Knocking over skinny pines -- methods?

s219 · Mar 15, 2014

I need to knock over two 7" diameter Loblolly pines (approx 35 feet tall) for my barn site. My current thinking is either to rent a backhoe or hire someone to do it, but that's a lot for just two spindly trees.

Any other ideas I am missing? I have a Kubota L3200 with lots of logging and rigging equipment (3/4" ropes, pulley blocks, etc rated to 15,000#).

I don't plan to try pushing the trees over with the FEL, but I'm wondering if there is another option I am missing. So maybe someone here has knocked over a similar size pine and has some experience to relay.

These pines do have a thick taproot, but from what I have seen before, there is not much of a rootball at all.

thanks,
219

newbury · Mar 15, 2014

s219 said:
I need to knock over two 7" diameter Loblolly pines (approx 35 feet tall) for my barn site. My current thinking is either to rent a backhoe or hire someone to do it, but that's a lot for just two spindly trees.

Any other ideas I am missing? I have a Kubota L3200 with lots of logging and rigging equipment (3/4" ropes, pulley blocks, etc rated to 15,000#).

I don't plan to try pushing the trees over with the FEL, but I'm wondering if there is another option I am missing. So maybe someone here has knocked over a similar size pine and has some experience to relay.

These pines do have a thick taproot, but from what I have seen before, there is not much of a rootball at all.

thanks,
219

Get your rigging equipment fastened on as high up as possible and try and pull them over after a heavy rain or something else that saturates the soil.

motocephalic · Mar 15, 2014

this guy did pretty good:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qK0KyKg_m0

DarkBlack · Mar 15, 2014

He should have taken his pto attachment off.

nc redneck · Mar 15, 2014

I have a Kioti 45 and kubota bx 2200. Never operated your machine. I am guessing it is somewhere in the middle. If I had several hours to spend on each tree I would take it out with what you have. Start about 8 foot aweigh from each tree dig down. Goal is to find roots thin enough your loader can break. If trees are close together where you can not operate tractor between them it will make job much harder. A tooth bar on loader will help a lot.
Not real familiar with loblolly pine. Could be a lot tougher than regular pines. Might want to get some local advice.
Scott

GPintheMitten · Mar 15, 2014

Try Rip and Dig fel attachment to dig around the roots then knock it over.

tractchores · Mar 15, 2014

Not sure why you wouldn't consider using the FEL on those. I pushed over similar sized hardwoods recently that were too close to a garage to cut. Just put the bucket high up on it and lower the FEL. Its likely that you'll apply enough pressure to put a good lean on it, then you can just push it more or cut it with a saw. Just be careful not to hit it hard or shake it because something could fall from the top onto you.

BHD · Mar 15, 2014

motocephalic said:
this guy did pretty good:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qK0KyKg_m0

good way to tear up your tractor, and or loader.

Not a member · Mar 15, 2014

s219 said:
I need to knock over two 7" diameter Loblolly pines (approx 35 feet tall) for my barn site. My current thinking is either to rent a backhoe or hire someone to do it, but that's a lot for just two spindly trees.

Any other ideas I am missing? I have a Kubota L3200 with lots of logging and rigging equipment (3/4" ropes, pulley blocks, etc rated to 15,000#).

I don't plan to try pushing the trees over with the FEL, but I'm wondering if there is another option I am missing. So maybe someone here has knocked over a similar size pine and has some experience to relay.

These pines do have a thick taproot, but from what I have seen before, there is not much of a rootball at all.

thanks,
219

They do have a heck of a taproot. I've taken out a bunch of Loblollys at my place. Some of the bigger ones took a lot of digging with a Case 580 and were still a bear to get down. That being said... a couple of 7" ones shouldn't be too bad. If you could dig down deep on one side it would help a bunch. I think you should be able to get them down yourself.