Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[Runner]

Two more days of removing dead ash trees and general clearing. As usual, mission creep turned this into more of a project than I originally anticipated. Wound up clearing out a bunch of dead branches, broken redbud trees and grape vines.

Big tree removal, same drill, pull with rope from carryall. Dead trees make a heck of a mess when they hit the ground. Plenty of chipping to do too. Smaller hinge this time because tree wasn't leaning much.

Thankfully, this is the last of the dead trees to worry about in this area (for now).

 

[Thomas]

Two more days of removing dead ash trees and general clearing. As usual, mission creep turned this into more of a project than I originally anticipated. Wound up clearing out a bunch of dead branches, broken redbud trees and grape vines.

Big tree removal, same drill, pull with rope from carryall. Dead trees make a heck of a mess when they hit the ground. Plenty of chipping to do too. Smaller hinge this time because tree wasn't leaning much.

Thankfully, this is the last of the dead trees to worry about in this area (for now).
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Nice setup.

 

[Runner]

Now, here is the cautionary tale for anyone who hasn't yet learned the necessity of maintaining a proper hinge when cutting down a tree.

Last spring, I was removing a large hedge tree that was located right behind the bent-over small elm in the foreground. Right in front of the elm was a small cedar. Because I was trying to save the elm, I had a rope on the front of the tractor, pulling from the right side of the picture.

Due to inattention, I cut off the part of the hinge on the far side. Tree started moving, but rather than try to run into the brush on the far side, I ran toward the camera. The tree literally fell right on top of me. I was saved by three things: First, that elm, which was curled all the way over to the ground. Second, the cedar. Third, the structure of the hedge tree was such that two limbs formed a V shape that held the tree about three feet off the ground which kept if from crushing me.

Only damage to me was a sprained ankle and seeing stars for a while. I swear, when I got up (after thanking the Lord) I started laughing because it looked just like something that would happen to Wylie Coyote. Tree fell just far enough to pop me on the head, then left propped up by the "tripod" under it.

Hopefully, I've learned the lesson....

 

[WinterDeere]

Any benefit from a level attached to the vertical, even if it's just tie wrapped on temporary?

Good idea. I buy 10-packs of little 1" bubble levels from Amazon, and use double-sided tape or magnetic tape to attach them to all sorts of implements. I have one on my pallet fork frame for loader curl leveling, two on my boom sprayer for both top and tilt, one on the tong of each trailer so I can quickly eyeball level, etc. I think they're only $1 each, or thereabouts.

I'd put two on that crane rig, for both top and tilt orientation. Stick them where you can see them while reaching for the top and tilt SCV levers.

 

[Jstpssng]

Now, here is the cautionary tale for anyone who hasn't yet learned the necessity of maintaining a proper hinge when cutting down a tree.
View attachment 1159248
Last spring, I was removing a large hedge tree that was located right behind the bent-over small elm in the foreground. Right in front of the elm was a small cedar. Because I was trying to save the elm, I had a rope on the front of the tractor, pulling from the right side of the picture.

Due to inattention, I cut off the part of the hinge on the far side. Tree started moving, but rather than try to run into the brush on the far side, I ran toward the camera. The tree literally fell right on top of me. I was saved by three things: First, that elm, which was curled all the way over to the ground. Second, the cedar. Third, the structure of the hedge tree was such that two limbs formed a V shape that held the tree about three feet off the ground which kept if from crushing me.

Only damage to me was a sprained ankle and seeing stars for a while. I swear, when I got up (after thanking the Lord) I started laughing because I looked just like something that would happen to Wylie Coyote. Tree fell just far enough to pop me on the head, then left propped up by the "tripod" under it.

Hopefully, I've learned the lesson....

We agree with that last statement. Also, thanks for having the guts to post it.

 

[Runner]

We agree with that last statement. Also, thanks for having the guts to post it.

I have done some really stupid stuff in my live, but that one was right up there towards the top of the list....

 

[goeduck]

I have done some really stupid stuff in my live, but that one was right up there towards the top of the list....

Glad you are still with us. That was a close call.

 

[elsievo]

The evolution of my methods of blocking my firewood is nearly complete. I started by cutting on the pile itself, rolling logs, pinched blades made the job interesting(?). I got one of those gadgets that has the metal V and chain you hook over the end of the log. Was much safer but required picking the log up to put on this thing and it was very unstable with anything over 10 inches in diameter. This year I repurposed a pallet and put over my new forks and let the tractor do the lifting. Doesn't save a lot of time but does save a lot of back. I put marks on the long piece in the back to show me where to cut and moved the holder out from the back of the forks to give clearance for the saw blade. Doesn't do too bad for a subcompact even with the big ones in the 12-14" range and a litter over 8' long. I usually cut one side, then the other to keep the balance. There's a gap in the middle to part the final two pieces. The wood from the pallet keeps me from hitting metal forks. Someday maybe a small grapple doodad to hold the logs more secure. May have to have a local machine shop custom make that part. O I do have to get my 3 spool loader valve installed prior to that as well.

 

[Thomas]

I have done some really stupid stuff in my live, but that one was right up there towards the top of the list....

Whew...glad the out come was positive and you shared.

Years back I started to cut down spruce than felt sharp pain on back shoulders arms side of the face OUCH,If I look/scan the tree for hazard good chance I would have notice LARGE paper wasp nest.

 

[WinterDeere]

I dropped a tree on a guy once. Totally his fault, to the point where I really didn't feel too terrible about it.

Long story short, when I tell you where I'm going to drop a tree, don't let me find you standing exactly there when I'm in the middle of making the cut. Then, when I stop cutting, shut off my saw, remove my ear muffs and shout at you to get out of there, don't go sneaking back to that same spot a second time, after I get back to cutting.

My cut was perfect, tree went right where I told them I'd put it. But as it started to go over, I look down range, and find this idiot standing there, the same guy I'd chased twice out of that space. I yell, he looks up in surprise, and starts running. He takes a wild dive over the very large (50"+ diameter) tree I had dropped an hour earlier, but the tree I just cut caught him in the calves as he's mid-flight.

He went cartwheeling thru the woods like a cartoon character, and I was almost certain he was going to be dead or paralyzed, but he was free from any permanent injuries. He did report being rather stiff and sore for the rest of the day, though.