Canopy Branches in and under the Canopy...

[JoeinTX]

That's the obvious inherent issue of modern shaded/cabbed tractors. Their comfort is great but their mobility is more limited. Great for open fields......not so great for wooded areas. Nose, meet face.

As for the snipping attachments.....if you've got a loader, why not just use it to break off low hanging limbs? That's what we do. Why buy/build yet another gadget to do random tasks that you already have the tool for?

 

[TripleR]

That's the obvious inherent issue of modern shaded/cabbed tractors. Their comfort is great but their mobility is more limited. Great for open fields......not so great for wooded areas. Nose, meet face.

As for the snipping attachments.....if you've got a loader, why not just use it to break off low hanging limbs? That's what we do. Why buy/build yet another gadget to do random tasks that you already have the tool for?

We have found a clean cut to heal better and be better for our trees than breaking them off with a FEL. The only time I use the FEL is if I don't mind losing the tree. We live in the hills and raising the FEL on hill sides tends to be a bit disconcerting, or at least for me.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

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

I also have several of the hyd pole pruners.

J_J,

SWEET! I like the Hyd pruners!

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

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.

Steve,

That is a nice saw. I think it just got added to my list as well!

So many tools, so little time...

David

 

[Mousefield]

Sometimes I use a Swede saw, it fits nicely behind the seat. When I get to branches most of the time I cut them standing on the tractor or if needed I get off and cut them. I just did a black bear path and had to prune a couple of cedar trees. Those branches grow downward so pretty hard to reach them from the ground so cut them from the tractor. I have also used a chainsaw to rough out a path and get rid of branches that way.

 

[beppington]

You could ride around with something like this pole saw:

& this machete:

 

[bcp]

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.

I've been wondering how hard it would be to replace the motor with a 12 volt one. Maybe a small starter motor. It would only have to run for a few seconds at a time,

Bruce

 

[MossflowerWoods]

You could ride around with something like this pole saw & this machete:

Bepinton,

#1 Sweet homebrew canopy! The pole saw is a smoking bonus! I could mount my trimmer on the other side.

#2 LOVE The machete idea - I'm stealing that one first.

Thanks for sharing!
David

 

[SPYDERLK]

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.

I've been wondering how hard it would be to replace the motor with a 12 volt one. Maybe a small starter motor. It would only have to run for a few seconds at a time,

Bruce

A 1000W invertor works well with a small electric chainsaw.
larry

 

[SPYDERLK]

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...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

Is your canopy ABS plastic or fiberglass? I ask because we have two tractors with fiberglass ones after the ABS one couldnt take it. We are used to leaving the ROPS up and lifting a branch over our heads and letting the ROPS push it out ofthe the way as we move ahead slow. If youre a ways from the tree the branches have a good bit of flexibility. With the canopy, the branches up at a height that will just scrape under it in your space are a problem -- the canopy is easily damaged on its underside. We push these branches up over the top and drive under. A fiberglass canopy has no problem with this altho the ABS one was just too weak.
larry