Pulling shrubs/small trees

[RobJ]

Also your 4x4 pickup or even a 2wd pickup will probably pull harder if you have the room. Of course not near as fun.

 

[patrick_g]

I pulled about a dozen willows and clumps of willows in the back yard this morning before the haying crew were to arrive. I use a 3/8 chain with the narrow tight fitting hooks. Just 3-5 wraps around and then hook the end. Pull on the bottom turn of chain. Worked well each time but one and that attempt skinned all the bark off the little tree from near the ground to about 5 ft level.

Due to this link and the varioius comments, I tried an experiment. I wrapped the chain and did not hook the end to the chain part doing the pulling. Instead I just looped the end to be hooked around the other chain and hooked it back to itself (a sort of a slip knot.) Worked very well. Thanks to the poster who inspired this trial. I'm not sure I did what they said they did but at any rate, I ended up with an improved method that holds very well even with small diameter willows (with huge root systems.)

Along these same lines of removing shrubs, brush, or small trees: I adjusted the forks of my pallet forks as close as there were notches for adjustment. This left only about an inch or so space between adjacent fork edges. Then I treated the pallet forks like a spade. I was able to dig up several locust trees with ease. They have such large thorns that I don't like to go through the branches to get close enough to the trunk to wrap it properly to pull with chain and some of them were too big to just pull out with my sized tractor (40HP at PTO.)

Pat

 

[davidseaquist]

I like using a steel cable with a loop on each end. Put the cable around the shrub/tree put the loop through the other loop hook the loop onto your tractor and lift with loader or pull with clevis hook. Cable the diameter of 1/4" to 3/8" should work good. David

 

[daTeacha]

I use the cable method on multiflora roses when the ground is soft. I have also used a set of forks similar to manure forks or really long toothbar teeth that I made up and bolted to my bucket to stab under the offending plant and then curl and lift it out.

 

[MicroPilot]

+1

To hooking the chain back onto itself, or even easier is the slip hook.

 

[flyer]

Check out the Woods backhoes: I think the 6500/7500 fits on a subframe kit (#9285) for your 855.

Here's a link to their manuals, Backhoe Sub-Frame Mounting Kits Operator's Manuals.

The BH70-X/80-X include a manual thumb option, not sure if they'd fit on your 855, but you could call Woods and find out.

By the way ... how much do these Woods backhoes go for, along with the sub frame?

 

[MadDogDriver]

By the way ... how much do these Woods backhoes go for, along with the sub frame?

I just called my NH dealer, who is also a Woods dealer. He said Woods does have a "made to order" subframe kit #1016537 for either the Woods BH70-X or BH80-X on a JD 855/955. His price, installed including hose kit, was approx $7000 (BH70-X), $500 more for the 80-X and just under $800 for the manual thumb option. Of course, we're a few miles away from Ithaca, and your prices are probably different.

 

[flyer]

I just called my NH dealer, who is also a Woods dealer. He said Woods does have a "made to order" subframe kit #1016537 for either the Woods BH70-X or BH80-X on a JD 855/955. His price, installed including hose kit, was approx $7000 (BH70-X), $500 more for the 80-X and just under $800 for the manual thumb option. Of course, we're a few miles away from Ithaca, and your prices are probably different.

Thanks MadDog! I'll check it out locally, but that gives me an idea!

 

[CFHartman]

I had a post on the first page that has worked very well for me using the loop and the choker. Today I bought myself a hook like PAexcavator was talking about and tried it. The hook works as my loop and I put three wraqs of chain around the small tree. Then I lifted it with a bucket hook. It was only 1 1/4 dia. I replanted it hoping it will grow. I only broke the bark a little. The hook makes a very good choker and works better.
Charlie

 

[bx23barry]

I use a 3" strap. Less damage, tightens better, easier to haul around.