"Better than a shovel" has been my motto for years with a 3 point dirt scoop. May be slow, may not be fancy...but I'll take the fuel bill over a chiropractor visit any day!
Whatever you can use it for is whatever you can use it for. Still saves your body from wear and tear. Looks like it comes in handy for a lot of things. Thanks for the update!
Hey Spencer. Caught this one late. I was watching some of your older videos and man. I just wanted to say. Keep doing what you're doing. I love your practical, no-nonsense, straight forward tree work. Your commentary and thought processes are great to hear. Of all the frilly big channel tree guys that are out there, I prefer yours and Reg Coates the most. Much love from Nashville, TN.
If you dont mind a little more saw work...cut those branches shy of the with of the trailer and load thru the tailgate area. When loading you just push the previous grapple load fwd with the next one. Me personally i use this method when loading with the smaller mini skids and high side trailers.
On the left side of the device are some connectors to power accessories, like an auger. On the right side, that space is empty, and looks like it has a gusset plate. That is probably a more ideal place to drill through and attach a ball to pull your trailers. You could install a 2 inch ball. You can get a clamshell adapter to use that ball as a larger ball to pull your larger trailers.
For getting brush, stack large piles, then when you pick them up, with the grapple open press down so you compress the pile and get more :) Regarding unloading, you might get locking tie downs and choke them around the piles to make getting them off the grapple easier.
I've gotta work on that smashing technique you describe ... I'm thinking bigger piles will help and give more brush to smoosh down in the end. Thanks for the tips! I'm still getting the hang of working with this machine for sure. :)
i have had the same debate in my head, i like the speed of using the grapple but i HATE to come back and pick it up as i only have the one trailer right now and work alone a lot as well. as always really enjoy watching your videos!!
Gotta charge for that extra hour or two for your time. Think everyone with a full sized skid feels the same. Other way would be to switch up your setup, dump truck and pull a small trailer with the skid
That's pretty incredible, the size and amount of stuff the yellow monster can pick up now! And yes, just before you mentioned counterbalance, I was like uh, looks like a bit of... counterbalance!! is needed! lol. Always enjoyable watching your videos. And hey I am all for saving your back and arms if you want to do tree work for several more years. At any rate, thanks again for a cool video!
For the logs, tilt the grapple (a little), yes your load is a tad higher, but closer to your center. For the trailers, the closer you get the ball to the machine, the more you will able to move without front tip.
do not drill a hole in the bucket, they make qt adaptors with a receiver hitch welded on for about $125, and the lift point will be 18" closer to the machine.
I bought a Boxer 322D Similar Machine..had it now 8years Been reliable and has 1600 hours Anyway I welded a receiver hitch short sleeve to top of bucket. Push trailer is easier than pulling.
When moving a tandem axle trailer level it out so you aren't lifting the front axle. Also with the bucket lower there's less mechanical advantage trying to tip you forward. Thanks for the videos
So far I've had only minor maintenance: oil change, tightening some hydro fittings, putting a track back on. As for adjusting the track tension there are just some tensioning bolts: no big deal. I'll need those extra tracks tho!
Decent.little unit. I bought a new Bobcat MT100 and it’s a longer track base and has a much longer bucket boom. I can dump into a 30 yd roll off. Again, not bad for a less expensive unit
Having now owned it for over a year, how would you rate the reliability of it? I build fence during the summers and I want to use one of these with the auger attachment
The only problem I've had is that on uneven sloped ground I'll sometimes pop a track off -- easy to reinstall. The thing runs well and lifts like a beast. I haven't tried the auger attachments
Hi Spencer. You’ve given that yellow beast a good workout. It should allow you to cut your ground crew in half. You need to get some yellow on the Pfanner to match the mini beast. We got a foot of the wet heavy white stuff last night. It’ll be a white Christmas here in NH.
@@metaspencer не буду писать на другом канале, лучше здесь напишу. Я вылечила свой РС с помощью Германской Новой Медицины. Обратилась к психологу, мы проработали трэки и страхи, которые запустили рс. Ноги стали ходить. Это главное. И вообще поняла, как запускались обострения. У тебя обострения никогда больше не будет, это радует. Я рада за тебя. Солнце, это тоже психосоматика на 50 минимум процентов. Так что можно проработать с хорошим психологом, когда запустилось это. Еще Стала добавлять петрушку в рацион иногда. Спенсер, удачи.
Well, we have one that we use the logs away and we move our dump trailers with one and it moves. It just great and we move our chipper around to where that and they are a good little handy machine.
For moving trailers, would be interesting to see you try it with the bucket down much lower. You had the bucket up high which raises the center of gravity and makes it want to tip easier. If you raised the trailer jack so that it could go significantly lower, I wonder if you could get it to move the flatbed or dump trailer? For moving logs, you can tilt the grapple all the way forward/down, open it up, and pick them up more like a claw machine, then curl the bucket as you raise it. Also, why cut those logs into such short lengths if you have the equipment? One of the advantages of equipment is you can leave them longer than what a person could pick up easily, so you could do that trunk in less trips.
@metaspencer hey buddy how much did you end up paying for shipping on this guy? I'm debating on buying one but I don't wanna be stuck not being able to afford shipping. Thanks.
I wouldn't put a ball in the edge of the bucket. Seems it would be in the way too often. I would consider welding a 2 inch hitch receiver tube into the top of the bucket out of the way. I put one on my tractors box blade and it works without getting in the way. Looks like you are making the most of that little machine. Love all the videos.
How about drilling a hole in the bucket and installing ball when needed? I think a lower angle (bucket near ground) would have helped with the small machine too.
I was thinking about getting a similar machine until i saw this video. Definitely wouldn't be able to use the dump truck to dispose of brush so id' have to get a dump trailer as well instead of just pulling my equipment trailer over to the job loaded and using the truck for disposal and gravel/ fill. Going to keep using my bobcat 773 till i find a good deal on a mini skid steer that isn't a stand on unit. Thank you very much for the video. i didn't even think of that issue until i saw you using the grapple. My dump bed rail is probably a foot higher than your trailer, maybe a more.
Just got a bucket and simple grapple with it -- nothing fancy. But it'll fun the regular mini skid attachments like an auger. Definitely a GOOD lifter of heavy stuff
For a quick unobtrusive counter weight I would recommend to remove the factory standing platform and replace it with a solid two inch plate of steel. If you don't like it you can swap back to the original setup and try something else.
Cool idea ... I like how that piece of plate could come on or off depending on the job. I've worked with 1/2" plate but never that thick of a piece. I'll have to keep my eyes out and the torch warmed up
@@metaspencer I have a piece of 1 1/2" 24x24 and as I recall it weighs in at about 240#. I will have to recheck thickness. I use it for winter traction in the empty bed. So you get a very lot of weight for very little room. Stick welding with preheat is best. Just need a couple of strong brackets or beef up your standing platform and put it in there. Easier to handle with a couple of lifting eyes attached.
You might try taking a side board off your trailer, might make dumping the grapple a little bit easier? Maybe grind down the points on the grapple too, looks like they stick into everything you pinch down on. Idk, just a couple thoughts.
Thanks for that idea. Yeah lowering one wood board on the trailer would make a big difference ... and they slide right out. I've gotta modify that grapple like you say because those lower tongs are weak and too long. thanks man
Man, with the welder brain, I can imagine that you could fabricate some cool attachments! Some tines, for a larger raking operation or perhaps your own dozer style blade! Or some forks!! As far as your topic about good old fashioned manual work versus machine assisted, I totally get it. This isn't 100% the same, but what it made me think of is my favorite ratchets versus an impact driver. I almost always prefer using a ratchet. It takes longer, but it just feels right unless I am changing tires/wheels out. I just ENJOY a good ratchet.. weird right?
I'm with ya on the ratchet thing ... very satisfy to wrench things by hand and is the time saving of the impact really worth it? I like your ideas for attachments ... some of those ideas are definitely on my list
Great little machine - I was looking in to them for my build. Does the front loader have the float or are you micro adjusting. Have you tried it on sloping land or is it a bit sketchy. 👍🏻
No float on this one so ya just gotta eyeball everything and go be feel. As for sloped ground it can get sketchy real quick if loaded up ... so I try to keep things flat and mellow. The bigger, heavier machines are definitely more versatile.
I would love to had one of those mini loaders on the farm it would have fit in the barn so nice as a kid if I knew how much manure I shoveled and pitch I don't know how hard it's to switch attachment you could build attachment for it you would bring in the load so much it could surprise you what it may do
If this is the same machine I am thinking of it has multiple attachments that can be purchased. My two favorites were a snowblower and trench digger like a Ditch Witch.
Definitely appreciate the time making the videos! Very informative. Any quams so far about the unit now that you've really had a chance to use it? Thanks!!
Makes it much harder to unload. I've found it best to have all the thick ends of the brush pointing backwards, so the branches don't stick out and resist getting pulled off. It's also worthwhile to tie a strap around it and compact it. That way, I can fill my trailer 4 ft high 3-4 times before driving to the dump
I weld a nut onto the bucket then screw the ball on and off. When you want the nut gone cut the welds grind down with the flappy disk and no holes in the bucket
Seems like it might be easier just getting some long ramps, and driving that machine right up and into the back of the trailer, to load that up with brush. Either that - or some some fold down side on the trailer..
I have a trailer hitch receiver on the back of my little skid steer and I made a attachment to it where I put my weight lifting weights on the back for counterweights
Dude, now that's an awesome idea. For a second I thought you were gonna say that you haul your trailer to the job that way :) great way to add weights and thanks for the idea
That hitch attachment gives the trailer ball load way too much leverage to tip the loader forward. Putting the ball in the bucket, (or better yet making a custom hitch that replaced the bucket and attached direct to the machine) would give the machine a lot more chance to control the trailers
Dude that little critter is so useful, I dont blame you for using it so much... whatever happened to that little grain truck you had in urbana and the wooden flatbed truck you made so nicely?
Thanks for sharing, I hope that you can get a similar Chinese machine that is similar (size & functions) to one of the Bobcat machines & see how they compare!!??
Don't worry too much about "getting soft" using that machine. You'll hopefully make up for it in production. The same argument for "getting soft" can be made for SRT and most modern climbing technology. Not killing your body doesn't make you "soft", it makes you /smart/.
Great point. SRT is still a workout but just doesn’t wear ya out like the old hip thrusts. Still, I’m glad I started on the Blake’s hitch … simple system. Thanks man
Im wondering if it would be easier to load the trailer by driving up the ramps right into the trailer with the pile of brush, then it can be compacted too. May or may not work just a thought!
With some loaders and trailers that would be a great way to go ... but with my setup going up and down those ramps will make your earlobes tremble and eyebrows fall out. Super sketchy! :)
Ahhhhhhhhhhh the yellow submarine is working pretty good 😁😁...I have only been bugging you for years to get one.. It's no DINGO.. But a pretty good plan. B
The towing attachment puts the lifting point too far out away from the machine. It needs to have a dedicated towing attachment ( no bucket) the trailers have too much torque on the machine and it can't move them.
@@metaspencer i have a small project and am thinking of getting one with wheels, forks, grapple, and shovel. I have lots of use for the forks but not a lot of room to store. And not sure if they make a box blade or soil lever but would need that as well. I’m in Texas but not near the port.
I have a driveway a half mile long in Northern Wisconsin. Do you think I could buy this and use this to remove snow in the winter on the long driveway?
Our driveway is only 1000' and I've thought of putting a slanted snow blade on the front, but I haven't used it that way yet. I currently plow with my tractor and know that a foot of heavy snow can get heavy really fast, so you'd have to be patient plowing with this smaller machine.
Better than screwing up your back, but for the price of that thing, I reckon you could have been better spending a bit extra on a used tracksteer. You would be able to operate a lot faster.
@@metaspencer Lol. Yeah, I have been using skid steers and tractors for over 20 years. Lots of grapple time, and I have never seen one like this one you have. I think fabrication of one is definitely a good idea. You know what you need in a tool, and if you can fab your own it will have far more value to you than one you bought. Keep up the good work!
If you have any track related issues where do you buy parts? iv considered buying one of these but im leaning on a wheeled model for ease of service/parts .
Yeah tracks can be both hard to replace and a hassle to get back on when you drop one out in the field. For me, I prefer tracks just because I'm always working in mud and soft ground and they seem to work (for me) a lot better. As for replacing the tracks there are a lot of dealers around the US that sell them. I'm not worried about finding new tracks, but they're not cheap
I am looking at the link where you bought this unit. There are so many options, looks confusing.Did you call and negotiate shipping and options or handle it all online? Make me nervous giving China a credit card, right? lol
Yeah I was a little nervous at first but the guy I was working with ended up being solid. I did it all over email and took some time. The link I've posted should bring you to the same sales guy ... it's definitely a different process than buying at a local dealer but Alibaba and your credit card offer some fraud protection
Here's a link to the machine. It runs about $9k with another $3k or so in customs fees, shipping, etc. depending on where you have it shipped. www.alibaba.com/product-detail/skid-steer-loader_1600391587866.html?spm=a2747.manage.0.0.3b4171d21Akio2
Thats awesome man !! how much was that thing ? That would come in handy for my business I’m a solo business man In the landscaping and Tree Service work ..
I’ve seen you weld… you’re good enough… lol. Thought: reduce the length of grapple, it would not over balance the machine as it is now, would dump better. Look at the bucket depth, its ideal. Over loading the machine with front loading and putting counter weights on the rear would likely be stressing the overall design thinking thoughts like cat in the hat thoughts
yeah absolutely man: it's all about deciding just what to do and then cutting into it with a vision. I absolutely appreciate your point: the dang grapple is just too long
Check out my link for more details -- about $9k for the machine but there then are customs and shipping expenses that run another $3k or so, depending on the port. If you ship from the port that'll cost you too :)
@metaspencer hey buddy how much did you end up paying for shipping on this guy? I'm debating on buying one but I don't wanna be stuck not being able to afford shipping. Thanks.
You're wearing the best helmet money can buy and doing tree work in tennis shoes with equipment and chainsaw. Don't cut corners. Wear some good boots with steel toes. Crap happens doing tree work and steel toes especially with equipment factored can save you for sure. I run a sk1550 and sk750 and absolutely love a mini. Take your grapple and roll it up and over the pile to scoop better. The bottom should be straight up and down when you're grabbing. Put cross bar between the tines to strengthen it up some.
Heya! No that 3k thing is weird ... dunno what that is about. The machine is about 9k and another 3k to get it to the port of NY ... if you live on the west coast it would likely be cheaper
9k for the machine and 3k to the port of new york ... to get it trucked to your place you'd need to hire a trucking company that works with your port, which might be in LA ... I have a later video on the importation process
Hey there, thanks a lot for showing us all your experience with your purchase, so I'm planning on making a purchase on Alibaba as well. Few questions, What shipping term did your order fall under? I'm assuming CIF (cost, insurance, freight?). I saw your other comment regarding the price you paid; was there unexpected fees associated with importing it once it was at the port? Also you mentioned getting a shipping agent, is that required. I got a quotation from the manufacture CIF to my nearest port and I'm trying to quantify unrelated costs I may run into. Does all the documentation you need for pickup at the port come directly from the sales rep that you worked with on Alibaba?
Heya, good to hear from you. I'm not too sure about the "shipping term" you mention but can tell you that the machine itself is about $9k right now. There are some fees, import taxes, etc. And all that added up for me to another $3k or so. The shipper charged me something like $800 in New Jersey to release the machine, and then my agent was about the same. You CAN avoid getting a shipping agent, but you'll need to apply and be approved to be an importer there the US gov. I've applied for that but it seems like a slow process. As for documentation you need at the port that came (in my case) from the shipping company which was Vanguard Logistics. After the item leaves China most of the communication is with the shipping company. Message me if you have other questions. I should probably post a video all about this process ...
@@alldaydizcounts3692 I dunno about the price changes -- as of today looks like it's 9k for the machine, more for whatever attachments you get, then the fees and charges which are another 3k or so depending on where you live
The machine is here: www.alibaba.com/product-detail/skid-steer-loader_1600391587866.html?spm=a2747.manage.0.0.3b4171d21Akio2 ... I talk about the process in this video about getting the machine: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XYQP1jmCBUA.html ... basically it's a process of 1) contacting the seller, 2) working out the order, 3) picking it up at the port, or 4) having it shipped direct ... I'm happy to chat with you about it if you're gonna do it.
Hey Abraham, I would like to order you. What model do you have? What was the shipping like? Cost? Lead time? Thinking on getting this strictly for snow removal.
