What have you done to your Branson today?

[HawkinsHollow]

is the tree pulling more a matter of loader lift or tilting the "bucket" / grabber back?

I haven't fully gotten the hang of it yet, but from what I watched on Youtube it's a combo of tractor moving backwards or forwards and loader lift, maybe a bit of curl in there. I was pleased with its performance with the 3 trees I pulled trying it out. I think once the ground gets a bit more moisture it will really shine.

My goal is mostly smaller (2-3") invasives. I do not think they will resent a problem at all. I want to pull that crap out of there to open up my wood lot a little bit. I think this is the perfect tool for the job.

 

[ning]

I haven't fully gotten the hang of it yet, but from what I watched on Youtube it's a combo of tractor moving backwards or forwards and loader lift, maybe a bit of curl in there. I was pleased with its performance with the 3 trees I pulled trying it out. I think once the ground gets a bit more moisture it will really shine.

My goal is mostly smaller (2-3") invasives. I do not think they will resent a problem at all. I want to pull that crap out of there to open up my wood lot a little bit. I think this is the perfect tool for the job.

Any chances it can grab small shrubs? I've got lots of poison oak that resembles 8-10' shrubs; the roots generally don't hold that tight, it would be more of a matter of "will the jaws just break it off". That job alone would be worth buying the unit for me, particularly since they're growing on a steep enough hill that I'd prefer not to do my normal scraping/raking to pull them (not to mention the less I touch them myself the better...)!

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Any chances it can grab small shrubs? I've got lots of poison oak that resembles 8-10' shrubs; the roots generally don't hold that tight, it would be more of a matter of "will the jaws just break it off". That job alone would be worth buying the unit for me, particularly since they're growing on a steep enough hill that I'd prefer not to do my normal scraping/raking to pull them (not to mention the less I touch them myself the better...)!

I think so, especially if the base of it is a bunch numerous smaller steams. The jaws close down tight, so it would be a matter of finding the right touch to close it enough without breaking the stems. Do you have a 3rd function setup for your loader? That is the only other requirement.

 

[ning]

I think so, especially if the base of it is a bunch numerous smaller steams. The jaws close down tight, so it would be a matter of finding the right touch to close it enough without breaking the stems. Do you have a 3rd function setup for your loader? That is the only other requirement.

yes I do.
Are the jaws adjustable at all? I wonder if you could put some sort of grabber pad in there for little stuff, like stall mat, that would allow some squish for more of a friction grab vs a crush grab.

 

[LouNY]

I assume you got the 12k because the cost at HF is so reasonable - or did you think "I actually need 12k pulling power"? I've contemplated putting a winch on mine but I don't know that I need the full 12k...

The last I knew winch rating were of a rolling load at certain angle, I don't recall what it was. But it wasn't a dead lift or pull.

 

[LouNY]

Went over to the farm and raked some hay for my nephew, doubling up windrows of 3rd cutting for haylage, almost impossible to get dry enough for dry baling in this area this time of year.

a pair of NH rollarbar rakes, the axle between the rakes has a hydraulic cylinder to be able to steer the rear rake. It can be directly in line going down the road, then steered for a tight turn getting into the fields, then it is adjusted to double the windrows and make one nice one from the original two.

 

[mndave]

I assume you got the 12k because the cost at HF is so reasonable - or did you think "I actually need 12k pulling power"? I've contemplated putting a winch on mine but I don't know that I need the full 12k...

Actually, I got the tractor (very) stuck in mud and used every ounce of that 12k to get unstuck. Also, it was a very reasonable price from HF.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Actually, I got the tractor (very) stuck in mud and used every ounce of that 12k to get unstuck. Also, it was a very reasonable price from HF.

Please tell us you got pictures when you were stuck.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

yes I do.
Are the jaws adjustable at all? I wonder if you could put some sort of grabber pad in there for little stuff, like stall mat, that would allow some squish for more of a friction grab vs a crush grab.

The only way they adjust is by opening and closing them with the hydraulic cylinder. Your stall mat idea isn't a bad one. Worth considering.

 

[ericm979]

Any chances it can grab small shrubs? I've got lots of poison oak that resembles 8-10' shrubs; the roots generally don't hold that tight, it would be more of a matter of "will the jaws just break it off". That job alone would be worth buying the unit for me, particularly since they're growing on a steep enough hill that I'd prefer not to do my normal scraping/raking to pull them (not to mention the less I touch them myself the better...)!

I've pulled some big poison oak bushes with my grapple. The trick is getting it to grab the stem. A tree puller should do much better there. The drawback is that there's not big jaws to crush the bush down and keep it away from you.

If you can get to the stem you can spray it with a mix of 25% triclopyr in oil (I use diesel but you can also use horticultural oil). Soaking a foot or 18" will kill the plant. I got this from a UC Davis ag publication.