is it safe to use a tractor to pull over a tree
- Thread starter roermo
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browns40
Gold Member
Hi roermo,
That tree does have a serious lean to it, but is certainly no behemoth...
I would cut that tree... I'd aim it directly away from where you were standing to take the picture... 1" Samson rope (nylon braid, good for about 10 tons) at about the notch/roof height tied with tension, then a come along as high above the tree notch you can get.
The goal is to tie ABOVE the balance point of the tree (i.e. heaviest part of the tree is on the bottom.
Tension up the come-along, then re-tie the rope tight again under the come-along (midshipman's hitch is good one). I would possibly use the tree in back of the shed (looking at the picture) to apply sidewards force as well, at the same height as the first, but on the overhanging branch... if that tree is more than 90 degrees from your big one in back of the fence, I'd look for another suitable anchor behind the fence for the pull on the hanging branch, then use the same method to tension your guide lines.
That's using the trees in the background--NOT your tractor!
You can also apply a rope just above your cut with tension to guide the trunk in the direction you choose.
Once your "vector" is set notch it 1/3 of the way pointing between your 2 tension directions, then make a slightly DOWNWARD cut towards the hinge, then be ready to run!
I just took 2 maples leaning over my Mom's place & power lines last week using just the rope, with a smaller rope to coax the trunk to land where I wished but had larger trees in "the bunch" right there to tie to.
Everybody loves the chains & cables, but this kind of tree work is not an application I'd use them for (so darn heavy & hard to secure!)unless I was using the winch... you need that tree to be guided right where you want it to fall/held from falling where you don't.
If it makes you nervous to cut it, then absolutely do not--hire it out.
Of course, maybe I'm just crazy & lucky to have made it this far!
That tree does have a serious lean to it, but is certainly no behemoth...
I would cut that tree... I'd aim it directly away from where you were standing to take the picture... 1" Samson rope (nylon braid, good for about 10 tons) at about the notch/roof height tied with tension, then a come along as high above the tree notch you can get.
The goal is to tie ABOVE the balance point of the tree (i.e. heaviest part of the tree is on the bottom.
Tension up the come-along, then re-tie the rope tight again under the come-along (midshipman's hitch is good one). I would possibly use the tree in back of the shed (looking at the picture) to apply sidewards force as well, at the same height as the first, but on the overhanging branch... if that tree is more than 90 degrees from your big one in back of the fence, I'd look for another suitable anchor behind the fence for the pull on the hanging branch, then use the same method to tension your guide lines.
That's using the trees in the background--NOT your tractor!
You can also apply a rope just above your cut with tension to guide the trunk in the direction you choose.
Once your "vector" is set notch it 1/3 of the way pointing between your 2 tension directions, then make a slightly DOWNWARD cut towards the hinge, then be ready to run!
I just took 2 maples leaning over my Mom's place & power lines last week using just the rope, with a smaller rope to coax the trunk to land where I wished but had larger trees in "the bunch" right there to tie to.
Everybody loves the chains & cables, but this kind of tree work is not an application I'd use them for (so darn heavy & hard to secure!)unless I was using the winch... you need that tree to be guided right where you want it to fall/held from falling where you don't.
If it makes you nervous to cut it, then absolutely do not--hire it out.
Of course, maybe I'm just crazy & lucky to have made it this far!
CurlyDave
Elite Member
I have pulled over many trees with my JD 110, which is a lot bigger machine than yours. I would not touch this one. All the ones I have done were much straighter.
There are only two things to investigate here:
1. The price to have the tree professionally removed.
2. The cost of a new shed.
If #1 is larger than #2, cut the tree down & let it fall on the shed. I could do that easily. Then clean up the shed pieces & tree (your tractor will be useful here) and build a new shed.
Don't forget to empty the shed first.
There are only two things to investigate here:
1. The price to have the tree professionally removed.
2. The cost of a new shed.
If #1 is larger than #2, cut the tree down & let it fall on the shed. I could do that easily. Then clean up the shed pieces & tree (your tractor will be useful here) and build a new shed.
Don't forget to empty the shed first.
Neophyte
Platinum Member
Once the shed is empty, it should be very easy to move. Your tractor may not be able to pick it up completely. However, you could probably pick up one side of it and drag it out of the way on some beams or roll logs.
Curlydave
You gave me an idea; I will just ask the neighbor if he accepts American Express or Master card and bee done with it.
We are tackling this tree this afternoon when I get off work. After having time to read the posts I think I am going to be there for clean up and watch from the side line when they bring down the tree, not sure what they have come up with, but I will not be using my tractor. Should be a show, I will post pictures later.
Thanks for all the help here, I feel that the tractor and myself will live for another day after reading all the posts.
Thanks
Roger
You gave me an idea; I will just ask the neighbor if he accepts American Express or Master card and bee done with it.
We are tackling this tree this afternoon when I get off work. After having time to read the posts I think I am going to be there for clean up and watch from the side line when they bring down the tree, not sure what they have come up with, but I will not be using my tractor. Should be a show, I will post pictures later.
Thanks for all the help here, I feel that the tractor and myself will live for another day after reading all the posts.
Thanks
Roger
BloomingtonMike
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2004
- Messages
- 788
- Tractor
- John Deere 3320
How did it go? Everythingdown safely?
Tkanks for asking,
Well the tree is down, not a perfect picture but every one walked away. I stood back a pulled on a rope while we trimmed off one large limb we could reach while standing on the roof of the shed. Then the property owner cut a notch on the left of the tree and the other neighbor pulled with his truck to the left and the other guy cut on the back side. This made me worry for if the tree tried to kick back or roll he had no where to run. The shed in back and wood on the ground to his left and I felt the tree would roll to his right and a fence. But as luck had it this day the tree did go the opposite direction but also rolled to the back side (see picture) took out the fence of the other neighbor. All in all could have been worse.
Well the tree is down, not a perfect picture but every one walked away. I stood back a pulled on a rope while we trimmed off one large limb we could reach while standing on the roof of the shed. Then the property owner cut a notch on the left of the tree and the other neighbor pulled with his truck to the left and the other guy cut on the back side. This made me worry for if the tree tried to kick back or roll he had no where to run. The shed in back and wood on the ground to his left and I felt the tree would roll to his right and a fence. But as luck had it this day the tree did go the opposite direction but also rolled to the back side (see picture) took out the fence of the other neighbor. All in all could have been worse.
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BenderKC
Silver Member
NO NO NO
slaveToHorses
Gold Member
Some folks are just lucky!! Glad no one was hurt. Also glad you didn't get your tractor involved.
I have used my tractors a lot but I am very very careful these days. I had one take a sudden wild turn and come down right on top of me. The ROPS, the canopy and my hard hat saved me. Very scary. The worst part was that my wife was watching. I heard about it for at least a year afterwards!
I have used my tractors a lot but I am very very careful these days. I had one take a sudden wild turn and come down right on top of me. The ROPS, the canopy and my hard hat saved me. Very scary. The worst part was that my wife was watching. I heard about it for at least a year afterwards!
