Pulling small trees

[Dwilson540]

Ok, I’v got a Kubota L4200 with a bucket. I’m helping a local trio group clear a trail. I’ve been cutting a few trees and would like to pull the base / roots from the ground where I can. Experience tells me that tying a chain to the trunk and bucket won’t accomplish much. And I know this is impossible with larger trunks. I could try tying a chain to the bucket while it is flat on the ground and curl. Or I could try the three point hitch. Or one of you may know some magic that I don’t.

 

[Eagle1]

You can try this

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Depending on the diameter of the trees ... Don't cut them too low, leave them 4' tall, give them a push with the bucket, then hook a chain to the top, and then to your draw bar ... Just be aware that if you have good traction, and it doesn't come out, you could pop a wheelie ... To far!

 

[Eagle1]

Now if you are ambitious you use this method just build the lever and chains then use tractor instead of horses.

 

[Dwilson540]

That’s ambitious! First on this rail bed I don’t have that much maneuvering room. But I enjoyed watching it!

 

[Richard]

Not a very fair comment to follow.... do you have a backhoe on it?
Could you dig up around the roots with the loader?

If it looks reasonably safe, I've taken to digging up the rootball on the side I'm on as I'm wanting tree to fall away from me.

Cut a "V" and the top of the "V" is untouched dirt so a bit of a hinge that will hold tree as I push it over. Gravity takes over and pops root ball out.

*not saying this is safe.... but I've done it a number of times and 'so far', has worked exactly as planned. Also allows me to take the backhoe to help push in the direction I want it to go.

In this case, this was my wife's cousin next door and he feared the tree blowing over towards the house so simply wanted it down. I had the fun of dropping it and he got to clean it up!

Could you try similar things, with smaller trees?

 

[Dwilson540]

I wish I had a backhoe! I’m retired now, but used to have excavators that would have made this child’s play.

 

[anomad]

Is renting a stump grinder or excavator options you have? Ripping out stumps is no joke. Don't beat up your equipment or make yourself miserable.

 

[Dwilson540]

I’m sure we’ll have to do that for some stumps. I’m just trying to minimize it.

 

[BigGG]

I’m sure we’ll have to do that for some stumps. I’m just trying to minimize it.

Depending on soil type, soil condition and tree size, you might consider a tree puller. You'd need a third function. I've pushed and pulled pines up to about 6" with my L35. Some people also use a stump bucket. I think you'll find it best to leave the tree intact until you have it out.

 

[dougtrr2]

That’s ambitious! First on this rail bed I don’t have that much maneuvering room. But I enjoyed watching it!

Are you doing a rails to trail conversion? If you are trying to pull trees out of an old railroad track that could change the perspective on the advice given.

Pulling out of compacted rock and gravel would be different than pulling out of soft soil.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Dwilson540]

Yes. This is a track that was abandoned 30-40 years ago. An old MP track SE of Topeka, KS. I don’t think it ever saw heavy traffic. I’m retired and walk these trails frequently and thought clearing the next miles would be a good project. Since I posted this I have been told that someone with this group has a skid steer loader with some type of tree pulling attachment. Leave the trees about 4’ high. And I’ve watched a number of videos on YouTube. I have an idea I’m going to try with the three point hitch and we’ll see if that works on smaller ones.