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Tractor "Jaws" Dig Rocks, Pull Trees, Unload Pickups
You can grab anything from a boulder to 1/2-in. dia. rebar with the new Star Hill "Jawz" hydraulic grabbing tool. Invented by a California rancher for grubbing out pastures and fields, it can grab practically anything with precision, thanks to the design of the opposing sawtooth plates. It allows the operator to grab and move objects without getting on and off his machine.
"We use them on skid steers as well as compact utility tractors," says John Lyddon, company president, who recommends an upper end limit of about 80 hp.
A full-sized Jawz unit weighs in at 500 lbs., while a "Baby Jawz" for smaller power units runs 250 lbs. Both open to a width of 36 in. Ordered direct from the manufacturer, the units are priced at $3,120 and $2,800. They retail for $3,895 and $3,195and are also available direct from the manufacturer .
The scissoring action of the hydraulic actuated jaws, and the ability to tilt them, makes it possible to precisely pick up and place objects from either vertical or horizontal positions. Unlike using chains or a loader bucket, an object grasped by the Jawz is held securely. This means it's less likely to pivot or swing uncontrolled when moved. At the same time, the narrow arms allow the operator to get in and pluck a single item out of a pile and also set things down in a confined area.
"You can use it to pull fence posts, lift rocks and logs, clear brush or load and unload a pickup," suggests Lyddon. "Using the forward motion of the tractor, you can even grab and uproot a 6 to 8-in. diameter tree, pulling the roots with it."
Minimum flow rate on the larger unit is only 1,500 psi at 5 gpm with maximum flow rate of 16 gpm at 3,000 psi.
"They can be ordered with either the four pin bracket or the new universal quick release back plate common on most skid steer units" says Lyddon.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John Lyddon, Star Hill Solutions, 731 Florida Street, Suite 201, San Francisco, Calif. 94110 (ph 415 285-2707; website: www.Star HillJawz.com).


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2004 - Volume #28, Issue #6