Jaws for pulling small trees

idaho04 · Nov 2, 2008

Here in NoID we need to pull small trees that grow on the roads, pastures, hayfield and places we do not want them. If you cut it low it leaves a small stump which is an annoyance for walking, driving and riding horses. We typically go with a tractor and choke chain attached to the loader, one man ties it around the bottom of the tree and we rip it out of the ground. Problem is that one person must do the chain work unless you want to hop constantly on and off the tractor. We pull trees up to 10 feet tall.

I was thinking of a jaws attachment for my hydraulic grapple so I can go grab the tree and pull out without a helper. I am thinking about a set of bars that clamp on the grapple tips. Anybody made anything like that or has an idea?

Sherweld · Nov 2, 2008

Here's a link Brush Grubber Tree and Post Puller, Tree & Shrub Care - GEMPLER'S I think Northern also sells these.

Sherweld

rhett · Nov 2, 2008

hi idaho04
I think you can come up with some great ideas to apply the simple principle to your equipment.
"Nat" has shared his build on this post tree grubber. . Basic and effective, it is up to you to devise were and how to mount the grabbing wedges. I made mine with 3 wedges side by side, so if I miss the center opening one on either side will grab. Using the 3pt lift, just keep going in reverse while lifting. Front end loader/grapple go forward and lift.
Rhett

edit: another link, also use search term grubber for allot of reading
FEL QA Tree Grubber I Built

idaho04 · Nov 3, 2008

Thanks for your info. I can't believe I never came accross such thing. The store version looks great but it is too much money. I'll weld something together, now I know how it should look.

fordman6442 · Nov 5, 2008

I have one I made for my Massey 165. Originally I made it 3 point hitch and was great to pull trees up to 5-6" roots and all. Because it was on the back the more I lifted the better my traction. It was too restricted as to moving the trees and as you lifted them they leaned forward towards you 40 50' tall. I revamped it to put on the front of my tractor in place of the bucket and now I can lift them plus roll the unit an hold them horizontal so I can limb, cut or pile them. I lost a lot of the lift traction so the larger trees it will handle5-10" I push out roots and all with my John Deere 350C. The frame is a 4"x4" x 3/8 thick box metal that you pin lift and bucket cyls too then there is one solid arm 2 1/2' long sticking forward and another arm parallel to it that is hinged in a 1" pin. I then mounted a 3" hydraulic cylinder across from the solid to the hinged arm. Had to beef it up a couple times but it works like a hot darn. I use it to pick,pull,stack and carry allsorts of stuff.

Reg · Nov 5, 2008

I just use a choking chain that is AT LEAST 6 ft longer than the tree was tall.
Even pulling small weed trees over on yourself ain't a whole lotta fun and most attachments that would grip and could be operated from the tractor seat would get even small ones too close if pulled.

kthompson · Nov 6, 2008

Reg said:
I just use a choking chain that is AT LEAST 6 ft longer than the tree was tall.
Even pulling small weed trees over on yourself ain't a whole lotta fun and most attachments that would grip and could be operated from the tractor seat would get even small ones too close if pulled.

Now what is wrong with you?

Don't you like a limb in the face, wasp nest in your lap, snake in your seat as you are now watching your tractor from 50 feet away? Same problem with a boom digging. Learned to pull them some and then push them away until roots are where you can pull from there.

stevensg56 · Nov 8, 2008

I bought a set of the brush grubber hooks this summer, they were made out of 3/4" thick x 2" wide (I believe thats the width) They broke the first time I used them, the 3/4 stock broke. The metal was heavy grained and looked like a casting, cheap to say the least, more dangerous if it breaks and hits you in the head. DONT BUY THESE! I wish i had taken a picture, but if they are made out of good steel, say 4140 or 8620 , Id say they would be fine.

flaming-ace · Nov 9, 2008

Sherweld said:
Here's a link Brush Grubber Tree and Post Puller, Tree & Shrub Care - GEMPLER'S I think Northern also sells these.

Sherweld

thats pretty neat, in the past we have used the following to remove stumps:

Our forwarder trailer - The downfall to that is that its a on a trailer so it can be a pain to move around, but it is operated from the seat of the tractor so its not to bad.

Our fordson with a Hiab mounted on the back - This works well, its is more manoveralble than the forwarder trailer but sadly this is operated from the site of the tractor, as you can see in this video - YouTube - Moving A Few Logs With The Hiab

The Crane - ha we've even pulled a few big ones out with this, christ this will just keep lifting.

Ever thought of trying a stump grinder? I have never used one so im not sure how effectivly they work.

mach · Mar 15, 2010

Hey guys, I'm looking to build one of these "tree grubbers" to clear out some small saplings. Can anybody send me some measurements or spec's on building one of these. Looks like I could also turn this tool around and use it to dig out a shallow trench or footer? Looks like there are extra holes drilled & tapped? Maybe for attaching other tools?

Also, I also need something to get out some larger stumps, maybe 4" or 6" diameter stumps. Any idea's?

Thanks guys,
Mach

Bert Bitter · Mar 15, 2010

One of the simplest brush/sapling pulling devices that I've made and used is made from a 2' piece of 4" pipe.

Weld a chain hook on to the side about 10" to 12" up from the tree end. The hook opening facing the tractor. Slip your chain through the pipe and around the brush or sapling and hook it on to the chain hook. It rarely slips off once you start pulling. The chain tightens around the sapling and pulls it hard up against the pipe end. Keep pulling and out the sapling comes. If you want to you can sharpen the tree end or even grind some teeth for a better grip.

Simple and I've never broken it.

Regards
Bert

magicheater · Mar 15, 2010

Bert Bitter said:
One of the simplest brush/sapling pulling devices that I've made and used is made from a 2' piece of 4" pipe.

Weld a chain hook on to the side about 10" to 12" up from the tree end. The hook opening facing the tractor. Slip your chain through the pipe and around the brush or sapling and hook it on to the chain hook. It rarely slips off once you start pulling. The chain tightens around the sapling and pulls it hard up against the pipe end. Keep pulling and out the sapling comes. If you want to you can sharpen the tree end or even grind some teeth for a better grip.

Simple and I've never broken it.

Regards
Bert

Like that idea, gonna have to make one. Thank you!!

mach · Mar 16, 2010

Ok, so we are looking at a 2' piece of pipe with a chain hook, welded 12" up on the side of the pipe?
So, do you hook this around the tree at the base, or level with the tractor, or higher in the tree. I really want to get the sapling with the roots out, or it will grow right back in.

Thanks,
Mach

I'd still liked to have the rough dimension on building the tree grubber for my tractor.
Thanks!

mschech · Mar 16, 2010

whats the difference between this pipe thing and just wrapping the chain twice around the sapling aith a hook big enough to slide over the chain ?

Bert Bitter · Mar 19, 2010

With the pipe it never slips off the tree or bush.

You hook the pipe as low on the tree or sapling as it will go.

This really simple, easy to make, and is very reliable.

Regards
Bert

UltraFlame · Mar 20, 2010

Never thought of making one like you mention, I just went to Northern Tool and bought a big Brush Grubber. This is one tool that was worth every penny and pulls the tree and roots right out.

Drexel · Mar 28, 2010

Great idea Bert. I've tried just wraping the chain around small trees it just strips the leaves off.:thumbsup:

Chilly807 · Mar 28, 2010

Likely looks a lot like this one, the difference is the length and mine has the chain on the pipe instead of the hook. You loop the grab hook end through the chain end of the pipe first, pass it around the tree, then hook it off to the chain, and pull. I haven't tried it yet, but have great plans for the summer.

Chilly

Workstead · Mar 29, 2010

Chilly807 said:
Likely looks a lot like this one, the difference is the length and mine has the chain on the pipe instead of the hook. You loop the grab hook end through the chain end of the pipe first, pass it around the tree, then hook it off to the chain, and pull. I haven't tried it yet, but have great plans for the summer.

Chilly

Chilly,

Great post. Great idea. Simplicity at it's best.

I like to see a good idea get tweaked, and this is a tweaked idea!

I'm off to make one.

Thanks all, for sharing.,

Clem