Tree Snipper Update

[Rch]

More than a year ago I built a tree snipper that replaced the bucket on the FEL original post

Here is an update. One handy feature is the ability to latch on to the tree after it's sniped and carry it to the brush pile.

 

[Rch]

Here is the business end of the snipper holding on a trunk for transport

 

[Rch]

Here is the snipper. Compared to the original version I beefed up the stationary on the left ( it is essentially a hydraulic powered anvil cutter). As a tree would tip over to the right it bent the stationary blade up. You can see the reinforcment I added original version

 

[Rch]

Another side view of anvil reinforcement. I also add a flat 3/8" plate on the underside, about 4" X 8" that is not shown to reinforce the cut-out area of the hinge on the box tubing that is the backbone.

 

[Rch]

On the backside of the box backbone I added this angle iron to stiffen it. Alas, one has to make it stronger than originally thought /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Rch]

Left lateral view of reinforcement of anvil. No welds have failed but some, especially vertical ones, look like droopy bird poop /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Rch]

One nice feature is the tree stump is flush with the ground. Here is a seven incher. About 8 1/2" - 9" is max.

 

[Rch]

Last one of the snipper, latest version. The paint changes (Hesston Red, was Int'l Harvestor red) depending what I'm try to use up. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Henro]

RCH,

Thanks for the update. Great tool you made there. Well done!

If you posted it I missed it...what size cylinder did you use? Seems like 3+ inches in diameter, but can't tell for sure...

 

[Rch]

4" diameter times 2500 lbs/sq in gives mucho power!

 

[JerryG]

Ray,
How do you like the way it works? Would you change anything, if you were making it over? Don't forget to post the pictures in the NEW photo section.

 

[bobodu]

Holy Smokes!!! That is one wicked machine.Kinda makes me sad to see trees go though.Having a heck of a time getting some to grow here because of heavy rain and imprudent use of the mower. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gifThose lil trees have been stressed to say the least.
As for the "bird poopie" welds....they look way better than most of mine!
I call my welds "Betty's Butt".Betty is a woman at work who remembers the Revolutionary War.I think she even changed Washington's diapers. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Heck of a nice job there.

 

[DaveNay]

Wow! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif This almost makes me wish I had a bunch of trees. Then I could get one of these cool snippers. Then I could snip all the trees down!

Errr.....wait a minute. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Dave

 

[Rch]

What is "New Photo" section ?

It works slick. A chainsaw dulls down with one close to the ground cut. Being able to grasp the tree to extract it from a grove and carry it out, high if necessary so it goes on a burn pile, is a real plus. I do have to get off the tractor to line-up the trunk with the jaws for grasping.

If I was doing it over the basic backbone tube that the blade hinges on would be heavier and the stationary anvil blade would be reinforced to resist upward bending - a 10 - 12 ft. tree as it falls has a lot of leverage /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Also. a 3" diameter hydraulic cylinder would be plenty strong, a little faster and cheaper. As it is, I got over 30,000 lbs of force. The tractor doesn't even grunt.

 

[have_blue]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Holy Smokes!!! That is one wicked machine.Kinda makes me sad to see trees go though. )</font>

Holy smoke is what I say too. Man, I could really use that snipper at my place. If you had chicken trees, you wouldn't feel sorry for them, I guarantee!

 

[KiotiJohn]

Quite excellent Rch. Thanks for the update. The improvements look really good. John

 

[EastTexFrank]

Ray, I hate posts like this. They make me feel so darned inadequate. Guys like you and Harvey Lacey just "T" me off. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I could possibly build something like that if I had diagrams and instructions but starting with a blank sheet of paper .... no way ... my mind just doesn't work like that.

That is an awsome piece of equipment. Like I said, I am jealous and really impressed.