Radio controlled Knuckleboom Cranes

JayD · 24th May 2007, 09:43 PM

Great pictures, Mike...makes me a little jealous..not really your going hard for it,no body gave it to you.
Keep the picy's coming.

TreeCo · 24th May 2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boa07

As always your photos fascinate me, mainly because the technique is so far removed from anything I've done...snip/

Ditto for me. I think Mike's set up is the most unique I've ever seen in the tree business.

Good going Mike!

Mike Poor · 29th May 2007, 01:46 PM

I'm glad you guys liked the photos. Thanks! Boa the tree with leaves just start to emerge and expand (in the left of the first of the six photos) is Quercus alba/ white oak (great trees but they're rarely planted here anymore.) 2 of the removals are Acer sacharinum/ silver maple. The other ( the trunk pick out of the deck and logs on the truck) was Quercus macrocarpa= the best oak in the midwest u.s. They often live 200+ yrs., but this one died a few years after being hacked/topped by a self proclaimed tree expert!

paskal · 25th June 2007, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeCo

Ditto for me. I think Mike's set up is the most unique I've ever seen in the tree business.

Good going Mike!

In the Netherlands we have one man who does a lot of treejobs with a knuckleboom crane. But his crane is built on a Terra Gator. You can chek his site at www.gerarddenijs.nl

Ekka · 25th June 2007, 08:08 AM

Very nice

That looks like a go anywhere unit and judging by that last pick it has a great capacity.

The wheels are wild, real wide rubber, no getting stuck in mud.

I went to the specs page ...

Quote:

Specifieke kenmerken kraan

? Radiografische bediening
? Bereik met: - Hoofdmast op 3.00 mtr. 21.500kg.
op 16.15 mtr. 3655kg.
- Jibmast op 7.50 mtr. 4000kg.
op 31.70 mtr. 550kg.
- haakhoogte 36 mtr.
? Hijslier met 3000 kg. reeptrek hijsmogelijkheid 6000 kg. met de lier.
? De giekconstructie van de jib heeft de mogelijkheid om door 0 graden heen te werken tot maximaal 25 graden.

Specifieke kenmerken onderwagen

? Aandrijving 4x4
? Zeer grote trekkracht (tractie)
? Lage wieldruk
? Extra hydroliekaansluitingen
? Lucht en hydraulische aansluitingen
? Lucht en hydraulische remaansluitingen t.b.v. aanhangwagens
? Afmetingen voor gebruik ik kleinere ruimten
- minimale doorrijhoogte van 3.65 meter
- breedte op 1050 banden 3.10 meter (lage wieldruk uitvoering)
- breedte op 750 banden 2.60 meter
- lengte totaal 9.00 meter (met trekinstallatie 9.60 meter)
- totaal gewicht 24 ton

Toepassingsmogelijkheden zijn o.a.

? Met de giekconstructie is het mogelijk door deur- en raamopeningen te werken, bij technische installaties om lasten e.d. zowel verticaal als horizontaal van A naar B te brengen. Maar ook is het mogelijk in gebouwen zelf te werken of in fabrieksinstallaties.
? Voor het duw- en trekwerk zijn er frames voor en achter aan de onderwagen, welke hydraulisch in hoogte verstelbaar zijn en die tevens dienen om aanhangwagens te verslepen.

TrevMcRev · 25th June 2007, 09:55 PM

Thats an impressive piece of kit! Go anywhere(almost) mobile crane that looks a lot more versatile than a franna.

paskal · 26th June 2007, 03:47 AM

Hello Ekka,

I'll try to translate the specs page for you later this evening.

TreeCo · 26th June 2007, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paskal

In the Netherlands we have one man who does a lot of treejobs with a knuckleboom crane. But his crane is built on a Terra Gator. You can chek his site at www.gerarddenijs.nl

Awesome gear!

paskal · 26th June 2007, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

looks a lot more versatile than a franna.

hey Trev, can you explain what that exactly means? and what's a franna?

I understand a lot in English, but versatile and a franna?

Ekka · 26th June 2007, 09:27 AM

It's these sort of cranes, they can drive around with loads on too, called a Franna.

TrevMcRev · 26th June 2007, 11:14 PM

Yeah thanks ekka, thats the type of crane, pretty common here in australia.

Versatile means adaptable, useful in many situations, handy etc.

paskal · 27th June 2007, 08:01 AM

ok, thanks, never seen one roun here...

paskal · 27th June 2007, 08:41 AM

here some more pics. I've got lots more of'm, but first I gotta find'em.

Ekka · 27th June 2007, 06:03 PM

Paskal

I just put up a video of us using the franna.

Helmetcam crane and bucket TD of Poinciana

Very handy as it can drive around with a load on, perfect for that job I did.

Nice pics mate.

paskal · 29th June 2007, 09:36 PM

Nice job man, the franna is very handy indeed! But our crane (lets call it the Terra Gator) can turn around his boom 360 degrees, so we don't have to drive with our loads, most of the time. Otherwise we can connect a trailer to the crane, we load the trunks an can drive around with the load also! But yes, thats easier with your Franna...

paskal · 29th June 2007, 10:46 PM

Here's my translation of the specs page from the site www.gerarddenijs.nl

He has some new pics there, click on 'Foto van de week' (picture of the week) or here> http://www.gerarddenijs.nl/slideshow2.html. These pics were taken by a man of the Dutch Federation of Vertical Transport. It was a demonstration for that man, so he could see what we do with this crane in trees. By Dutch law, it is only allowed to hoist a complete tree with a telescopic crane, and NOT allowed to climb in that same tree at the same time! BUT: this man (a safety expert) is trying to fit the rules into the practice, so we can do our job not only in a safe way, but also in a legal way. The use of the crane is in this location not really necesary, but it was a perfect location to do the demonstration. The man was impressed. Me , I'm the man in yellow and red...

Translation of the specs page:

Radio controlled
Reach/load headboom: 3.00 mtr. 21.500kg.
16.15 mtr. 3655kg
jib boom: 7.50 mtr. 4000kg
31.70 mtr. 550kg
Hookhight(?): 36.00mtr
Winch: 3000kg pulling aside
6000kg pulling up

The construction of the boom makes it possible to work with the jib through 0degrees, by max 25 degrees. (headboom horizontal, jibboom 25 degrees up)

Specs of the truck: 4x4 drive
really high traction
low wheelpressure
extra hydraulic- and air assembly (brakes of a trailer)

Minimal drive-trough hight: 3.65mtr
minimal drive-trough width: on 1050 tires: 3.10mtr (low wheel pressure version)
on 750 tires: 2.60mtr
Length: 9.00mtr (with pulling devise 9.60mtr)
Total weight: 24ton (24000kg)

With the construction of the boom it is possible to move loads through an open door or window, horizontal and vertical. Because of the pretty small dimensions we can work inside a factory installations or in buildings.

Gerard de Nijs does also many work for Corus, a worldwide steel producing factory (formally Hoogovens, maybe it sounds familiar to you...?)

TrevMcRev · 29th June 2007, 10:52 PM

HI Paskal,

Is the TerraGator articultated? Meaning it turns by bending in the middle rather than sterring the wheels?

Ekka · 29th June 2007, 11:29 PM

First, great pics and great crane! Thanks for that, I love seeing these pics from around the world ... especially Europe, you guys been working with trees since before Australia was even discovered and have very innovative precision engineers (world class engineering).

But, about the tree cutting ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by paskal

By Dutch law, it is only allowed to hoist a complete tree with a telescopic crane, and NOT allowed to climb in that same tree at the same time!

I dont understand this law, are you saying that what you were doing in that pic is not allowed?

But you can ride the hook of the crane and get a lift into the tree, yes/no? (I saw picture some-one was getting a lift)

paskal · 30th June 2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

HI Paskal,

Is the TerraGator articultated? Meaning it turns by bending in the middle rather than sterring the wheels?

It's bending in the middle to turn. The base of this crane is actually the base of a dumptruck. more about Terra Gator @ www.agchemeurope.com

paskal · 30th June 2007, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

First, great pics and great crane! Thanks for that, I love seeing these pics from around the world ... especially Europe, you guys been working with trees since before Australia was even discovered and have very innovative precision engineers (world class engineering).

But, about the tree cutting ....

I dont understand this law, are you saying that what you were doing in that pic is not allowed?

But you can ride the hook of the crane and get a lift into the tree, yes/no? (I saw picture some-one was getting a lift)

Right! It's ridiculous, but they're working on it. It is not allowed to do that in the pic, officially. The man of the federation is going to change this law. Now there are no rules at all, except the fact that it's forbidden. But most of the arborists must do things like that, we can't go everywhere with a 300ton telescopic crane, can we? Now they're gonna make a special part in the safety law, after looking at our job and if it is safe what we do. So it is getting better in the future.

I can get a lift by flying by crane, than I must attach the chain(s) to the tree top(s), descend and cut the tree at he ground. thats the way by law nowadays. In future it must be allowed to attach the treetop or the tip of a branch, then descend to the right hight and cut off the piece you wanna. always double secured ofcourse. And thats the way we like it! (and the way we do it...)

In that specific pic you were talking about, you see me fly, double secured. My baseline through a ring at the top of the crane (only personal use), and a short line on the ring of the chain. when I reach the treetop, I install my baseline upthere and work on. On days with high temperatures (25+ or something) it's better to get lifted by crane than climb up, less energy, more concentration at the end of the day.

Ekka · 30th June 2007, 09:01 AM

Your dead right on getting the lift into the tree.

Over here our know all OHS people forbid getting crane ride into tree!

See, trouble is the people making the rules haven't done our job. Many times with crane I also have tower (cherry picker) if there's room ... starts getting expensive for all that gear though but tree is down fast.

paskal · 30th June 2007, 05:28 PM

Now they wanna make some rules from out of practice. I mean that they come and see us doing our job, judge if it's safe what we do and make some rules. So these rules should be better workable.
The idea is good I think...

Ekka · 30th June 2007, 07:03 PM

Lucky you.

Changing rules here would be like raising the Titanic!

TrevMcRev · 30th June 2007, 10:58 PM

+25 degrees = Hot? Try 35-45 on a hot Aussie summers day!

But hey we know nothing about working in snow, ice conditions!

paskal · 5th July 2007, 03:26 AM

With a safety coat on, 25+ is pretty hot when you're used to about 20 degrees. Ok, in summer it's 30+ somedays. By safety laws here it is required to wear a chainsaw safety jacket and trousers (6 layers of kevlar is heating you up) when climbing and handling a chainsaw. On the ground just a pair of trousers, and climing and using a handsaw no safetywear at all...

TrevMcRev · 5th July 2007, 04:47 PM

Wow Ok, we use trousers but not jackets!

Mike Poor · 8th July 2007, 10:16 AM

That's very cool, the tires look somewhat turf friendly too!

paskal · 8th July 2007, 07:00 PM

Absolutely, with the 'small' tires, there are no traces at all, with the huge tires only the blocks of the profile in the mud...

Hey, but you got a nice truck too man!

arborjockey · 28th November 2009, 03:46 AM

Absolutly great stuff. Best crane set up iv seen. I have always been a big fan of pretence loader style of cranes but i would of never guessed that they had a 100' reach. Thanks for the pix and keep them comming

24th May 2007, 09:43 PM	#31
JayD Moderator - Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,432	Great pictures, Mike...makes me a little jealous..not really your going hard for it,no body gave it to you. Keep the picy's coming. __________________ Level 4 Arborist

25th June 2007, 09:55 PM	#36
TrevMcRev Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,426	Thats an impressive piece of kit! Go anywhere(almost) mobile crane that looks a lot more versatile than a franna. __________________ Total Tree Care - Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal \| Elm Leaf Beetle Treatment Melbourne www.treegear.com.au - Australia's Best Value Arborist Supplies

26th June 2007, 03:47 AM	#37
paskal Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands Posts: 12	specs page Hello Ekka, I'll try to translate the specs page for you later this evening.

26th June 2007, 09:27 AM	#40
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort & Seldom Wrong Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,752	It's these sort of cranes, they can drive around with loads on too, called a Franna. __________________ TAS Training & Assessment Services\| Arb and Hort Training available here Free Online Tree Value Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online TPZ and SRZ AS4970-2009 Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online Tree Surface Area and Tree Volume Calculator by TreeWorld Free Tree and Green Industry Deep Link Directory ... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist, Tree and Arborist Reports \| Project Arborist

26th June 2007, 11:14 PM	#41
TrevMcRev Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,426	Yeah thanks ekka, thats the type of crane, pretty common here in australia. Versatile means adaptable, useful in many situations, handy etc. __________________ Total Tree Care - Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal \| Elm Leaf Beetle Treatment Melbourne www.treegear.com.au - Australia's Best Value Arborist Supplies

29th May 2007, 01:46 PM	#33
Mike Poor Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Urbana, IL,usa Posts: 70	I'm glad you guys liked the photos. Thanks! Boa the tree with leaves just start to emerge and expand (in the left of the first of the six photos) is Quercus alba/ white oak (great trees but they're rarely planted here anymore.) 2 of the removals are Acer sacharinum/ silver maple. The other ( the trunk pick out of the deck and logs on the truck) was Quercus macrocarpa= the best oak in the midwest u.s. They often live 200+ yrs., but this one died a few years after being hacked/topped by a self proclaimed tree expert!

27th June 2007, 08:01 AM	#42
paskal Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands Posts: 12	ok, thanks, never seen one roun here...

27th June 2007, 06:03 PM	#44
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort & Seldom Wrong Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,752	Paskal I just put up a video of us using the franna. Helmetcam crane and bucket TD of Poinciana Very handy as it can drive around with a load on, perfect for that job I did. Nice pics mate. __________________ TAS Training & Assessment Services\| Arb and Hort Training available here Free Online Tree Value Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online TPZ and SRZ AS4970-2009 Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online Tree Surface Area and Tree Volume Calculator by TreeWorld Free Tree and Green Industry Deep Link Directory ... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist, Tree and Arborist Reports \| Project Arborist

29th June 2007, 09:36 PM	#45
paskal Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands Posts: 12	Nice job man, the franna is very handy indeed! But our crane (lets call it the Terra Gator) can turn around his boom 360 degrees, so we don't have to drive with our loads, most of the time. Otherwise we can connect a trailer to the crane, we load the trunks an can drive around with the load also! But yes, thats easier with your Franna...

29th June 2007, 10:46 PM	#46
paskal Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands Posts: 12	translation of the specs page. Here's my translation of the specs page from the site www.gerarddenijs.nl He has some new pics there, click on 'Foto van de week' (picture of the week) or here> http://www.gerarddenijs.nl/slideshow2.html. These pics were taken by a man of the Dutch Federation of Vertical Transport. It was a demonstration for that man, so he could see what we do with this crane in trees. By Dutch law, it is only allowed to hoist a complete tree with a telescopic crane, and NOT allowed to climb in that same tree at the same time! BUT: this man (a safety expert) is trying to fit the rules into the practice, so we can do our job not only in a safe way, but also in a legal way. The use of the crane is in this location not really necesary, but it was a perfect location to do the demonstration. The man was impressed. Me , I'm the man in yellow and red... Translation of the specs page: Radio controlled Reach/load headboom: 3.00 mtr. 21.500kg. 16.15 mtr. 3655kg jib boom: 7.50 mtr. 4000kg 31.70 mtr. 550kg Hookhight(?): 36.00mtr Winch: 3000kg pulling aside 6000kg pulling up The construction of the boom makes it possible to work with the jib through 0degrees, by max 25 degrees. (headboom horizontal, jibboom 25 degrees up) Specs of the truck: 4x4 drive really high traction low wheelpressure extra hydraulic- and air assembly (brakes of a trailer) Minimal drive-trough hight: 3.65mtr minimal drive-trough width: on 1050 tires: 3.10mtr (low wheel pressure version) on 750 tires: 2.60mtr Length: 9.00mtr (with pulling devise 9.60mtr) Total weight: 24ton (24000kg) With the construction of the boom it is possible to move loads through an open door or window, horizontal and vertical. Because of the pretty small dimensions we can work inside a factory installations or in buildings. Gerard de Nijs does also many work for Corus, a worldwide steel producing factory (formally Hoogovens, maybe it sounds familiar to you...?)

29th June 2007, 10:52 PM	#47
TrevMcRev Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,426	HI Paskal, Is the TerraGator articultated? Meaning it turns by bending in the middle rather than sterring the wheels? __________________ Total Tree Care - Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal \| Elm Leaf Beetle Treatment Melbourne www.treegear.com.au - Australia's Best Value Arborist Supplies

30th June 2007, 09:01 AM	#51
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort & Seldom Wrong Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,752	Your dead right on getting the lift into the tree. Over here our know all OHS people forbid getting crane ride into tree! See, trouble is the people making the rules haven't done our job. Many times with crane I also have tower (cherry picker) if there's room ... starts getting expensive for all that gear though but tree is down fast. __________________ TAS Training & Assessment Services\| Arb and Hort Training available here Free Online Tree Value Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online TPZ and SRZ AS4970-2009 Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online Tree Surface Area and Tree Volume Calculator by TreeWorld Free Tree and Green Industry Deep Link Directory ... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist, Tree and Arborist Reports \| Project Arborist

30th June 2007, 05:28 PM	#52
paskal Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands Posts: 12	Now they wanna make some rules from out of practice. I mean that they come and see us doing our job, judge if it's safe what we do and make some rules. So these rules should be better workable. The idea is good I think...

30th June 2007, 07:03 PM	#53
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort & Seldom Wrong Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,752	Lucky you. Changing rules here would be like raising the Titanic! __________________ TAS Training & Assessment Services\| Arb and Hort Training available here Free Online Tree Value Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online TPZ and SRZ AS4970-2009 Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online Tree Surface Area and Tree Volume Calculator by TreeWorld Free Tree and Green Industry Deep Link Directory ... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist, Tree and Arborist Reports \| Project Arborist

30th June 2007, 10:58 PM	#54
TrevMcRev Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,426	+25 degrees = Hot? Try 35-45 on a hot Aussie summers day! But hey we know nothing about working in snow, ice conditions! __________________ Total Tree Care - Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal \| Elm Leaf Beetle Treatment Melbourne www.treegear.com.au - Australia's Best Value Arborist Supplies

5th July 2007, 03:26 AM	#55
paskal Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands Posts: 12	With a safety coat on, 25+ is pretty hot when you're used to about 20 degrees. Ok, in summer it's 30+ somedays. By safety laws here it is required to wear a chainsaw safety jacket and trousers (6 layers of kevlar is heating you up) when climbing and handling a chainsaw. On the ground just a pair of trousers, and climing and using a handsaw no safetywear at all...

5th July 2007, 04:47 PM	#56
TrevMcRev Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,426	Wow Ok, we use trousers but not jackets! __________________ Total Tree Care - Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal \| Elm Leaf Beetle Treatment Melbourne www.treegear.com.au - Australia's Best Value Arborist Supplies

8th July 2007, 10:16 AM	#57
Mike Poor Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Urbana, IL,usa Posts: 70	That's very cool, the tires look somewhat turf friendly too!

8th July 2007, 07:00 PM	#58
paskal Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands Posts: 12	Absolutely, with the 'small' tires, there are no traces at all, with the huge tires only the blocks of the profile in the mud... Hey, but you got a nice truck too man!

28th November 2009, 03:46 AM	#59
arborjockey Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: hawaii. ohio. oregon. california Posts: 220	Re: Radio controlled Knuckleboom Cranes Absolutly great stuff. Best crane set up iv seen. I have always been a big fan of pretence loader style of cranes but i would of never guessed that they had a 100' reach. Thanks for the pix and keep them comming

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