Removing unused utility pole -safely

[lhfarm]

Have a utility pole that was used for a security light. Located away from house. No buildings or overhead wires in the area. Not sure how tall, but maybe 25'-30'. I have my old Ford 4000 with a FEL. And a chainsaw. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Since the light is still attached, I would like to lower it to the ground rather than attacking it with a chain saw.
My thinking is that I might be able to dig out one side (I need a BH!) by hand and use the FEL to push it over in a (hopefully) controlled fall. Once close to the ground I would remove the light and then... Maybe put a chain around it and use the track to pull it out of the ground??
Ideas or suggestions appreciated.

Barry

 

[beenthere]

Sounds to me like you have a good plan. I would do the digging, then push with the FEL until the pole leans but still 'stands'. Then get above it with the FEL bucket and throw a chain around the pole and bucket. Push down with the bucket and 'catch' the pole from falling to the ground using the chain. That should give you a lot of control. It is probably 4-5 ft in the ground, so will require some determined digging by hand. But slowly and surely, you will get it done.
Work smart and carefully. Never be 'under' it and you should be real safe, IMO.

 

[BB_TX]

That pole is probably several feet in the ground. Do you have a post hole digger? If so, you can start by digging a hole as close to the pole as you can and as deep as you can. Move out the width of the auger and dig another. Move out and dig another until you can hand dig a trench where the holes are. Then maybe you can begin to push it over. If you don't have a PHD, then maybe it is time for a new implement. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[lhfarm]

Bill - you beat me to it! Thanks

Hmmm, wonder if I could use my post hole auger to at least get the digging started? I don't have down pressure on the bucket, but I'm hoping the ground will be soft enough the the weight of the bucket will be enough push it gentle to the ground. I like that idea.

Guess I am going to need to do a little math to figure out how far out to start my trench.

Thanks!
Barry

 

[RonR]

I'm not sure I would want to hook my FEL to a pole that is falling. It might be ok, but I wouldn't want it to get away and flip my tractor or worse, just to save a light fixture.

My two cents.

ron

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Nothing but a thing.

First you dig a hole seven feet deep besides the pole.

Then you grab the pole with your tractor.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Then you carefully pull it out of the hole.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Of course traveling with it does present an exciting ride. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Dargo]

Let us know how you come out. I have a couple dozen to pull out. Based on the weight of a couple I have on the ground, I don't think I'd want to chain my bucket to one as it is going down. I know one of the ones I have on the ground weighs over 2000 pounds. If that amount of weight were falling, I'd rather chance breaking the light than my tractor. Also, when pushing it over, be careful of it falling over and the bottom end of it flipping up under your tractor. It could give a nasty whack to the bottom side of your tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I know this from experience.

I think I'm going to try using my post hole digger next to the pole a few times, then hook a strong rope as high as I can on the pole and pull it over on the opposite side as where I dug the holes. I don't think it will fall quickly to the ground. I'm betting it will have to be pulled over and then pulled out of the ground. Just my thought.

Oh yeah, in my case I have an added twist. There are still the tension wires up on the poles. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif The power lines have been removed, but they left the tension cables. I still haven't figured how to get them off other than shinnying up the pole and cutting them loose. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[AndyM]

Harvey, your first picture reminds me of the caber toss over in Scotland. What do you think?