My new additions (tree shear / puller)

[ovrszd]

Bill, I modified my puller so it can be used on the 3pt and/or FEL. Not familiar with your tractors 3pt ability.

I recommend pulling versus shear to avoid the stump issue as you mentioned. A shear should not be used on ground you plan to develop.

 

[Rustyiron]

Ken you'll find that the dryer the soil is, the easier it will pull out. (at least in my gravelly soils)
I use an excavator but I would expect no matter the machine, it would be the same. In heavy clay soils, the opposite might be true?

 

[Wild Bill the 2nd]

I have clay soil and I do find the opposite to be true. Too dry and a tree will snap off due to the concrete nature of the soil, nice and moist soil will let the root ball pull right out. This comes from experience clearing old christmas trees with the FEL. Could be different with hardwoods.

What is the technique with using these simple tree pullers? Are you limited to yanking them out and leaving them there or can you roll the bucket (shear) forward laying the tree down and dragging it backwards to a pile where you can easily use a grapple to pick them up and move them?

If moving them while upright I would prefer to add a small grapple similar to this or this although I would be afraid of a tractor easily tipping sideways since the front axle pivots. You'd have to be aware of the limitations and not be tempted to grab on to something that has too much weight up high. Saw this in my searches. Excavator Killed Using Skid-Steer Loader and Tree Shear Attachment

I really like the idea of this but since I have an open station I am very leery of them as well. I've been eyeing FOPS builds such as Rusty Iron's for some time now...

 

[KenB2920]

I think you will get a LOT of use out of that tool!!!! Almost as handy as a Grapple. I question the framework being strong enough. If used hard I believe the swinging jaw will very soon not align with the stationary jaw. If so, then it will lose the shearing ability. On your tractor it may hold up very well. Sure hope so. In regards to shearing, with small trees you will have to develop a "soft" touch if wanting to pull a tree. Clamp too hard and it is going to shear it. This talent will probably develop with use. Mine doesn't overlap and I still sometimes grip a small tree too firmly and crush it to the point it pulls in two before the stump and roots are dislodged from the ground. We expect pics in use of course!!!!

Gosh that's the hope. I hope it's a handy asset that gets a lot of use in addition to my grapple and mulcher. I believe it's built pretty stout and over built for my tractor. I still hope you're correct and it doesn't work itself loose.

You are correct as well in regards to getting the feeling to no Crush something. I've since grown to become pretty sensitive with my grapple and hope this happens with this tool.

I'm pretty much on clay but plan to use the tool all over so only time will tell on soil conditions.

 

[KenB2920]

Bill, I modified my puller so it can be used on the 3pt and/or FEL. Not familiar with your tractors 3pt ability. I recommend pulling versus shear to avoid the stump issue as you mentioned. A shear should not be used on ground you plan to develop.

This is exactly what I mentioned to Tim. I am also hoping to make this compatible with my three point. Being I have a hydraulic top link it should come in handy.

 

[KenB2920]

Ken you'll find that the dryer the soil is, the easier it will pull out. (at least in my gravelly soils) I use an excavator but I would expect no matter the machine, it would be the same. In heavy clay soils, the opposite might be true?

Many experiments to come

 

[KenB2920]

I have clay soil and I do find the opposite to be true. Too dry and a tree will snap off due to the concrete nature of the soil, nice and moist soil will let the root ball pull right out. This comes from experience clearing old christmas trees with the FEL. Could be different with hardwoods. What is the technique with using these simple tree pullers? Are you limited to yanking them out and leaving them there or can you roll the bucket (shear) forward laying the tree down and dragging it backwards to a pile where you can easily use a grapple to pick them up and move them? If moving them while upright I would prefer to add a small grapple similar to this <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=460801"/> or this <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=460802"/> although I would be afraid of a tractor easily tipping sideways since the front axle pivots. You'd have to be aware of the limitations and not be tempted to grab on to something that has too much weight up high. Saw this in my searches. Excavator Killed Using Skid-Steer Loader and Tree Shear Attachment I really like the idea of this but since I have an open station I am very leery of them as well. I've been eyeing FOPS builds such as Rusty Iron's for some time now...

that's a much beefier unit but to answer your question it will take time and learning curves. Starting small of course

 

[KenB2920]

I have clay soil and I do find the opposite to be true. Too dry and a tree will snap off due to the concrete nature of the soil, nice and moist soil will let the root ball pull right out. This comes from experience clearing old christmas trees with the FEL. Could be different with hardwoods. What is the technique with using these simple tree pullers? Are you limited to yanking them out and leaving them there or can you roll the bucket (shear) forward laying the tree down and dragging it backwards to a pile where you can easily use a grapple to pick them up and move them? If moving them while upright I would prefer to add a small grapple similar to this <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=460801"/> or this <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=460802"/> although I would be afraid of a tractor easily tipping sideways since the front axle pivots. You'd have to be aware of the limitations and not be tempted to grab on to something that has too much weight up high. Saw this in my searches. Excavator Killed Using Skid-Steer Loader and Tree Shear Attachment I really like the idea of this but since I have an open station I am very leery of them as well. I've been eyeing FOPS builds such as Rusty Iron's for some time now...

I do happen to have a cab (which naturally glass is always something to worry about ). Front axle is definitely something to take into consideration. However I don't think I'll be lifting too too much. Just what the tractor can handle until a saw is needed

 

[C4Ranch]

Looks sweet! Sooooo what brand is it and whT did it run? Looks well made to me.

My homemade one goes on my 3pt easy to see. Will u have any trouble seeing it up front?

 

[Xfaxman]

Based on my experience with a Cedar Tree Cutter and a Long Arm Tree Puller, I will be very surprised if it works well cutting or pulling.

For cutting, the blades are not sharp and there is no room for the trunk.

For pulling, it doesn't have the contact area to get a grip on the trunk.