Chains Warning to those using rim to pull stumps

[InThePines]

I was tying the wheel rim and chain method of pulling some stumps. I had cut the trees knee high about 9 months ago. They still seemed solid and I wanted to test the method. I had about 20 feet of chain. I hooked it up and pulled, the stump broke free at the base and became a projectile. As I watched it approaching me, I hoped it would not be too painful. It landed short of the seat and into the top link. Bending the T that allows me to adjust the length. The stump that hit was about 18 inches long and 5 inches in diameter, broken at the base with no roots attached. The next test included a 2nd lengh of chain connected to the stump and an object to prevent long flight.

 

[funwithahoe]

I was tying the wheel rim and chain method of pulling some stumps. I had cut the trees knee high about 9 months ago. They still seemed solid and I wanted to test the method. I had about 20 feet of chain. I hooked it up and pulled, the stump broke free at the base and became a projectile. As I watched it approaching me, I hoped it would not be too painful. It landed short of the seat and into the top link. Bending the T that allow me to adjust the lenght. The stump that hit was about 18 inches long and 5 inches in diameter, broken at the base with no roots attached. The next test included a 2nd lengh of chain connected to the stump and an object to prevent long flight.

Because it "broke" instead of being pulled from the ground it allowed the immediate release of all the tension???

I am constantly amazed at how seemingly safe operations can become dangerous.

 

[InThePines]

Because it "broke" instead of being pulled from the ground it allowed the immediate release of all the tension???

Yes, the base of the stump broke clean and quick. It 'popped' out quickly with no warning. The chain provided the arc for it to travel toward me on. And that slow motion sight stuff where you see things coming at you. That is true. I did have time to think about what I had just done while watching it approach.

 

[Willl]

I was tying the wheel rim and chain method of pulling some stumps.

Never heard of this, could you explain ?

 

[SPYDERLK]

Yes, the base of the stump broke clean and quick. It 'popped' out quickly with no warning. The chain provided the arc for it to travel toward me on. And that slow motion sight stuff where you see things coming at you. That is true. I did have time to think about what I had just done while watching it approach.

.. Hard to starboard.

 

[beenthere]

And we are assuming that you didn't jerk on the chain.

That could make it much worse. Pulling as slow (low gear) as possible is important.

 

[JakeBrake]

"It landed short of the seat and into the top link. Bending the T that allows me to adjust the length."

How's your toplink? I bent the toplink on my L3830 recently in a bush hogging mishap.

My Kubota dealer gave me three choices.
1. Buy a new Kubota toplink for over $200.
2. Buy a new aftermarket toplink for about $50. This is OK, I suppose, but you obviously get what you pay for.
3. Repair my toplink with used Kubota parts for about $50.

I chose option 3.

 

[grnspot110]

Never heard of this, could you explain ?

You use the rim for leverage, put the chain over the rim next to the object you're pulling so that the chain pulls up on the object instead of a direct line to the tractor. Works good for pulling posts, ect. ~~ grnspot110

 

[gauthier]

And makes the object come up and hit your tractor end instead of bottom of tires.

 

[Thomas]

Haven't heard of such a pull..hmmm..glad no one was near by.