What's your favorite machine?

[CalTreeEquip]

OK, so what is your favorite machine? I mean brand, model, year and why?

 

[Pelorus]

The suffering of groundies wouldn't otherwise bother me too much, except that I invariably / inevitably have to participate in the suffering dept. So, I like my SK650 miniskid. Work gets done quicker and easier.

 

[epicklein22]

OK, so what is your favorite machine? I mean brand, model, year and why?

Late 90's/early 2000's National 900 series crane. I don't run it, but can't believe what our operator gets out of it. For a 23.5 ton crane, just plain amazing what it lifts and how strong it is.

Other piece I love is the 2004 Morbark 13 we have at work. Great down pressure and pulling power. Acts like a big chipper. 15" is a nice max capacity too. Would love to have one with a big motor, only have a 80hp something Cat.

 

[CalTreeEquip]

Brush Bandit 1400

This was may favorite chipper. Never got to use it but it sure was cool.
1995 Bandit 1400 on tracks with a loader and 200 hp Cummins.
Its up in Kodiak Island, Alaska now clearing slash in prep of replanting.

View attachment 281400

 

[CalTreeEquip]

Red Max Stump Grinder

Can't believe this tread is just going to die. Really, "what kind of grease gun should I use" gets better responce??
So here another one from the vaults.
It was an 1985 Red Max self-propelled stump grinder, 35 hp 2 cyl Deutz diesel, articulate knuckle boom, articulate sterring, hydrostatic 4x4, with something like 200 hours on it. It was an exceptionally bad assed grinder. I believe these were all made by special order in some small shop in Minnesota I think. It was way ahead of its time. The Granddaddy of all the big self-propelled grinders.
View attachment 284936

 

[Isna]

My favorite chipper:
View attachment 284942
Made by Pezzolato.
Unfortunately, we changed for a Jensen 2 years ago. Have been having so many problems with it that we decided to change again this year.

 

[CalTreeEquip]

That thing looks way cool. How bigs the engine, 100 hp?
Looks like it swivels on the trailer, very nice!

 

[Goose IBEW]

My favorite piece of equipment? This would extend beyond tree care for me. I ran an 1986 John Deere 410B 4x4 back hoe in the summer of 1992. We were doing heavy construction work, including water mains, drainage, man hole settings, and general site work. That Deere would flat out make a 580 Case look weak. I could pick a man hole casting and walk the job with it where as a 580 would just about be able to lift it and the machine would just about tip over if it tried to move it across the site.

The 1986 B model Deeres were a really nice machine compared to the ones that came out before it. I'd say they started the revolution of modern looking and operating back hoes. The ones prior looked like re worked farm tractors.

 

[Isna]

That thing looks way cool. How bigs the engine, 100 hp?
Looks like it swivels on the trailer, very nice!

Can't remember the hp but it sure was powerful. It did swivel on the trailer. That was a 2700Kg trailer. At the time, the local sewage plant bought the chips at a good price. When they reduced the price, it was not worth it anymore (we did get a good price selling it). Sure miss it. We could load it with the tractor and the conveyor belt kept feeding the chipper. A second conveyor belt loaded the chips into the truck.

 

[Isna]

We are thinking of getting an Irus Deltrack: A radio controlled brush-cutter that can operate on 50° slopes. Will know in June if we can afford it. Can't wait! Seen a demo and that thing could easily become my favorite piece of equipment.
View attachment 284959

 

[CalTreeEquip]

We are thinking of getting an Irus Deltrack: A radio controlled brush-cutter that can operate on 50° slopes. Will know in June if we can afford it. Can't wait! Seen a demo and that thing could easily become my favorite piece of equipment.
View attachment 284959

An RC tracked mower, brillant!!
Will be great with Wasp nests not so great with Quail nests.

 

[Isna]

An RC tracked mower, brillant!!
Will be great with Wasp nests not so great with Quail nests.

It is, in fact, an RC tractor. Can also be fitted with a snow blower, a stump grinder... ... ...
We are trying to get a big job that would need it. We get the job, we get the machine...
More info: http://www.paget-france.fr/documents/produits/nouveau catalogue deltrak 2 11 2011.pdf
Warning: this pdf is in French! still has nice pics.

 

[CalTreeEquip]

Even better. Damn you guys have some nice stuff!

 

[Isna]

Even better. Damn you guys have some nice stuff!

German tools...

 

[Walt41]

I would have to say the 4510 Mahindra 4x4 in my avatar is my favorite machine, while I have other machines that I use, I consider the 4510 my baby as it is the only one I bought new and after close to 500 hours of seat time it has never failed to do exactly what I needed it to do...even when I should grab something bigger.

 

[timberland ts]

Its not pretty new or expensive. Its priceless. My 743 bobcat. I have a gapple, backhoe, york rake, brush mower and llog splitter for it. I can do in three hrs what three guys can do in a day with five gal. Of diesel and not be tired.

 

[CalTreeEquip]

Mt52

I have this MT52, the most versatile tool I have ever owned.
View attachment 285041

 

[a_lopa]

View attachment 285126

Probably the 21 ton digger with grab

 

[Mowingman]

In my younger days, it was the Cat D9H dozer, with cab, A/C, and ripper.
Now, in my golden years, it is a Bobcat T300 CTL with enclosed cab, A/C, heat, and a root grapple attachment.
Jeff

 

[CalTreeEquip]

View attachment 285126

Probably the 21 ton digger with grab

Now your talking, one can get a lot of work done with a big excavator with thumb.