How's the drawbar work?

newtarheel · Feb 1, 2007

This city boy is learning, but the more I learn the more I find out how ignorant I am. I sometimes use my B7800 to pull down a damaged tree that is hung up on another tree. What I do is cut the tree off near the base (if it's connected), wrap one end of a chain or cable around it and the other end to my FEL, and then back up. Works pretty well.
But I wonder if that kind of strain can damage the FEL, which, after all, was not designed to pull (I think). Now, I realize I have a drawbar (which IS designed for pulling). Two things -- 1) the drawbar is sort of buried behind my Woods BH frame and 2) presuming I took the BH off, how does this little bar with holes in it work? I've checked the manual, and that hasn't been much help.
If my question seems ridiculous, then so be it. But you guys have helped make small dents in my ingorance in the past, and I hope you'll do it again.

Billy_S · Feb 1, 2007

I pull a lot of trees, just as you have described. Sometimes I will pull from the drawbar, sometimes from the FEL, depending on the situation. If I pull from the drawbar, I just wrap a chain around it and hook it back on itself. I pull from the drawbar whenever practical.

hsvhobbit · Feb 1, 2007

On my drawbar I put a nice healthy clevis through a hole and run the chain through that.

SeymourBota · Feb 1, 2007

I wouldn't be too concerned about pulling with the FEL as long as you can pull straight on- not at any kind of angle- and you have plenty of chain/cable to keep the tractor away from the tree, in case it kicks out.

I don't normally use the drawbar, but sometimes I do use my 3ph bar.

design · Feb 1, 2007

What ever you pull, be sure to attach the cable below the axle. Above the front axle on a 4WD pulling with the loader is a BAD idea.
Design

johnk · Feb 1, 2007

The safety police will tell you to use the drawbar. If the tree isn't real big in relation to your tractor the Fel will work provided you have a straight pull. I have a set of logging tongs mounted to my 3 pt hitch and a Big Clevis on my drawbar when things get serious...

newtarheel · Feb 2, 2007

Response to DESIGN: Do you mean when I tie to the FEL I should keep the FEL low? Why is high a bad idea? Will it damage the machinery? Or me?

Sully2 · Feb 2, 2007

newtarheel said:
This city boy is learning, but the more I learn the more I find out how ignorant I am. I sometimes use my B7800 to pull down a damaged tree that is hung up on another tree. What I do is cut the tree off near the base (if it's connected), wrap one end of a chain or cable around it and the other end to my FEL, and then back up. Works pretty well.
But I wonder if that kind of strain can damage the FEL, which, after all, was not designed to pull (I think). Now, I realize I have a drawbar (which IS designed for pulling). Two things -- 1) the drawbar is sort of buried behind my Woods BH frame and 2) presuming I took the BH off, how does this little bar with holes in it work? I've checked the manual, and that hasn't been much help.
If my question seems ridiculous, then so be it. But you guys have helped make small dents in my ingorance in the past, and I hope you'll do it again.

Dont know how LARGE of trees you are dealing with...but Ive shoved a BUNCH out so far and have a bunch more to go. And I never PULL with the FEL...I raise it up and PUSH the tree over and AWAY from me. I may have to butt it a couple of times...and even attempt to root it out at the base with the FEL...

andover farmer · Feb 2, 2007

AS SULLY2 STATED NEVER EVER PULL W/ THE FEL!
I HAVE A FRIEND IN BANGOR MAINE, WHO HAS A BX SERIES MACHINE. HE TRIED TO PULL A PILE OF HEAVY PINE LIMBS W/ A CHAIN ATTACHED TO HIS FEL BUCKET. THE CHAIN SNAPPED AND THE FREE END "WIZZED" BY HIS HEAD AND WRAPPED AROUND HIS ROPS. CAUGHT HIM JUST ABOVE THE EYE......14 SHITCHES TO CLOSE THE CUT!

acs55812 · Feb 2, 2007

andover farmer said:
AS SULLY2 STATED NEVER EVER PULL W/ THE FEL!
I HAVE A FRIEND IN BANGOR MAINE, WHO HAS A BX SERIES MACHINE. HE TRIED TO PULL A PILE OF HEAVY PINE LIMBS W/ A CHAIN ATTACHED TO HIS FEL BUCKET. THE CHAIN SNAPPED AND THE FREE END "WIZZED" BY HIS HEAD AND WRAPPED AROUND HIS ROPS. CAUGHT HIM JUST ABOVE THE EYE......14 SHITCHES TO CLOSE THE CUT!

and that won't happen with the drawbar??