Getting rid of autumn olive trees-tools?

[lhfarm]

Island Tractor,

Thanks for the information. I did try the forks this morning and had success with the small trees, but the larger ones behaved as you suggested. The good news is that I do have a BH. I think I can use the combination to get most of the trees removed. As I stated, this is going to be a long-term project, but having the right tools is going to make it a lot more fun!

 

[IslandTractor]

If you have a lot of those trees to remove with your BH, I'd strongly recommend getting a ripper for your BH. Michigan Iron makes the one I have for $500 or if you are handy with welding/fabrication then make a copy like Kays Supply did. Much more efficient than digging and less disruptive of soil.

 

[Kays Supply]

Island Tractor, what is the saying " imitation is the highest form of flattery" ?

 

[JDgreen227]

I have a LOT of those (censored) autumn olive trees and I hate removing them by hand, take a look at my cheapo ripper. It was formerly a Speeco 5 foot rear blade, I took the blade part off and bolted the upright to the back of it, then went to QFleet and purchased the tine and bolted it on. I don't have a welder so I used bolts. I hook it up to my 3 point and tear the roots out on 3 or 4 sides, then either use the FEL bucket to push the tree out or hook a chain to the rear drawbar and yank the tree out.

I originally made this to cut trenches for wire and PVC pipe, but it works great on cutting roots too. Yeah, it's really ugly, but I don't care....:laughing:

 

[IslandTractor]

Island Tractor, what is the saying " imitation is the highest form of flattery" ?

Hey, if I had your skills I would have built one myself.:thumbsup:

 

[IslandTractor]

I have a LOT of those (censored) autumn olive trees and I hate removing them by hand, take a look at my cheapo ripper. It was formerly a Speeco 5 foot rear blade, I took the blade part off and bolted the upright to the back of it, then went to QFleet and purchased the tine and bolted it on. I don't have a welder so I used bolts. I hook it up to my 3 point and tear the roots out on 3 or 4 sides, then either use the FEL bucket to push the tree out or hook a chain to the rear drawbar and yank the tree out.

I originally made this to cut trenches for wire and PVC pipe, but it works great on cutting roots too. Yeah, it's really ugly, but I don't care....:laughing:

Nice!. Ugly but nice. I wonder if putting the ripper tooth on an I beam mounted to the 3pt would allow it to extend further back. The only trouble I can see with the ripper/subsoiler on the 3PT is that you sometimes cannot get close enough to all sides of a tree. If it were mounted on something that stuck back four or five feet it would be easier to get roots 360 degrees around a tree.

 

[JDgreen227]

Nice!. Ugly but nice. I wonder if putting the ripper tooth on an I beam mounted to the 3pt would allow it to extend further back. The only trouble I can see with the ripper/subsoiler on the 3PT is that you sometimes cannot get close enough to all sides of a tree. If it were mounted on something that stuck back four or five feet it would be easier to get roots 360 degrees around a tree.

Agree with you there that the extension would be an asset, my gadget works for me only becuz I don't let the trees get very big.

 

[lhfarm]

I've been knocking around the idea of mounting a 3 point subsoiler to the FEL. I have QA plate with a HF quick hitch welded to it. I like the BH ripper idea, but would like to keep my cost to a minimum.

Thanks

 

[IslandTractor]

I've been knocking around the idea of mounting a 3 point subsoiler to the FEL. I have QA plate with a HF quick hitch welded to it. I like the BH ripper idea, but would like to keep my cost to a minimum.

Thanks

Be careful. FELs are engineered to lift not primarily to push and definitely not to exert force back dragging against resistance.

I'd think the safest configuration would be to mount a ripper so it cuts with curl, not dump or back drag.

 

[lhfarm]

Be careful. FELs are engineered to lift not primarily to push and definitely not to exert force back dragging against resistance.

I'd think the safest configuration would be to mount a ripper so it cuts with curl, not dump or back drag.

OK, I'll take that idea off the list and see if I can find a ripper for the BH or just use the BH small bucket and fill in the holes.

I appreciate the warning/advice.