Canopy Branches in and under the Canopy...

[MossflowerWoods]

OK,

I got the canopy because I wanted shade and rain protection when tractoring. Seemed like a good idea. The wife even suggested it (good woman).

First problem I've got is nowI can't put the ROPS down and I need to mod the door on the big metal shed I'm gonna park the tractor and implements in, but that is actually not going to be THAT hard.

What is driving me crazy at the moment is I can't go anywhere without worrying the branches wont rip the canoppy off! I've got so many trees with lower branches that the seat belt is ALMOST more to keep the branches from knocking me off the tractor than for roll over...

Keep in mind, this property wasnot well maintained when Mr. prior owner was alive, and 6-7 years ago he died NOTHING has been done since. I'm just getting started clearing it up.

Do I carry a small chain sa everywhere and lop off branches as I tractor?

Most of the trails are fine for walking, or maybe driving a pickup truck, but the tractor is WAY TALLER (95" to top of ROPS, slightly more with a canopy).

:tractor:As always, all advice is greatly appreciated. :tractor:

Thanks in advance,

Be well,
David

 

[Chilly807]

This is one of the drawbacks of a canopy/cab. I usually have a pair of loppers for the little stuff, and I save the bigger branches for the times I have a saw with me. The trouble is, when you stand up with the saw to cut a branch off, unless you're twisted around it naturally wants to fall on the hood.

I'm going to invest/build a pole saw in the near future. I have an old electric chainsaw that will fit the bill, but that means I need a generator with me around the edges of fields. No real problem there, but in the woods it's not practical.

Sean

 

[TripleR]

We bough a good Stihl pole saw and often carry a pair of compound limb loppers in the tractor. We put the pole pruner in our Rhino or back of a pickup depending on where they are.

We also had a heavy steel canopy on our open station tractor.

 

[B8FISH]

Yep, if you have a pole saw, and walk your trails cutting everything you can reach, it takes care of "most" everything. But I no longer keep my canvas sunshade on, too much of a PITA for the non-trail areas. If you search for a chain saw scabbard in the archives, you can find a simple to make one out of plywood (I have one that I bungee to the loader post) that will allow you to take a smaller saw along, and just slip it out and trim as you go along.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

We bough a good Stihl pole saw and often carry a pair of compound limb loppers in the tractor. We put the pole pruner in our Rhino or back of a pickup depending on where they are.

We also had a heavy steel canopy on our open station tractor.

RRR,

I'm a Stihl guy. I love my 20" FarmBoss. A pole saw is now on my Christmas list (Maybe I need to have a Columbus Day list).

Yep, if you have a pole saw, and walk your trails cutting everything you can reach, it takes care of "most" everything. But I no longer keep my canvas sunshade on, too much of a PITA for the non-trail areas. If you search for a chain saw scabbard in the archives, you can find a simple to make one out of plywood (I have one that I bungee to the loader post) that will allow you to take a smaller saw along, and just slip it out and trim as you go along.

B8Fish,

I've read the scabbard threads. I'm going to build a couple of them. I will be doing lots of firewood cutting. I just had never considered how huge this tractor is (to a Noob like me at least).

Thanks,
David

 

[Carl_NH]

David,

Just a thought - you have a grapple, so why not get some 1/2 - 3/4" steel plate and fabricate a shear on one side?

Probably a fair amount of work vs buying a stihl pole pruner or similar trimmer..

Carl

 

[MossflowerWoods]

David,

Just a thought - you have a grapple, so why not get some 1/2 - 3/4" steel plate and fabricate a shear on one side?

Probably a fair amount of work vs buying a stihl pole pruner or similar trimmer..

Carl

Carl,

I REALLY love that idea. I don't have a welder (yet), nor do I know how (yet).

My immediate thought was "YES!!!" But then I thought about what about when I want to grapple something without cutting it off one side. I'm moving some 20' and longer cedars later today (before the rain hits).

I wonder if I could make some clamp on shears... Ooohhhh.... Hmmm....

GREAT IDEA!
David

 

[J_J]

You could build something like this, or purchase something like the last picture.

I also have several of the hyd pole pruners.

 

[jenkinsph]

Mini Long Handle Saw - - Florian Tools

I use the Florian pole saw to cut the branches most of the time. It will cut them 12 ft high with the pole at a good angle to keep you from being under the limbs. I like the Stilh products and have several of them too but for the majority of limbs I need to cut the pole saw works better and eaier. Not every gadget has to be battery or gas powered, this is one of those cases where simple is better imo. With a telescopic 6 to 12' handle and super sharp blade I have cut truckloads of limbs doing a neat job.

 

[TripleR]

RRR,

I'm a Stihl guy. I love my 20" FarmBoss. A pole saw is now on my Christmas list (Maybe I need to have a Columbus Day list.

Thanks,
David

We love them and have a sack full from 180 to 660 as well as trimmer, leaf blower and the pole pruner.

We tried other brands and have settled on Stihl. Husqvarna and Jonsered make good saws; sure others do, I just haven't used them.