is it safe to use tractor to bring down tree

[roermo]

Want your opinion about bringing down this mulberry tree. It is about 20 or so inches across and 45 ft tall (about). My neighbor cut down three other trees and he hired a professional to cut those trees. They were much bigger and closer to his house. I used my tractor to hull off the trunks. The neighbor and logger said to cut a notch on the left side of the tree, cut from the other side and use my tractor to pull on the tree on the notch side. Tie the rope up high.

My question is this. Is it safe to do this with my 4110 JD. It weighs about 1700 pound and maybe 250 with the bucket. I think it would work but if things would go wrong I do not think my tractor would be a match for the weight of the tree and I think it would pull it backwards or even up and back. Should I tell the neighbor to use his truck instead. Getting the truck in the back is tough so they want me to use my tractor. Any thoughts.

Thanks

Roger

 

[johnk]

You should be able to notch and cut the tree without the tractor hooked up to it. If you notch it and cut it properly it SHOULD fall where you want it. Cut the notch on the side asnd direction you want it to fall and make your last cut slightly above the notch and let her rip.

 

[VistanTN]

It looks like that tree is WAY too far unbalanced in the wrong direction for that. I'd secure it off in the desired fall direction to some "deadman" add the tractor for additional strain after the notch is cut (and shorten the deadman accordingly). and then cut the main cut. Lines will need to have suffucienct safe working limit and the tractor line needs to be long enough to be beyond the fall without having to move. This one is a little tricky, but I think it is doable. Max weight on the rear end, line to drawbar (never higher on the tractor), and everyone out of the area except the sawyer and tractor operator. Lots of safety precautions (hard hats, hand signals for all possible actions ....)
VistanTn

 

[rswyan]

This is a duplicate thread - please do not start multiple threads on the same topic in different forums - makes it hard to track all replies in one place.

 

[Timber]

This thread is better in this forum.
I assume you can't get a cherry picker in hear so the proper way to deal with this is cut from the top down with ropes and harness. You tie off in the upper tree and cut your over hanging branch into manageable lengths and lower them with a rope. This is time consuming and requires some skill.
Now if it was me that building is pretty small. I would jack the building and roll it out from under the tree and drop it from the bottom and let it fall where it wants too. then roll the building back into place. It would be a lot safer and take less time

 

[Egon]

Best be getting the Proffessional back or else start pricing out new sheds.

 

[vmarc]

Beware of broken flying branches when pulling over a tree with a tractor.

 

[Thomas]

Morning roermo.
Not sure if I would use the JD,but maybe use heavy duty come along...go w/your gut feelings and be safe.

 

[jbrumberg]

roermo:

There is a reason they call a "dead man" a "dead man" ! I did the come along thing on a tree less unbalanced than the tree in your picture and the tree "twisted" away from the come along axis as it fell. I would not want to attach anything of serious value to that tree. A heavy duty come along paired with HD chain and/or towing straps are the least expensive to replace. That shed's days are numbered. I would spend the money on a professional tree service. They have insurance to cover their losses. Jay

 

[tawilson]

I'd rent a tow behind snorkel lift for a day and chunk it out.