How's the drawbar work?

[newtarheel]

This city boy is learning, but the more I learn the more I find out how ignorant I am. I sometimes use my B7800 to pull down a damaged tree that is hung up on another tree. What I do is cut the tree off near the base (if it's connected), wrap one end of a chain or cable around it and the other end to my FEL, and then back up. Works pretty well.
But I wonder if that kind of strain can damage the FEL, which, after all, was not designed to pull (I think). Now, I realize I have a drawbar (which IS designed for pulling). Two things -- 1) the drawbar is sort of buried behind my Woods BH frame and 2) presuming I took the BH off, how does this little bar with holes in it work? I've checked the manual, and that hasn't been much help.
If my question seems ridiculous, then so be it. But you guys have helped make small dents in my ingorance in the past, and I hope you'll do it again.

 

[Billy_S]

I pull a lot of trees, just as you have described. Sometimes I will pull from the drawbar, sometimes from the FEL, depending on the situation. If I pull from the drawbar, I just wrap a chain around it and hook it back on itself. I pull from the drawbar whenever practical.

 

[hsvhobbit]

On my drawbar I put a nice healthy clevis through a hole and run the chain through that.

 

[SeymourBota]

I wouldn't be too concerned about pulling with the FEL as long as you can pull straight on- not at any kind of angle- and you have plenty of chain/cable to keep the tractor away from the tree, in case it kicks out.

I don't normally use the drawbar, but sometimes I do use my 3ph bar.

 

[design]

What ever you pull, be sure to attach the cable below the axle. Above the front axle on a 4WD pulling with the loader is a BAD idea.
Design

 

[johnk]

The safety police will tell you to use the drawbar. If the tree isn't real big in relation to your tractor the Fel will work provided you have a straight pull. I have a set of logging tongs mounted to my 3 pt hitch and a Big Clevis on my drawbar when things get serious...

 

[newtarheel]

Response to DESIGN: Do you mean when I tie to the FEL I should keep the FEL low? Why is high a bad idea? Will it damage the machinery? Or me?

 

[Sully2]

This city boy is learning, but the more I learn the more I find out how ignorant I am. I sometimes use my B7800 to pull down a damaged tree that is hung up on another tree. What I do is cut the tree off near the base (if it's connected), wrap one end of a chain or cable around it and the other end to my FEL, and then back up. Works pretty well.
But I wonder if that kind of strain can damage the FEL, which, after all, was not designed to pull (I think). Now, I realize I have a drawbar (which IS designed for pulling). Two things -- 1) the drawbar is sort of buried behind my Woods BH frame and 2) presuming I took the BH off, how does this little bar with holes in it work? I've checked the manual, and that hasn't been much help.
If my question seems ridiculous, then so be it. But you guys have helped make small dents in my ingorance in the past, and I hope you'll do it again.

Dont know how LARGE of trees you are dealing with...but Ive shoved a BUNCH out so far and have a bunch more to go. And I never PULL with the FEL...I raise it up and PUSH the tree over and AWAY from me. I may have to butt it a couple of times...and even attempt to root it out at the base with the FEL...

 

[andover farmer]

AS SULLY2 STATED NEVER EVER PULL W/ THE FEL!
I HAVE A FRIEND IN BANGOR MAINE, WHO HAS A BX SERIES MACHINE. HE TRIED TO PULL A PILE OF HEAVY PINE LIMBS W/ A CHAIN ATTACHED TO HIS FEL BUCKET. THE CHAIN SNAPPED AND THE FREE END "WIZZED" BY HIS HEAD AND WRAPPED AROUND HIS ROPS. CAUGHT HIM JUST ABOVE THE EYE......14 ****CHES TO CLOSE THE CUT!

 

[acs55812]

AS SULLY2 STATED NEVER EVER PULL W/ THE FEL!
I HAVE A FRIEND IN BANGOR MAINE, WHO HAS A BX SERIES MACHINE. HE TRIED TO PULL A PILE OF HEAVY PINE LIMBS W/ A CHAIN ATTACHED TO HIS FEL BUCKET. THE CHAIN SNAPPED AND THE FREE END "WIZZED" BY HIS HEAD AND WRAPPED AROUND HIS ROPS. CAUGHT HIM JUST ABOVE THE EYE......14 ****CHES TO CLOSE THE CUT!

and that won't happen with the drawbar??

 

[johnk]

The whole purpose of the drawbar is to pulling from it is the safest place on the tractor to pull from. It is lower than the axels and hopefully when the chain or strap comes flying back at you it follows the path to the drawbar not your head.. Basically has more to do with rolling your tractor over backwards than warding off the chain or strap..

 

[LBrown59]

The whole purpose of the drawbar is to pulling from it is the safest place on the tractor to pull from. It is lower than the axels and hopefully when the chain or strap comes flying back at you it follows the path to the drawbar not your head.. Basically has more to do with rolling your tractor over backwards than warding off the chain or strap..

Can you still use the draw bar with out removing the BH on a BX23?

 

[BTDT]

Lots of folks pull from the BH bucket. Weld eye on back of bucket, attatch chain and pull. If it won't pull that way (raises front of tractor up), put down outriggers and use hydraulics of BH.

 

[Stargazer]

Hi LBrown:

Sure you can if you can keep the 3pt arms on that bx23 with the BH on that drawbar should slide right in in front of the bottom pivot of BH no problem!! Go take a look see

Pat R