Pulling power: Tractor vs. Truck

[jymbee]

Have to cut down a pretty large hard maple tree. Given I want to control the direction of fall I'm going to tie on a heavy bull rope to make it go the way I want. Options for the pulling are a full size diesel GMC 4WD pickup with oversize tires or a class IV tractor w/ 52 HP and new ag tires.

Cut a lot of trees this way using a 4WD Dodge power wagon in the past but now that the tractor is an option I'm wondering which actually has the most pulling power. Obviously the pickup has more HP but the tractor has much better tires and probably more "torque". (?)

The advantage that the truck has is that once the tree starts to come, you can accelerate more quickly to make sure it doesn't sway back. The tractor would be slower but maybe not that much of a factor?

Friend suggested I have a tug-of-war between the two to pick a winner. Not too keen on that idea thinking it would be easier just to ask for opinions here...

 

[Sysop]

Whichever can build the best traction in the soil conditions of your worksite will do the best job. Obviously the new AG tires will bite the earth really well, but if the tractor is a lightweight model and your full size GMC is loaded down with a work bed and tools and whatnot and weighs twice as much, it might make better traction than the tractor with good tires on it. It's really a toss up without knowing more data. Perhaps your friend is right, a nice tug of war at the worksite is in order to test which can get better traction. The traction of either should be "the weak link" so if anything breaks other than traction it was going to break pretty soon anyway... Make sure you youtube it and share with us!!!

 

[milkman636]

Since you asked on a tractor site I feel an obligation to vote for using the tractor. If the rope is long enough you shouldn't have to speed away, the tractor will provide a consistent pull in the right direction.

 

[jymbee]

Ah, right. Should have mentioned that important factor. I'd be pulling from grass sod.

The tractor is pretty new and I'm just beginning to appreciate how much that little sucker can pull. Skidded out some large hard maple trees the other day-- up a fairly steep grassy hill with no strain at all. Didn't even need to use 4WD. After that was when I started wondering whether it might be up a better choice for this tree job.

Whichever can build the best traction in the soil conditions of your worksite will do the best job. Obviously the new AG tires will bite the earth really well, but if the tractor is a lightweight model and your full size GMC is loaded down with a work bed and tools and whatnot and weighs twice as much, it might make better traction than the tractor with good tires on it. It's really a toss up without knowing more data. Perhaps your friend is right, a nice tug of war at the worksite is in order to test which can get better traction. The traction of either should be "the weak link" so if anything breaks other than traction it was going to break pretty soon anyway... Make sure you youtube it and share with us!!!

 

[trook]

I vote for the tug-of-war!!

Seriously though, I really don't know. I have often wondered this same question myself. On pavement, I would vote for the truck. On grass, I would have to vote for the tractor with ag tires unless the truck is much heavier. If the truck is much heavier and the ground is dry/hard, then I would vote for the truck. Let us know what happens...

 

[dave1949]

I would use whichever is best insured. :laughing:

 

[CalG]

What is "sway back" if you are applying steady tension?

I use the tractor First gear, low range.

Put on the block cut, then pull tension on the tree (I use 1/2 wire rope on a pully so the tractor is NOT in the fall direction, Nice that we have so many trees around to tie to)

With the tree pulled the way the cut is directed, The felling cut is made. Once the tractor pulls the tree across the hinge, gravity does it all ;-) There is no "sway back".

Nice thing about the "assisted felling", is that the hinge can be left nice and thick.

Last year I pulled over a 115" tall maple that was less than 20 feet from the house. The tractor was driven into the lower shop level as it pulled tension with the wire rope turning the corner on the pully.

Worked well ;-)

 

[Sysop]

Ah, right. Should have mentioned that important factor. I'd be pulling from grass sod.

Those AGs on that "little" 50HP tractor would jerk your truck around like a ragdoll without having something similarly aggressive mounted on it. Power is out of the equation when it cannot be applied. Less chance of an "accidental spin" causing extra sod damage with the AGs as well.

 

[user.69169]

Ain't a matter of power or speed. It's a matter of weight.

Once that tree gets into motion it'going to gain speed, and chances of you keeping the towline tight pretty dang small. You lost all control of the load as soon as the load slacks the tow line. Gravity going to run the show from then on.

 

[Sysop]

Ain't a matter of power or speed. It's a matter of weight.

Once that tree gets into motion it'going to gain speed, and chances of you keeping the towline tight pretty dang small. You lost all control of the load as soon as the load slacks the tow line. Gravity going to run the show from then on.

Exactly why any force you want to put on it to start it in the right direction needs the traction to do so.