Fence post / tree puller

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Here it goes the first post!My buddy 877Silverado and i helped a buddy build a fence post puller attachement for his fencing business he wants to get going this summer.877silverado did most all of the welding i just helped out with odds and ends and took pictures  will post more soon Attached Images
Reply:Here are some more pics as the assembly went on let me know what you think! Attached Images
Reply:again some more pics of the assembly/welding process. Attached Images
Reply:Tada! here is the end result.  We made the hoses a little long and will have to get them cut down, other than that it works good.  All in all around $750.00 into it, here is one for $1900.00 and the one we built is waay heavier!http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-new-tr...item2a1c1b3013 Attached Images
Reply:looks pretty cool, i can think of a few people id like to grab with that thing lol-NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600
Reply:It looks good but the weak point is gonna be the teeth.
Reply:Built something similar to this at my last job, but using the 3 point and aux hydros of a good sized tractor.  Worked like a charm.  Those teeth are gonna be the weak spot though... a real stubborn tree will curl them right under.  I'd probably weld gussets onto each tooth... make them extend all the way out to the tip.
Reply:I have a couple of questions, as I am buidling one almost identical.What diameter and thickness tubing are you using for the main frame?What is the plate thickness on the jaw teeth?I have the main frame almost finished...The jaw teeth are at the machine shop being cut from 3/4 plate...After seeing yours I think went overboard on the material thickness.
Reply:The tubing was all 1/4" and the teeth are 1/2". He designed it for 3/4" teeth but the company that cut them out didn't have 3/4" on hand. The side and top plates are 1/2". The tubing on the main frame is 3X4 on the top and 3X3 on the bottom. and the braces are 1 1/2" square tubing the jaws are 3X3 as well.
Reply:I don't "do" other people's projects much.  I generally feel that what works.....works.The attachment to the Bobcat is probably designed to OEM size (probably had something to go by when fabricating it).  It's stout.Actually it's probably too stout, but good.The working end of the implement is up for grabs.  Although the material (per a previous post) is thick, it may not be strong.When designing anything you gotta look at the forces involved, and the thickness of the web (distance between flanges), not the thickness of the material.  In this case the material is thick (the tubing the teeth are attached to), but the web is inadequate.  You coulda used 3/16 2x4 or 2x5 rectangular tubing and really boosted the strength while keeping weight to a minimum.  Just throwing heavy chunks of steel at a problem doesn't always solve the problem, you have to look at everything as a beam, or torque tube, when designing something like this.  The hydraulic cylinder is small enough (square inches on the piston face) that maybe this might not be an issue when it comes to clamping force.  Bending force is another matter (vertical load when pulling up a tree).  I gotta feeling that any serious pulling is gonna tip the Bobcat anyways.The vertical force would probably be handled by increasing the flange size on the tubing, instead of 2x4, maybe 3x4, if such a size exists (I dunno).  You need separation of flanges in all directions to make up a strong structure.  You could possibly increase flange thickness maybe as it sits.The teeth might be OK, as the length from the end of the teeth to the attachment to the tubing appears pretty short, not too much leverage involved (cantilever load), but thicker would have been better.  I'm probably being a little too picky here, fenceposts don't require much up force............but trees do.  A cedar tree with a 6" trunk has a pretty good root system.  The roots will shear a shear bolt in a heartbeat at plowing speed when using a moldboard plow.  They're tough.Use less weld.  You don't have to weld every inch.  In reality, too much weld causes distortion, and is a waste of material.  And it makes it a real b@@ch to cut apart when you need to fix damage, which you will when working with trees.It's my opinion, and it's worth what you paid for it.  I mean no harm, and hope all works well."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:When dealing with tubing you're looking at a beam as well as a tube.  It's the beauty of tubing."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Great job, very impressed! Cheers bud! I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:I have never seen anything like that please post video when you get it rolling.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Thanks for the comments guys, and i know its not my project but i posted it because other people might want to see it and i did help build it. Also this was designed primarily for T-posts not really trees, so the teeth bending shouldnt be an issue for this one anyways, good idea though if one was to pull trees to gusset the teeth.Also best of luck to you BAC yours is looking good so far post some pics when your done will be fun to see it!!