyone to death, is that first, this issue seems to be a little controversial, and second, it's such a great alternative to remotes. Again, you'd have to read "Remotes for top and tilt", where I took a little heat, to see where I was coming from.

Lots of people rightly advocate top and tilt as one of the single most useful enhancements you can make on your tractor, and this is a great way to control it, and many other hydraulic functions. And it costs about the same as remotes.

Dealers have an understandable interest in offering remotes as a time-honored way of controlling hydraulics. I would just love to see tractor manufacturers offering integrated HSV packages with their tractors. Interchangeable panels so you can mount either remote levers, or a joystick in their place. Kits for mounting HSV's on the ROPS or elsewhere, and routing the hydraulic hoses. I think it would serve everyone's interests well, both dealer and buyer.

As I said, JD already does this on some of their TLB's, and many big machines like tree and grain harvesters, forwarders and loaders come with them as standard equipment. Maybe they'll be optional equipment on CUT's in time. If it's something you'd like as an option, without some of the hassle that's involved in having to do it yourself, or finding someone to do it, maybe call or write to your tractor manufacturer and say "I want my HSV!" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[bugstruck]

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

Good read John. MadRef and you were in strong discussion on this Star Wars /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif setup you promote in that other thread. Actually, his posts over time contributed the most to my knowledge of hydraulics and I know your aware of just how good a contributor he is. He's super at the hydraulic circuit and valve operation and he just today got me 100% straight on power beyond. I guess now your the go-to guy on solenoids. Hat's off to both of you for your enlightenments on these things! Others unmentioned deserve credit too. Very helpful to those of us who are -or- were at one time struggling to grasp this.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

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

Chris, I was wondering if anyone had actually read all of my long-winded rants - so you're the one eh? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Glad you got something out of them, and I'm going to re-double my efforts to make my points both fewer AND more concise.

I couldn't agree more about MadRef and his wealth of knowledge and great contributions to this site - 1,759 posts and counting. Ditto JerryG, an incredibly worthy participant in our little version of the "Star Wars" saga. May the Hydraulic Force be with us all, no matter how we equip our Imperial Turf Cruisers. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And I just thought I'd add one more pic, having NOTHING to do with remotes, HSV's, hydraulics, or Western Union. Yay!!!

This is a shot of the old girl decked out for winter, wearing her chains from tirechains.com, and carrying the obligatory fatty log. The chains are the single-ladder type, and she'll go just about anywhere with them on. Pretty easy on driveways, too. I made the tensioners, and they work great - the chains stay good and put all winter. I think chains on turfs is a great combination, since the chain rests really nicely on the surface of the tire.

Winter is a GREAT time for tree work - no worries about lawns, flowers, bugs or scorching heat - just bone-chilling cold! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Passionfortrees]

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

CT Tree Guy! That was pretty impressive all those pics,Thank you! I didnt know how much easier my life maybe someday now I have a goal to look forward too! A big one! First I know nothing about kubotas and price seems to be high for the very old used ones I have considered not even knowing about grapple attachments weight considerations when adding that weight etc, never saw the winch and fairlead like that , that is like a McGyver job something I would make up and do myself, but you already got it going on! That is great. I want to be were you are with the tractor loader someday, First is the trailer , then the tractor withloader, then maybe little while add the grapple in front , then in back you understand, but this all tells me what kind of power to purchase first in the right tractor! is the 5030 a 50horse tractor?I will look that up and make myself a little more familiar with kubotas. Thanks again, oh you said you left your phone number ealier? didnt get it or I didnt see it? I welcome it again, Rich

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

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

Hiya Rich -

Yes, the 5030 is 50 net engine HP. The HST is 42.5 PTO HP, the GST is 44. For residential tree work, I can't stress enough the importance of having HST. You're going to be on strange, often tricky, sometimes downright scary terrain, and the control that the HST gives you, especially when carrying heavy loads, is a godsend. Practically a necessity, and worth 100 times what you will pay for it, over the life of the tractor.

I also want to stress one more time the importance of getting the strongest loader you possibly can. I still can't pick up everything I'd like to, but I can pick up at least 95% of it, while doing minimal lawn damage.

I see you got my PM with phone numbers - call me sometime so we can talk about options for you, and maybe get you over here to test-drive the tree-bota and try the grapples out on some hapless logs. You're going to love what a tractor will do for you, and how much more fun it makes tree removal.

Take care, John

 

[CptTrog]

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

I know this is a mighty old thread but I'm thinking seriously about a 5030SU. Here is it's listing in our paper:
5030SU 50HP, w/ canopy & Bush Hog brand quick attach loader, only 700 hrs., $13,000
I have a small patch of dirt in SE VA and plan to pull all the 12" dia. wood and smaller off to let the 36" Maples, Black Walnut, White Oak and Poplar REALLY take off. (hopefully)
Question is: some of that land is near vertical. Will the 5030 work to pull wood out on the lower grades and would you jump on this price if it's in good or great condition?
Thanks for your input and AWESOME pics, John! Got me hungry to do some 'sawin'!

 

[smooth_pilot]

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

I've been pondering rear remotes for my L39. Was thinking about a mechanical joystick with a linkage to two of the standard Kubota valve but I like your setup much better. This would make locating the joystick a lot easier. Thanks for sharing your design.

 

[Modn]

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

I know this is a mighty old thread but I'm thinking seriously about a 5030SU. Here is it's listing in our paper:
5030SU 50HP, w/ canopy & Bush Hog brand quick attach loader, only 700 hrs., $13,000
I have a small patch of dirt in SE VA and plan to pull all the 12" dia. wood and smaller off to let the 36" Maples, Black Walnut, White Oak and Poplar REALLY take off. (hopefully)
Question is: some of that land is near vertical. Will the 5030 work to pull wood out on the lower grades and would you jump on this price if it's in good or great condition?
Thanks for your input and AWESOME pics, John! Got me hungry to do some 'sawin'!

I would be doing the exact opposite and taking the 36" to let the 12" take off.