FAE Teeth/tools

[yellowdogsvc]

I'm probably ordering some D HM cobra teeth to use in between my C teeth. Dealer is working on getting me a quote since they do not stock these teeth. The FAE rep told them that the weight is very close between the Cobra and the C tooth.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I just installed 6 D HM cobra teeth in the middle of my drum. Probably should have went with 10 but wanted to see how they held up. I went to my burn pile, targed 20" oak logs and started milling them. I moved the head over and used my C tooth, double carbides and there was a huge difference. Where the C tooth just seemed to beat on the oak, the cobras were shaving it. I was impressed. I took them to a rocky area and hit a few rocks and then a few pieces of wood with nails and so far, so good. I think the carbide coating will hold up better in abrasive conditions but not sure how it will with work. I was surprised at how low-profile the tooth is. It does feel a little heavier than the C tooth double carbide but I didn't seem to have much vibration in the head at full rpm.

I have to admit that I was excited about how well it beat up the oak trunks and branches. I mostly grind soft woods and when I hit a few 6" and larger dry cedar branches, it shredded them quickly. I only have a few of the cobras but I can use the center of the drum to attack larger logs or mill a stump until I can get a few spaced out on the drum.

I will see how they hold up and decide on whether to add more.

Thanks for the information guys. I might not have tried them otherwise.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

Put one hour on the teeth today. 3 out of the 6 broke over a small patch of limestone rock. Looks like the entire carbide blade broke off cleanly on 2 out of 3 teeth and the third tooth lost half the carbide blade.
For $900 for 6 teeth, that's not the results I needed but had to try it. Now I have to find out if the regular cobra will fit the holder the carbide came on or if I just wasted $900 because I'm not going to replace the carbide cobras since they didn't hold up to what I thought was a minor test in my typical conditions. Not sure why they did better the other day but I was in all soft wood today. Back to drawing board.

 

[Vegan]

Been watching this forum for years and have gotten some great information, but not much of a blogger.
Recently replaced Fecon BH74 head on my Supertrak SK120TR with FAE SSL-175 head and have been impressed.
Finished product, production, wider cutting swath are all great. Have had some issues with Cobra teeth, need to daily torque insert bolts and still lost teeth and find loose/poorly aligned teeth on a regular basis. Have lost several inserts with broken mounting bolts and I am sure this happens when insert rotates in holder.
FAE says they are unaware of the problem and am going to try Loctite next, but this could cause problems down the road. Last insert went through wall of mulcher and have got to improve the situation. In my area rock is not a serious problem and pine lighter stumps are the toughest thing we usually beat on, other than the occasional farm implement or stray tire rim. So it's not striking inorganics that causing the issue.
Anyone else having this issue on their FAE with Cobra D's?
Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

[yellowdogsvc]

So far, my cobra's have been good but the carbide was awful.. lasted 30 minutes. I switched to the non-carbides and have had good life even in some rock. I have flipped them and probably got 40-50 hours per side if I was careful.
Amazing difference in cutting speed.

Vegan, did you have the HDT rotor on the Fecon? Was it a single-speed? I'm assuming your SSL 175 is 2 speed?

 

[Vegan]

Your comments on the carbides have convinced me not to try the same experiment with the CobraHMs. I do have a set of C carbides that I think I will try next and save my Cobras for jobs with a lot of palmetto or palms. After years of running Fecon carbides I have enjoyed not having to sharpen or replace teeth very often, but boy do those Cobras cut and leave a nice product.
Just ordered some spare Cobra teeth and will have to take a look at how much they cost and production improvement. But on some jobs we are grinding to reduce fuel load prior to control burning and hammers provide a suitable product that I suspect burns better than finer chipped material.
FAE head is variable displacement motor, but 2 speed? I guess not.