My new additions (tree shear / puller)

ovrszd · Mar 14, 2016

I think you'll find a need for some rear ballast.

I don't see a gripping problem. The way the cylinder is setup it will grip very tightly. Leading to the issue of shearing when you want to pull.

Be aware that you will put stress on your FEL that it isn't designed for. Example being if you clamp onto a tree that you can't simply pull. Then you decide to reverse the tractor and try to lift and backup. Your FEL is being forced to "roll back". It's possible to bend the bucket cylinder rams.

Luke'sScreenName · Mar 14, 2016

I have done a ton of pushing and lifting with the bucket 1-4ft off the ground while using my tree puller. No damage YET to loader or front axle. I've found it quite surprising what I can pull!

ovrszd · Mar 14, 2016

Luke'sScreenName said:
I have done a ton of pushing and lifting with the bucket 1-4ft off the ground while using my tree puller. No damage YET to loader or front axle. I've found it quite surprising what I can pull!

Yep, me too. Over the past 5 years I've pulled at least 1,000 trees. Bent the rams on my bucket cylinders on my previous Kubota L4400 doing exactly what I described. Your results may vary. Can also be duplicated using a Grapple, but less likely because you are normally Grappling loose material and not trying to pull something. Just understand that the puller can put stresses on your FEL that can't be duplicated with a bucket.

Edit: Let me clarify, cause my explanation might not have been worded quite right. I'm not talking about "lifting and pushing". That puts "pull" stress on your bucket cylinders, which they are designed for. I'm talking about lifting and pulling backwards with the tractor. That puts "push" stress on your bucket cylinders and their ability to stand that is limited by the amount of pressure required to bend them thru compression. Totally different scenario and load.

Luke'sScreenName · Mar 14, 2016

No, you were clear. :thumbsup:
I went off on a related tangent. Belies my concern over damaging my loader! Lifting and diving forward is a big no-no according to some of the "experts" on TBN.

It has probably worn off for you but pulling trees sure is satisfying. (so much so that SWMBO always keeps an eye on me when I use the puller... I can get carried away. :confused3

ovrszd · Mar 14, 2016

Oh, do not misunderstand, I get GREAT pleasure from pulling trees. Especially Cedars.

Lifting and retreating backwards is when you'll bend your bucket cylinders. The "stuck" tree will cause your puller to curl upward, putting push pressure on the cylinders, which they do not like. The down pressure will give your tractor exceptional traction. Then things can possibly go bad.

Aquamoose · Mar 15, 2016

I've been trying to decide on which type of tree puller I should get, the "scissor" type or the "log splitter" type (with the ram & jaw against the SSQA). I have a tractor with a 2,100 lb capacity and want to pull out up to 3-4" pine & fir saplings. Which should I get? Do the scissor type work fine? I like the reach but I'm worried about the weaker capacity to yank them out of the ground.

ovrszd · Mar 15, 2016

Scissor type is easier to capture the tree. If the tree is pinched in the back of the jaw the load is very close to the FEL. If pulling small saplings I load deep in the scissor first, then get another and another until I'm pinching the last one at the outer end of the jaws. Might have 3 or 4 in the puller at the same time. Works very well in minimizing trips to the pile.

Luke'sScreenName · Mar 15, 2016

I have the large brado jawz and love them. I have never had a problem with the jaws slipping. The tractor runs out of lifting/pushing capacity first.
4-6" pine and fir are not a problem in my soils.
The jaws are 1" thick where they meet and do not cut even small vines and saplings.
I decide on the two jaw type because I thought it would be more forgiving if the tree was not perfectly centered on the loader. It is forgiving but have never compared to single jaw type.
If I were buying today I would look very hard at the new Danhoser (sp?) sold through EverythingAttachments.

Xfaxman · Mar 15, 2016

Aquamoose said:
I've been trying to decide on which type of tree puller I should get, the "scissor" type or the "log splitter" type (with the ram & jaw against the SSQA). I have a tractor with a 2,100 lb capacity and want to pull out up to 3-4" pine & fir saplings. Which should I get? Do the scissor type work fine? I like the reach but I'm worried about the weaker capacity to yank them out of the ground.

I like the "log splitter" type with the three point hitch brackets added so it will fit front or rear: Buckthorn Puller - Custom built Skid Steer attachments to fit almost any need you may have.