Clam Lake E n g i n e e r i n g Vassar Tree Shear Project.

Clam LakeClam LakeE n g i n e e r i n gE n g i n e e r i n g

Vassar Tree Shear ProjectVassar Tree Shear Project

Clam LakeClam LakeE n g i n e e r i n gE n g i n e e r i n g

Clint CosgroveClint Cosgrove Matt LemmonsMatt Lemmons Lance KlementLance Klement Kevin TaylorKevin Taylor

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Vassar EquipmentVassar Equipment

Family Owned Family Owned Located in PerkinsLocated in Perkins Vast Array of ProductsVast Array of Products

Tree ShearsTree Shears

SimpleSimple

EffectiveEffective

SafeSafe

Current DesignCurrent Design

Vassar currently offers 7, 10, 12, & 16” tree shears

Main focus is on 10” (SS-4)

Main frame is ½” steel plate

No rotation

Blades not flush with the ground

History of Customer ServiceHistory of Customer Service

Rigorous testing at demonstrationsRigorous testing at demonstrations

Shears withstand much abuse by customersShears withstand much abuse by customers

Vassar believes in their product, 2/3 cost Vassar believes in their product, 2/3 cost reimbursement for trade-in upgradesreimbursement for trade-in upgrades

Very few failuresVery few failures

Customer RequirementsCustomer Requirements

Frame RotationFrame Rotation Manual RotationManual Rotation

Flush CuttingFlush Cutting Blades sitting on floorBlades sitting on floor Customer appealCustomer appeal

Customer RequirementsCustomer Requirements

New FeaturesNew Features

Simplified FrameSimplified Frame Less partsLess parts

Reshaping frame to align cylinders Reshaping frame to align cylinders with bladeswith blades

Customer RequirementsCustomer Requirements

LimitationsLimitations 10 inch tree shear weight under 10 inch tree shear weight under

1100 lbs.1100 lbs.

Brush guard remain intactBrush guard remain intact

Withstand 3000 psi hydraulic Withstand 3000 psi hydraulic pressurepressure

Engineering SpecificationsEngineering Specifications

DimensionsDimensions Allow a 10 in tree to fit between bladesAllow a 10 in tree to fit between blades

Length of implement must be Length of implement must be minimizedminimized

Height of the frame remains the sameHeight of the frame remains the same

Engineering SpecificationsEngineering Specifications

ForcesForces shearing forces on the tree from shearing forces on the tree from

hydraulic rams and impact forceshydraulic rams and impact forces

40,000 lbs. from rams40,000 lbs. from rams

impact loading of 14,000 lbs.impact loading of 14,000 lbs.

Engineering SpecificationsEngineering Specifications

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations WeightWeight

Angle of rotationAngle of rotation

User-friendly?User-friendly?

Patent SearchesPatent Searches

Most patents cover industrial logging implements

Attention is on gripping the tree

Others covered boom-mounted shears

These designs were more like “loppers”

Patent SearchesPatent Searches

Design uses oscillatory movement

Cylinder placement and frame shape are much different

Contains a C-shaped frame

Patent is for blade angle, also does not sit flush with ground

The CompetitionThe CompetitionDymax Inc.

Only uses one shear blade

May make non-uniform cuts

Mount is not the sameSkid Steer Solutions

Only uses one shear blade

Rotational, but with hydraulics

No known patents

The CompetitionThe Competition

Grace Manufacturing

Frame is not curved

Hydraulic cylinders close to 45o

No rotation

No patents pending

CostCost

MaterialsMaterials ManufacturingManufacturing In House/ Send OutIn House/ Send Out

User FriendlinessUser Friendliness

Regular UseRegular Use

MaintenanceMaintenance

StrengthStrength

CuttingCutting

ImpactImpact

FatigueFatigue

Considerations for Considerations for RotationRotation

RequirementsRequirements– Low Rotational SpeedLow Rotational Speed

– Must Support the Shear WeightMust Support the Shear Weight

– Low CostLow Cost

– Easily ManufacturedEasily Manufactured

Considerations For RotationConsiderations For Rotation

Hydraulic/Electric RotationHydraulic/Electric Rotation– Rotation with a hydraulic cylinderRotation with a hydraulic cylinder

Rotation with a rack and pinionRotation with a rack and pinion Rotation with an lever armRotation with an lever arm

– Rotation with a hydraulic/electric motorRotation with a hydraulic/electric motor

**All require more than one hydraulic circuitAll require more than one hydraulic circuit

Rotation by handRotation by hand

Possible Designs-Rotation Possible Designs-Rotation MechanismMechanism

BearingsBearings– ExpensiveExpensive– Require Low TolerancesRequire Low Tolerances

Drive RollersDrive Rollers– Low Low

DOM TubingDOM Tubing– Almost Unlimited Amount of SizesAlmost Unlimited Amount of Sizes– Appropriate Wall ThicknessAppropriate Wall Thickness– Cost EffectiveCost Effective

Possible Designs-FramePossible Designs-Frame

Four Piece Four Piece FrameFrame– Less PartsLess Parts

– Max Cylinder Max Cylinder ForceForce

– Manual Manual RotationRotation

Possible Designs-FramePossible Designs-Frame

Three Piece Three Piece FrameFrame– Less PartsLess Parts

– Maximum Maximum Cylinder ForceCylinder Force

– Flush CutFlush Cut

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements The Vassar CompanyThe Vassar Company

Larry Kimmel and Jack VassarLarry Kimmel and Jack Vassar

Dr. Paul WecklerDr. Paul Weckler

H. Clay Buford, P.E.H. Clay Buford, P.E.

Wayne KinerWayne Kiner