building a 14" tree shear

Help Support SkidSteer Forum:

nailsbeats

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
135
I am in the process of building a 14" tree shear for my 763 Bobcat w/ Loegering steel tracks. I have 1" thick cutting edge for blades and was wondering how to bevel it. The top of the blade has a fairly steep factory bevel for 5/8" of the blade thickness, the last 3/8" is flat. I beveled the last 3/8" toward the bottom of the blade to create a "V". Finally I sanded that baby smooth. Will this cut efficiently with 2-5" rams pushing it? I see some factory ones with single bevels and some look like they have a slight double bevel like I described. Any thoughts or experiences?
 
OP
OP
N

nailsbeats

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
135
Well. the shear is done! What a powerhouse. I tied into a 14" Elm and it was pushing the machine backwards because the wood was so hard. It eats every sofwood tree it can fit for lunch. I may add a grapple latter, but want to get more hours with it the way it is. One thing on the blades though, I will be making the bottom bevel longer so it will provide less resistance. Had to pick up a carbide bit for the mill for this job because the blades are made out of hardened cutting edge. Hope it will cut fairly efficiently. Out.
 

Tazza

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 7, 2004
Messages
16,829
Well. the shear is done! What a powerhouse. I tied into a 14" Elm and it was pushing the machine backwards because the wood was so hard. It eats every sofwood tree it can fit for lunch. I may add a grapple latter, but want to get more hours with it the way it is. One thing on the blades though, I will be making the bottom bevel longer so it will provide less resistance. Had to pick up a carbide bit for the mill for this job because the blades are made out of hardened cutting edge. Hope it will cut fairly efficiently. Out.
Very nice, do you have any piccies of the beast for us?
 

Mr Jimi

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2006
Messages
103
Well. the shear is done! What a powerhouse. I tied into a 14" Elm and it was pushing the machine backwards because the wood was so hard. It eats every sofwood tree it can fit for lunch. I may add a grapple latter, but want to get more hours with it the way it is. One thing on the blades though, I will be making the bottom bevel longer so it will provide less resistance. Had to pick up a carbide bit for the mill for this job because the blades are made out of hardened cutting edge. Hope it will cut fairly efficiently. Out.
Yes, by all means, we need pictures
Jim
 
OP
OP
N

nailsbeats

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
135
Yes, by all means, we need pictures
Jim
Well here she is boys. I added some expanded metal on the brushguard today to keep sticks off the lines. Waiting for paint, blades are in the mill waiting for the bit, should be fully completed by the end of the week. Will update pic when new one is available, Enjoy!/i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0784.jpg[/IMG]/P>
 
OP
OP
N

nailsbeats

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
135
Well here she is boys. I added some expanded metal on the brushguard today to keep sticks off the lines. Waiting for paint, blades are in the mill waiting for the bit, should be fully completed by the end of the week. Will update pic when new one is available, Enjoy!/i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0784.jpg[/IMG]/P>
Now I think we got something, screwed that first one up.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0784.jpg
 

140mower

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 4, 2006
Messages
87
Now I think we got something, screwed that first one up.
Looks very nice! Your 763's a pretty nice looking machine as well, definitely out shines mine. Any chance of getting a few more close ups of your shear? I've never seen one in person before and am wondering, do you push the trees over as you shear? How likely is it for a tree to come back on you?
Thanks, Don
 

Tazza

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 7, 2004
Messages
16,829
Looks very nice! Your 763's a pretty nice looking machine as well, definitely out shines mine. Any chance of getting a few more close ups of your shear? I've never seen one in person before and am wondering, do you push the trees over as you shear? How likely is it for a tree to come back on you?
Thanks, Don
I was thinking the same thing, how to stop it falling and damaging the ROPS, you don't want to scuff that pretty machine, looks very clean!.
I'm impressed with the shear too, it looks really good.
 

farmboy55

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 16, 2006
Messages
324
I was thinking the same thing, how to stop it falling and damaging the ROPS, you don't want to scuff that pretty machine, looks very clean!.
I'm impressed with the shear too, it looks really good.
Looking GOOD, the shear & Bobcat. We will have to get the blueprints & material list. dennis
 
OP
OP
N

nailsbeats

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
135
Looks very nice! Your 763's a pretty nice looking machine as well, definitely out shines mine. Any chance of getting a few more close ups of your shear? I've never seen one in person before and am wondering, do you push the trees over as you shear? How likely is it for a tree to come back on you?
Thanks, Don
Here are some more pics if they will help, will try to get better ones later. As far as dropping trees goes; figure out which way it is leaning and get on the back side of it if you can so it falls straight away from you or get beside it so it falls to the side. Don't worry about the small stuff. Once you drop the tree do a half pinch on it, stand it back up, and carry it away. You can also push brush if you have to. There are no blueprints for this animal it is a one of a kind.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0780.jpg

The image “http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0781.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

The image “http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0782.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0783.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0785.jpg
 

trg753

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
70
Here are some more pics if they will help, will try to get better ones later. As far as dropping trees goes; figure out which way it is leaning and get on the back side of it if you can so it falls straight away from you or get beside it so it falls to the side. Don't worry about the small stuff. Once you drop the tree do a half pinch on it, stand it back up, and carry it away. You can also push brush if you have to. There are no blueprints for this animal it is a one of a kind.
What a great job on the shear. If you could make a grapple to hold the tree, you would have one great piece of equipment. I have been thinking of building one for myself. Good job. TRG753
 

bobbie-g

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 15, 2004
Messages
577
Nice job. You can't buy one any nicer.
Keep a eye on you bolts and welds, those 5" rams will put some stress on things.
Ken
Nailsbeat, super job! And that didn't take you long either! What did you use at the pivot points where the blades attach to the frame? I haven't found a good source for cheap pivots yet. 2 3/8 pipe inside of 2 7/8 pipe is just way too klunky, same for 2 1/8 inside of 2 3/8". I want to make a tilting blade, but need a really husky pivot for the center of it, or come up with some other scheme. --- Bob
 

Tazza

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Dec 7, 2004
Messages
16,829
Nailsbeat, super job! And that didn't take you long either! What did you use at the pivot points where the blades attach to the frame? I haven't found a good source for cheap pivots yet. 2 3/8 pipe inside of 2 7/8 pipe is just way too klunky, same for 2 1/8 inside of 2 3/8". I want to make a tilting blade, but need a really husky pivot for the center of it, or come up with some other scheme. --- Bob
Bob - find someone with a lathe and machine a pin and bushing. Make sure you make it so you can replace the bushing just in case it wears out, which i doubt.
I made a set for my 743, they cost be about $20 per metre for 4140 grade steel that i later got nitrided.
Just a cheap option. If you don't have a lathe, what better excuse to buy one :)
 
OP
OP
N

nailsbeats

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
135
Nailsbeat, super job! And that didn't take you long either! What did you use at the pivot points where the blades attach to the frame? I haven't found a good source for cheap pivots yet. 2 3/8 pipe inside of 2 7/8 pipe is just way too klunky, same for 2 1/8 inside of 2 3/8". I want to make a tilting blade, but need a really husky pivot for the center of it, or come up with some other scheme. --- Bob
Bob,
I run standard cold rolled steel shaft for my pin and a heavy mild steel bushing. Like Tazza said, I use a lathe to fine tune the fit. Pick a standard size pin or pipe and fit one to the other using the lathe. Also, make sure to put a grease zerk in the pin or pipe. Pivot points are the heart of this piece of equipment, they take all the stress, even if you have to pay a machinist to make them, it is worth it. In this setup, I would recommend a 3" pin with a pipe to fit. Hope this helps.
Nels
 
OP
OP
N

nailsbeats

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
135
Bob,
I run standard cold rolled steel shaft for my pin and a heavy mild steel bushing. Like Tazza said, I use a lathe to fine tune the fit. Pick a standard size pin or pipe and fit one to the other using the lathe. Also, make sure to put a grease zerk in the pin or pipe. Pivot points are the heart of this piece of equipment, they take all the stress, even if you have to pay a machinist to make them, it is worth it. In this setup, I would recommend a 3" pin with a pipe to fit. Hope this helps.
Nels
Painted and ready to go! I have put a few hours on it thinning out small elm trees for firewood and it works great. I will add the grapple when I find a job I cant do with this. Don't see the need for the extra weight and size for now.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0826.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0827.jpg
 

papow22

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
16
Painted and ready to go! I have put a few hours on it thinning out small elm trees for firewood and it works great. I will add the grapple when I find a job I cant do with this. Don't see the need for the extra weight and size for now.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0826.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/nailsbeats/DSCN0827.jpg
Well I must say you have been blessed with a touch to build what most only dream about.For my late father was the same way.My Uncle on my late fathers side told me that my Dad could take a mountain of scrap and turn it into a mountian of GOLD.SO from what I have read and viewed of your inventions I must say you are one of best that do,While I'm one of the rest that turn green with envy.So keep up the EXCELLENT work.
 

Quince

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2010
Messages
11
Well I must say you have been blessed with a touch to build what most only dream about.For my late father was the same way.My Uncle on my late fathers side told me that my Dad could take a mountain of scrap and turn it into a mountian of GOLD.SO from what I have read and viewed of your inventions I must say you are one of best that do,While I'm one of the rest that turn green with envy.So keep up the EXCELLENT work.
What grade of steel did you use for the cutting blades? I am looking to build one that can sheer through 20" (only for cutting into firewood)
 
Top