Brush Hogging and Tree Trimming at the same time

[TGF]

Last time I did some brush hog work I noticed the ROPS smacked a few branches one of them be mulberry (that made quite a mess). This time I took a pair of 3 foot handled nips with me and when I would pull up to a tree I would trim the branches without even leaving the seat. Anyone else do this?

Also brush hogging is very satisfying work. Its very easy to see what you have done when there is a 3 foot different in height of the grass.

 

[ccsial]

Yes, I keep pruning shears on board for that purpose. Those mulberrys are the worst. You get a mulberry hail storm and they don't clean off easy. I'd remove my Rops if it was practical to do. I'm a flat lander and it ain't never going to roll while mowing or snow blowing. I don't have an FEL on it either.

 

[rekees4300]

I have the same problem hitting limbs with the ROPS. Don't have a place to carry my limb lopper so just use a chainsaw before mowing when the limb situation becomes a nuisance.

 

[pitt_md]

Mine are almost all walnut trees and i like to take care of them before starting to work with the tractor. I use my ATV and a wagon with 3' sheers and a chainsaw. i should make one fo those holders for a chainsaw and mount it on my tractor.

 

[TripleR]

Before I used cabbed tractors I did this, I tried it with a cab and it is just too awkward, so now I use my four wheeler or Rhino with loppers, pole saw and chain saw.

 

[rmully]

After running my face into a cedar I make sure there is nothing in the way before I start. When i was younger I saw a movie about a boy that fell off his tractor and was dragged by the belly rippers then the tractor ran over him. This has stayed in my mind and ever since I stay safe.

 

[gauthier]

I've heard of people falling off and getting run over by their tractor,sure it won't happen to you though.

 

[RoyJackson]

I trim those branches during the first mows of the season. The lopers are with me (in the bucket). Occasionally I'll carry a saw too, but I don't have a chain saw.
Since my tractor is a gear machine, I'll put in neutral (parking brake on) when I do the trimming. Basically, I'm using the tractor as a ladder. The PTO is disengaged.
During the season, I may have to trim a few more, but that's pretty simple. However, after the first mow or two, the bucket or loader comes off, so I'll have to go grab the trimming tool(s).

BTW, this is during finish mowing...when I'm hogging, I back under those branches. Rarely trim lower hanging stuff...

 

[woodchuckie]

I keep the loppers in the hole created by the bolt where the ROP folds over. I do a lot of cutting from the seat. Briers that might would get me or limbs that are just in the way for ATV riding since I'm clearing trails for riding.If I can't reach it from the seat I leave it till I'm walking the trail.

 

[TGF]

I've heard of people falling off and getting run over by their tractor,sure it won't happen to you though.

My tractor is small enough that I can leave the seat belt on while trimming not to mention if I do stand up it turns off the tractor, I have one of those butt in seat sensors. I am going to build a switch for it to disable it so I can do some off tractor PTO stuff like a generator or wood chipper should I ever get one.

 

[Chilly807]

My tractor is small enough that I can leave the seat belt on while trimming not to mention if I do stand up it turns off the tractor, I have one of those butt in seat sensors. I am going to build a switch for it to disable it so I can do some off tractor PTO stuff like a generator or wood chipper should I ever get one.

I'm not sure how the Deere is set up, but you may have a 3-position seat switch.

On my Kubota, if you're sitting in the seat, everything is operational. When you stand up, if it's in gear with or without the PTO running it'll shut down.

However, if you're in neutral and running the PTO, you can stand up and flip the seat ahead within two or three seconds, and everything stays running.

It's meant for off-tractor PTO work like you mentioned.

Sean

 

[Chilly807]

I stick a set of loppers behind the pin on the left-side loader mount (loader removed usually). Drive up to branch, reach up, lop, and drive on. The best part is, you can toss the branch ahead of the tractor and the RC chews it up as you go over.

Sean

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm not sure how the Deere is set up, but you may have a 3-position seat switch.

On my Kubota, if you're sitting in the seat, everything is operational. When you stand up, if it's in gear with or without the PTO running it'll shut down.

However, if you're in neutral and running the PTO, you can stand up and flip the seat ahead within two or three seconds, and everything stays running.

It's meant for off-tractor PTO work like you mentioned.

Sean

Good points, but the 3032e and the 3038e tractors do not have such a switch or any procedure in the operator manuals for offseat PTO operation.
Not one of Deere's better ideas, but that's what they did.

 

[sailorman]

On my Kubota, if you're sitting in the seat, everything is operational. When you stand up, if it's in gear with or without the PTO running it'll shut down.

Odd, on my B2320 while in gear, I can stand up and even get off and machine keeps runnin'.

 

[TripleR]

Odd, on my B2320 while in gear, I can stand up and even get off and machine keeps runnin'.

Sounds like your operator presence switch is not working. I believe this is addressed in your manual.

 

[RoyJackson]

Sounds like your operator presence switch is not working. I believe this is addressed in your manual.

I'd guess his PTO is disengaged, but sailorman can clarify that for us.

 

[sailorman]

I'd guess his PTO is disengaged, but sailorman can clarify that for us.

Exactly. I was responding to Chilly who said: " On my Kubota, if you're sitting in the seat, everything is operational. When you stand up, if it's in gear with or without the PTO running it'll shut down. "

Mine will shut down, but only if the pto is running.

 

[whitedogone]

:thumbsup:

 

[Chilly807]

Exactly. I was responding to Chilly who said: " On my Kubota, if you're sitting in the seat, everything is operational. When you stand up, if it's in gear with or without the PTO running it'll shut down. "

Mine will shut down, but only if the pto is running.

Best thing I could suggest is have a good read of the manual.. Kubota makes so many different configurations it's hard to keep up. I don't know for sure what the HST version is supposed to do, mine is gear drive.

I do know that mine needed a "tweak" shortly after I got it. I could stand up and still not shut the tractor down while driving along. So, after talking with the dealer service dept, I adjusted the tab that actuates the seat switch. Works fine now.

Sean

 

[Chilly807]

Good points, but the 3032e and the 3038e tractors do not have such a switch or any procedure in the operator manuals for offseat PTO operation.
Not one of Deere's better ideas, but that's what they did.

Sometimes I wonder how safe the Kubotas are in that respect, Roy. Most of us will be fine, but there's always the one that thinks he can hang off the post hole digger while it's running to "make it dig better". Then we read a post about his demise in the safety forum.

I wouldn't be surprised if Deere left that feature out intentionally for liability reasons. I wonder if any of their newer tractors do have the ability to run off-tractor PTO? Like I said, I'm a bit surprised that Kubota offers the option.

Sean