Tree puller or Tree Shear for Tractor???

[Cool Ray]

I have about 30 acres I'm wanting to clear on my place to convert to cow pasture. It is mostly pine 3"-5" diameter and 15'-20' tall. I have paid people to clear about 30 more acres on my place with someone using Tackhoe and Dozer (during the last 2 years), but it's been pretty pricey... I have a Kubota M-7040 (72 hp)4x4, I have been looking at a Tree puller and Tree Shear that mounts on the front end loader. I have not seen any of the pullers pull up any pines in all the videos I've watched, and it looks like it would be hard to control a tree after using a tree shear. I was wondering if anyone out there has used this setup on about a 72 hp tractor front end loader?

 

[ovrszd]

I've used both.

Which is more appropriate totally depends on future uses of the land.

A Shear leaves stumps. If you never intend to brush cut your pasture or tear it up and reseed the Shear is fine. A Shear is more expensive and usually heavier. Some Shears have a second pair of jaws designed to grip the trunk so control of the tree is maintained and it can be carried to pile. Here's an example of such a Shear. I've used the 12" version on a tractor as small as a Kubota L3240, but I don't recommend that. The unit is heavy and then add the lateral pressures of a Sheared tree trying to fall sideways and you want more tractor. I believe yours would be fine. I've used this Shear on my M9540 with no problems.

Sweiger Shop, Inc.

A Puller leaves pits in the ground where you pulled the tree. If you do this at the right time you can shake most of the dirt off the stumps and smooth it pretty well. A puller is generally less expensive and lighter. Several local companies near me build/sell them. They run from $1250 to $2500. Pine trees are very easy to pull. I built my puller and first used it on a Kubota L4400. Worked great. The trees you have described can easily be pulled with your M7040. Here's a pic of my L4400 with a pine tree larger than the ones you described.

 

[Steave]

I've only used the tree puller and it makes quick work out of trees the sizes you mentioned, however I use it on a skidsteer and have a good view of the end of the jaws. I've never used one on a front loader and not sure how good you could see. Of course after using for a while it would get easier.

It would seem you'd need visual contact with the shears position more than you would with the puller and to me it's easier to fill in the hole left with the puller than to deal with the stump left with the shear. Of course thats just me talking.

Now about the question of the pine tree pulling I've heard a lot of people talk about how easy pine trees are to pull. Maybe I'm doing it wrong or different kind of pines but I fine them a struggle to get them out of the ground. They have a straight down tap root much longer than oaks, sweet gum, or any of the scrubs such as hedge and tend to break off instead of wanting to being pulled. If you rock on them to much they will break. I have clay ground and sure that's a factor.

I see in you Avatar you list as having a 4500 backhoe. It would be slower but a lot of work can be done with a thumb. That's how I cleared around the fields and field roads before the skidsteer days. My backhoe is a IH 260A about the same size as yours. After pulling for a while just turn around and fill in holes then when you drive off you are DONE. I couldn't imagine doing 20-30 acres like that but it could be done. That would be a lot of therapy as its a smoother ride on the backhoe all day vs working with the front loader, and for sure smoother than with a skidsteer.

Sorry for writing a book, I got excited as I've been cooped up here for over a month with no seat time. It'll take a long time to dry out around here. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Cool Ray]

I've only used the tree puller and it makes quick work out of trees the sizes you mentioned, however I use it on a skidsteer and have a good view of the end of the jaws. I've never used one on a front loader and not sure how good you could see. Of course after using for a while it would get easier.

It would seem you'd need visual contact with the shears position more than you would with the puller and to me it's easier to fill in the hole left with the puller than to deal with the stump left with the shear. Of course thats just me talking.

Now about the question of the pine tree pulling I've heard a lot of people talk about how easy pine trees are to pull. Maybe I'm doing it wrong or different kind of pines but I fine them a struggle to get them out of the ground. They have a straight down tap root much longer than oaks, sweet gum, or any of the scrubs such as hedge and tend to break off instead of wanting to being pulled. If you rock on them to much they will break. I have clay ground and sure that's a factor.

I see in you Avatar you list as having a 4500 backhoe. It would be slower but a lot of work can be done with a thumb. That's how I cleared around the fields and field roads before the skidsteer days. My backhoe is a IH 260A about the same size as yours. After pulling for a while just turn around and fill in holes then when you drive off you are DONE. I couldn't imagine doing 20-30 acres like that but it could be done. That would be a lot of therapy as its a smoother ride on the backhoe all day vs working with the front loader, and for sure smoother than with a skidsteer.

Sorry for writing a book, I got excited as I've been cooped up here for over a month with no seat time. It'll take a long time to dry out around here. Good luck with your decision.

Lol, that's ok. I appreciate the Insite. Yes I have 2 ford 4500 backhoes, but I have them stripped down trying to make one good one out of the two, Ive have done alot of work with them but it's Pertty slow. Plus my Tractor has a Cab, so that is a plus on Heater/AC and minus the Snakes, Bees/Yellow jackets (I've gave them that backhoe a few times) & Skitters!!! As I get older, I get better equipment and try to work smarter not harder. But I'm leaning more to the puller. I thinking about using a chain and trying to pull a couple to get a better Idea of what I can do with my tractor.

 

[tacboss]

If you get a minute.... check out Monster Tree Saw - universal skid steer tree saw manufactured in Texas
Saw works well with skid steers and tractors. Cuts completely flush to the ground.

 

[ovrszd]

I've saw something similar before. Great for small stuff. Wayyyyy more effective on a SS than a tractor. As to the stumps, no different than using a Shear. When the ground settles around the stump it will be protruding.

$1500 will buy a puller that will be much more effective on trees here in Missouri. And will carry the trees to a pile.