Tree Pullers

[Dadnatron]

If you tried to use both, you would be lessening the effect of the added hydraulic cylinder. But perhaps, even so, it would add enough to break the tree free. I would guess, as you say, that it would have a diverter/electrohydraulic connection.

 

[PILOON]

The first puller shown looked to me that all the trees were dead for a while as there was a very small dry root ball, but I could be wrong as it could be the species.

I home made a quick and dirty tree extractor a couple of years back.
I consisted mainly of one 16" heavy duty 'clamp on tooth' similar in concept to clamp on forks.
I used an old truck axle for the tooth.
Procedure was to tilt the FEL slightly and drive the 'tooth' under the root ball then with the bucket heel on the ground for good leverage I would simply tilt and pop out the saplings.
Note I do say saplings and not large trees.
Also I did not use on species that are known to have deep tap roots.
I popped mainly soft woods like balsom and cedar.
If I recall the limit was in the 2-3" range.

My big tooth also likes to pop out foot sized rocks occasionally.

 

[Doofy]

I think my big mistake was allowing willows to grow to large in big clumps. 10-15 6" trees in a 8' wide clump! Man-oh-Man, spent over three hours yesterday with the little backhoe trying th dig them out and what a mess! Massive, intertwined root systems that run at least 20' in all directions! Not thinking any kind of tree puller would help with this Knarley mess. Dynamite might work but they are to close to the house!

34 degrees and raining this morning so I am running out of time for this year. Hope I can at least get some of the mess cleaned up before snow.

 

[4570Man]

If you tried to use both, you would be lessening the effect of the added hydraulic cylinder. But perhaps, even so, it would add enough to break the tree free. I would guess, as you say, that it would have a diverter/electrohydraulic connection.

I wouldn't use it on a tractor. One of 3 things are going to happen. The tree is going to uproot. The tractor is going to be lifted off the ground. Something is going to break before the tractor gets lifted off the ground. It's inevitable that 1 doesn't always happen. A skid steer is a lot more likely to survive being lifted off the ground be the SSQA plate.

 

[Xfaxman]

If you tried to use both, you would be lessening the effect of the added hydraulic cylinder. But perhaps, even so, it would add enough to break the tree free. I would guess, as you say, that it would have a diverter/electrohydraulic connection.

I wouldn't use it on a tractor. One of 3 things are going to happen. The tree is going to uproot. The tractor is going to be lifted off the ground. Something is going to break before the tractor gets lifted off the ground. It's inevitable that 1 doesn't always happen. A skid steer is a lot more likely to survive being lifted off the ground be the SSQA plate.

Just put the loader in float until the roots come up.

 

[Doofy]

Still trying to determine the Tractors capabilities. From all the comments, I don't think I'll be rushing right out and buying a Tree Puller any time soon. Need more research for sure. They look so promising,though!

 

[4570Man]

Just put the loader in float until the roots come up.

Float doesn't affect the curl. That's the part I'd be the most worried about.

 

[Xfaxman]

Float doesn't affect the curl. That's the part I'd be the most worried about.

Curl has no problem lifting the front of my loader. :laughing:

 

[4570Man]

It's a different force. The tree puller it lifting the whole machine. Not just the front.

 

[Doofy]

I sure would like to see the hydraulic foot in action. It does appear that it would lift the front of the tractor a couple of feet off the ground. Perhaps it only lifts 10-12 inches to assist in breaking the rootball free.

 

[Xfaxman]

It's a different force. The tree puller it lifting the whole machine. Not just the front.

The one linked earlier is a hydraulic cylinder built into the tree puller. Tree Grapple / Post Puller - TJ12UN-TRK-BF

I don't see that lifting the whole machine. Even without the loader in float, I don't think it would overly strain the curl cylinders.

 

[Doofy]

tree puller hydraulic assist - Google Search That looks to be more than 10-12 inches! I now understand the dilemma. Bucket in float mode or lift tractor?

 

[4570Man]

The one linked earlier is a hydraulic cylinder built into the tree puller. Tree Grapple / Post Puller - TJ12UN-TRK-BF

I don't see that lifting the whole machine. Even without the loader in float, I don't think it would overly strain the curl cylinders.

View attachment 523029

That design wouldn't. The one I saw earlier had the cylinder behind the lifting pins.

 

[Doofy]

That beast is way out of my league! $10K+ and it weighs in at 700 pounds. Don't think my little compact tractor would be up to the task. Sigh!

 

[Leejohn]

It might just pull something out that you can't handle after it's out.

 

[Piston]

Why not get one for the 3 point hitch? Much stronger, plus you could have a grapple on the FEL for all the material handling.

 

[Doofy]

Piston, very interesting concept for a 3 pt tree puller. I love the practicality of the front grapple also. I was just researching root rake grapples yesterday. Just hate picking roots by hand!

As for the 3pt tree puller, my depth perception is very poor using mirrors and not very agile to be turning around in the seat to see better...not sure if rear facing cameras would help.

 

[Piston]

Piston, very interesting concept for a 3 pt tree puller. I love the practicality of the front grapple also. I was just researching root rake grapples yesterday. Just hate picking roots by hand!

As for the 3pt tree puller, my depth perception is very poor using mirrors and not very agile to be turning around in the seat to see better...not sure if rear facing cameras would help.

I think it would be very difficult to line up correctly using a rear facing camera and 3 point mounted tree shear. If the choice was between a tree puller or a grapple, I would recommend grapple. I don't have a puller so this is simply my opinion based on, well, nothing :laughing: but I wouldn't bother pulling trees out, I just push them over instead. The beauty of this is you can then pile them all up and move them where you want. With a puller, you can only grab a small amount of trees.

A tree puller on a skidsteer would certainly be impressive though.

 

[Doofy]

Piston, very good points to consider. This is why I like being on a good Forum. Tons of great ideas from folks that have "Been There, Done That"! Nothing beats Experience. I have all winter to make choices as to what attachments will best meet my needs.

 

[Xfaxman]

Piston, very interesting concept for a 3 pt tree puller. I love the practicality of the front grapple also. I was just researching root rake grapples yesterday. Just hate picking roots by hand!

As for the 3pt tree puller, my depth perception is very poor using mirrors and not very agile to be turning around in the seat to see better...not sure if rear facing cameras would help.

I think it would be very difficult to line up correctly using a rear facing camera and 3 point mounted tree shear. -----------------------------------

A tree puller on a skidsteer would certainly be impressive though.

I think the rear facing camera would work great.

I have no problem backing under the trailer ball and my camera is off center, mounted in the right tail light bracket: