Moving Felled Trees

[The Griff]

I recently had my land cleared of a bunch of cedar trees. I now have about 10 huge piles of Eastern Red Cedar trees. I plan to burn most of the trees but there are a few hardwoods and larger cedars mixed in the piles that I'd like to pull out and make use of. What would be the best way to use my tractor to pull out the trees I want? My buddy (who also knows nothing about tractors) suggested just pulling them out with a chain. Is this a good idea? If so where would the chain attach to the tractor? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I'd say dragging may be an option if what you're after isn't buried under too much debris. Otherwise, with a grapple, you could move things around pretty easily.

 

[adventure bob]

You could either buy or make a logging skid for the 3 point then use a chain to drag them wherever you wan them. Look up "tractor logging" on U tube.

 

[s219]

Skid plate for the 3-pt hitch, and a choker chain. My plate was only about $120 and doubles as a trailer hitch receiver.

 

[k0ua]

Simplest and cheapest is just a chain or 2 and hook to a clevis on your fixed drawbar. It is under the rear axle. The guy on the ground is going to wear out pretty quick, so he needs to be the youngest and most sure footed to clamber around on the "pile" to hook up the logs. And he needs to get the heck out of the way when the pulling starts as the pile is going to shift around a lot.

You are out the price of a chain and the clevis, and whatever the helper wants to drink!

 

[The Griff]

Thanks for the replies. If I did go with the chain method, what size chain is required?

If the chain broke, could it pop back and hit the person in the tractor?

 

[94BULLITT]

I would go with a 5/16 grade 70 chain. Lowes has them pretty cheap. Yes if a chain breaks it can fly.

If you don't feel safe with a chain a strap would work.

 

[joshuabardwell]

With regard to chain strength: my tractor weighs about 3,000 lbs. I figure if I am working with a chain that has a WLL over 3,000 lbs, then I could literally hang the entire tractor from the chain, and the chain wouldn't break. Stands to reason, then, that as long as I don't go getting a runup and snapping the chain taut, there shouldn't be too many ways that the tractor is going to break the chain.

 

[Timbersawz]

I dont know where you get them from but how cool and simple is this for wood handling etc? It must be pretty new as theres very little info about for them. I want one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ovOgeNBqd4

 

[mark02tj]

That is VERY COOL!! And all mechanical - no hydraulics!

It was made by a farmer in Australia. Dates back to at least 1996. Google "Lucas Grabber Australia" and you'll find a little bit about it.

I did find one for sale (listing expired a year or two ago) in New Zealand for $400 (local currency).

I agree - it would be great to have one of those!!