Getting attached: maximize efficiency using work tools for loaders
Published in: Arbor Age
Date: 10/1/2002
THE MORE TASKS A GIVEN MACHINE CAN PERFORM, THE FEWER DEDICATED-TASK machines it will be necessary to own. Skid-steer and utility loaders offer tremendous options.
The best way to maximize a loader’s potential is to take full advantage of work tools or attachments. Stump grinders, augers and other attachments offer versatility for tree care industry professionals, nurseries, landscapers and more.
“Compact loaders — whether they are skid-steer, track or all-wheel-steer — are versatile machines that have been used for years in a wide variety of applications,” said Gloria Palm ofBobcat Company. “However, the versatility of the loader is dependent on the attachments it’s equipped with.
“Attachments give the loader the ability to be used in many different applications without the cost associated with owning and hauling application-dedicated machines. A contractor can trailer a load used to perform multiple tasks that a job help contractors save money.”
According to Palm, a skid-steer loader and a fleet of various job-matched attachments are considerably less expensive than the price of application dedicated machines. The skid-steer loader and attachment combination is also are more maneuverable in confined areas.
“Applications-dedicated equipment is designed to serve one particular function,” said Palm. “When that function is finished, the machine sits idle while another machine designed to do another function works.”
Palm added that a skid-steer loader and attachment combination not only saves contractors money in equipment costs, but also provides the ability to offer more services. For example, in northern states, some treecare contractors have to shut down in the winter, but a skid-steer loader equipped with a snow blower attachment allows the contractor to offer other services to customers.
According to Caterpillar, manufacturers understand the importance of work tools and continued to develop new work tools to meet the needs of more applications. In addition, manufacturers also have improved existing work tools.
The following is a sample of some of the manufacturers that offer skid-steer or utility loaders and attachments as well as an overview of their attachments:
CATERPILLAR INC.
Caterpillar skid-steer loaders feature a universal, integrated mechanical quick coupler system that secures the work tool in place and connects the power. The coupling system does not require additional springs or lock pins to keep attachments in place, which speeds the switching process. Some of Caterpillar’s skid-steer loader attachments are as follows:
Stump grinder — Tree and brush stumps quickly become chips when this work tool is put to use.
Auger — Designed for preparing holes for planting trees and shrubs, the auger can also drill holes for things like playground supports, fence posts, signs, in parks and recreation areas. Some landscape contractors use skid-steer loaders with extra hydraulic flow to maximize auger performance.
Blades — Blades are used in a variety of tasks, primarily moving and leveling material.
Grapple bucket — Grapple buckets help pick up and remove bulky or irregularly shaped material on the job site. Suited for clearing brush after pruning trees, or for cleanup, the grapple bucket offers the ability to grasp and hold.
Light material bucket — While the bucket is built for a light application, such as hauling wood chips, mulch and snow, it is also able to handle a large payload.
Multi-purpose bucket — These attachments can be used for digging, dozing, clamping, back-dragging, grading and leveling during the traditional season and removing snow during the winter.
Pallet forks — Pallet forks are labor-saving devices which speed load-and-carry operations for moving materials on site and are used for loading/unloading palletized materials like sod, fertilizer or decorative stone.
Trencher — Trenchers can trim roots that grow too close to buildings and paved paths.
Broom — The obvious application for brooms is cleaning surfaces after a job is complete. But brooms also can perform regular maintenance in parking lots and at golf courses, including upkeep of cart paths and even turf. In addition, brooms can clear snow in the winter, adding another season of use to the skid-steer loader.
Landscape rake — Aerating, conditioning, leveling and removing rocks from soil prior to seeding or laying sod is what landscape rakes do best.
Landscape tiller — Typical applications include mixing and composting soils for improved seedbeds, soil stabilization and soil preparation prior to landscaping and laying sod.
Snow blower/thrower — The skid-steer loader’s small size means it can fit in tight spots that a truck with a plow can’t reach.
Vibratory compactors — For compacting base materials and asphalt, vibratory compactors are often more maneuverable and less expensive than a dedicated self-propelled roller.
MERTZ INC. (BOXER)
The Boxer TL model, with it’s adjustable track, is a mini skid-steer — with two additional models that offer the same kind of power and similar features. Additionally, a diesel unit is planned for release this fall. The Boxer TL’s adjustable track system enables it to easily navigate and perform within barriers such as existing landscaping, fencing and gates, fixed buildings or other construction obstacles — even stairwells. It also preserves sensitive areas, such as new lawns, with its light foot-print. All of the models offer versatility, with numerous attachments for accomplishing virtually any task. The Boxer is also maneuverable.
Boxer trenches; augers planting holes (ranging from 6 to 36 inches); moves dirt, sand, rocks and debris; carries trees, shrubs, mulch and stone; offers a leveler for smoothing surfaces; and also offers attachments, such as a hydraulic tilt blade, an adjustable pallet fork, a tree shear, a tree master, a stump grinder; a trailer and a multipurpose tool that can be used as a tree boom.
Boxer can be used at both new and existing construction sites, for removal and installation, for large and small jobs, and is capable of handling light or heavy loads. It doesn’t require any special training or skills to be able to operate this equipment, making it accessible to virtually anyone on the workforce.
Some of the attachment uses are obvious, such as the snow blower or the trailer. Others that may not be so apparent include:
Grapple fork — Can contain and lift/move large objects or amounts of debris, such as sizeable shrubs or piles of limbs.
Hydraulic tilt blade — Primarily used to fill trenches, level surfaces or remove snow.
Hydraulic tree fork — Used to move trees.
Tree master — Used to uproot trees.
4-in-1 bucket For removing debris, spreading mulch and top soil and moving other materials.
Scarifier — A ripping tool with hydraulically adjustable depth for total control, whether breaking up hard ground or leveling a surface.
Tree shear — A tool that cuts beneath the surface to remove trees up to 3-inch diameter.
Additionally, Boxer offers mobility options: adjustable track TL model, fixed track TF model, wheeled WF model, and a diesel unit due this fall, all of which are stand-behind units.
TORO (DINGO)
The Toro Dingo compact utility loader family includes the Dingo 220, 320D, 322, TX 420 and Wide Track TX 425.The hydraulically powered Dingo system allows the user to complete more work with less manpower. A light footprint allows the user to travel and work on turf: Dingo’s compact design fits through gates and doorways and into small spaces. Toro’s Quick Attach system allows the user access to more than 35 attachment options in less than one minute. Benefits of the Dingo include compact size, versatility and significant hydraulic power.
Dingo’s light footprint allows users to traverse existing turf while lifting 1,500 pound logs — without causing damage. Tree care professionals can carry logs, stumps and debris from the job site and dump them into a truck or chipper without leaving the operator position.
The Toro Dingo offers more than 35 attachments. The most popular attachments for tree care professionals are the stump grinder, forks and 4-in-1 bucket/grapple bucket. The stump grinder makes quick work of stumps up to 30 inches in diameter. Clear operator sight lines and fingertip controls allow the operator to grind stumps without leaving the operator position. Toro Dingo’s hydraulically adjustable tree forks open to 30 inches wide. Angled fork design “gently” handles root balls, trees and large shrubs. The Dingo 4-in-1 bucket/grapple bucket can carry logs, stumps and brush across turf — significantly reducing hand labor.
BOBCAT COMPANY
Bobcat Company manufactures more than 50 different categories of job-matched attachments, which include more than 450 attachment models. Here is brief overview of those most applicable to the tree care industry:
Angle broom — Three models of the Bobcat angle broom feature a high-torque motor, and replaceable polypropylene or steel bristles to sweep away heavy material.
Auger — Dig 6- to 36-inch holes with speed and plumb-line accuracy with the auger attachment. The heavy-duty hydraulic auger bites in with high-torque power. Because of a knuckle-joint design, the auger will hang plumb even on uneven terrain.
Brushcat rotary cutter — Dual blades of the Brushcat rotary cutter breeze through thick grass, brush and branches and small saplings. The unit floats over ground contours, traveling forward or backward.
Bucket — A Bobcat bucket is designed for just about any clean-up chore. Choose from several value-added features, capacities and styles, including construction/industrial, utility, low-profile, light material and combination buckets.
Chipper — The high-horsepower Bobcat chipper takes the time and work out of grinding up tree limbs and branches. It features front or side feeding, automatic hydraulic feed with speed control and load-sensing systems and a discharge chute that rotates 360 degrees.
Digger — Use one of five models of the Bobcat digger instead of a shovel to scoop out holes for transplanting trees. With a digging depth of 4 feet and blade widths of 12 to 36 inches, it can also be used for a variety of other site maintenance jobs such as removing shrubs, small trees, boulders and footings and loosening hard-packed soil and digging small trenches or ditches.
Dozer blade — The 80-inch Bobcat dozer blade uses smooth electric-over-hydraulic controls to adjust the blade six ways for a variety of dozing and leveling jobs. It includes a reversible three-piece cutting edge and adjustable skid shoes.
Fork/grapple — The Bobcat farm fork/grapple and the heavy-duty industrial fork grapple and industrial bucket grapple handle a variety of bulky debris with ease.
Pallet forks — Available in standard or heavy-duty models, pallet forks are designed for unloading, carrying and lifting a wide range of materials for all kinds of site cleanup and maintenance chores.
Stump grinder — The Bobcat stump grinder makes stump removal quick and simple with excellent visibility of the cutting area, a big swing arc and long reach for cutting large-diameter stumps with minimal repositioning and a 32-inch cutting height for better access to taller stumps.
Sweeper — Four Bobcat sweeper models — with 44-, 54-, 60- or 72-inch sweeping widths — pick up and collect debris traveling forward or in reverse and dump or spread it where you want it. The optional gutter brush accessory makes easy work of cleaning curbs, drainage depressions and next to buildings.
Tiller — The tiller attachment is designed for breaking up clumps and mixing compost or other materials into existing soil. Features bi-directional rotation, a 6-inch maximum depth, offset mounting and replaceable, hardened tines and two widths available (52- and 68-inch).
Tree spade — The Bobcat tree spade digs trees with root diameters up to 44 inches. Choose from four adjustable tree ball sizes and three blade angle styles with overlapping blades for clean cuts. It features electric-over-hydraulic hand controls, easy entry access and a state-of-the-art hydraulic system.
ASV INC.
ASV’s R-Series All Surface Loaders feature a full line of quick-attach attachments that give the operator the power and versatility of an entire crew. They attach quickly and easily with the loader-mounted quick-attach systems. The RC-50 and R-50 use an industry standard quick-attach interface, so the attachment choice is even wider. Changes from one attachment to the next are a snap. Each R-Series machine comes with a standard auxiliary hydraulic system and includes quick-connect type hose fittings. A hydraulic pressure relief system eliminates hydraulic backpressure with the touch of a button, so connections are quick and hassle-free. Some of the attachments are as follows:
Auger (R-50 and RC-50) — Hydraulically driven auger and eight different bits make it quick and easy to bore holes from 6 to 30 inches wide.
Backboe (R-50 and RC-50) — Quick attachment backhoe was designed to assure proper fit and performance. A hinging control console allows operation from inside the cab, providing quick access to the drive controls and more comfort.
Buckets (R-50 and RC-50) — General-purpose buckets are ideal for digging, hauling, loading, grading and backfilling. Buckets are ruggedly constructed and reinforced at all cutting edges.
Others attachments include: forks, dozer blade, bucket (Yukon Jack), land leveler, mower, plow, rake, sod installer, snow blower, snow blade, tiller, tine grapple and trencher.
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