OK to max out loader? (ie use it to its MAX capability)

BethesdaEC · Dec 14, 2011

rd_macgregor said:
It seems to me that there are at least two slightly different types of widowmaker scenarios in play here. A sudden lateral acceleration of the lower trunk of a tree can cause the upper part to snap off at some weak point, and fall (pivoting back on the pushee). Even live trees may have hidden flaws that will weaken the trunk. Pushing slowly is a lot less likely to cause the top to snap off and fall in your lap.
Another case, though, is where the tree to be felled has to fall through the branches of adjacent trees. In this case, the top can snap off and fall back on top of you even if you are pushing very slowly. Of course, if the top is that fragile, ramming it would certainly have snapped it off.
BOB

I prefer to drop the tree with a chainsaw and leave an extended stump of 4 to even 5 feet that I can use as a lever. If I can't push it over easily then I take the backhoe to the roots until I can push it over.

k0ua · Dec 17, 2011

BethesdaEC said:
I prefer to drop the tree with a chainsaw and leave an extended stump of 4 to even 5 feet that I can use as a lever. If I can't push it over easily then I take the backhoe to the roots until I can push it over.

Yep, bunches safer. I still push over little trees, that if part of it fell on you it would be no big deal, but anything of any size I either pull over with about 60 foot of chain, or as above, cut it down leave 5 or 6 foot and dig out the roots if need be.. You will live longer.:thumbsup:

James K0UA

wcampbell47 · Dec 17, 2011

Ramming a tree with my new tractor just does not appeal to me on several levels. I work too hard to pay for it just to tear it up. My cousin was killed by a falling limb - and he worked in the woods full time as a logger. Even a live tree can have a dead limb. A 60lb limb falling at 32 feet per second can do some serious damage. At the very least before I attempted to push a tree over I would have a strong cover over the driver station just to protect from a falling limb.

I much prefer felling the tree and leaving a stump to dig out or grind up. I think I have a better chance of surviving to fight the next battle. I used to think it was great fun to fell trees - consider myself pretty good at it. The last dead oak I took down not so much anymore.

Remember the tv commercial where the guy laid the tree on his car? Stuff Happens!!

Don87 · Dec 17, 2011

knightrider955 said:
Hey man I dont have a dog in this fight, Im just a telling things based on my experiances. Whether they be right or wrong thats a matter of opinion. I take good care of my equipment.

Neither statement is true, as has been explained by others.

I hope that any tractor newbies reading this thread do not follow your advice.

RaydaKub · Dec 17, 2011

knightrider955 said:
Hey man I dont have a dog in this fight, Im just a telling things based on my experiances. Whether they be right or wrong thats a matter of opinion. I take good care of my equipment.

Knightrider, between this thread and the one on PULLING, you have given us all a shock. As you admitted in that thread, you had a chain come smashing through your pickup window. So you got a bigger chain. Now the weakest link (pardon the pun) is either the tractor hitch or the item you are pulling. You are in a constant hunt to see what will give way first and so far, it seems to have been the item. But what happens when that tree stump is just too big? Either that 1/2 inch chain breaks or you rip the rear end off the tractor. Nobody doubts that a jerk on the chain gets things done, momentum is an amazing force. What we are all concerned about is how safely this can be accomplished. For the sake of your wife and kids, please stop. You're gonna get hurt. That chain behind the pickup was a warning.

teg · Dec 18, 2011

RaydaKub said:
...For the sake of your wife and kids, please stop...

...but on the other hand, if you don't have a wife and kids... can we see a video of this?

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By the way, I'm just kidding about the video...

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knightrider955 · Dec 19, 2011

teg said:
...but on the other hand, if you don't have a wife and kids... can we see a video of this?

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By the way, I'm just kidding about the video...

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Actually my wife and I just had our first child in summer of 2010. Which I might add that she loves riding with me on my tractor. She gets excited when she hears me fire it up. She only goes for rides, I dont take her when Im doing work. I do have a video of tug of war with my Oliver 77 and my Long. If I can, I'll try to put it on here. Heres a pic of my girl though.

TripleR · Dec 19, 2011

Beautiful child.

beppington · Dec 19, 2011

Yes, that's a great lookin' daughter :thumbsup:

I just hope her daddy's tree ramming events always end in the tree giving way, and in one piece, rather than breaking in half & landing on her daddy. or seriously breaking the tractor in some way & possibly hurting her daddy. Neither daddy's nor tractors are indestructible.

PatasColo · Dec 19, 2011

Knightrider... You have a lovely child, and you have a lot of years left to live. No one on here should be insulting... we don't want you (or anyone) to do things in a way that could be done safer. Here's a quick brainstorm I had. Everyone, Please take all this in the spirit it is offered: A spirit of learning, and of fun and grins too (because learning should be fun!)

A Farmer's Lesson on momentum (I'm serious here.)
Needed: one 4x4 x 8foot post, majic marker, yardstick, one baseball bat, one pillow, protective eyewear and maybe clothing (as you determine).

Procedure:
Experiment 1: Stand post on end. Mark it 3 feet off ground. This is our tree. Put pillow on ground next to it... this is the tractor with driver on it (feel free to use old GI Joe, or whatever; Not Required

). At exactly 3 feet up from ground, whack the post with the bat in a direction inline with the pillow (you are simulating a fast hit with the tractor, bat should travel right over pillow). Notice results. :thumbsup:

Experiment 2: Stand post back up. This time, press post as slowly as possible with the bat, at the 3-foot mark (like you were nudging a water balloon and don't want it to pop). Notice results. :thumbsup:

Experiments 3 & 4: Cut post in half (two 4-foot sections). (Simulates a VERY weak tree). Stack them end on end (so it's 8 feet high again). Now repeat actions from experiments 1 & 2)

Experiments 5 & 6: Same as 3 & 4, but this time tape the sections together with one wrapping of duct tape. Just one wrapping. Simulates a weak tree but one that is holding together vertically. Repeat actions.

You can likely imagine a lot of the results without actually doing this. The pillow is not in a safe place.

The law of momentum is also at work here. Remember, that law has two parts: A body in motion (tractor) tends to stay in motion. And, a body at rest (heavy treetop) tends to stay at rest (not move horizontally, but will drop vertically when gravity is pulling it, and there is no base to hold it up).

Merry Christmas to all!!!!