Pulling With The Bucket.??

[RoyJackson]

I pull light loads with my loader/bucket on occasion. Most often is when I'm pulling a tree or branch out...the butt end is in the bucket so it doesn't dig in. Also, these aren't "big" trees...5-8 inches or so in diameter.

As far as JDGreenGrass's situation, I think I'd have gotten a repurchase on that tubing once it got harder to pull...matter of leverage.
Of course, I wasn't there, so the correct thing to do (IMHO) is mere speculation.

That center pivoting front axle makes a tip worse. And one thing I would definitely caution against is pulling too hard (in reverse). There have been front axle failures with the 790's when pulling in reverse and the 770 uses the same front axle.

 

[wade simpson]

I lifted the back end by trying to pull a small stump with the front brush guard. I didn't even realize what was happening until the whole backend of the tractor swung to the left. Luckily it wasn't very high. It lifted very slow as I was in low range and just idling backwards. It actually scared me a little, because of the potential, and instantly made me a little wiser.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I pull light loads with my loader/bucket on occasion. Most often is when I'm pulling a tree or branch out...the butt end is in the bucket so it doesn't dig in. Also, these aren't "big" trees...5-8 inches or so in diameter.

As far as JDGreenGrass's situation, I think I'd have gotten a repurchase on that tubing once it got harder to pull...matter of leverage.
Of course, I wasn't there, so the correct thing to do (IMHO) is mere speculation.

That center pivoting front axle makes a tip worse. And one thing I would definitely caution against is pulling too hard (in reverse). There have been front axle failures with the 790's when pulling in reverse and the 770 uses the same front axle.

Whoah.!! Roy, you always come through with the good stuff. "Axle failures when pulling in reverse." Yikes. Sir, I have learned something here.

Wasn't we just talking about the 790 and the 770.??

Thanks Roy.

 

[Thomas]

Try curling bucket for pulling relief valve will act as safety,if not enough pull use tow low gear w/out jerking to hard.

 

[Ezlivn]

Nice post....I'll remember not to do this. I've had a rear wheel go up on me with a bucket full of gravel...strange feeling. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Axle failures pulling hard in revers is not uncommon. The running gear in the front axle is just a fraction of the size of the rear axle. Most tractors start life as a 2 wheel drive tractor and morph into a front wheel assist tractor or 4x4 if you want to call it that.

As for skidding logs this is what I do a vast majority of the hours with my 28HP tractor. What I do is use my 3 point Reese Hitch setup and a draw bar with a hook welded on it. I slip hook the log and back all the way up to it with my short 7' logging chain. Then with the 3 point in the full down position I hook the chain up with zero slack. I then lift the front of the log off the ground about 10" and start my pull. Many times I am pulling 20" or larger diameter logs 30 to 40' long with no problems.

Chris

 

[tommaple]

I think most people with a tractor have experienced either the front or rear wheels come off the ground at some time. I recall my Father telling of the dangers of a tractor flipping over backwards if pulling above the rear axle before I ever drove a tractor. No matter how often we hear this advice, there's that one time we don't want to take the time to hook onto a load properly.

My own "near death" experience occurred while skidding a fairly small, 6" diameter 15' log. It was more convenient to pick it up from the small end and pull it to the sugarhouse. I just used the hydraulic lift to pick up the log and pull it. I didn't bother to chain it to the drawbar since it was so small. Pulling it this way made the stubs left from limbing point forward. As I passed a large tree, one of the stubs caught a root. In less than a second the tractor reared up and I was looking at the sky. As this occurred, my first thought was the tractor would go completely backwards, fall on top of me, crush my spine and I would be a paraplegic. The second thought was "You idiot - you know better!"

I was lucky, the tractor stopped dead vertical and I was able to crawl off. (No ROPS, it was a 1949 Allis Chalmers Model B.) I stood there looking at that tractor pointing straight up in the air and vowed I would never pull from above the axle again. I was able to push the tractor back to the ground by hand, started it up and drove away.

There's never enough time to get off the tractor and attach the log properly, until you're sitting in a wheelchair with nothing BUT time.

Not to get preachy, but the same power that makes our work easier can also hurt us if directed the wrong way.

 

[AlbionWood]

the tractor stopped dead vertical and I was able to crawl off.

HOLY S#@%!!!! :shocked:

3 wheels on the ground is one thing. When you get down to 2 it's time to worry. But when the tractor is pointing straight up... personally, I think that's just taking it a little too far.

 

[2458n]

Now is the time of year that tires can freeze in the ground when left outside over night. Always a good idea to use care if in doubt when starting out. Same lifting experience.

 

[tommaple]

Now is the time of year that tires can freeze in the ground when left outside over night. Always a good idea to use care if in doubt when starting out. Same lifting experience.

That's right, especially if parked overnight on wet ground or mud. If freezing weather, always start out in reverse and two wheel drive to break the tires free. Then go forward.