Good morning!!!!

[daugen]

that's a big tree....you may need help; maybe another FEL at the same time getting the load off
somewhat equally

 

[ovrszd]

I have a dilemma. If I start to remove the tree from either end it might put more weight on the BH. I cannot tell if it is bent now. I need to think about this for a bit.

Chainsaw if your tractor won't lift it. Bummer. Looks like the cylinder is bowed now, but probly just from the weight.

 

[txdon]

Plan A has failed. The grapple won't budge it.
Plan B start on the other side and take any non supporting/non-ground contact limbs off.
This may be a several day project.

 

[txdon]

Chainsaw if your tractor won't lift it. Bummer. Looks like the cylinder is bowed now, but probly just from the weight.

Big bummer.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I have a dilemma. If I start to remove the tree from either end it might put more weight on the BH. I cannot tell if it is bent now. I need to think about this for a bit.

Don, can you stabilize the tree with chains and your FEL, attaching on tree top side of the back hoe, then start removing tree parts, with chain saw? Take some from top, then some from bottom to maintain some balance.

 

[sodamo]

Plan A has failed. The grapple won't budge it. Plan B start on the other side and take any non supporting/non-ground contact limbs off. This may be a several day project.

I think I'd try to support, perhaps FEL with chains over BH if enough reach, then slowly remove limbs etc from top end until FEL will support weight, checking periodically. Once supportable and stable, cut stump end and remove.
Slow and easy, think it out, maybe get someone to assist.

 

[mkr7734]

Txdon,
Looks straight forward to me. Just cut the far side off and let it fall Or hold it with your FEL, then the only thing left is what is from the trunk to the far side of the BH you have just cut. Should be able to hold that even with my wimpy 300 JD FE loader. You can't break what is already broken, as my dad would say.

 

[txdon]

Txdon,
Looks straight forward to me. Just cut the far side off and let it fall Or hold it with your FEL, then the only thing left is what is from the trunk to the far side of the BH you have just cut. Should be able to hold that even with my wimpy 300 JD FE loader. You can't break what is already broken, as my dad would say.

A lot of the weight is sitting on the ground supporting the main trunk from crushing the BH. If the weight is taken off far side and the tractor is holding the trunk, the tractor will tip over. I already raise the back tires when I try to lift the trunck. I will add some braces under the trunk to keep extra weight off the BH. I think the limbs on the far side on the ground are supporting at least half of the weight of the tree. I'm hoping the BH is not bent only bowing because of the weight. Between the briars, the limbs and the blood. I'm calling it a day.

Many many trees are down here are a few:
They all fell to the East except the third pic it fell to the West. ??

 

[txdon]

Don, did you ever get your pressure washer part? I'm having to make a new special pipe nipple for the washer's wand we have at work. The company is too cheap to buy one, and my work load is slow, so I've decided to try and make one. I looked up a new wand and they want $90 for a new one online. I just have to figure out the special NPT threads with a nose seal on the face to make a new one. The tapered threads need to time out when the nose seal hits a copper washer inside the female threads.

I have a plug coming from China, it should be here by mid May. The thread is British pipe thread - BPT. 5 plug package with shipping $7.

 

[mkr7734]

txdon, still don't think it is that big a deal. "I already raise the back tires when I try to lift the trunk",,that is because it is still connected to the main trunk and that is attached to the ground. Cut it loose. What is past the BH will fall or balance out on the FEL and the weight on the BH will be way less.
"I think the limbs on the far side on the ground are supporting at least half of the weight of the tree." Perfect that is what you want to have makes it all the easier to cut them from each other and support it with the FEL. Like I said it will fall or balance out on the FEL. Once they are apart then start chipping away at the far end of the tree.
JMHO but not my first rodeo. :thumbsup: You can do it.

 

[txdon]

MKR, I have 3 points of contact and I can't tell how much weight is on each. 1. The far end, 2. the BH, 3. the trunk to the stump. I cant budge any of them. Anyone of them if unsupported will tip the tractor. I might be overthinking this but . . . I need to be sure wherever I make a cut that I am not cutting the support out and increasing the weight on the BH.

 

[RoyJackson]

2016-05-01, 0311

42 right now...high of 52 and rain today. between yesterdays rain and what we have coming this week, looks like enough rain to eliminate most of the fire hazard problem we had a week or two back.
Good weekend...got a lot of stuff done.

 

[Eric Salop]

Good morning. I haven't looked at a thermometer, but it must be getting warmer as I only zipped my jacket half way up this morning.

Don, I'm sure you will get there, cutting off all the branches waving in the air will take off a lot of weight. Pull them away so when it drops, they don't flick up off the ground and catch you. It's like playing a game of Jenga in reverse Don't worry about the backhoe now, just make sure nothing rolls on you as the weight shifts.

 

[Eric Salop]

Eric, how far away are you from peat "fields?" and do they still harvest the stuff? A friend gave me a bag of peat for the fireplace last year, never tried it. I would think it would burn a bit smokey. Honey, I'm cold, go dig up part of the lawn and let's burn it...

There is a bog very close to us at Whixall, where peat was extracted on a large scale. It has a quite interesting past, as well as being infamous for swallowing tractors, little gery fergies being particularly appetizing

Most of our peat bogs are now looked on as nature reserves rather than sources of fuel, though a few people are still able to cut and stack it for their own use. Instead of burning the peat you have been given, have you thought of using it in the garden ? Mixed with loamy soil it makes excellent potting compost for seedlings.

Exploitation

 

[wngsprd]

60 and rain, going to 83.

Continuous rain has made me a bit lazy on the outside chores. Catching up on a few inside.

Don, Glad you're approaching it carefully. I'm with Eric on removing every branch not wedged into the ground as a first step, then assessing where the loads are resting. I cut a number of cedars down last month, and they were incredibly heavy.

 

[Buppies]

61 this morning high of 80 today with severe storms a good possibility more rain tomorrow

TxDon that looks to be a very difficult task you have perhaps a backhoe or larger mini ex can help something to support both ends at the same time but close in to backhoe so you can cut off ends and limbs

 

[Buppies]

There is a bog very close to us at Whixall, where peat was extracted on a large scale. It has a quite interesting past, as well as being infamous for swallowing tractors, little gery fergies being particularly appetizing

Most of our peat bogs are now looked on as nature reserves rather than sources of fuel, though a few people are still able to cut and stack it for their own use. Instead of burning the peat you have been given, have you thought of using it in the garden ? Mixed with loamy soil it makes excellent potting compost for seedlings.

Exploitation

Peat moss very good growing materials mix in with natural soil works wonders

 

[ronjhall]

Drinking first cup of coffee. 44° with rain this morning. Heading to 57° with some sun in afternoon. Yesterday was a lost day for projects. So it was mostly NASCAR. Taking one of our cars in for a new windshield today. Then start cleaning up yard.
Txdon, take extra care getting backhoe freed from tree. Maybe it's a good time to call your cousin. Rest of the trees should keep you busy all summer.
Kyle, get well soon.
Good Morning All.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Good morning all. 56 here this am going to 80. Dense fog advisory in effect for here until 11 am. Wife and I are going to get some errands run and go see my 92 year old mom. Not looking forward to crossing Afton Mt. it is known for bad fog, but we will be fine.

Don prayers sent for wisdom to know what to do and what not to do. You will get it, don't worry.

Hope you all have a great day Ed

 

[daugen]

warmer morning, high sixties going to 80 today in sticky wet weather, more rain showers coming in. Everything looks nice and green outside now, the winter browns are going away, being replaced by rapidly growing grass.

I might do some more shrub/tree planting today, not sure, hand/arm not happy from yesterday's adventures, had to go in to the bathroom at 3am (yup, Roy was up) and soak it in hot water. Just don't want to take any more pills...expect to be using the hot tub a lot. Thankfully heat really helps or I'd be a real pill addict. Now I know why people take all those opiods for pain. And then because they are hooked. Doing my very, very best not to get started. Docs have prescribed serious painkillers for me and I won't take them. Of course if I stayed in my recliner all day I'd be better but that isn't going to happen. Like many/most of you I live/love to be outside. And in our age category many of us start out the day a bit stiff. Some a lot more stiff than others. All the more reason to get moving and loosen things up.
No whining...

Don, we are all going to worry until you get that tree down safely. I think you need a bigger piece of equipment. Our Kubotas don't have the lift or the weight to tackle that thing unless you have cut it down into pieces. Take your time thinking it through...think twice(I think you are at 20 times by now), cut once...particularly if something could land on you. You could put some ropes/chain on the trunk and tie that to a nearby tree/truck hitch, if available if you think it might help from preventing a roll/drop in the wrong direction.