I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30'

   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30' #1  

Looking4new

Super Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2012
Messages
9,850
Location
Northern Ontario, Canada
Tractor
2012 Kioti CK27HST w/cab
I have a downed tree in my back yard. The tree is/was 80' long/tall. Either way it is still 80' of tree with a fork in the bottom third. It is still attached to the stump, but that is shredded fairly good.

I have at my disposal a small backhoe and a Jeep with a 12,000 lb winch, two pulleys one of them a double sheave. I also have 500' of 3/8" nylon rope.

The ground right now is way too wet to even think about putting equipment on it. I squish when I walk on it so I would probably need to get me a flight to China if I try putting the Jeep or the Kioti on it right now.
The good thing is that I can line up on the driveway to do the pull, but there are no anchors for the winch.
I don't much care about damage to the ground from the tree to the edge of the bush where I want to put it.

How do I rig this thing in order to move the tree horizontally 30'?
 
   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30' #2  
Don't even consider the 3/8 rope. I would chunk it up and move it in pieces. You didn't give the diameter of the tree.
 
   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30' #3  
Do you need it in one chunk? I pulled a lot of trees out of heavy woods just using a long cable hooked to a truck which is out of the woods on solid ground. A small nylon rope won't be good for even one pull and you may get hit when it comes flying back at you. I use 3/8 cable for pulling from woods. That will stop a truck or a tractor.
 
   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30' #4  
I'd probably saw it in half and pull it out in a couple pieces.:2cents:
 
   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30' #5  
Don't even consider the 3/8 rope. I would chunk it up and move it in pieces. You didn't give the diameter of the tree.

Agree & disagree, I would use the rope to anchor the jeep to the Kioti and cut the trunk at the fork.
Leave the fork on the trunk.
Pull three sections to where you want it with the winch.
 
   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30' #6  
Jeep winch will be slow and limited duty cycle. You'll either burn it up or grow old waiting to get the tree out. Not much you can do with 3/8 rope either. I'd wait until the ground is dry then saw it into pieces you can move with the backhoe's front loader. Or saw into pieces that you can skid out with the backhoe or Jeep. You'll want chain to skid out the pieces. Getting the front butt end of the log off the ground will be a big help before skidding it.
 
   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30' #7  
Is there any reason you can’t cut it up? That would be my first choice. Be very careful with tension and compression. If it is still attached to the stump there will be loads of it.
 
   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30' #8  
I think a picture with something showing the size/scale of the tree is in order. Very likely the Jeep winch may move the Jeep rather than the tree. Wait until the ground is dry - cut the tree into appropriate sized chunks - move with the FEL.

BTW - I used a 8000 pound Warn winch on the front of my Jeep to move 130 LARGE Spruce logs. I had to winch each log - 210 feet up the path to where the cabin was being built. It would get hot but I never "burned it up". This was in 1976. I built an 18 x24 two story log cabin in Alaska. However, you must know what you are doing and the winch must be correctly connected. Was it a slow operation? It would take around 8-10 minuets to pull each log the 210 feet.
 
   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30' #9  
Pictures definitely needed. Is the whole thing flat on the ground?
 
   / I need some advice on how to rig a horizontal tree to pull it sideways 30'
  • Thread Starter
#10  
This is the only pic I have right now and it was taken right after the tree fell over.
I will go out today and take better shots.
The stump is about 30" diameter.

downed tree b.jpg
 

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