Is anyone using directional felling grapples to load trucks with? I have looked at the Satco and Waratah units and it looks like it is feasible. Was wondering how well it works on a mid-size log loader compared to normal grapples. Thanks.
It works well. Not as well as a typical Jewell or Pierce but they are fine for 7-8 loads a day.
I have a customer that owns one he uses on a 290 link belt log loader. He would fall his "farmer patches" then switch over (helped a few times with this) to his loading grapples to shovel log it to a hand bucker or a hired Delimber. Then load also. On his it had one grapple arm from the right side to hold falling grapple against the bar saw. I would think this would be unproductive to wiggle that arm out from under a log bunked on a truck? Not to mention it had a cylinder considerably smaller than a standard grapple cylinder to holds log horizontally? Maybe a different style than hallback is referring to?...TIO
The Southstar is far better but still not a loading grapple.
Have loaded plenty of trucks with the satco 630 felling head on a cat 330 D FM and really only struggled with lengths shorter than 4 metres, though it can be done if you take your time. I'm running a woodsman pro fh1350 head on a Komatsu PC300 at the moment and it doesn't have a stabiliser bar between the grapple arms like the satco does, so the arms can move independently which makes it a little harder to select logs from the stockpile, however can still load trucks without too much difficulty. trev
I'm looking at getting into a Deere 909 or Tigercat L870 with a harvester boom and set up for a 624c and possibly a Southstar FD750. The plan is to do as much falling/bunching for our yarder side as possible and obviously the processing as well. Great to read that the directional felling heads can load, the fact that they are so universal is what has got me looking into going that route vs a conventional buncher.
EX400 North Vancouver Island Southstar FD750 hanging off a heel Cant figure out how to rotate the pic
That's Holbrook's ol 400 rigged up with a low cab and single bars isn't it. Makes me think the heel could sure be handy getting around in the steep and stumpy ground
I wanted to see a close up of the head and found this. Looks like it would work well to load and shovel with, obviously that was their intention....TIO
Thanks guys for all the feedback. I have been looking at the Southstart, Satco, and Waratah. The Oregon Logging Conference (aka-Loggers Holiday) is coming up soon and I will have an opportunity to talk with the salesman. We are not a high production outfit by any means, but the ability to fall, shovel log, and load sure is attractive. We have a Timberjack 608 with a processor head to work up the small stuff, but would still have to buck and limb wood over 24" in diameter. Appreciate all the knowledge and help this forum provides.
The only real issue I see with the falling heads is digging small logs out of a log deck. It appears the saw housing would limit the ability for the grapples to reach far enough into the deck to grab more than 1 or 2 logs.
You are correct. Works good with that 400 track frame being so long, it helps get it around the stumps. The head grabs the heel and it gives 1.5ft of heel hanging out the bottom to push and pull with. If you rigged a 909/or855 with a 600 southstar you could have quick change 750 and use the same nose cone, hoses and computer
Hydraulic and electrical could be plug and play at the end of the stick to swap between a Southstar processor head and felling head!?! Very interesting information, thanks csquared
Haven't done it yet, but its possible.
Another option would be our Trinder Felling head, it has a retractable saw box to aid shovel logging, loading out and pulling wind fallen timber. Same head is used on the ClimbMax steep slope harvester
Bit difficult to make suggestions without knowing you terrain , tree size, cost structure etc. Generally go for the brand that will give you the best service in your area. https://youtu.be/1Ukj7s54eGk (Satco 420 felling head loading) I guess you know about the satco 630E felling head so the operator can change quickly between felling and processing. https://youtu.be/gKztcVss6u0 (Tigercat 855D with Tiger cat 5195 felling head )
Also the Australian TC LS 855C with feller director boom with 5195 felling head. (shovelling, bucking etc) https://youtu.be/_1ds7dgqa2U
Getoan, I've been working on this for a few months now, from the Deere side. At the present, we have the capabilities of Factory Ordering in a 909M without boom/stick. Pierce has drawn up plans for a live heel/FD750 combo stick which would come with their standard forestry harvester boom. I take it you deal with Ray out of Kamloops? We are in the process of getting one of these units built for our inventory.
The FD750 look like a heavy enough attachment on its own for a standard boom 909k. https://youtu.be/x7NouTriouM
My customer is looking to outfit it with a heel for maneuverability purposes. It'll have no effect on the loading of trucks.
Yes I deal with Ray,would be interesting to see the Pierce boom/heel
Waratah have a deal with Trinder to market the Trinder felling head (as used on the ClimbMAX) as a Waratah FL95 . FL95 due to be shown at Vernon Interior logshow. A ClimbMAX is also headed to Wa. South Star also have the QS605 processor grapple. https://youtu.be/9CAvyvvD8Mg
Hopefully the boom you are getting made is shorter then the one in the movie. Stick a heel on the end of that stick and you will have a rocking chair.
I know of 2 909k deeres down here that run a heel/grapple combo but switch over to a directional felling head. I don't think balance will be to much of an issue there are plenty of 909m's running around down here with 624 and 625c waratahs without any balance problems so a heel with the right felling head shouldn't weigh any more? and I wouldn't think the extra reach would throw it out much This is my 909mh with a duxson felling head
In Australia it is common to use fixed felling heads that can rotate 360 degrees to load trucks in hardwood operations. felling heads like the the VHLC pulpmate, Rosin CF750 or Unicon Heads seem to be suitable.
I've used a few different falling heads to load trucks. I don't find the retractable saw box a useful feature. What hinders the use of the head is that they all have quite round jaws which makes it hard to pinch a log to shift it or crown a load. I find it best to load the grab a little back on the packet and tap it forward to avoid having to pinch single logs. Also using the tilt up to pencil logs is a handy feature. I don't have much good to say about the Trinder head. Shame as there other products are quite good. Loading with a processing head is hard work. Roger
Not much good to say about the woodsman head either