....but it is about accessories and attachments.
I've recently purchased a Chevy Work Truck. 160,000mi v6 4.3 liter manual trans w/o air. Never had a pickup before. I love this simple red truck. One of those "how did I get by without this?... sort of things. I live on two acres of property, semi residential. Never had a purpose for a tractor. I heat with wood during the winter.
It's actually most practical and cost effective to have wood delivered, but I just can't help myself for tinkering and diy. So bear with me a sec. And right off the bat, I'll stress that I am NOT GOING TO DO ANY OF THIS. It's just an idea I'm intruiged with and am interested in your thoughts.
Last time I was under the hood of the truck, marvelling at the wealth of open space, I began to wonder why more guys don't just bolt stuff on to these older pickups (no room in the newer ones) such as hydraulic pumps, pressurewasher pumps, welding generators, etc. I can get one heck of a nice 400 dollar (w/20 percent off coupon) PTO log splitter to bolt on to the bumper of this Chevy and run the hydraulics off of the V6.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65454
Pros.
More splitter for the money. (raw two stage 11gpm pump is 150 dollars and I'm capable of putting together the reservoir, tubing, and valving). No need to pay for and maintain an 8hp Honda. The above PTO splitter comes complete with hyd controls. It's HF. But it's bone simple stuff. It breaks. I fix it.
Splitter takes up less room to store when not in use.
No need to trailer anything. Splitter would be carried to site in bed and mounted to the rear bumper when there. Or even hinged to the rear bumper and raised and lowered with the gate.
Much quieter. Fuel inj V6 at idle would be sufficient HP/torque and use not much more fuel than an eight horse air cooled single.
Toss splits right in the bed as you work.
Cons.
I don't know what sort of safety lockouts tractors have when using PTO implements (implements, like splitters and post drivers that require you to be out of the saddle if working alone) but this might be harder to safegaurd using a pickup. Truck would have to stay in neutral and wheels locked even beyond simply using the emergency brake.
Pump could not be run over it's design rpm. It could be belted via 12vdc clutch, but the first time it was accidentally engaged at highway speed it would be destroyed. Better to just keep a timing belt under the seat of the truck and simply install it when the pump is needed. Quick and simple.
Just some thoughts. Ever seen or heard of this type of thing?
