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What is a MultiTrac?? |
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The MultiTrac is our signature equipment that is unique to our company
in this area. It is an articulated loader designed to operate on turf
without damage to the lawn, yet can lift over a ton of wood. When we
first started Landon Tree And Stump Removal Service we were naive about
the tree service business. We had no idea how companies operated
entirely. We had researched the arborist techniques and trained in
safely removing trees, but when it came to clearing the work area and
hauling the tree away we did not do any research. Looking back it seems
like such an oversight but in reality it was a refreshing advantage (at
least we think so). The problem was getting brush and wood from the
backyard to the street and then to the woodlot. I was retired after 32
years on the job. I did not feel like a hard labor job! Having helped my
bother-in-law setup a landscaping business I remembered a flyer on a
MultTrac and thought this would do the job of a couple of ground people
dragging brush. A big trailer to put the brush in (8x10x4) and the
problem was solved. By stacking the branches in the same direction about
5' long we could pack the trailer tight with the claw of the MultiTrac
and laying the big wood on top ... we could fit a good sized tree in one
load!
What do my competitors do... well they DRAG all the brush and GRUNT
all the wood out to the street and drop it and the foot of this
$50,000-$100,000 claim truck that then lifts it the last 10' into the
truck.
Today I work for some of these companies pulling wood and brush to
the curb for the claim truck while the crews go to the next job and "cut
n stack". I follow and by the end of the day there is one more job on
the curb. |
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The MultiTrac is not your average
"mini-loader". It is a small compact yet powerful machine that can be
used to access a work site with limited size entry. |
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maneuverable in tight spaces (36.75" turning radius) yet it is easy and comfortable to operate.
Everything is hydraulic; steering, acceleration as well as lifting
controls.
For more maneuverability pictures, click here |
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It is an articulating loader. In other
words, when turning it bends in the center and the wheels never twist or
turn or skid, they only roll. This means it never digs up your lawn even
if you turn the steering wheel while the unit is sitting still. This
makes it ideal for fetching brush and Big Wood in backyards!
See Nelson job where it was used
in wet conditions to remove wood a brush from 3 trees. The MultiTrac was
also used to grind the stumps, remove that debris and haul in black dirt
for the holes. |
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The MultiTrac has many different
attachments both hydraulic and non-hydraulic and some that attach to a 3
point hitch that make a very versatile
tool. Tools such as different types of drills, rakes, blades, plows,
mowers, augers, bailers, brooms, tillers, snow blowers, and buckets. You
can also use unique tools like a tree spade, sod roller, spreader,
ripper, backhoe, trencher, jackhammer, cement mixer, compactor and many
more are added to the list each year with it's universal attachment
plate. |
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The MultiTrac can lift 90% of it's own
weight. Our 30 hp diesel model can lift 2200lbs. However, it has lifted
more than that on many occasions. Times when it can only lift logs
inches off the ground but enough to move them to the truck or with
assistance to lift them higher. Many times additional passengers have
been required to keep the load in the air.
For more pictures of the lifting
capabilities of the MultiTrac, click here |
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Brush Grapple |
For more pictures, click here
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Stump Grinder |
For more pictures,
Lewis Job
Maxwell Job
Soderberg Job |
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The brush grapple is basically a fork with a beak and
gives Landon Tree And Stump its trade mark identity. We are the only
company that uses the MultiTrac to haul brush and wood from the
backyards using this grapple. Other tree companies now contract us to
move brush and wood to the street so the clam truck can access it. |
The grinder is what I call a "surgical" grinder. We use
it for hard to reach places like flower beds or tight corners or near
fences. We also use it on roots as it is very portable being on the
MultiTrac. We had the rotation changed to rotate up so it did not throw
debris under the wheels. The power is not there for big stump so we
still use the bigger grinder on those. But this works great for the
little jobs. |
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Mower |
For more pictures, click here
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Bucket |
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This is a super mower and can do a lot of work. it is
nice to have on the MutiTrac as you can raise just the front on a gulley
to get the other hill side or as the terrain changes. The air tires are
a problem as they tend to go flat when jammed into the ground or if not
lifted when approaching a hill. Mowing across a steep hill is not
advised as the heavy mower unit will tend to drag the front of the
MultiTrac downhill. |
What can you say about a bucket. The only unusual feature
of this bucket is the slots cut in the top. The literature states this
is for draining water, ok, but as an operator I believe it is more for
being able to see what you are doing. Without the slots you would not be
able to see the front of the bucket from the cab area. |
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Snow Blower |
For more pictures, click here
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Log Splitter - home made |
For more pictures, click here |
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The snow blower is a two stage hydraulic blower that can
stand up to the ice and snow that the harsh Minnesota winters can throw
at it. Being on the MultiTrac it can be used like a plow to lift snow on
top of an embankment and dump the excess out of the blower making a nice
neat edge on the driveway. The blower has power enough to handle the
hard packed ice and snow the city street plows pack 3 foot deep at the
end of the driveway ... in a minute or two. |
A personal friend of ours owns a welding shop and he
designed and built a wood splitter for the MultiTrac. It has a 4-way
splitter and a hydraulic arm to lift large logs for splitting. With a
30hp MultiTrac as the engine this splitter has power to spare. |
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Lumber
Jack Show |
For more pictures, click here |
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MultiMistake |
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Rochester has it's "Rochester Fest" each year and as part
of that they have held a lumberjack competition. Since the show is held
at a local park and beach in Rochester, they have enlisted our services
to help unload and move the logs needed for the show. The lake is some
distance from the parking area and to move them with a skid loader would
damage the turf. In return we are allowed to display our equipment and
advertise our company. |
After having the MultiTrac only a couple week, a good
friend called and asked if he could hire us to do some work in a wooded
area by his house. Wait to you see what I did to my new toy! |
