Good idea? Bad idea? Buy it or make one myself?

[Dougster]

What do you folks think of this "tree pulling" FEL attachment being offered on a certain large auction site? It's sort of a horizontal plane grapple arm. For $500.00 and change (plus shipping), is it worth it? Not worth it? Or so easy to build myself that I'd be a fool to do otherwise?

Obviously, I'd have to add some sort of tall guard piece to the back of it unless I want to redesign my tractor's hood every day... and Lord knows I can do the same thing with a chain and/or my root/rock grapple... but the cost is not crazy outragious and I do have a TON of small nuisance trees to remove. Hmmmm... What do you folks think?

Dougster

 

[MrJimi]

Dougster, it looks easy to build , how about some food for thought ? swivel backing plate and cutting jaws, they will hold and cut also and You must have a serious machine to pull a tree out of the ground that large, I have a 6,500 pound 60 HP. Cummins diesel and 4 inch tree gives me a hard time unless I rock it, kinda like a dentist does with a tooth
Jim

 

[Dougster]

Dougster, it looks easy to build, how about some food for thought? swivel backing plate and cutting jaws, they will hold and cut also and You must have a serious machine to pull a tree out of the ground that large, I have a 6,500 pound 60 HP. Cummins diesel and 4 inch tree gives me a hard time unless I rock it, kinda like a dentist does with a tooth
Jim

Hi Jim - Oh, I don't think I'll be pulling out many 4 inch trees... but I can lift a ton (net, plus or minus) and I'm betting I can pull up to maybe 3 inch? With a little rocking as you say! For better or worse, I have been pushing over such smaller trees... or cutting them down first... and then digging up the roots later with the BH. I'm just wondering if this saves me a step or two?

The thing is that I could buy a skidsteer 1/4"-3/8" blank mounting plate for maybe $100... plus a suitable cylinder & hoses... plus a little choice surplus steel... and with a little cutting, welding and paint I could have the very same thing for half the price. I am not a welder... sadly... but we have three certified pros in the immediate family (just not all local... so it would take some advance planning!).

Dougster

 

[kossetx]

I posted this about 2 weeks ago. For the price, I don't believe I'd build one. It depends on shipping costs. I go to Pittsburgh once a year so I may pick one up.

 

[MrJimi]

I just re-read your post and you have a grapple, why would you want 2 attachments that do almost the same thing ?I think if you build or buy something like this

and stab the tree a few times around it and pop it out then use your grapple to move them where you want , I think you will have more change in your pocket and time to enjoy an adult beverage
Jim

 

[Dougster]

I posted this about 2 weeks ago. For the price, I don't believe I'd build one. It depends on shipping costs. I go to Pittsburgh once a year so I may pick one up.

OPPS!!! Sorry. I didn't see your earlier post. I'll go look for it.

They quoted me $120 shipping to my location near Boston, so best I could do would be $620.00. I'm seeing mounting plates for $135 (+/-) shipped and surplus cylinders for $150 to $200. I'm guessing I can build the whole thing... only stronger... for $350.00. I'm even thinking of building a mucho improved design for around $450.00 or so.

On the other hand, as you say, the price is nothing compared to other implements... and I am fundamentally lazy at heart. Hmmmmm...

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

I just re-read your post and you have a grapple, why would you want 2 attachments that do almost the same thing ?I think if you build or buy something like this... and stab the tree a few times around it and pop it out then use your grapple to move them where you want , I think you will have more change in your pocket and time to enjoy an adult beverage
Jim

Hi Jim - Your point is entirely valid. In fact, I'll bet I've got at least 4 or 5 separate ways to get rid of a tree by now! This would be number 6. On the other hand, the thought of pulling out small trees... roots and all... in a single step is very appealing. I've even thought about designing & building a grapple bucket that shifts 90 degrees from horizontal to vertical to achieve that end... but I'm probably the only one who would actually want one!

At the end of the day, the simplicity and low cost of this implement is what has me interested... even if it will constitute my 6th way to remove a tree!!!

Dougster

 

[Kendall69]

Looks to me like a 15 ft. of chain will do about the same thing? But that might just be me.

 

[MrJimi]

Removing a tree in our Florida sand is easy, tie it high and push or pull it over roots and all like our hurricanes do I remember our Maine soil well , it would hold a tree real good and you living in Ma. it must be close
Have fun
Jim

 

[Dougster]

Looks to me like a 15 ft. of chain will do about the same thing? But that might just be me.

Correct! But too simple, cheap and not nearly as much fun!

Plus you need to understand that half my fun is scaring holy heck out of the neighbors! Although, admittedly, the grapple is best for that!

Dougster