pushing trees over

[gerard]

There was recently a discussion of the safety of using the loader bucket to push over trees. There were various opinions, some for, some against. I just purchased an International 280 backhoe and was reading through the manuals and found it interesting that they actually had a section detailing on the correct way to position the loader bucket when pushing over small trees. Seems like this is not really out of the scope of the use for the machine. (Of course the manual is 20 years old) BTW - The instructions called for holding the bucket edge against the tree to concentrate the force only on the edge and hit the tree high for added leverage.

 

[Thomas]

gerard,
There a couple of concerns that I would have trying this.
Once the tree started to fall than I would be /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.giffor the root system might pop up under the tractor front end.
Dead braches or maybe the tree might break into. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Who ever attemps this please be extra careful.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[john4nh]

Well I think the key word is "small tree" Of course whats small is up to each indivdual operator. We have been using the afore mentioned method for years with no problems. Just watch out for other trees and dead trees this isnt the smartest thing to do but yes I have been guilty of doing this. On large trees we always set-up and cut the roots on one side and then push either with fel or backhoe. Works around here except on pines which here have huge tap roots, we just cut them and grind.

 

[gerard]

thomas, You hit it right on the head about small trees and the root potential. The book even mentions to back up when the tree starts to go for that very reason. I think we're talking about trees less than 8 inches in diameter for the most part and they shouldn't have too big a root system. Anything bigger than 8 inches I would trench on three sides with the hoe and then maybe try pushing it over with the hoe instead of the loader, that way I'd be so far away from the tree the root ball wouldn't be a problem. (Of course this is just theory at this point so I could be wrong on the ability of the hoe to generate enough force to push over a decent size tree)

 

[scruffy]

Gerard, I would still think that all posted on the other thread still applies.
That said, the tap root on some types of trees, even 8" and less can be quite deep. The pine tree for one.
I personally would be more comfortable in downing the tree with a chainsaw, and pushing the stumps out.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by scruffy on 11/24/00 12:32 PM.</FONT></P>