Tree Removal with BH and Grapple

[MadDogDriver]

My neighbor needed a dead tree removed from his yard and I was more than happy to help him.

There's been debate about cutting down trees first and then removing the stump, but I tried Eddie Walker's technique of removing the tree and stump all together with my BH. Worked like a champ.

Obed did a very nice job detailing how he took out his tree using Eddie's technique, with nice photos too. Here's his thread, http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/93187-best-way-remove-tree.html

Thanks Eddie and Obed.



Little Blue itching to take out this dead wood.




Digging a trench perpendicular to intended fall line. Cutting roots and digging dirt out from under root ball.




Cutting roots on back side of fall line.




Lined up BH directly behind fall line. Gentle nudge from BH bucket and TIMBER




Cut trunk clear of any remaining roots.




Man I do love that thumb. Plucked the tree and stump together right out of the hole.




Grapple was very handy stacking limbs and transporting all that would fit into my 6" Jinma chipper.




Trunk ready for more destruction. It was much easier cutting up the tree this way.




Grapple also handy as a solid platform for sawing up what my chipper couldn't eat for fire wood.




Hey. Where did that tree go?




A nice feature of my grapple is the ability to sift the dirt from the rocks and debris. Made cleaning up and regrading easy. Our land is very rocky and sifting out the bigger rocks will make it quite easy for my neighbor when he decides to replant another tree in that spot.

Less than two hours elapsed between first photo and last. Total tractor time was 1.4 hrs. Granted that this wasn't a very large tree, but we weren't in a hurry either. We just took our time and had fun talking and working together. Enjoyed a couple cold root beers afterwards while thinking how long it would've taken with just a Stihl, pick axe and shovel (what's a shovel?). Oh yea, and some Motrin too.

Thanks again Eddie. You have my vote for using this technique to remove the tree and stump enmasse.

 

[Casco1]

What I want to know is Do you now have a jealous neighbor?

I know I would be.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You sure have a nice rig and job well done.

 

[EddieWalker]

MadDog,

Great job. The pics and description really helped out too.

That's a really nice setup you have there with the New Holland!!!!!

Eddie

 

[MadDogDriver]

Casco1,

We have a mutual admiration society in our neighborhood. He loves my tractor, I love my tractor too! Actually, there are several neighbors who have similar toys and we get together to oogle each other's stuff.

Thanks MtnViewRanch.

We have been extremely pleased with it and all the add-ons. It sure has made life easy. I feel extremely fortunate that everything works as advertised. In fact, I think it works better than when it was new. Quieter, more fuel efficient, & FUN to be with.


Eddie,

You da Man!!! I've really enjoyed watching your land (& lake ) evolve and how you've attacked the many challenges you've had. TBN members like you have done so much for us relative newbies. It's always great to get the gouge straight from those who've been there & done that (BTDT too ).

I feel a little like the prodigal son on this website. 40+ years ago I was a wiz at all the aspects of farming (as much as a teenager thinks he's a wiz that it is ). Then I joined the Navy right out of HS. A full career there and in the twilight of finishing another one is starting to bring me back to my roots. This website sure knocks the cobwebs around and brings back great memories as well as teaching an OLD maddog some new tricks too. Thanks again, Eddie.

 

[mboulais]

Nice work. The lawn looks even and clean after. You have a great piece of equipment there with bh, thumb and grapple on it!

 

[MadDogDriver]

Thanks Marcel,

The teeth on the edge of the grapple really do a nice job when raking. When I first bought the grapple I was a little worried that it wouldn't be stout enough compared to the larger grapples I've seen. It is actually very strong, although I wouldn't mind a bigger mouth on it, but that'd require a different bucket too. It's versatility has been fantastic, and this little project really demonstrated that to me.

 

[bones1]

Very nice work. I'll have to look up that Bull grapple.It looks well made to me.

 

[MadDogDriver]

bones1,

The guys that build these grapples are Poor Tortured MFG., Inc., PO Box1595, Port Orchard, WA 98366. I think my grapple was one of the first production models they built.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/97412-new-6-function-grapple.html is a thread I started when we first received the grapple.

 

[cddva]

MadDog - Great Job! Love the photo's (who doesn't!). I too followed the threads on tree felling and picked up on Eddie's technique using the BH vs chainsaw. I have since put it to the test using the L39 on two very good sized tree's. They were out in the open, no danger of falling on anything else and both had an existing lean, which is the direction I dropped them in. It was far less "exciting" to use the backhoe versus chainsaw method for me. The whole process is still inherently dangerous but I prefer the backhoe now and it saves on stump grinding/removal work after the fact. The chainsaw still has it's place though.

Again great work! Would you have any photo's of the Jinma at work? I have been looking at threads on those chippers and debating whether to "take the chance" on one of them versus an American made model (read "much more expensive"), given my use would be occasional.

 

[MadDogDriver]

ccdva,


"Stop the Burn..." thread, http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/92660-stop-burn-new-jimna-chipper.html?highlight=stop+burn, has some nice action photos of the Jinma.


There has been quite a discussion about the Jinma's. My take is that it does a very nice job for about 1/3 the cost. OSHA would have a heart attack about the lack of safety in its design, but operators with at least average intelligence should do just fine with them. Plus, it gives me more reasons for projects to improve the machine. Many have done quite a nice job improving the Jinma.

Enjoy!

EDIT: I'll probably break out the camera when we chip up the limbs from this tree. (I love looking at other's photos too.)

 

[3RRL]

MadDog,
Great thread and story and your pictures were terrific. You are making good use of your backhoe and thumb and also the grapple. It's amazing how fast you can zip through that stuff if you have the right set-up. Makes you happy you got all that stuff.
BTW, do you know how to post "clickable thumbnails" to make load up time for the dial-up users a little easier? They can click on your image to enlarge it and read the rest of the post while picture is loading up.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[MadDogDriver]

MadDog,
...BTW, do you know how to post "clickable thumbnails" to make load up time for the dial-up users a little easier? They can click on your image to enlarge it and read the rest of the post while picture is loading up.

Thanks Rob,

No, I'm not aware of how to post "clickable thumbnails". Any guidance would be appreciated.

We suffered for way too long with dial up out here and finally got hi-speed service, so I appreciate the challenges of rural living. I've reduced the photos down to about 50-60kb to help with that problem.

 

[dtd24]

Real nice machine!!! I love that thumb!! Man I gotta get my butt in the shop, and get back on my grapple build. I think maybe a thumb will be in line as well.