Gentlemen, place your bets...will it work????

cityfarma · Jan 20, 2008

I have a problem with trees that have become a weed and I cannot pull them by hand. I do not have spare hydraulics but do have pneumatics. The theory is that the 2.5" cylinder and 30 psi should give around 120lb pressure to the ram and the tree at the bottom of the V should then have around 250lb push on the trunk. The 3pl would then lift.

I plan to use electric air solenoid to control the air to the cylinder. The air would be a pressure tank supplied initially from a mains compressor then topped up by a car tyre compressor. If the tank is pumped to 70psi and the pressure regulated to 30psi at the cylinder, I expect to get many operations from the pre filled tank before having to fill up again.

Which way do you put your money?

Cityfarma

Tig · Jan 20, 2008

I guess it depends on the size of the tree. Should be fun to try.
Good luck, I hope it works.

cityfarma · Jan 20, 2008

It is intended for trees to 1". I tried it on a broomstick and it looked promising.

Cityfarma

Shmudda · Jan 20, 2008

Just remember that air compresses, fluid doesn't. Thats the biggest draw back with using air.

My experience has been that you either design/build or purchase something for one type of work, and then you always look to get more out of it then what it was intended for.

My advise, build it as strong as you can because next you will want to tackle larger trees......good luck!

Craig

schmism · Jan 20, 2008

youll bend the snot out of the bracket the cylinder is attached to. (the fixed arm, not the moveable one)

youll bend the snot out of the flat bar that is to grab the tree trunk (downward...affecting the use? perhaps)

based on what i see.... i bet it will work a few times before it dies an ugly death

rambler · Jan 20, 2008

Metal will bend.

You coulda made a strong wedge, just back intot he tree & lift, lower again & drive forware to shake off. No moving parts, no air, & much stronger?

Yours will bend near the bottom pivot area. The weld on the main 3pt cross piece would crack over long useage, unless you plated it on the hidden side.

Trees don't like to leave the ground, they will fight you harder than this.

I'm in deep clay, hardwood trees, maybe you are in different stuff.

--->Paul

john_bud · Jan 20, 2008

Agree with the bent metal.

If you grab solid, you might also bend your 3pt arms. (been there, it's easier than you may imagine.)

cityfarma · Jan 20, 2008

Shmudda said:
Just remember that air compresses, fluid doesn't. Thats the biggest draw back with using air.

My experience has been that you either design/build or purchase something for one type of work, and then you always look to get more out of it then what it was intended for.

My advise, build it as strong as you can because next you will want to tackle larger trees......good luck!

Craig

My thought is that the compressability will act as a safety point. By only applying 30psi, any force too big will compress the air rather than break things. I may even start at a lower pressure to see what happens then wind it up a little.

I was also thinking about further bracing the cylinder arm angle as I too thought it may bend.

Cityfarma

MrJimi · Jan 21, 2008

I think if you put some kind of a gripping teeth on that it will work much better and if you just lift straight up, you will shave the bark off the tree UNLESS you shake/rock it like a dentist would on your tooth for pulling out.
How about something like a nail puller to get under roots, an big V shaped thing

gordon21 · Jan 21, 2008

Your original question mentioned 1" trees. In that case, my answer is a yes/possibly. Your scissors will slide up the the tree trunk when you lift unless you put some kind of gripper edge. If you sharpened the edges, you could actually cut through the tree like a big pair of scissors. Anything 2" or bigger and I think you will be breaking/bending your invention.

Make sure that a ruptured hose can't come flailing about and hit you in the eye. The end will be swinging around like a crazy snake and will definitely hurt. Cable tie the hose in several places.

Has anyone ever seen concrete/steel scissors? They are incredible to watch. They will cut concrete utility poles like they were made of balsa wood. They are huge hydraulic scissors. Large ones will cut 10" steel I-beams. It is truly amazing what some liquid under pressure, a pump and some valves can accomplish.