My new additions (tree shear / puller)

[Aquamoose]

No problem at all. I'm glad to get some reviews about tree pullers. Many out there advertise them but just about none would talk about capacity when paring them to tractors with different lift capacity. I didn't know that offset pulling forces can be an issue.

 

[ovrszd]

There is a large profit margin in an attachment such as a Puller. That's why there are sooooo many companies making them. In my area there are 3 different small welding shops making/selling them. Competition is good for the consumer in this case. $1250 will buy a very well built, single swinging jaw puller. I used materials I had onhand, so guesstimating, I've got $500 in materials in mine. Another $75 for construction/paint costs. After building the first one and establishing a pattern, it would take longer for the paint to dry than to build one.

Not flaming anyone or any type. Just having a conversation. A Puller is a fantastic addition to anyone's attachment lineup.

 

[Aquamoose]

ovrszd, I noticed. It seems like a simple tool. I do have a 220 welder and I can weld but it's a matter of getting the cut pieces made. I suppose I should give it a shot working off a blank SSQA and go from there but then I'd have to spend time engineering & cutting the pieces.

Question, with the single pinch point, was it sufficient enough to keep the saplings upright when moving around with it? I've got a good number of slim 35-45 footers and I'm worried about them falling over in any direction after they get pulled out of the ground.

 

[ovrszd]

Look again at the two pictures I posted of a large cedar tree being carried by the Kubota.

Sometimes it the tree is leaning toward you when you pull it you have to adjust your bite or roll the puller forward to get it balanced away from you.

My Brother's shear had a second clamp that held the trunk about 3ft above the shear. Necessary to control sheared tree because you don't have a firm grip on it. I wouldn't want something like that on a puller. Too slow releasing the tree if something goes bad, like a sideways tip.

As for building one, there's very little that is technical about cutting the pieces. The last thing I did was make the toothed jaw plates. I did that by turning the puller upside down, closing the jaws until parallel, then welded a plate of 3/4" to the bottom of my jaws spanning the gap between them. Then using a cutting torch I cut the teeth by a simple S shaped cut between the jaws.

You'll have to source some solid rod and bushing stock to make the swivels. you can buy that stuff already built or buy the pieces and make it. I had the pins and bushings onhand so that's how I did it. I used 2 short pins. If buying materials I'd suggest one long pin and bushing.

The SSQA part is very easy. Once you get started it would make sense to you.

If you decide to tackle the project start a thread. You'll get a lot of good advice and suggestions about how to build it. Then you just look for the suggestions that match your capability. I've been given some very valuable technical fabrication advice on TBN. Sadly the ones I like best are above my ability to duplicate.

 

[Aquamoose]

Cool. I think I'll try that. Where can I source the hinge materials and what size pins do you think I should I work with. I'd imagine that it's the critical part.

I'll definitely make a thread about it.

 

[ovrszd]

Cool. I think I'll try that. Where can I source the hinge materials and what size pins do you think I should I work with. I'd imagine that it's the critical part.

I'll definitely make a thread about it.

My pins are 1.25" simply because that's what I had. The larger the pins, the longer they'll run without slop.

I buy pin stock and bushing stock from my local welding shop. If you decide to try pin/bushing assemblies you might ask your local shop where they get them or if they sell them. Maybe a Google search would find you the materials at a better price, not sure about that.

I've saw some pullers with very large pins and bushings that were obviously purchased sets.

Maybe some of these guys with pullers they purchased can chime in and share the specs on their pullers?

 

[lostcreekranch]

Here the info on my SkidPro tree puller. 1.25" pins.

Tree Puller Skid Steer Attachment

 

[lostcreekranch]

I did look at the Titan Tree puller as well.

Tree Fence & Post Puller Skid Steer Attachment Quick Attach Bobcat Kubota Case

 

[Aquamoose]

rlgustafson, The puller you got looks quite beefy! What did you pay for yours?

 

[lostcreekranch]

It was about $1400 and free shipping as I was a repeat customer. I bought my 84" dual lid HD grapple from them.

The tree puller is heavy enough to be used on my NH TL100A. Primary use is on my LS XR4046HC.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Used the tree puller this morning to remove several cedar posts that were part of the fence around a cattle guard. Previous owner set cedar posts at odd spacing the scabbed on a bunch of pressure treated 2 x 4's and 2 x 6's. He put everything together with regular framing nails instead of galvanized ring shank nails. I initially tried to fix it but, decided to demolish it and just start over.

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks for posting the pics Rick. You are going to get a lot of use out of this Puller. Makes a guy wonder why he didn't have one sooner!!!

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yep, I'm now having the same Ah Ha! Moment, as when I got my grapple for my New Holland. Why did I wait so long?

I pulled 10 posts in less than 15 minutes. When I got my WR Long 3rd function kit, I took a gamble and used 3/8" hoses, QD's, etc. for the slower flow and to get better control on more precise jaw closing. It worked, I can very precisely close on a post to get a good grip but not crush it. As previously noted, I bought the tree puller to remove Yaupons around oak trees on the ranch. I initially had problem of shearing some of the small ones but, working better as I get used to it.

Should receive my new EA 73" Wicked Grapple for Utility Tractors next week. It will be for my LS XR4046HC.

Ordered the single lid version EA grapple. My 84" grapple is dual lid. Now I can get into the endless single lid vs. dual lid arguments and talk out of both sides of my mouth.

Started to order the 55" EA but thought that getting into both dual lid vs. single lid AND the "narrower is better" dust ups would take up time I don't have. ;-)

 

[KenB2920]

Yep, I'm now having the same Ah Ha! Moment, as when I got my grapple for my New Holland. Why did I wait so long? I pulled 10 posts in less than 15 minutes. When I got my WR Long 3rd function kit, I took a gamble and used 3/8" hoses, QD's, etc. for the slower flow and to get better control on more precise jaw closing. It worked, I can very precisely close on a post to get a good grip but not crush it. As previously noted, I bought the tree puller to remove Yaupons around oak trees on the ranch. I initially had problem of shearing some of the small ones but, working better as I get used to it. Should receive my new EA 73" Wicked Grapple for Utility Tractors next week. It will be for my LS XR4046HC. Ordered the single lid version EA grapple. My 84" grapple is dual lid. Now I can get into the endless single lid vs. dual lid arguments and talk out of both sides of my mouth. Started to order the 55" EA but thought that getting into both dual lid vs. single lid AND the "narrower is better" dust ups would take up time I don't have. ;-)

This is awesome and motivates me. What I hoping is to also use my puller with my three point and grapple up front.

Love my EA grapple

 

[Fasttalker]

Be careful how you pull and not put undue stress on your loader arms and frame. I use a puller on a skid steer quite a bit, and have found the least stressful technique is to grasp the object low and use your roll function with the loader arms as low to the ground as possible. Just some words of advice from a fellow who has broke a lot of stuff.

 

[ovrszd]

Be careful how you pull and not put undue stress on your loader arms and frame. I use a puller on a skid steer quite a bit, and have found the least stressful technique is to grasp the object low and use your roll function with the loader arms as low to the ground as possible. Just some words of advice from a fellow who has broke a lot of stuff.

Yep. I've broke my share as well. Put a "Cowboy" operator in a piece of equipment with a Puller and there will definitely be carnage!!!

 

[KenB2920]

Ok, well I finally got it up and running. I yanked out a small 2" tree (bout 10' tall or so). It worked well. That's all I had time to work with it.

Not sure how well of a fit this will be on this tractor but I will give it a try. I do look forward to making this 3pt compatible though. (I made an make to make adapter for the hose). Just need to Weld up a way for pins.

 

[lostcreekranch]

View attachment 463911

Ok, well I finally got it up and running. I yanked out a small 2" tree (bout 10' tall or so). It worked well. That's all I had time to work with it.

Not sure how well of a fit this will be on this tractor but I will give it a try. I do look forward to making this 3pt compatible though. (I made an make to make adapter for the hose). Just need to Weld up a way for pins.

Anxious to see your tree puller 3-point mount. Sounds like an awesome idea. Yank trees, drop em', pick up with front grapple.