Grabbing Small Tree Trunks

[KennK]

I want to use my JD 3320 FEL to pull out small (6' tall and less) buckthorn trees (bushes?) and am trying to figure out how to "grab" the trunk of the tree/bush. They are usually only 1-2 inches across.

My best guess right now is to try using some heavy rope and lash the rope around the trunk before pulling (something like a hangman's noose).

It seems that a chain would be too thick to grab a hold - I would think.

Any other ideas. It would be nice if someone made a clamp that would tighten as it was pulled upwards.

 

[dsb5610]

Attached is a picture of what I use but I've also used a chain on alot of them too. I built this one after getting a quote of $1800 for a commercial version. There are other posts on tree pulling. Try a search on tree getter for another option.

Good luck, dsb

 

[jeffinsgf]

Get a climbing grade carabiner and some top quality (also climbing grade) 1 inch nylon strapping. Tie a double knotted loop in both ends of about ten feet of strap. Wrap the strap around the trunk 3 times and clip off the carabiner around the line going to the tractor and into the loop at the end. Now hook the loop at the other end to a clevis on your draw bar.

The nylon strap will tighten down on the trunk as you pull. Don't jerk it, use smooth even pulls. If your wheels slip, you can't pull that bush and you'll have to dig it out. If something gets in a serious jam, the nylon strap will break. It does have some snap to it, and it will spring toward the tractor, but if the wrap is at the base of the tree and it is being pulled at the drawbar, the chance of getting hit by it is minimial. I have snapped several straps doing this, but have never seen the carabiner leave the trunk.

I like this method better than a chain because it works on small shrubs very well and the strap is a sacrificial safety valve. I only start snapping straps when I get too cocky on how big a sapling I can pull with this method. It is much less disruptive then regular grubbing (digging it out).

 

[schmism]

I use smaller chain, 1/4" wrap it around the trunk a few times and lift and drive forward with the FEL.

If you wrap it right it will self tighten and catch the sapling. Ive gone all the way down to 3/4" or so....

 

[workinallthetime]

its not the size of your chain its how you use it,lol
i have used 5/16th chain to pull trees smaller than 6 inches, its all in how you hook up to the tree. wrap the chain around the tree twice, one wrap under and one wrap over the chain (still only 2 wraps around the tree) this makes kind of a slip knot and will bite into the tree as you pull, once the tree is out of the ground just unhook and move to next tree. really the smaller chains work better on smaller stuff but i use what i have with me at the time.

many happy pulls to you

 

[woodchuckie]

I have good results using my fel. On stuff that size you can push it right at ground level and the roots pop out as you push it over.

 

[LarryD]

I recently had one of one of these given to me. It works like a champ on the smaller stumps up to 4". Really bites into the wood the harder you pull and with two people, you can pull a lot of stumps real quick.

Pallet Puller — 5000-Lb. Capacity |Forklifts + Pallets | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[ovrszd]

Here's what you need. Then your FEL is free to do piling duties. It's the simplest, easiest to build, most effective attachment I ever built. You can modify to fit your personal needs. Best part is you never leave the tractor seat.

 

[IslandTractor]

A Root Grapple works fine. You don't try to grab the trunk however, you simply slip the grapple teeth under the tree and lift. For trees less than 4-5 inches it works very easily. No need to get off the tractor to fiddle with straps, chains etc. Steps are as simple as 1) give the tree a shove to knock it partially over and expose the roots, 2) put grapple under roots and either lift or drive forwards to pop the tree out, 3) grab it and you're done. See photos.

 

[1bush2hog]

You can also use a smaller chain with a choker hook on it, which lets the chain cinch up tight when you are pulling.

Hud-Son Forest Equipment - Winch Accessories