Load Trail Gooseneck Dump Time.

I guess I ain't growed up yet because now I have an awesome bucket that I can't operate The dang geometry is different than my old one and this old dog is having a hard time with it. I did not expect that or even think about that. I just have never had that knack of moving dirt with a Dozer, Grader or Loader. My partner or my log loader operator always did the road building in the woods. I could never figure out how you could build road with a 16' wide 8' tall dozer blade, how the heck can you see/tell what is happening up there??

This bucket can go 4" below ground level and it don't roll back as far. So you can't see the material in it unless you have it heaped. I am not a mind reader When I load myself to haul material in, it don't matter, more the better. But when it goes out, I need to know how much I have because I sell by the yard. If you can't see in the bucket how do you know what is there? Now I am afraid to buy a new set of forks for fear it will be different too. Mine are about worn out. The sliders on the forks and the frame are worn so bad they won't stay put and if you aren't careful they will fall off, that's a pain.

Just had to vent, Lol

 

The angle of the attachment points on the bucket are different?

On your forks, if the pins that lock them in place are worn or broken they sell replacement pin kits. Can you weld a tab at the each end of the mast so they don't fall off?

 

Now why couldn't I think of that, I had no clue the pins were rebuildable. I wonder where to find a set? They are old and different than what I see now. The bottom lip of the fork holder is worn and bent from so many big logs hitting it that when the forks slide to the center they can fall off. I bet a good welder could cut if off and install a new piece, now that you mention it. Maybe cheaper than a new set. I can get a slightly used rental set for $750, so IDK...

Yes, the bucket is different. The curve of the top (hides the material) and the attaching point is higher. The old bucket was flush with the ground when the lift arms were full down, so the bucket was easy to get flat. This one wants to dig. I have got to get a handle on that so I don't dig dirt or rocks. It was easy to just skim the ground and leave a thin layer of material so I don't contaminate it, with the old one.

#ad
#ad

 

Whatever make your forks are I'd check with them, Bobcat, Titan, Skidpro, etc. I would think they'd be available somewhere. I've replaced a few sets but they are off a Yota and a Cat and their stuff has been pretty standard for a long time so parts are easy to come by.

If you can't find them locally but know what you need look here

http://www.helmarparts.com/Fork_Pin_Kits_s/191.htm

If you click on the individual pictures they have the pin dimensions

 

I just pulled them out and they appear to not be all that bad, but the spring is rusty and weak. I stretched them and put it back but probably wont last. I looked at the link and mine are the 4700-4702 type. I wonder which one? I wasn't smart enough to take a measurement. Maybe Bobcat knows if I give them the model number. Attachments are not in my parts book.

 

Fixed my bucket issue, works like the old one now I added a 2" block under my existing lift arm stops, now the bucket sits flat. The 2" thin piece of strap is to cover the holes in the lift block so dirt and moisture don't fill it up and corrode the bolts.

#ad
#ad
#ad

 

Hauled 2 loads of stumps yesterday, I have another load to haul today. Dumps are so universal. The little mini x can just barely load them in the back, then he can push them forward. Dang they are heavy.

#ad
#ad
#ad

 

How long does it take for those stumps to rot enough to put them through the tub grinder ?

 

They go to burn site. I hauled 2 more loads yesterday and my previous loads were burnt up. That big pile of pine needles were just a small pile of hot ash along with some stump remains, mostly dirt.

 

My car trailer got a new set of tires today, one blew out just sitting in the lot. Hercules H-901 LT 235/85x16, 14 ply all steel, rated 3750 lbs, $860 out the door. One of the wheels was rock damaged so I had to go get my spare, I told them they could have the tire but didn't recommend them selling it The oem Gladiators were junk.

#ad
#ad
#ad
#ad

 

Those treads look alot like my Sailun S637, same rating (3750 @110psi).

#ad


Going forward, I'll probably never own another trailer tire with an open shoulder. These have worn so well, wether it be from the tread design or tire manufacturer or both I see no reason to ever put an open shoulder design on a trailer again. They even do ok in the snow as long as it's not too icy, or I have some weight.

 

Same tire we have on our 16' stock trailer.

 

Same as my 17.5 Sailun, which have worn very well. Are the lighter ones regroovable like my 17.5s?

 

My H-901's are and so are the ST's that I have on my dump. I don't know what the difference is between the two. The web site description is the same for ST or LT other than the capacity. The LT's are a little more money.

 

Lost a shaft/bearing in the tub grinder. For some reason the pillow block bearing (original) was broken on the locking lip so the lock ring lost it's grip and let it spin on the shaft. So it got a new shaft. bearings (2) and a new pto drive yoke. At some point the yoke spun on the shaft and damaged both, it had been beat on with a sledge hammer. I have a hunch that is what broke the locking lip on the bearing.

Now I am rebuilding the unloading augers, they are rotten from the machine being outside with hay left in the belly pan. I built an 8' lid for it as soon as I got it home so I can keep the tub dry. The belly pan is rotten too, so I have been rebuilding it. This go around should have it in good shape. (2) 9" x 8' augers, bearings and sprockets.

The good part is this machine is still being made so parts are all available, the bad part is they are in North Dakota. Shipping is super slow from North to South. Then my serial number shows 2 possible main shafts, so even after telling them exactly what mine was, I still got the wrong one. So I had to send them pictures and color them, lol #ad
#ad

 

Like working on a Ford, never enough info to get the right parts

 

From watching the process at the sawmill I realize tub grinders require a lot of maint . The constant punishment from the hammers takes its toll on the shaft, bearings, and and anvil. You wouldn’t think wood residue would wear a steel anvil but it sure does. That’s with the pulpwood going through their horizontal grinder first for the majority of reduction.

 

I agree, they are about half violent when in operation. I dread the day I need to service the hammer mill. The tub floor is all rusty so the access panel bolts will be nearly impossible to remove. The hammers (64) are on the last edge of 4, so any service will require new ones. The sequence of alignment (spacers and gaps) appears intimidating to me

 

Finally received my parts, 9 working days later...a little damage but doable. One auger shaft was dropped on the end and flared, and one sprocket tooth was broke but I think that it was shipped that way. Starting to look good.

#ad
#ad
#ad
#ad
#ad
#ad

 

We cut about 150 pieces of Pine lumber, yesterday. 8"-18" wide by 12'-15' long x 1.5" thick with bark edges. It went a little slow, hit several nails, that cost us $240 in saw blades This was with a portable LT40 Woodmizer rig.

#ad