Tree remover

[J_J]

This would be a good addition to the list of attachments for the larger PT's, maybe even the 425's. This seems better than cutting and stump grinding, plus you can pull up fence post, steel or wood.

 

[catsco]

I don't know that this would work well at all with a PT-425.

I've used the grapple bucket to attempt to pull small trees and stumps, and found the the 425's lifting capacity is too small to do so.

Attempting to pull even a 2" dia. pine tree or stump straight up as this device does easily raises the rear wheels.

It just occurred to me that what WOULD work really well is an attachment that gripped the tree and had a jack foot that would extend downward when hyraulic pressure is applied via a valve on the PTO (open circuit, or course).

Then, several thousand lbs. of lift could be applied within lifting the rear wheels or breaking your tractor in half.

Flow could first close the jaw, then continue to lower that foot as a jack.

What do you think?

Mark H.

 

[J_J]

I have thought about the same thing, using a wedge type device to grab the tree and wedge it against a steel frame, and apply pressure to the hyd foot to raise the tree out of the ground. The larger the cylinder, the larger tree you can lift.

 

[BobRip]

I have thought about the same thing, using a wedge type device to grab the tree and wedge it against a steel frame, and apply pressure to the hyd foot to raise the tree out of the ground. The larger the cylinder, the larger tree you can lift.

I like that idea. I have used the 4 in 1 bucket and pulled trees up to 5 inches in wet ground (grab up about 3 feet high, lift, push and pull in all direction. Keep the lift on all of the time. But with your idea above you could do bigger.

 

[3238dpw]

Here is another idea. This is a variation on what mark and JJ were talking about. This does not require the extra Hyd. cylinder and would give the PT a lot more leverage.
Skid Steer Tree Jack - A tree removing attachment for your skid steer, for use in land clearing skid steer applications

 

[BobRip]

Here is another idea. This is a variation on what mark and JJ were talking about. This does not require the extra Hyd. cylinder and would give the PT a lot more leverage.
Skid Steer Tree Jack - A tree removing attachment for your skid steer, for use in land clearing skid steer applications

Someone, please make one of these.

 

[MossRoad]

I think it works so well because of the increadible lift height that skid steers have compared to Power Tracs. I'd like to see a better video to see how high the skid steer had to lift to pop that out.

 

[J_J]

I think it works so well because of the increadible lift height that skid steers have compared to Power Tracs. I'd like to see a better video to see how high the skid steer had to lift to pop that out.

David, I think they are using the nose of that tool as a lever plus the lifting power of the skid steer.

 

[MossRoad]

Yes. If you look at the video there is a large foot that pivots on the end of the stick. It is similar to a large backhoe outrigger pad.

 

[3238dpw]

Even if they are using the lift height of the skid steer, there is nothing saying after you lift it as high as the PT will go you couldn't just let go and take another bite lower on the tree.

 

[BobRip]

I wonder if you could make a tree remover that attaches onto a minihoe and uses its length and cylinder as part of the lever. The tree remover would then be a lot shorter and lighter.

 

[J_J]

Even if they are using the lift height of the skid steer, there is nothing saying after you lift it as high as the PT will go you couldn't just let go and take another bite lower on the tree.

Yes, you could reach down and take another bite, but you might stand the skid steer on it's nose if you have some deep roots, . They are getting their best torque from the nose of the arm which is being used as a lever, and then the skid steer lift does the rest. Notice the plate on the end which is used as a support pad. They are using the lever principle.

 

[3238dpw]

I'm sorry JJ, I'm sure my brain isn't working right, I didn't follow you about putting the Skid Steer on its nose. Why would you say this would happen if the foot is on the groound?

Here is yet another idea. Extractor for Skid-steers — Full Size, Model# EX1000B | Skid-Steers + Attachments | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[MossRoad]

Well, think about it a second... you hook up anything stationary to the FEL arms on a PT, lift the arms all the way up and step on the reverse treadle and see what happens. The tractor will quickly tip on its nose.

 

[3238dpw]

Oh I see, it doesn't really have to do with the regripping then. I was just referring to the fact that if the attachment would lift the tree, but was just limited by the lift height, that you could just regrip.

 

[J_J]

I'm sorry JJ, I'm sure my brain isn't working right, I didn't follow you about putting the Skid Steer on its nose. Why would you say this would happen if the foot is on the groound?

Here is yet another idea. Extractor for Skid-steers Full Size, Model# EX1000B | Skid-Steers + Attachments | Northern Tool + Equipment

The same situation, if the load is to large, the back of the skid steer will lift.

 

[MossRoad]

Oh I see, it doesn't really have to do with the regripping then. I was just referring to the fact that if the attachment would lift the tree, but was just limited by the lift height, that you could just regrip.

Your orignal thought is correct... if you get it a bit out of the ground and reach your lift height, you could probably regrip lower and pry it out some more, regrip, pry, etc... I just wonder what that kind of leverage would do to the lift arms on the PT?

 

[sawdust_maker]

I wonder if you could make a tree remover that attaches onto a minihoe and uses its length and cylinder as part of the lever. The tree remover would then be a lot shorter and lighter.

I have the impression that the mini-hoe arm is probably not designed to take this kind of load. I'd expect to see quick failures due to buckling, unless you really beefed up the arm. Of course, massive strength boosts to the arm to prevent buckling will make the mini-hoe itself of less value due to the greater weight.

John

 

[ponytug]

Surely this is just basic lever action- If you have 800lbs of lift, and can lift 4', and you need 80,000lbs of lift, you will need a 100:1 length ration between tractor to the grip, and the foot pad and grip.

Skidsteers clearly have an advantage in both lift height and lift force compared to the 425, but it is just math...

All the best,

Peter

 

[BobRip]

I have the impression that the mini-hoe arm is probably not designed to take this kind of load. I'd expect to see quick failures due to buckling, unless you really beefed up the arm. Of course, massive strength boosts to the arm to prevent buckling will make the mini-hoe itself of less value due to the greater weight.

John

With the foot on the tree remover, you have leverage and the 800 pounds of lift from the pt will be multipled by a factor or 3 or more. No loads will be put on the minihoe that are greater than normal because you are limited by the PT weight or the relief valves.