Pulling tres from front or back

[AlbertC]

When I am felling large trees, I tie a rope to the tree and the other end to the front axle of my new holland 3930. Then put the tractor in reverse and back up to pull the tree over. I attach the rope to the front axle because I have better visibility from the front than the rear.

Is it OK to put the tractor in reverse to pull or should I attach to drawbar and pull from rear. Another reason I attach to front axle is because it is a larger circumference to wrap the rope around whereas if I tie to the drawbar all I can do is wrap abound the ball that is attached to the drawbar.

Just want to make sure that I'm not harming my tractor by putting tension on it by having it pull in reverse.

Thanks

 

[Travelover]

I guess I'd worry more about the rope snapping and taking my head off or the tree falling on me, but maybe I'm overly cautious.

 

[newbury]

When I am felling large trees

What's a "large tree" a 20' maple? 100' tall red oak? 350' tall redwood?

Is the tree in the woods or out standing alone?

Trees in woods often interact with other trees.

I tie a rope to the tree and the other end to the front axle of my new holland 3930. Then put the tractor in reverse and back up to pull the tree over. I attach the rope to the front axle because I have better visibility from the front than the rear.

Is it OK to put the tractor in reverse to pull or should I attach to drawbar and pull from rear. Another reason I attach to front axle is because it is a larger circumference to wrap the rope around whereas if I tie to the drawbar all I can do is wrap abound the ball that is attached to the drawbar.

I'd suggest tying to something that either wouldn't bend or if bent wouldn't cause much damage. I'd hook stuff up front to the frame. But even better I'd hook it to the drawbar and drive forward.

 

[arrow]

When I am felling large trees, I tie a rope to the tree and the other end to the front axle of my new holland 3930. Then put the tractor in reverse and back up to pull the tree over. I attach the rope to the front axle because I have better visibility from the front than the rear.

Is it OK to put the tractor in reverse to pull or should I attach to drawbar and pull from rear. Another reason I attach to front axle is because it is a larger circumference to wrap the rope around whereas if I tie to the drawbar all I can do is wrap abound the ball that is attached to the drawbar.

Just want to make sure that I'm not harming my tractor by putting tension on it by having it pull in reverse.

Thanks

I'm not sure I know what you are trying to accomplish to wit; a tree leaning in the opposite direction of natural fall line? A tree in the woods that you are trying to steer down? It seems to me that you would be safer pulling it from the draw bar. Better yet, direct it with a wedge fall and eliminate the tractor for this type of work. But you didn't ask that. I think because getting a tree over does not take much force at all, the tractor is fine. As the above poster mentioned, the biggest danger here is the rope weakening and finally snapping right back at ya. Using the draw bar at least gives you the opportunity of protecting yourself from rope snap by caging in the rops. Hopefully you are not doing this kind of thing often.

 

[CobyRupert]

Another reason I attach to front axle is because it is a larger circumference to wrap the rope around whereas if I tie to the drawbar all I can do is wrap abound the ball that is attached to the drawbar.
Thanks

Too bad they don't make something you could attach to your drawbar that you could attach a rope to.

-Kidding. But as long as either the tree is weaker than your axle, or the axle is stronger than the pulling force of your tractor you should be good. But I wouldn't bet on it, especially if you're trying to pull the whole tree over, roots and all.

 

[roger4400]

Hi Albert.
You say you use a rope......what kind...if it is nylon or any rope that will get length while you pull, if it brake it will get back to you at a lot of speed. One of my friend lost an eye, and half of his face, his jaw was broken and the doctors fixed his face using a photo, this is what could happen if the rope that stretches brake and slash you. Maybe you could use a chain and when you pull put a heavy blanket or an old coat on the chain in the middle if it brake it will not come back to you.
I would highly suggest you use a logging winch, it works very well, like many over here I use one, you don't move the tractor, the log is coming to you. BE SAFE. Roger

 

[motownbrowne]

Tractors are designed to pull most effectively going forward.

That said, I wouldn't do what I think you are talking about. I have a three point skidding winch, which I love and is designed to be used for this type of project. Still, though, I'd run a snatch block out in the direction I want it to fall and pull from a different direction, out of the path of the tree. Also, wedges as mentioned above should be the preferred method for directing a fall.

Stay safe.

 

[john_bud]

Around here a big tree is likely an oak that's 40-50" at the base and has a fall weight over 20,000 pounds. It goes the wrong way the rope snaps and hurts you, part of the tractor gets ripped off, part of the tree breaks and is sling shot at you or if the rope is real strong the tractor is slung by the tree.

Much safer to use good directional falling technique, plastic wegdes and an 8pound sledge.

 

[/pine]

Around here a big tree is likely an oak that's 40-50" at the base and has a fall weight over 20,000 pounds. It goes the wrong way the rope snaps and hurts you, part of the tractor gets ripped off, part of the tree breaks and is sling shot at you or if the rope is real strong the tractor is slung by the tree.

Much safer to use good directional falling technique, plastic wegdes and an 8pound sledge.

Ditto...
...but in the same respect if by "big trees" the OP means as big as his tractor is capable of actually pulling over (root ball and all etc.) it is probably OK...

I fastened a clevis/shackle to the front frame on my machine for "grubbing" alder saplings etc...for the same reason...so the operator can easily see...the strap on the "grubber" is under the loader bucket...

 

[k0ua]

I sure wouldn't pull from my front axle.. There is not much that holds it to the rest of the tractor..Just one bolt. Pull from the drawbar with a clevis on it is much safer. Install a mirror if you are uncomfortable in twisting around in the seat.