Pulling Bushes with a FEL

[KennK]

I have a JD 3220 with a FEL and need to remove two large (8' high) bushes next to my house. How to I use the FEL to pull them out?

My initial plan is to chop the branches back so I can get to the root area, dig down a bit so I can wrap a chain around the roots, attach the chain to the FEL, and simply raise the FEL to try to pull out the root ball.

Am I missing anything??

 

[deerhunterf350]

Depending on the type of bushes ( ROOT Sctructure ) you will be surprised at how well they are Stuck in the Ground.

Amount of Ballast on backend of Tractor will limit "PULLING" capacity with the FEL.

Just a suggestion, Get a FEL full of Moist Dirt or Gravel back up to root ball attach chain so that it sinches tighter as you pull. Hook to Draw bar, Try lift with 3PH , if that does not pull it, lower Drawbar and get chain as tight as possible, then in Low range slowly try pulling forward to pull it from the ground.

 

[ToadHill]

Some of the root balls can be held in very strongly. I have pulled some small trees out with the FEL but I found it worked best if I used the loader to push the tree back & forth a few times to loosen it. Just push with the loader and hook it with the bach of the loader a few times then put a chain around the base and lift slowly, repeat slowly, you dont have to cut the shrub off, actually the chain works better if you don't cut the shrub.

 

[1bush2hog]

I've had pretty good luck pulling out large clumps of privet using a cable or chain with a slip collar on it. This keeps the chain tight around the base of the bush as you move forward and usually pulls them right out. If you have a FEL you can also dig it in under one side to break some of the roots and then lift up to pop it out, but if close to the house you may want to just try to pull first to avoid possible damage to your house.

It also helps if the ground is wet/damp around the bush and have the tractor in FWD too.

I don't trim or cut the bush either.

 

[Steelfan]

I had pretty good luck pulling some bigger bushes out with my FEL. The suggestion about digging under the root and wiggling the bush back and forth are good ones. I do know that my tractor had some real problems with my recent tree removal project. While I was surprised that my little tractor could lift some larger sized logs, I was a bit disappointed that it was not too useful pulling out the roots of the tree. Good Luck with your project.

 

[Dishpointer]

I agree with the above advice. The only thing I would add that will greatly help is to throughly water the bushes the night before. A nice slow soaking will loosen everything up nicely and make the "pull" alot easier.

 

[frank_f15]

one thing i found helpful is to use a nylon strap instead of a chain, the strap seems to grip tighter the more you pull and does not slip as easy as a chain.

 

[JimR]

I don't know what you have for a tractor. But my Cub 7275 only has 1100 pounds of lifting force on the FEL. The 3 point hitch has a lifting capacity of 1653 pounds. I have had much better luck popping bushes out witht he 3 point hitch than my loader with my tooth bar.

 

[3RRL]

My tractor has a little more lifting force than JimR's so this is what I do. If you've got a toothbar and a grill guard, drive into the bush carefully. Point he teeth down at an angle and hit the shrub just before the trunk(s). Drive into it a little while curling the bucket and it should pop out. Soaking and softening and rocking...all that helps. But I've had good luck removing Buckbrush that way.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

You'd be amazed at what you pull free with a snatch strap and a tractor or 4wd truck. I have no data to support, but experience tells me 2x - 3x what I could haved pulled with a chain. If it does not come out, tension till the wheels spin and lock it there, then chop a root or two with an axe and off she goes.