Tree Puller and logs

   / Tree Puller and logs #1  

Jag

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2000
Messages
444
Location
Central Arkansas
Tractor
Kubota /L2650/ LA450/B4690 -- John Deere 450 Dozer
I just got my tree puller back, as it was out on loan for several months. For those that do not know, a tree puller is a long tooth attachment to go the 3pt hitch to pop saplings out out of the ground. (run a search for discussion and pictures..) I was removing a bunch of saplings and draging out some logs where I have cleared out some timber with the dozer. The treepuller attachment is about the best I have found to move logs. I can back right up to the big end of the log slide the teeth under and lift up, throw a chain around the log and off we go. It is easy to keep the puller below the hitch level for the drawbar. And the weight is right there on the rear wheels.. The system is very fast. You do not have to lift the log by hand or roll it over to get the chain under, and it keeps the end from draging the ground and digging in... I have a 8 foot chain that is just the right length to keep several logs on the teeth of the puller... The next best thing to a mini skidder. The only thing that could be faster is a set of timber tongs on a 3pt lift.
 
   / Tree Puller and logs #3  
Here is a picture of the brushbruteTreegetter
If you want to read the thread search the attachments forun for treegetter.TradeMark built his for the cost of the metal. Jag had his built for $145. The Brushbrute which replaces the loader bucket on a FEL costs $1000.

Chris
 
   / Tree Puller and logs #4  
I have the logging tongs on the 3pt, and find them handy to grab a log, lift it (sometimes then use a chain to secure it so it won't roll out of the tongs and drop off), then pull it out of the woods. If small, hook several logs on at once.
I think your treepuller would work well too, getting the log up off the ground for chaining to the tractor.
 
   / Tree Puller and logs
  • Thread Starter
#5  
BT, how do you have your tongs mounted to the 3pt.. I saw a set up at a REAL hardware store the other day for about $65, as near as I recall.. Almost picked them up, may go back and get the set if I can mount them with out costing too much .. I was worried about them being so high up in the air.. The puller lets me remove the saplings and work any logs I have cut at the same time. Not sure if the cost of the tongs will be worth the trouble of not having the puller. But would save the time to get off the tractor and hook the chain.
AHow far behind the lift arm would the butt of the log be with the tongs, with the puller it is at the end of the lift arms... Also on the puller the log can not swing forward or hang on anything as the tractor crawls over brush.
 
   / Tree Puller and logs #6  
My 3 pt attachment for logs is a homemade arch-like lift, but is very similar in form to a 3pt quickhitch (LandPride, etc.) with a big hook at the top for the tongs. A friend of mine borrows mine and would like to have one made, but I may just sell him mine and replace it with a quickhitch. I would add some grab hooks to hook chain into in a way as to not destroy the integrity of the quickhitch (one each at the lower ends where the lift arms attach and a couple along the top frame).
The logs are hooked about 10-12" from the end of the log, and the logs hangs between the ends of the lift arms. The drawbar keeps the log from getting too close to the rear of the tractor (PTO shaft and safety cover).
I can see advantages of both these rigs (your puller and my arch), but am not quite sure if they would work well together. I now back over the log and drop the lift arms down each side of the log (or at the end of the log if too big to fit between the lift arms), then attach the tongs (sometimes I can reach the tongs from the tractor to get them to drop over without getting off the tractor). Then I lift the log with the tongs and 3pt, and sometimes will throw a chain on it to keep from losing the log (which occasionally happens, but not often).
I see where your rig would work well to pick the end of the log up, but don't see how the tongs would help (unless there was a short cable and winch to cinch it up). Then this becomes a poor-mans Farmi-type winch system. Maybe adding a hydraulic ram at the top arm area with a hook at the end for the logging tongs, along with your treepuller, a great combination for pulling logs out of the woods could be designed. Hmmmm? Will think on that a bit.
 
   / Tree Puller and logs #7  
Here is a picture of a treepuller that I welded up last year. It was a rainy Saturday and it was all steel that I had in stock.

I would chance a few things when I build the next one. This one works pretty good, but at times I've got to get off the tractor to clean out the small debris from the teeth. This is where a bucket mount unit would really shine over a three point mount, having down pressure to clean out the teeth on the bucket model.

Gordon
 

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   / Tree Puller and logs #8  
Attached a shot of the 3pt log arch that I use with my logging tongs. Mine has a couple of grab hooks welded at the bottom corners on a couple of chain links. These help to snub up chain(s) around logs that are looped over the big hook. As I said, it is similar in form to the quickhitches, of which I may replace this one with in the near future.
 

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   / Tree Puller and logs #9  
Sorry for the size of that last picture here is a compressed version of that pic. Much faster load time.

Gordon
 

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   / Tree Puller and logs #10  
Gordon, I would be interested in the origins of this device, where did you get the idea for such a contraption?
 
 
 
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