Simple Shear For Clearing Small Trees

Simple Shear For Clearing Small Trees In a farm equipment market crowded with complex attachments and high-maintenance systems, GT Metal’s Rolling Tree Shear stands out for its simplicity. Built in Nebraska, the implement is designed to do one job efficiently: remove small trees and stubborn second growth along fence lines and in pastures, without hydraulics, excessive maintenance or a steep learning curve. “A friend came to me with the basic idea for the shear, but it wasn’t perfected,” says GT Metal owner Eugene Schendt. “Over about two years, I’d occasionally sit down and work on it to get the angles on the blades right so they’d cut nicely.” This practical trial-and-error approach resulted in a simple tree shear mounted on a universal skid steer plate. It uses two 22 1/2-in. high-carbon steel rolling blades. Based on the concept of a Noble V-plow cutter blade, the blades are designed to withstand rugged field conditions. If wear or bending occurs, operators can flip or replace the blades. The sturdy frame is built from 3 by 3-in. square tubing, 3/16 in. thick. The front arms are made of 4 by 6-in. 1/2-in. angle iron. The skid steer’s weight and traction do the work without hydraulics. For the best cutting results, Schendt recommends setting the machine’s blades slightly into the ground, about 12 to 18 in. from the tree, then driving through the trunk in one smooth motion. It’ll slice through a 4-in. tree in one pass, leaving little visible stump. The blades run on a center-supported bearing built from a Chevrolet automotive hub assembly, so replacements are available through regular auto parts suppliers rather than a specialty dealer. “To change a blade, just remove the five lug nuts, pull it off, and put the new one on, or flip the old one if it’s only slightly bent,” Schendt says. At roughly 400 lbs, the unit is light enough to load and transfer between pickup trucks with minimal effort. Schendt sells the Rolling Tree Shear for $4,500 plus S&H anywhere in North America. He’s actively seeking dealers to help with upcoming sales. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, GT Metal, Lawrence, Neb. 68957 (ph 402-469-2157; geneschendt@gmail.com; www.gt-metal.net).

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