Backhoe Felling a tree with a backhoe

[Dewave]

I've been doing this for a couple weeks now and find it easier then any chainsaw. Mucho easier! Felling a tree by chainsaw and then digging it up by backhoe is ten times more difficult then by felling a tree with backhoe and then cutting it up. Other then the obvious of being out of the way, why haven't more people mentioned this before. Am I missing something?

I have pics if ya wish?

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have pics if ya wish? )</font>

Do you really need to ask /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Of course we want pics /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

<font color="#FF641A">I was thinking about the backhoe yesterday when I was pushing down a camphor tree after I pulled it over some with a chain. I used the loader, but I'd rather use the backhoe if I could ever get it delivered. Still backordered till March /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I used to watch a friend do that Dewave, with a really big trackhoe. He could have a tree down and out in about 5 minutes. John</font>
CK20Action

 

[Dewave]

I did this tree in 15 minutes, but I got lucky and found the sweet spot right off the bat. Stumps can take twice as long! Here is the tree before.

 

[Dewave]

lol that didn't re-size very good, but sure made the tree look big lol, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Anyway 2 important steps are 1) first dig is the direction ya want it to fall

 

[Dewave]

dig

 

[Dewave]

main roots snapped so pretty much done but better to be deep on the side you want it to fall

 

[Dewave]

now to the opposite side and part 2 of the important steps... watch the tree!! Usally I can make them learn before they fall but I found the sweet spot on the second bucket and down it went. piece of cake

 

[Dewave]

another view

 

[Dewave]

Then I move it out of the hole with BH

 

[Dewave]

but sometimes they get a little heavy and I pop a wheelie, rut roo

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Dewave]

OK the FEL is feeling left out, so I use her to move it around

 

[Dewave]

One of several in a stack of several... I'd say tree #15. But I do need a chainsaw to cut them... tried with BH but it took to long. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Dewave]

phew done, posting this was harder then felling the tree. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[sassafraspete]

Thanks DeWave for sharing that with us. I have a wooded area that I am thinking about clearing for a barn. I will not only have to clear a few trees, but will have to dig into a hillside to level. No large oaks or anything...some poplar about 12-14 inches and other odd varieties. I started to chainsaw some down while the snow was on...but decided to wait until spring and try using the backhoe to push over. Not sure of the technique though. You gave me some ideas. I would like to hear from others who have done this also. I was thinking that digging on oppisite side of fall direction to sever some roots, then pushing over ...where your process is dig on both sides. I'd hate to have one come crashing down on me.

sassafras

 

[fctadam]

What size tractor is this?
What are the spec on your backhoe.
Looking to purchase a new machine for the same work. Your's looks like it gets it done. I was looking at the NH TC30.

 

[Dewave]

<font color="blue"> I was thinking that digging on oppisite side of fall direction to sever some roots, then pushing over ...where your process is dig on both sides. </font>

I tried that but the root ball will pops up under the front of tractor when ya push it over. Not good. Also if you are unsecessful at pushing it over when it comes back into its a original posiition it may very well take that direction of least resistance (your first hole) and came back at ya.

This way tends to be really easy, at least I think. The first hole (on the fall side) provides a space of least resistance. And on the second hole what you are really doing is looking for the handle (large root) to act as a lever. Once you find the big root on the opposite side you just curl your bucket under it and lift. Then the tree goes in the direction of least resistance (your first hole). They actually fall pretty slow.

The only problem I have had is with smaller 3-5 inchers. The BH can lift them out of the ground after being weakened with the first hole and that is what you do not want because then they tend to fall towards the side with the most limbs(or most weight). So for those I weaken again on both sides but not as deep and then push it over with the BH bucket because it provides the most distance between me and the tree.

Whatever ya do start small then work your way up to the big ones. And by no means is this for the faint of heart, lol. Felling trees with any equipment is potentially dangerous stuff. I was raised on a Stihl, argh. (Insert smiley face sweating profusely)

Have I confused this enough? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Dewave]

<font color="blue"> What size tractor is this?
What are the spec on your backhoe. </font>

CK20 HST, one of Kioti's smallest tractors, pretty kewl, huh? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BH specs - I thot I was stuck 3 times in mucky mud, my BH laughed and said "Nope, not while I'm here!" for numerical specs go to the Kioti website and look at the 2365 BH /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sassafraspete]

Thanks for more details. Another question...are you always positioning your tractor on the hinge sides (undug) of the tree...eg the comment about using a big root as a lever...seems you would have to be on the hinge side to get your bucket under and pull up....but for pushing you would have to face your bh toward the direction of the fall. Suppose you could push sideways with hoe, but not very strong hydraulics that way. One observation....those straight as a gunbarrel pines may be a little more predictable and smaller root system , than say a sprawling hardwood tree. My brother had a guy come in to do a similar project...he did the backhoe thing...then after the tree fell, would pick up the tree somehow, and shake dirt off the rootball. I am assuming it was a large hoe. And that's a good question...what to do with all the rootballs?

sassafras

 

[Dewave]

<font color="blue"> are you always positioning your tractor on the hinge sides (undug) of the tree...eg the comment about using a big root as a lever...seems you would have to be on the hinge side to get your bucket under and pull up.... </font>

I am neither on the first hole side (hinge side) or the second hole (lever side). hmm hard to explain.. as I face the tree with the BH I dig a hole to left (first hole) then go right to the other side of the tree. I am never lined up with the 2 holes and the tree. I put the bucket below or under the root lever by curling it and then lift the arm straight up. If I decide to push it over with the BH bucket I do it at a oblique or diagonal position towards the deeper hinge hole, just in case I have to rock it and the unexpected happens and it comes back my way. As far as using the sideways motion of the BH arm I try never to use that because the Bh is not really designed for that. (I do use it to push piles of dirt over when I unload a bucket.)

<font color="blue"> One observation....those straight as a gunbarrel pines may be a little more predictable and smaller root system , than say a sprawling hardwood tree. </font>

I've done hardwoods and the only difference is a wider deeper hinge hole is needed. And more time. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Actually the gun barrel straight pines are more difficult then a leaner or curvy one. Unless ya want it to fall against the lean, haven't had to try one of those yet.

<font color="blue"> My brother had a guy come in to do a similar project...he did the backhoe thing...then after the tree fell, would pick up the tree somehow, and shake dirt off the rootball. I am assuming it was a large hoe. </font>

I tried that but on larger trees all I did was pick up the front of my tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif So I'll peck away at the root ball with the BH bucket until I get enough dirt off. And then I use the BH and put it a headlock with the arm and drag it out of the hole.

<font color="blue">what to do with all the rootballs? </font>

I'm gonna pressure wash most of the dirt off (son's job)... dig a big hole and burn them. I think. I hope /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif