Skid Loader-Mounted Tree Trimming Saw

Skid Loader-Mounted Tree Trimming Saw TRACTORS Antiques After looking unsuccessfully for a tractor-mounted saw to trim trees Robert Mickley of New Springfield Ohio designed and built a pole saw to mount on his Mustang 2054 skid loader     “We needed a way to trim trees around my brother’s farm I wanted to get away from the old tried-and-true method of standing in a bucket ” says Mickley “So I went on a search I found several pole saws designed to mount on a skid loader or tractor but they weren’t built heavy enough or big enough Mine has a maximum reach of about 22 ft and works fast On an average day I can clear about 200 ft per hour trimming around fields ”     The saw mounts on a 2-section boom built from 3-in sq tubing with the first section 10 ft long and the second one 4 ft long The boom is welded to a steel plate that quick-taches to the skid loader     The chainsaw is operated by a hydraulic motor Mickley connected a drive hub to the motor’s output shaft and then mounted a chain sprocket between the hub and the chainsaw’s bar He also added an automatic chain oiler that’s controlled by a needle valve Oiling is accomplished by tapping into the return hydraulic line and controlled by a needle valve Both the motor and needle valve are contained by a rectangular metal box mounted at the end of the boom     To run the saw he hooks hoses from the motor into the remote outlets on his skid loader     “It reduces the risk of injury by eliminating ladders ropes and standing in the tractor bucket And since it runs off the tractor’s hydraulics there’s no gas engine noise or exhaust ” says Mickley “I built it 2 years ago and have trimmed a lot of trees with it I even use it to trim tree branches around fields during the winter ”     He spent about $900 to build the unit “My brother had some 3-in sq tubing which I used for the boom and a neighbor donated the hydraulic motor The drive and chain tension components were robbed from a Stihl 056 chainsaw I spent $125 for the metal plate that the boom mounts on Commercial units sell for about $1 600 or more and have a smaller chainsaw bar and a shorter reach ” says Mickley     At first Mickley welded the boom to the center of the mounting plate but the boom obstructed his view so he moved it over to one side of the plate     Go to FARMSHOW com to see a video of the saw in action     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Robert Mickley 11631 Unity Rd New Springfield Ohio 44443 ph 330 509-3951; zugzub@zoominternet net

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