Chains Warning to those using rim to pull stumps

[InThePines]

I was tying the wheel rim and chain method of pulling some stumps. I had cut the trees knee high about 9 months ago. They still seemed solid and I wanted to test the method. I had about 20 feet of chain. I hooked it up and pulled, the stump broke free at the base and became a projectile. As I watched it approaching me, I hoped it would not be too painful. It landed short of the seat and into the top link. Bending the T that allows me to adjust the length. The stump that hit was about 18 inches long and 5 inches in diameter, broken at the base with no roots attached. The next test included a 2nd lengh of chain connected to the stump and an object to prevent long flight.

 

[funwithahoe]

I was tying the wheel rim and chain method of pulling some stumps. I had cut the trees knee high about 9 months ago. They still seemed solid and I wanted to test the method. I had about 20 feet of chain. I hooked it up and pulled, the stump broke free at the base and became a projectile. As I watched it approaching me, I hoped it would not be too painful. It landed short of the seat and into the top link. Bending the T that allow me to adjust the lenght. The stump that hit was about 18 inches long and 5 inches in diameter, broken at the base with no roots attached. The next test included a 2nd lengh of chain connected to the stump and an object to prevent long flight.

Because it "broke" instead of being pulled from the ground it allowed the immediate release of all the tension???

I am constantly amazed at how seemingly safe operations can become dangerous.

 

[InThePines]

Because it "broke" instead of being pulled from the ground it allowed the immediate release of all the tension???

Yes, the base of the stump broke clean and quick. It 'popped' out quickly with no warning. The chain provided the arc for it to travel toward me on. And that slow motion sight stuff where you see things coming at you. That is true. I did have time to think about what I had just done while watching it approach.

 

[Willl]

I was tying the wheel rim and chain method of pulling some stumps.

Never heard of this, could you explain ?

 

[SPYDERLK]

Yes, the base of the stump broke clean and quick. It 'popped' out quickly with no warning. The chain provided the arc for it to travel toward me on. And that slow motion sight stuff where you see things coming at you. That is true. I did have time to think about what I had just done while watching it approach.

.. Hard to starboard.

 

[beenthere]

And we are assuming that you didn't jerk on the chain.

That could make it much worse. Pulling as slow (low gear) as possible is important.

 

[JakeBrake]

"It landed short of the seat and into the top link. Bending the T that allows me to adjust the length."

How's your toplink? I bent the toplink on my L3830 recently in a bush hogging mishap.

My Kubota dealer gave me three choices.
1. Buy a new Kubota toplink for over $200.
2. Buy a new aftermarket toplink for about $50. This is OK, I suppose, but you obviously get what you pay for.
3. Repair my toplink with used Kubota parts for about $50.

I chose option 3.

 

[grnspot110]

Never heard of this, could you explain ?

You use the rim for leverage, put the chain over the rim next to the object you're pulling so that the chain pulls up on the object instead of a direct line to the tractor. Works good for pulling posts, ect. ~~ grnspot110

 

[gauthier]

And makes the object come up and hit your tractor end instead of bottom of tires.

 

[Thomas]

Haven't heard of such a pull..hmmm..glad no one was near by.

 

[Sumpter]

Rent a dozer and push them out????

 

[PoorMansCat]

Just a safety reminder...
Anytime you are pulling on something with that much torque, put something across the free span on the chain, cable, or strap... IF it suddenly give way (breaks, slips, etc..) it will act as a damper and usually end up putting the chain into the dirt..
I usually use something like an old jacket, work mat.. Anything that will "kill" some of the energy being released by it giving way..
Started doing this riding ATV's... had a little 2k lb. winch cable break and almost took my head off.

 

[wdchyd]

I would imagine using a nylon towstrap/sling would be much more hazardous because of the elasticity.....it would boing like a big rubberband......Slap you right upside the head......:laughing:

 

[Toolguy]

I would suggest that whenever you are pulling something like that with a chain to hook as short as possible. If the chain breaks there is less of it to fly around. Also by hooking short you will get more downforce on the drawbar which gives you more traction and upward pull on the object you are pulling. Another thing about chains used with a small tractor that I like is to keep it around 14' long. 20' is too long IMO. You usually don't need much length to go around the object you are pulling. What is left becomes a problem because it needs to be wrapped up or else you just hook long. (See first sentence above.) Last item is to have a slip hook on one end and a grab hook on the other. The slip hook is self tightening when pulling and lets the chain get a good grip. The grab hook gives you a way to adjust the length. Just my .02. Good luck and be safe.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

So, what is the warning? Don't try this at all? Don't try it with 20' of chain? Don't try it without having a plywood shield strapped to the seat? This is just another case of using the wrong tool for the job and the end result could be more than just a bent top link for somebody else. It makes buying a backhoe or hiring the job out seem really really cheap.

 

[georgia jeff]

I cut down about 30 pine trees (smaller than a dinner plate in diameter)almost a year ago. I cut them where they only stuck out of the ground about 3 inches. I then pulled them up last week using my box blade. It worked great, they broke off about one foot below the surface and popped right out of the ground. If you can wait a year for the lateral/horizontal roots to die this is a great/safe method.

 

[milkman636]

If the stumps don't have to be removed, dig out a little around the root flare so you can flush cut at ground level or a little below. Cover with some dirt and let nature reclaim the stumps over time. Periodic mowing will keep any trees from reapearing in that spot. A minimal amount of shovel time could save a couple hundred dollars or a trip to the hospital.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Thanks for the heads up In the Pines. We have @ 70 stumps on the family farm that I was gonna tackle with an old tractor rim when I get down to Oregon in dec. They range from 20 to 30 inches and have been sittin for 5 yrs. Do you think you would have been better off with a shorter chain?? or a longer one? with a log or something heavy laid on top of it???

I am new to tractors but jerk logs off the beach with line all the time. I prefer a longer line, partly to keep my prop away from the rocks but also more line gives more stretch to sprong the big ones off the beach. I always use a weaker piece on the log so that is what will break if something does and tie a bouy halfway to absorb the energy if the line breaks.

As to all of you experts who r gonna rent a excavator or get a pro to do it for you or whatever sometimes you have to make do with what you have to get a job done as there is no other way.
Rick

 

[F250DSLPWR]

I have pulled many a post with the wheel method. Loop the chain all the way around the rim. Slide the rim up against the post. As the tractor or truck pulls the chain the rim is supposed to change the horizontal pull to a verticle pull to LIFT the object out of the ground. Slow and carefully apply the pull. You may have to reset the chain to the ground several time. I have never had any post come flying at me... Now I have not used this method to pull stumps. I use a backhoe for those.

 

[Skyco]

I have pulled many a post with the wheel method. Loop the chain all the way around the rim.

Now THERE is a good idea! By wrapping the chain all the way around the rim once the stump/post/whatever can't fly back at the operator/tractor if it pulls loose. It may fly out of the ground but will circle the rim and slam back into the ground near the rim if it does. Might be a good idea to have a little longer chain so the tractor is at least 2x farther away that the circumference of the rim:thumbsup: