Clearing Alders

Lloyd_E · Feb 23, 2009

Radartech:
Looks like an interesting idea. Would be hard to work from my cab and to see engagement as well. But for $300 bucks I could get the wife to wrap the chain and I wouldn't have to leave the comfort of the cab.

!!!!

lloyd

Treemonkey1000 · Feb 23, 2009

Lloyd you have heard the phrase, "If Momma ain't happy nobodys happy" haven't you? So I can picture it now with her on the tractor seat and you on the ground setting chains..

studor · Feb 23, 2009

Lloyd -- I noticed Princess Auto now has those brush grubbers but if your alders are like mine, I think the chain would work better (too many stems per clump)

Lloyd_E · Feb 23, 2009

Treemonkey; ya heard the phrase. Funny thing is this is the only thing she refuses to help with. Absolutely hates removing alders. Tried it a few years ago and she gave up . Funny thing is - the gaining of pasture is to support her hobby of horses not mine! I gave her a quick lesson re: the tractor last year. I am hoping she will continue to try/use it. And yes I know I might loose seat time. But the way I look at it - I can't do everything and when I am not in the tractor I could be on the lawn mower with a couple of cold beverages and my ipod going in circles mowing the lawn.

Studor: I am heading to PA this week. So I will check out the price and maybe invest in one.
Are they on sale or do you have a product code or price? I don't see it in the latest flyer.

lloyd

studor · Feb 23, 2009

Lloyd -- I saw them in the latest catalogue under new items 8240681 part number -- $79.99 -- chain is another $50 -- seemed a bit pricey when I have chain and still have to get off the tractor -- my wife usually is not around to hook up the chain

Lloyd_E · Feb 23, 2009

Studor,

Thanks... will look it up. Funny how that happens - need a second pair of hands, gone just when you mention the project t hand.

lloyd

Lloyd_E · Feb 23, 2009

Studor -what section of the catalogue?

I did find 4230078 for $49.99, It is a scissor type thing - 2.5 ton pallet puller.
It looks like it will do the trick for almost half the price.

2-1/2 TON
PALLET PULLER
4230078 Wt. 17.2 lbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $49.99

lloyd

studor · Feb 23, 2009

Lloyd
Page 48 --catalogue #267 - you can download the section if you have an earlier catalogue
regards

Lloyd_E · Feb 23, 2009

Studor - thanks...

I will look at both items later in the week. For half the price I think the pallet puller will do the job. They have a great return policy so I think I will give it a try.

lloyd

MikeD74T · Feb 24, 2009

I've pulled a lot of alders with a chain, a lot with a FEL & toothbar, and like the tree getter the best. I also use a DK45S.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/12555-tree-getter.html

Unless you just like to work hard, stop with the chainsaw. The tree getter will lift root & tree. The getter disturbs less ground than the toothbar. Generally anywhere alders grow it's wet enough to have soft ground even in dry times. Wait until the ground dries up enough that you're not making mud. I push into small piles as I pull them, then put on clamp on forks & transfer to a single burn pile. MikeD74T

Lloyd_E · Feb 27, 2009

Studor,

Thanks...

I got the pallet puller the other day. It is heavy duty and much larger than the grubber.
The teeth are serious and the surface area is larger - about 2x4 inches of teeth area.

So for $49.95 it may be worth it. It will lift 2.5 tons and weighs close to 18lbs so it is not light duty.

lloyd

sixdogs · Feb 28, 2009

You know, I originally thought you duys were daffy with that scissors thing but I sure was wrong. That puller idea is really a good one and I can think of a bunch of ripping-type reasons I can use it. Thanks for the ideas on this.

studor · Feb 28, 2009

Thanks Lloyd -- I'll take a look at that pallet puller next time I'm in PA -- could be usefull for a bunch of things

Lloyd_E · Mar 3, 2009

The Princess Auto 'gruber' or 2.5 ton pallet mover.

lloyd

rimshot · Mar 30, 2009

kubotafan said:
When pulling alders with a chain what type of chain and hooks do you use? I am in the process of buying some land and will have some brush clearing to do. Are there tricks I shold know to make this job easier?

============================

Just use a chain with a slip hook on one end or if both ends are grab hooks make a small circle to act as a cinch and wrap a chain arount the entire base like a choke collar on your dog. At the tractor end buy a nice stout clevis and pin it to the hitch on tractor. Personally, I like my backhoe for this job.

rimshot

MikeD74T · Mar 30, 2009

kubotafan said:
When pulling alders with a chain what type of chain and hooks do you use? I am in the process of buying some land and will have some brush clearing to do. Are there tricks I shold know to make this job easier?

5/16" or 3/8" chain & a slip hook around the base will pull almost anything. Best advice I have for pulling alders with a chain is to make sure you stop before the alder comes down & whacks you on the head

which will happen if the chain is shorter than the alder is tall. If you have a lot of brush to pull & have access to a welder search TBN for "tree getter". Getting off the tractor to hitch & unhitch is time consuming. MikeD74T

Treemonkey1000 · Mar 30, 2009

I like to use cable chokers. Just because they set easy. Alder being a smooth barked tree you might be better off if you use a chain choker if you are dragging through a lot of crud. Often I have used my nylon loopie webbing straps to drag trees with. The nylon webbing is strong 2000 lb to 16,000 lb sizes of webbing straps.
Just be darn careful that what ever you use doesn't pop off and fly back at the operator. A mesh screen or some thick plexiglass as barrier behind the ROPS is a good idea.