Best way or tool to remove small pine saplings?

[TNhobbyfarmer]

The best technique I have found for pushing out small saplings with the loader it to put the bucket right at ground level. On a larger tree you start by pushing up high to get more leverage, but these little pine saplings are too springy. If you set your bucket flat and push right at ground level generally they push right out. If they get partially uprooted but don't come out, take the edge of the bucket under the exposed root ball and lift/push, they'll roll right out of the ground.

This technique works great. Using a piranha tooth bar on the bucket greatly improves the effectiveness.

 

[2458n]

My bush hog is rated at 2-3 inches. 12ft. 65 HP tractor.

 

[oosik]

I've done non-selective thinning of my small (3" or less) Ponderosa pines with the bucket on my FEL and now with the grapple on my FEL. Just grip & rip. Bigger than 3" - chain saw. Every spring I thin my young pine stands and chip them all - 750 to 900 small trees. Normally takes me about a month - I only work 3-4 hours each day. Otherwise I become over tired and dangerous with my chainsaw.

 

[robertm]

If you want to add to your arsenal of attachments, Jery Dunn's grapple can pull out saplings as small as a pencil in diameter. There are some videos on YouTube. I saw it in person. Really cool. Picks up 55 gallon drums if I recall, and down to a pencil.

Here it is:
NEW GRAPPLE UNCUT - YouTube

 

[BubbaJr]

Just don't do what I did. Back in 2001 right after we bought our property, I was clearing trees and saplings out to prepare the area for our new driveway. I cut down the big trees and pulled the saplings out of the ground.

The method I used was to wrap a chain 4-5 times around the sapling, and take the loose end of the chain and bring it under the loops then hooked it over my box blade to the drawbar. With the box blade a couple of inches from the sapling, I would raise the 3PH and the saplings would pop right out.

This worked great for a couple of dozen saplings. Then I got to one that almost caused my demise. I hooked it up as described, climbed on the tractor, raised the 3PH as I turned to look at my progress, here comes the chain and hook headed straight for my face at about 80 MPH. The only thing that saved my life was the chain and hook got to it's limit about 6" from my nose.

What happened was the bark came loose from the maple sapling and I literally skinned it. Then I got off the tractor picked up the chain, put the tractor back on my trailer, went home, and changed my drawers.

Joe - still getting shivers thinking about it.

 

[SandburRanch]

Just don't do what I did. Back in 2001 right after we bought our property, I was clearing trees and saplings out to prepare the area for our new driveway. I cut down the big trees and pulled the saplings out of the ground.

The method I used was to wrap a chain 4-5 times around the sapling, and take the loose end of the chain and bring it under the loops then hooked it over my box blade to the drawbar. With the box blade a couple of inches from the sapling, I would raise the 3PH and the saplings would pop right out.

This worked great for a couple of dozen saplings. Then I got to one that almost caused my demise. I hooked it up as described, climbed on the tractor, raised the 3PH as I turned to look at my progress, here comes the chain and hook headed straight for my face at about 80 MPH. The only thing that saved my life was the chain and hook got to it's limit about 6" from my nose.

What happened was the bark came loose from the maple sapling and I literally skinned it. Then I got off the tractor picked up the chain, put the tractor back on my trailer, went home, and changed my drawers.

Joe - still getting shivers thinking about it.

Now you have clean drawers, try a Clove Hitch knot around the sapling. It works, and a quick release Clove Hitch is about as simple to un-tie a a boot lace.

 

[BubbaJr]

Now you have clean drawers, try a Clove Hitch knot around the sapling. It works, and a quick release Clove Hitch is about as simple to un-tie a a boot lace.

That was back in 2001, my driveway is finished now.

Joe

 

[SandburRanch]

I find a use for that knot nearly every day pulling trees or not. Just yesterday I used the quick release knot on both ends of a rope to drag a tree limb to the brush pile. Much quicker than loading it on a truck or trailer.

For convenience on tree trunks, pulling fence posts etc. or anywhere there is an end to drop the loops over, loop A on top of loop B and drop it. A Native American sailor taught me that technique. RIP Bill

The rope example with the loop is the quick release Clove Hitch I taught myself. Only 1 end of it has holding power while both ends of the regular Clove Hitch has holding power.

 

[mark in portugal]

I found a picture of the thing I made to mount on the 3-point; as you can see, simplicity itself.
Pull, lift, drive.
Drop and revers to release the waste.
Fast!
Cheap!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

If you want to add to your arsenal of attachments, Jery Dunn's grapple can pull out saplings as small as a pencil in diameter. There are some videos on YouTube. I saw it in person. Really cool. Picks up 55 gallon drums if I recall, and down to a pencil.

Here it is:
NEW GRAPPLE UNCUT - YouTube

WOW WOW WOW!!! i WANT ONE OF THESE!!!! Sent email requesting location and price. Where did you see it?

 

[robertm]

Jery demonstrated it to me when I went to pick up my loader Q/A and forks for my B2620 in central Wisconsin. I have his Q/A and forks for my BX2670 now, and all I can say is Kubota and John Deere could only dream of matching his quality, fit, and finish. He has a variety of items that are incredible. His website is his downfall though. So much talent untapped by the tractor market. Watch his Loader Buddy Bucket pop rocks out.
I'm waiting for his final on his Three Point Pal, which has a frame that attaches to the three point, but uses and stores the forks (only) from the front FEL fork frame. It also has a dedicated rear blade that quick attaches to the frame, as well. I could use my forks for quick uses when the FEL is not on, and lift more than the loaders capacity. Since the forks store on the frame, they would always be with the tractor out of the way. I don't use the 3pt most of the mowing season, so having the Three .Point Pal on the rear won't affect me. It would come off as easy as a standard 3pt attachment.
Just call Jery. He is the nicest guy you'll ever meet.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Jery demonstrated it to me when I went to pick up my loader Q/A and forks for my B2620 in central Wisconsin. I have his Q/A and forks for my BX2670 now, and all I can say is Kubota and John Deere could only dream of matching his quality, fit, and finish. He has a variety of items that are incredible. His website is his downfall though. So much talent untapped by the tractor market. Watch his Loader Buddy Bucket pop rocks out.
I'm waiting for his final on his Three Point Pal, which has a frame that attaches to the three point, but uses and stores the forks (only) from the front FEL fork frame. It also has a dedicated rear blade that quick attaches to the frame, as well. I could use my forks for quick uses when the FEL is not on, and lift more than the loaders capacity. Since the forks store on the frame, they would always be with the tractor out of the way. I don't use the 3pt most of the mowing season, so having the Three .Point Pal on the rear won't affect me. It would come off as easy as a standard 3pt attachment.
Just call Jery. He is the nicest guy you'll ever meet.

Thanks. Emailed him but will call if I don't get a response. I really want this vertical grapple!!!!!!:cool2:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

If you want to add to your arsenal of attachments, Jery Dunn's grapple can pull out saplings as small as a pencil in diameter. There are some videos on YouTube. I saw it in person. Really cool. Picks up 55 gallon drums if I recall, and down to a pencil.

Here it is:
NEW GRAPPLE UNCUT - YouTube

Jery demonstrated it to me when I went to pick up my loader Q/A and forks for my B2620 in central Wisconsin. I have his Q/A and forks for my BX2670 now, and all I can say is Kubota and John Deere could only dream of matching his quality, fit, and finish. He has a variety of items that are incredible. His website is his downfall though. So much talent untapped by the tractor market. Watch his Loader Buddy Bucket pop rocks out.
I'm waiting for his final on his Three Point Pal, which has a frame that attaches to the three point, but uses and stores the forks (only) from the front FEL fork frame. It also has a dedicated rear blade that quick attaches to the frame, as well. I could use my forks for quick uses when the FEL is not on, and lift more than the loaders capacity. Since the forks store on the frame, they would always be with the tractor out of the way. I don't use the 3pt most of the mowing season, so having the Three .Point Pal on the rear won't affect me. It would come off as easy as a standard 3pt attachment.
Just call Jery. He is the nicest guy you'll ever meet.

THANKS A LOT ROBERT!!!!!! YOU JUST COST ME ALMOST $2000!!!:laughing::cool2:

 

[robertm]

THANKS A LOT ROBERT!!!!!! YOU JUST COST ME ALMOST $2000!!!:laughing::cool2:

Sure! Anything to help a fellow TBN'er.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm really excited about getting the tree ripping round clamping grapple!!! Feel like a 70 year old kid waiting for a new first tractor. :cool2:

 

[robertm]

I'm really excited about getting the tree ripping round clamping grapple!!! Feel like a 70 year old kid waiting for a new first tractor. :cool2:

I really wish I had more use for Jery's inventions. They are so cool. When I saw this grapple in action, I tried to think of ways to use it. I just don't have enough property.
I am waiting on his final production Three Point Pal to fill the niche for a rear blade and adjustable fork carry-all. That demands a hydraulic top link, which I should easily accommodate with the Kubota rear remotes I'm going to add before winter.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I really wish I had more use for Jery's inventions. They are so cool. When I saw this grapple in action, I tried to think of ways to use it. I just don't have enough property.
I am waiting on his final production Three Point Pal to fill the niche for a rear blade and adjustable fork carry-all. That demands a hydraulic top link, which I should easily accommodate with the Kubota rear remotes I'm going to add before winter.

Why would it require hydraulic top link? Is that really a "require" or a "prefer"?
I have hundreds if not thousands of tall skinney trees growing on the adjoining 25 acres I recently bought which I'm having visions of seeing them pulled up and leaving no little stumps to sprout or stab my feet or tires. Anyway, my grapple is shipped Fedex freight and will be in for me to pick up FRIDAY!!!!!:cool2::cool2::cool2: Thanks again for pointing out this piece of equipment/attachment/implement to increase the usability of my tractor and provide something I really need.:thumbsup::drink:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Picked up my tree removal grapple this evening. It's on my truck and will be on the ground in a few days when the rain quits and I get the snap on hud connectors to go on the threaded hoses. I started another thread in the Kubota owners forum covering my excitement and will do updates after use. Thanks Robertm.

 

[robertm]

Picked up my tree removal grapple this evening. It's on my truck and will be on the ground in a few days when the rain quits and I get the snap on hud connectors to go on the threaded hoses. I started another thread in the Kubota owners forum covering my excitement and will do updates after use. Thanks Robertm.

I'm so happy for you Johnthomas! Remember, it NEVER HAPPENED without pictures! I may have to live my dream through you. With the lack of trees here, my wife would get sick of me picking her up with that grapple and relocating her to the other side, and back again.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm so happy for you Johnthomas! Remember, it NEVER HAPPENED without pictures! I may have to live my dream through you. With the lack of trees here, my wife would get sick of me picking her up with that grapple and relocating her to the other side, and back again.

With the lack of trees here, my wife would get sick of me picking her up with that grapple and relocating her to the other side, and back again......... Your just speculating and expressing opinions, she might actually like it and therefore like you better.:laughing: I'll do pics when I get it in action. I'll probably do one with it on the pallet still in the back of my PU and then the frames will roll. Love TBN site but sometimes uploading pics can't be done and then sometimes super slow and then sometimes goes smooth and doesn't take forever but I'm persistent.