Annoying low hanging tree limbs

dbelser · Jul 24, 2011

Has anyone devised a good way to keep the low hanging tree limbs or large bushes from coming in and hitting you in an open station tractor

retiredmgn · Jul 24, 2011

dbelser said:
Has anyone devised a good way to keep the low hanging tree limbs or large bushes from coming in and hitting you in an open station tractor

Cutting them.

RoyJackson · Jul 24, 2011

retiredmgn said:
Cutting them.

Yep...start of every mowing season, I drive around the periphery of the mowing area (lawn) and trim down any low hanging branches.
There's an area I brush cut annually (about 3 acres). If I don't get it cut early in the season, then I had a lot of taller stuff to deal with. I wear heavy duty canvas bib coveralls or tincloth trousers (see www.filson.com) so I don't get torn up by the brush.

Now, if dbelser is going into a wooded area frequently...well, then he needs to fabricate a cage of some sort for his tractor similar to the cages that forestry equipment have installed.

tom4018 · Jul 24, 2011

retiredmgn said:
Cutting them.

Pole saw.

Baby Grand · Jul 24, 2011

tom4018 said:
Pole saw.

After doing some brush hogging yesterday, that's what's on today's list.

Snaker · Jul 24, 2011

I have a little over 3 miles of trails on my place with about 2 miles in woods and brush. Every year before I run the brush cutter I walk the trails first with a set of loppers and then with a telescoping saw to trim the sides of the trail. I work just the right side as I go on one pass, then reverse to catch the other side (2 miles x 4 passes = 8 miles, wow, never added it up before).

It sounds worse than it really is. If done every year, it isn't bad at all. I found that the trick is to keep moving along, snip the worst ones and not doddle at one spot. I might spend an hour one day and half an hour the next. Usually done within a few days and I get some pleasant time in the woods.

rd_macgregor · Jul 25, 2011

Definitely, listen to those guys!! I have a cab on my DK45SC, which protects me from the branches, but the cab, and other parts, take a beating. Last year I lost the radio antenna, the slow-moving-vehicle bracket and the bucket level indicator rod to branches. This year (so far), I managed to mangle the cab lights (which no longer work) with low branches.
BOB

retiredmgn · Jul 25, 2011

Yesterday afternoon wifey asked me to walk around the estate with her and prune some branches that were bothersome while mowing. She being the chief mower I was more than happy to oblige. I loaded the chainsaw and a chunk of chain in the bucket and off we went. It did require some use of the elevated staging (bucket) but with simple instructions she got the hang of driving me around so I could chainsaw the low branches. After awhile we ended up by the frog pond out behind the barn. She wanted some of the alders removed so I ran the chain and she ran the tractor and we ripped up some brush. Some wicked pleased with herself I'll tell ya. She says, "I'm pretty good at this".
This winter I'm going to teach her how to do snow.

acme97 · Jul 25, 2011

I do just the opposite. I put the wife in the FEL bucket, and drive her around letting her cut the branches! Plus I don't let her down until she's ready for a cold adult beverage!