Best sub $2000 tree puller

Lowcountry Rebel · Jan 27, 2019

I'm buying both a tree puller and a root rake style grapple, and having a 3rd function kit added to my TYM603. I have watched videos and looked at prices and know I'm not spending big money on a tree puller- and I don't want a Chinese POS either. I have already done a test pull on a 6" pine and a 8" gum with a chain and the tractor pulled them right out so I have the lifting power. 60 HP tractor.
Also needs to be SSQA compatible and would like a brush guard on it.
What do ya'll recommend?

I like the Jenkins Iron and steel model with brushguard but can't find reviews or prices.
I found a Bobcat branded model for around $1200 that looks pretty good, also couldn't find reviews.

What do you have and what was the approximate cost? Thanks

4570Man · Jan 27, 2019

I think my Danuser puller was $2300 so it technically doesn’t fit your criteria but it’s hands down the best I’ve seen. The Danuser double dutys as a digging tool which significantly increases its versatility over a regular puller. Edit I seen they’re nearly $3000 now. That came from the farm show in 2017 and going on a tractor you probably don’t need the digging ability of the Danuser.

CincyFlyer · Jan 27, 2019

I have the cheap Titan POS. It works fine; I've pulled out > 100 4x4 concreted posts, dozens of boxwood and holly bushes, and hundreds of honeysuckle trees. I can't pull big trees because my tractor only lifts a ton. I'd put it on a bigger tractor, no problem.

SteelMastiff · Jan 27, 2019

There is certainly a lot of options out there for tree pullers, the Danuser Intimidator being the Cadillac, and priced so, but considering the engineering and build quality, I feel that it's probably worth it. My dealer quoted my $2,700.00, but this was quoted with a tractor purchase.

Most of the tree/post pullers have a single hydraulic jaw that clamps against a fixed arm, the Danuser Intimidator has a crab claw design which I believe might help getting it squared up, which may or may not aid in preventing the loader arms from twisting, but I'm probably over thinking it.

"CL Fabrication" has a couple of nice options, one which is closer in price to what you are looking for. They also have a "grapple guard" option which intrigues me, especially considering I am also in the market for a grapple, granted it might not provide quite as much flexibility as a standalone grapple, and it is a fairly heavy combination, I can certainly see where it could come in real handy during land clearing. The Dominator with Grapple Guard looks like a killer combo if you have the right sized tractor to handle it....

Seen some positive things said about the "Notch" puller as well....

vlcakc · Jan 28, 2019

I looked at a Jenkins Tree and Post Puller at an area dealer last fall. He was asking $1300 with brush guard. I haven't bought it yet due to some family health issues and the unusually wet winter we're having, but intend to soon. I will be using it on a Case 55C CVT tractor. Looked like a solid unit. The Danuser is no doubt a very good unit, but a good bit heavier than the Jenkins. Definitely a factor with the size tractor I have. I have a EA grapple for the cleanup. Works very well.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/case-ih/393263-case-farmall-55-cvt.html?highlight=grapple
Vic

TnAndy · Jan 28, 2019

You must have really sandy soil. You'd ruin a tractor here trying to pull an 8" diameter gum.

Xfaxman · Jan 28, 2019

Here is a different style that can fit SSQA and 3 point: Buckthorn Puller - Custom built Skid Steer attachments to fit almost any need you may have.

The Long Arm is the one I have:

ovrszd · Jan 28, 2019

I suggest going to your local Welding Shop and talking to them. They, or someone local may be building them. Two shops within 40 miles of me build them. Both excellent quality. One $1500. One $1800.

Lowcountry Rebel · Jan 28, 2019

SteelMastiff said:
There is certainly a lot of options out there for tree pullers, the Danuser Intimidator being the Cadillac, and priced so, but considering the engineering and build quality, I feel that it's probably worth it. My dealer quoted my $2,700.00, but this was quoted with a tractor purchase.

Most of the tree/post pullers have a single hydraulic jaw that clamps against a fixed arm, the Danuser Intimidator has a crab claw design which I believe might help getting it squared up, which may or may not aid in preventing the loader arms from twisting, but I'm probably over thinking it.

"CL Fabrication" has a couple of nice options, one which is closer in price to what you are looking for. They also have a "grapple guard" option which intrigues me, especially considering I am also in the market for a grapple, granted it might not provide quite as much flexibility as a standalone grapple, and it is a fairly heavy combination, I can certainly see where it could come in real handy during land clearing. The Dominator with Grapple Guard looks like a killer combo if you have the right sized tractor to handle it....

Seen some positive things said about the "Notch" puller as well....

I looked at the CL Fab with the grapple guard- that would be very nice but weighs around 1000 lbs for the combo unit- it sure would save having to buy 2 attachments

madhouse · Jan 29, 2019

I have a Jenkins Iron and Steel tree pulller. I paid $1200 for mine - but it was 5 years ago. Mine didn't have a brush guard - which I believe would be a big improvement. I only have a 30hp Compact utility tractor - but I have been amazed at what I can pull with it. My brother used it on his monster skid steer - but as far as I know he only pulled fence posts with it.

The only complaint is that I sheered the grease zerk off the cylinder pin on the first use. I was trying to grab roots below the ground.

radios1 · Jan 29, 2019

this one can pull up 10" trees, no idea what the price is, though. Features | Grip-N-Rip Tree Puller

CincyFlyer · Jan 29, 2019

radios1 said:
this one can pull up 10" trees, no idea what the price is, though. Features | Grip-N-Rip Tree Puller

But you then need a tractor that can pull 10" trees. And in the soil where I live, that's a very, very large tractor.

Xfaxman · Jan 29, 2019

CincyFlyer said:
But you then need a tractor that can pull 10" trees.
---------------

No, that one clamps on the trunk and cuts most of the way through the root ball. The tractor just has to pull the remaining roots and carry the tree.

Diggin It · Jan 29, 2019

Y'ain't pullin' nuthin' like that outta my ground. Takes quite a bit of BH digging to get the roots free enough to move.

mark02tj · Jan 30, 2019

I have a Notch Tree Puller for my tractor. It's well designed and super well made. It is too big (which I thought it might be, but I bought it anyway) for my 35HP Deere, but it still does what I want it to. IIRC, it was about $1700 shipped a couple of years ago. It would probably be a good match for your 60HP tractor.

There is a user on here named LouieJunior (or maybe LouieJr?) that has one from a place with a hard to pronounce name. His is more of a "flat design" rather than the needle-nosed-pliers design of the Notch. It's also a few hundred pounds lighter. I looked at it as well. Nice looking unit and they were also able to make it a "dual mount" attachment - he could use it on the FEL or the 3PH. I asked Notch to do that to mine, but they said they couldn't.

The reasons I went with the Notch:
1) The long nosed design lets me reach in to pull some of the stuff I want out. I have honeysuckle that is growing right up against trees that I want to keep so I'm able to more "surgically remove" the stuff I want out.

2) The Notch has a great design that also helps protect the cylinder and hoses. Other designs that I've looked at have that stuff more exposed.

3) The Notch centers the pull right in the middle of the FEL structure. The other one that LouieJunior has is off to one side. I've seen videos of his in action and he will pull up the opposite rear wheel from time to time. That was brought up in another thread and the manufacturer did reply that they could move their clamping point to more in the center, but it did mean that the cylinder would be more exposed.

My only "complaint" about the Notch is that I can't also mount it on the 3PH. I'm looking for an adapter plate to let me move it, but will probably have to have something fabbed up. That will give me a lot more pulling power than having it on the FEL. Plus, I could pull with the 3PH and then move stuff with the grapple on the FEL.

In all honesty, if I had it to do all over again, I'd probably spend as little as possible on this and just get the Titan. I don't think they offered a JDQA attachment option for theirs though.

Good luck with your purchase!

Xfaxman · Jan 30, 2019

mark02tj said:
---------------------------------------------------

There is a user on here named LouieJunior (or maybe LouieJr?) that has one from a place with a hard to pronounce name. His is more of a "flat design" rather than the needle-nosed-pliers design of the Notch. It's also a few hundred pounds lighter. I looked at it as well. Nice looking unit and they were also able to make it a "dual mount" attachment - he could use it on the FEL or the 3PH. I asked Notch to do that to mine, but they said they couldn't.

------------------------------------

That is the company that I linked in post#7.

Here is LouieJunior's thread: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/318149-tree-puller-pleased-my-new.html#post3845905

And the front and back puller from: Koeckeritz - Custom built Skid Steer attachments to fit almost any need you may have.

Xfaxman · Jan 30, 2019

Found video from Galen Koeckeritz that shows all the features of the front or back puller:Minnesota implement Buckthorn tree puller for John Deere FEL and 3 point - YouTube

Snip of the backside:

mark02tj · Jan 30, 2019

Xfaxman said:
That is the company that I linked in post#7.

Oops!! Sorry I missed it. The first time I read through the thread, it was on my phone, so I inadvertently overlooked it. Posted my reply this morning on my computer and didn't re-read the whole thread.

THANKS for posting the pics and the other links!

Xfaxman · Jan 30, 2019

mark02tj said:
Oops!! Sorry I missed it. The first time I read through the thread, it was on my phone, so I inadvertently overlooked it. Posted my reply this morning on my computer and didn't re-read the whole thread.

THANKS for posting the pics and the other links!

:thumbsup:

radios1 · Jan 30, 2019

mark02tj said:
I have a Notch Tree Puller for my tractor. It's well designed and super well made. It is too big (which I thought it might be, but I bought it anyway) for my 35HP Deere, but it still does what I want it to. IIRC, it was about $1700 shipped a couple of years ago. It would probably be a good match for your 60HP tractor.

There is a user on here named LouieJunior (or maybe LouieJr?) that has one from a place with a hard to pronounce name. His is more of a "flat design" rather than the needle-nosed-pliers design of the Notch. It's also a few hundred pounds lighter. I looked at it as well. Nice looking unit and they were also able to make it a "dual mount" attachment - he could use it on the FEL or the 3PH. I asked Notch to do that to mine, but they said they couldn't.

The reasons I went with the Notch:
1) The long nosed design lets me reach in to pull some of the stuff I want out. I have honeysuckle that is growing right up against trees that I want to keep so I'm able to more "surgically remove" the stuff I want out.

2) The Notch has a great design that also helps protect the cylinder and hoses. Other designs that I've looked at have that stuff more exposed.

3) The Notch centers the pull right in the middle of the FEL structure. The other one that LouieJunior has is off to one side. I've seen videos of his in action and he will pull up the opposite rear wheel from time to time. That was brought up in another thread and the manufacturer did reply that they could move their clamping point to more in the center, but it did mean that the cylinder would be more exposed.

My only "complaint" about the Notch is that I can't also mount it on the 3PH. I'm looking for an adapter plate to let me move it, but will probably have to have something fabbed up. That will give me a lot more pulling power than having it on the FEL. Plus, I could pull with the 3PH and then move stuff with the grapple on the FEL.

In all honesty, if I had it to do all over again, I'd probably spend as little as possible on this and just get the Titan. I don't think they offered a JDQA attachment option for theirs though.

Good luck with your purchase!

that one works on shear force, and don't cut the root ball, the Grip-N-Rip does!..