New Brush Grinding Pics

[YellowDogSVC]

These aren't the best pics (need a new camera).

I just wrapped up another phase on a small tract cleaning up flood debris and reclaiming a feeder creek. The brush was inaccessible to machinery so we had to cut a few trees down just to get in. Couldn't get a chipper anywhere near the work area so I had to use the CAT mulcher on the Bobcat s330 to grind up to 20"+ stumps, logs, limbs, and other debris. Grinded up a heck of a lot of rocks, too. This type of work is so dusty that I was in white out conditions when the wind didn't cooperate.
I enjoy this type of work because the after is so remarkable compared to years of accumlated mess before we start. the picture with the bobcat and the one below and to the left of it are an exact before and after except the after is panned a little more to the right. There was a 3-4' dropoff in front of the bobcat that was filled with stumps and large logs. I was moving some of it out so that I could "grind to the bottom" of it. Most of the brush is just flood debris but some of those logs were just just obnoxious sizes cut from very large cedar trees. Luckily, there were only a few oak logs to grind up. I hate grinding dead oak. The whole area was about 200 yards long and consisted of about 10 large piles that I made once I cut my way in. Had to have some chainsaw help to raise limbs..

Now more than ever, every bit of water that makes it to the streams then on to recharge the aquifers is high priority and a side benefit to this type of work. Having all the brush and water using flora in the creek beds stalls the creeks and leads to quick evaporation in the Texas sun. I am hoping the government will provide some monies for landowners to do these types of projects.

[bobcat_ron]

You really are in hellish ground conditions!

[YellowDogSVC]

that's mild ron but I can go a few miles down the road and work in all topsoil. Go figure.
A machine like yours would have been nice when I was working in the dried up silt. No traction for hulk tires but as soon as I powered out of the sand, I was back on rock. Gotta hand it to the CAT/FAE. Grinded up a heck of a lot of rocks and not a single tooth damaged!! All I can say is WOW. I'm considering a second mulching head for eating rocks!

[Junior M]

Why do you choose that style grapple over a typical forestry grapple?

[minimax]

YellowDog,Looks good,but I will stick too all my green brush to chew up:).
There is a fecon head on ironplanet I think it sells next week?
minimax

[YellowDogSVC]

Why do you choose that style grapple over a typical forestry grapple?

the forestry grapples, to me, are very unwieldy. I have worked side by side with them and they get hung up on roots, debris, etc. I have only had 2 grapples this heavy in 12 years. Both Bobcat industrial fork grapples. I can pick up anything down to the size of a small melon and when I go to pick up trees, the tines don't dig into the ground and pull up oak roots. Also, because the tines are smooth finish, they don't hang up on brush. the guys working side by side with me using the other style have brush hanging up all the the time. Maybe it's just me but these things are built like tanks as far as an attachment goes.

[YellowDogSVC]

the green brush/live trees are SO much easier to clean up but Texas is full of old stumps, dead wood and flood debris from years of hand-clearing for posts. Found a market for this service here but it's NASTY, dirty work and hard on the machine.

[Junior M]

the forestry grapples, to me, are very unwieldy. I have worked side by side with them and they get hung up on roots, debris, etc. I have only had 2 grapples this heavy in 12 years. Both Bobcat industrial fork grapples. I can pick up anything down to the size of a small melon and when I go to pick up trees, the tines don't dig into the ground and pull up oak roots. Also, because the tines are smooth finish, they don't hang up on brush. the guys working side by side with me using the other style have brush hanging up all the the time. Maybe it's just me but these things are built like tanks as far as an attachment goes.
Hmm, I dont seem to have an issue with digging, I stand the grapple up on edge so the grapple is at an almost 45degree angle..

But I'll consider that before I ever purchase one, makes since if it works as well as you say it does..

[YellowDogSVC]

Hmm, I dont seem to have an issue with digging, I stand the grapple up on edge so the grapple is at an almost 45degree angle..

But I'll consider that before I ever purchase one, makes since if it works as well as you say it does..

rent one before you buy. Bobcat's is pricey compared to others but I have put about 5,000 hours on the old one I had!

[Junior M]

rent one before you buy. Bobcat's is pricey compared to others but I have put about 5,000 hours on the old one I had!
Oh, most definetly, if not a really long demo!

[YellowDogSVC]

you can't go wrong demoing equipment. I made mistakes too many times of buying on recommendation and finding out the attachment wouldn't work (or machine for that matter). I now demo everything I can or rent before to see if it will work. Think outside the box...get what you need for YOUR circumstances and you will be fine with the attachments you choose. Ditto for machines whether it's the mini x, skid steer or tractor. try it in different jobs to be sure so you don't get stuck with the wrong tool.

[John K]

Yellow Dog,

Is this a gov job?:)

[Junior M]

you can't go wrong demoing equipment. I made mistakes too many times of buying on recommendation and finding out the attachment wouldn't work (or machine for that matter). I now demo everything I can or rent before to see if it will work. Think outside the box...get what you need for YOUR circumstances and you will be fine with the attachments you choose. Ditto for machines whether it's the mini x, skid steer or tractor. try it in different jobs to be sure so you don't get stuck with the wrong tool.
Yeah, most definetly, no need to drop the cash if it isnt right.. But now you've got me wondering about that grapple, I'd like to try it...

[ARP]

Nice pics Yellowdog! Looks like that project is coming along nicely. If you want some water and mud, I can send you some. Had to grade out 2-3ft deep ruts made by the skidders yesterday. My machine even sank a few times in the mud.

So when is the mini excavator entering the picture for you?

[YellowDogSVC]

Yellow Dog,

Is this a gov job?:)

no it's not

[YellowDogSVC]

Nice pics Yellowdog! Looks like that project is coming along nicely. If you want some water and mud, I can send you some. Had to grade out 2-3ft deep ruts made by the skidders yesterday. My machine even sank a few times in the mud.

So when is the mini excavator entering the picture for you?

I'll take the water, you keep the mud. No excavator until things pick up and I get some bills paid down. It's on a want list, though.

[Gravel Rat]

That stuff looks pretty dry one match and you can sit back and watch it burn no need to use a machine :laugh:

I noticed your using the loader tread on your skid steer. They are probably one of the most puncture resistant tread pattern.

One of the contractors here switched to those on a drill he hasn`t had a problem with rocks tearing open a tire.

[YellowDogSVC]

That stuff looks pretty dry one match and you can sit back and watch it burn no need to use a machine :laugh:

I noticed your using the loader tread on your skid steer. They are probably one of the most puncture resistant tread pattern.

One of the contractors here switched to those on a drill he hasn`t had a problem with rocks tearing open a tire.

i switched to slime instead of fill so I have to run the hulk style tires. Rough conditions and sharp limestone.

Yes, bone dry. Scary to grind. I have to watch for sparks from metal and flint. Luckily, we have had some humidity blow in but we have northers that drop the humidity down to 15% or less. I won't grind on those days if I can help it.