Gierkink GMT 035 User manual

USER MANUAL FOR GMT 035
FELLING GRAPPLE
Gierkink Machine Techniek BV
Kapelweg 44a
7134 RJ Vragender
The Netherlands
Tel. [phone]
www.gierkinktmt.nl
[e-mail]

GMT 035 User manual
2015 2
Contents
1 General.................................................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Useofthismanual...............................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Warnings and warning pictograms.....................................................................................................................4
2 Safety guidelines...........................................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Basis machine / Carrying vehicle................................................................................................................................7
3 Preparation for use.......................................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Transport..............................................................................................................................................................8
3.2 Mounting the felling grapple..............................................................................................................................8
4 Use...............................................................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Safety recommendations..................................................................................................................................11
4.2 Operation of the felling grapple .......................................................................................................................12
4.1 Supplied tools.....................................................................................................................................................13
4.3 Lifting reference for sawing at height..............................................................................................................13
5 Maintenance...............................................................................................................................................................15
5.1 Safety recommendations..................................................................................................................................15
5.2 Daily maintenance.............................................................................................................................................15
5.3 Maintenance schedule......................................................................................................................................15
5.4 Repairs / Welding...............................................................................................................................................16
5.5 Replacementof saw bar and chain...................................................................................................................17
5.6 Lubricants...........................................................................................................................................................18
5.7 Hydraulic fluid............................................................................................................................................................18
5.8 Chainoil..............................................................................................................................................................19
5.9 Handle the chainsaw..........................................................................................................................................20
5.10 Sharpening andmaintenance of saw chain...........................................................................................................21
6 Adjusting the felling grapple......................................................................................................................................24
6.1 Pressure adjustments................................................................................................................................................24
6.2 Saw safety guidelines................................................................................................................................................31
7 Troubleshooting guide................................................................................................................................................33
7.1General.......................................................................................................................................................................33
7.2Checklist.....................................................................................................................................................................33
7.3Commonmalfunctions..............................................................................................................................................34
8 Technicalspecifications..............................................................................................................................................36

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1 General
1.1 Use of this manual
This user manual has been compiled for persons who have previous practical experience in the use of
(forestry) machinery. Applying common sense and skills will supplement the use of this usermanual.
Warningpictogramsprovidehighlyimportantinformationaboutsafetyrisks.Thedangersposedbyvarious
situationscan resultin incapacitation or fatality.
Attention pictograms indicate that products, processes or the environment can beaffected.
All descriptions,instructionsand technical details contained in thisuser manualare basedon the mostup-
to-date information available on the felling grapple.
This product is constantly being further developed, and the manufacturer therefore reserves the right to
modify theproduct withoutpriornotice.
Felling grapple malfunctions can often be resolved by carefully reading the user manual. If recovery or
repairis notpossible, you must contact the manufacturer or distributor.
PLEASE NOTE!
When ordering spare parts or requesting repair instructions, please provide the manufacturer or
distributor with the details found on the serial plate. This will ensure faster processing of your order or
service.

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1.2 Warnings and warning pictograms
Warnings and warning pictograms have been added to certain components. These texts and pictograms
mustbe noted in order to prevent injury to persons and damage to the felling grapple.
1.2.1 Serial plate
Type Name of the product
SerialNo. Serialnumber
Year / Weight Year of manufacture (month/year) / Ready-for-use weight of the felling grapple
in kg
Max.pressure Maximum system pressurein mega Pascal
CE European conformity marking
1.2.2
This pictogram indicates to the user that mounting, maintenance and repairs to
and of the felling grapple can be aided by thoroughly reading the user manual
and by relying on theinformation it contains.
If the felling grapple is to beused by multiplepersons, the owner must order all
usersto work strictly according to theuser manual.
Postal address for possible shipments to the manufacturer:
Gierkink Machine Techniek BV, Kapelweg 44a, 7134 RJ Vragender, the
Netherlands.
1.2.3
Warnings such as ‘’safedistance’’.
SAFE DISTANCE: 50 metres from the basic machine/carrying vehicle.

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2Safety guidelines
These safety regulations cannot eliminate all hazardous situations and accidents related to use of the
felling grapple. However,they willbe as effective as possible in preventing potential hazardous situations
and accidents.
Legalregulationsmustalsobeobserved in addition tothedetails and instructionsprovided here.
Familiarise yourself with the felling grapple before use. Knowledge about (energy) wood felling and tree
maintenance is also preferred.
Observe all instructions contained in the user manual in order to prevent hazardous situations and avoid
endangering any persons.
The felling grapple may only be used once all safety regulations have been thoroughly read and all
components havebeen correctly attached/installed.
Wear appropriate clothing to preventbeing trapped by the machinery.
Use PPE such as safety gloves,safety glasses, a safetyhelmet and hearing protection.
Be awareof the risk of losing your footing when working on/with the felling grapple.
Make sure thatno bystanders are within a 50-metre radius of the equipment.
Bewareof telephoneand electricitycableswhen working near telephoneand high-voltagepylons.Keep a
safedistance and do not endanger any persons. Ifyou are notconfident about the situation, contact the
local electricity operator. Ifyou are forced to abandon the equipment, your own safety is imperative. Do
not pause to secure the machinery.
Leave the scene of potential electrical danger as quickly as possible. Never run, but move forward by
pressing your legs together and walking away.

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The carrying vehiclemustbeturnedoffduring mountingof thefelling grapple.Makesurethat the
system is depressurised, or depressurise itby moving the joystick or handle.
The carrying vehiclewith the felling grapple may in no way whatsoever be operated or repaired if
the operator is under the influence ofalcohol and/or narcotics.
Maintenance and/or repairs must be carried outslowly and carefully.
If replacement or spare parts are needed, these must be ordered from the felling grapple
manufacturer or distributor. This is the only way of obtaining original parts.
An ability to work preciselyis required in order to measurepressuresand to set/adjust the felling
grapple.
The carrying vehicle must be turned off and the system must be depressurised before
maintenance/repair is carried out on the felling grapple. This is essential to ensure that work is
carried out safely.
When measuringpressures,anymechanicsand/orpossibleassistants muststay beyond therange
of the moving parts of the felling grapple.
Arise inpressure inside/on thesystemcan resultindamage to thefellinggrappleand can increase
the risk of accidents!
Make sure that the hydraulic hoses of the felling grapple are in good condition. Whenever
necessary, replacedamagedhosesor couplingsin good time. Pressurised jetsof fluidfrom leaking
hoses can pierce the skin and result in serious infections. If this happens, consult a physician
immediately!
Rest the felling grappleon a firm surface when work is complete or when temporarily turning off
the carrying vehicle.
Standing under a ‘hanging’ felling grapple is strictly prohibited. The appliance boom can drop
unexpectedly!

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Avoid contact with hydraulic fluid and lubricants. These can have an irritating effect on the skin and can
be harmful to health. When using these substances, instructions and guidelines from the relevant
manufacturer must be read thoroughly in advance.
PLEASE NOTE: Beware of hydraulic fluid at operating temperature!
Apply appropriate safety precautions when using hydraulic fluid and lubricants. These include the use of
fluid-protective gloves, protective cream and safety glasses.
Do not use hydraulic fluid or lubricants for cleaning hands. These can contain steel splinters and/or
additives that can damage the hands.
Ifhydraulic fluid or lubricants have caused irritation tothehands or other bodyparts,consulta physician
immediately!
Defective and/or soiled hydraulic hoses must be disposed of correctly at an appropriate facility.
2.1 Basis machine / Carrying vehicle
Thecabinofthecarryingvehiclemustbefitted withsafetyglass.Thesawchainoperatesatextremelyhigh
revolutions. If this chain breaks or splits apart, the resulting flying fragments can cause serious injury.
(Forestry) crane
Minimum crane size: 5 ton/metre crane.
Excavator: from 4,5 tons.
Maximum grapple load: 2,5 tons.
Recommended operating pressure: 180 –250bar
Flow:at least 40 l/min

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3Preparation for use
3.1 Transport
During transport, the felling grapple must be secured to prevent it from tipping and/or rolling over. A
wooden pallet with sufficient supportive strength can be used, as well as a wooden block on which the
saw casing can rest.Subsequently, the felling grapple must be strapped tightly to the pallet to prevent it
fromtipping over. This is how it will arrive if the felling grapple is supplied by Gierkink.
3.2 Mounting the felling grapple
Two hydraulic hosesareattached to thefrontside of the manifold. The longhosefitted to nippleA on the
valveblockmust beattached to the grappleopen ( G.O.) couplingunderneath therotator.The shorthose
fitted to nipple Bon the valveblockmustbeattached to thegrapple close coupling (G.C.) underneath the
rotator.
The rotator must be placed on the tilt frame in such a way that the G.O. (grapple open <>) coupling is
located on the side of the accumulator. This will mean that the G.C. (grapple close ><) coupling is
automatically located on the sideof the chain oil reservoir.
Both hydraulic hoses must form a neat loop when attached to the nipples underneath the rotator. The
short hose mustrest inside the loop created by the long hose.
In order for the felling grapple to perform correctly, a special valve must be attached to the crane valve
block of the carrying vehicle. This valve is supplied in a ready-to-use state in the box containing tools and
fittings.

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The T-coupling must be attached to the grapple open line next to the valve block. A hose must run from
the special valveon theT-coupling directly to the hydraulic reservoir, with the special valve and ball valve
in between. The T side ofthe special valve mustface the reservoir.
The ball valve must be closed when work is done with a regular timber grapple. Please note, for testing
purposes: When the felling grappleis placed in tilt-up position (position for vertical felling), it mustlower
itself when grapple open input stops. This allows the user to check whether the special valve has been
attached correctly and/or whether theball valve has been opened.
1) T-coupling in grapple open (G.O.)hydraulic line/hose
2) Special valve for returning drain fluid directly to the hydraulic reservoir.Set at a flowrate of 5-6
l/min.
3) Ball valve Open to operate the felling grapple. Closeto operate a regular timber grapple.

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3.2.1 Operatingpressure
For certain carrying vehicles, a manometer must be used to measure the operating pressure in order to
adjust the felling grapple for use.
Check the operating pressure of the base appliance. Further details can be found in the technical
specificationsof the base appliance. The maximum permissible operating pressure for the felling grapple
is 250 bar.
3.2.2. Mounting diagram