Tree Puller and logs

[Jag]

I just got my tree puller back, as it was out on loan for several months. For those that do not know, a tree puller is a long tooth attachment to go the 3pt hitch to pop saplings out out of the ground. (run a search for discussion and pictures..) I was removing a bunch of saplings and draging out some logs where I have cleared out some timber with the dozer. The treepuller attachment is about the best I have found to move logs. I can back right up to the big end of the log slide the teeth under and lift up, throw a chain around the log and off we go. It is easy to keep the puller below the hitch level for the drawbar. And the weight is right there on the rear wheels.. The system is very fast. You do not have to lift the log by hand or roll it over to get the chain under, and it keeps the end from draging the ground and digging in... I have a 8 foot chain that is just the right length to keep several logs on the teeth of the puller... The next best thing to a mini skidder. The only thing that could be faster is a set of timber tongs on a 3pt lift.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Do you know how much it costs and where to get one?

 

[pennwalk]

Here is a picture of the brushbruteTreegetter
If you want to read the thread search the attachments forun for treegetter.TradeMark built his for the cost of the metal. Jag had his built for $145. The Brushbrute which replaces the loader bucket on a FEL costs $1000.

Chris

 

[beenthere]

I have the logging tongs on the 3pt, and find them handy to grab a log, lift it (sometimes then use a chain to secure it so it won't roll out of the tongs and drop off), then pull it out of the woods. If small, hook several logs on at once.
I think your treepuller would work well too, getting the log up off the ground for chaining to the tractor.

 

[Jag]

BT, how do you have your tongs mounted to the 3pt.. I saw a set up at a REAL hardware store the other day for about $65, as near as I recall.. Almost picked them up, may go back and get the set if I can mount them with out costing too much .. I was worried about them being so high up in the air.. The puller lets me remove the saplings and work any logs I have cut at the same time. Not sure if the cost of the tongs will be worth the trouble of not having the puller. But would save the time to get off the tractor and hook the chain.
AHow far behind the lift arm would the butt of the log be with the tongs, with the puller it is at the end of the lift arms... Also on the puller the log can not swing forward or hang on anything as the tractor crawls over brush.

 

[beenthere]

My 3 pt attachment for logs is a homemade arch-like lift, but is very similar in form to a 3pt quickhitch (LandPride, etc.) with a big hook at the top for the tongs. A friend of mine borrows mine and would like to have one made, but I may just sell him mine and replace it with a quickhitch. I would add some grab hooks to hook chain into in a way as to not destroy the integrity of the quickhitch (one each at the lower ends where the lift arms attach and a couple along the top frame).
The logs are hooked about 10-12" from the end of the log, and the logs hangs between the ends of the lift arms. The drawbar keeps the log from getting too close to the rear of the tractor (PTO shaft and safety cover).
I can see advantages of both these rigs (your puller and my arch), but am not quite sure if they would work well together. I now back over the log and drop the lift arms down each side of the log (or at the end of the log if too big to fit between the lift arms), then attach the tongs (sometimes I can reach the tongs from the tractor to get them to drop over without getting off the tractor). Then I lift the log with the tongs and 3pt, and sometimes will throw a chain on it to keep from losing the log (which occasionally happens, but not often).
I see where your rig would work well to pick the end of the log up, but don't see how the tongs would help (unless there was a short cable and winch to cinch it up). Then this becomes a poor-mans Farmi-type winch system. Maybe adding a hydraulic ram at the top arm area with a hook at the end for the logging tongs, along with your treepuller, a great combination for pulling logs out of the woods could be designed. Hmmmm? Will think on that a bit.

 

[gordon]

Here is a picture of a treepuller that I welded up last year. It was a rainy Saturday and it was all steel that I had in stock.

I would chance a few things when I build the next one. This one works pretty good, but at times I've got to get off the tractor to clean out the small debris from the teeth. This is where a bucket mount unit would really shine over a three point mount, having down pressure to clean out the teeth on the bucket model.

Gordon

 

[beenthere]

Attached a shot of the 3pt log arch that I use with my logging tongs. Mine has a couple of grab hooks welded at the bottom corners on a couple of chain links. These help to snub up chain(s) around logs that are looped over the big hook. As I said, it is similar in form to the quickhitches, of which I may replace this one with in the near future.

 

[gordon]

Sorry for the size of that last picture here is a compressed version of that pic. Much faster load time.

Gordon

 

[Murf]

Gordon, I would be interested in the origins of this device, where did you get the idea for such a contraption?

 

[rozett]

Ebay has a Snapin Turtle brand tree puller up for sale....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1718977926

 

[rmcess]

Jag,
I finally got around to building a small tree puller.
I built it with only one fork but I used it today and it was really impressive. I have a home made sort of quick hitch on my BX that has a receiver hitch, carry-all attachment and a weight box attachment. I made the tree puller to go into the receiver hitch. Thank's again for the idea./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
See attachment for Picture.
Rich...

 

[rmcess]

Close up Picture of tree puller.

 

[Frosty]

JAG
How do like the JD450 dozer? Bet that will "pull 'em out"! Do you have a winch? I have seen a couple with 3 tooth rippers mounted on the back of a JD450C. I read somewhere on TBN that the "newer" dozers (i.e. JD450H) have HST and work real slick. I looked but they are WAY out of my range - $50G's - used.

 

[Jag]

Forsty, Oh yes the JD 450 is a great dozer. The size and power is just right. One thing I really like about it is the number of people who know about them and can give some advice about them. One farmer just down the road had one that is the same year as mine, it is nice to be able to just go down the road and get some fisthand advice. Also I can go down tho the local JD farm shop and pick up most all parts for the standard maintance. If I had to go to the heavy equipment company to pick up filters it would be a 130 mile round trip.

My 450 does have the winch on it, I have not used it much. The control cable is missed up, and have not had time to check it all the way out. The tranny on the JD450C is a good one and easy to use, with 4 forward/rev gear ranges, and auto high-low-rev in each gear. Very easy to use and dependable.

You can get a used JD450C from about $8000 to about 20,000, a good one would run 15,000 to 18,000. You really need to know what to look for when buying. You can get a 10k machaine and drop a 5-10k very fast on the undercarriage and drives.

 

[Jag]

F-man, here is a link to a pic of the JD450 and the little tractor.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=photos&Number=68043&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=Jag&Match=Username&Searchpage=6&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=68043>http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?...68043</A>

 

[BrettW]

Jag, sorry but still confused here. Looks like you back down on the tree to pull it out. Is this right? Then go forward and the tree stays in the puller until you lower the 3pt and drad it loose? thanks, bw

 

[Kodiak]

A friend of mine has a snatch block hanging under his quick-hitch, with a short cable choker attached to his drawbar. You lower your 3pt and back up to the log. Attach choker to end of the log, and raise the 3pt. The cable goes tight, choking the log, and raising it at the same time. almost like a mini winch.
This works great for cornering also.

 

[Jag]

BW, that is basicly the use. Once you get a feel for using it, the work goes fast. At first you will hang the tree too tight in the forks and it is hard to get back out. After a little use you back up into the tree and pop it out and drop it almost where it was, unless you want to move it to a pile before droping it.