Stump Grapple

[Guesseral]

I am not expert on this subject, because I just use the old 196?'s backhoe that I already have key point there is that I already have. But I will agree with some above posts on the tractor not being as good with a grapple of any kind for the process of digging around and then pushing over the trees. It's not that a tractor can't or won't do it there are a lot of guys here that can prove to you that they will do it because they do do it, its just that the skidsteer will do it better if for nothing else just for sheer weight and hydraulic GPM flow! I know that the weight makes a very large difference in these areas, my old 600 ford with the BH & FEL is only 2 wheel drive and it will @ gas 30HP out pull and out push by far my 47HP 4WD diesel tractor and it is basically all due to weight. You can do what you want to do with a tractor and grapple with all the different options that you have been given heck these guys have done and are still doing it, but for the number of trees you have to do the BH is probably your best bet. That would be my opinion, just for the number of trees you have it would be way easier on the equipment and you, and when done sell the BH and get a nice tractor to do everything else this just my honest opinion which really along with :2cents: still won't buy you a cup of coffee!

 

[IslandTractor]

I am not expert on this subject, because I just use the old 196?'s backhoe that I already have key point there is that I already have. But I will agree with some above posts on the tractor not being as good with a grapple of any kind for the process of digging around and then pushing over the trees. It's not that a tractor can't or won't do it there are a lot of guys here that can prove to you that they will do it because they do do it, its just that the skidsteer will do it better if for nothing else just for sheer weight and hydraulic GPM flow! I know that the weight makes a very large difference in these areas, my old 600 ford with the BH & FEL is only 2 wheel drive and it will @ gas 30HP out pull and out push by far my 47HP 4WD diesel tractor and it is basically all due to weight. You can do what you want to do with a tractor and grapple with all the different options that you have been given heck these guys have done and are still doing it, but for the number of trees you have to do the BH is probably your best bet. That would be my opinion, just for the number of trees you have it would be way easier on the equipment and you, and when done sell the BH and get a nice tractor to do everything else this just my honest opinion which really along with :2cents: still won't buy you a cup of coffee!

He could also just buy a BH attachment, use it for the tree culling project a d then sell it. I would imagine a slightly used Woods BH90x could be sold for maybe a grand or grand and a half less than it cost. Heck, maybe he'll see the potential for other projects and keep it.

 

[Guesseral]

He could also just buy a BH attachment, use it for the tree culling project a d then sell it. I would imagine a slightly used Woods BH90x could be sold for maybe a grand or grand and a half less than it cost. Heck, maybe he'll see the potential for other projects and keep it.

Yea that is also an option I was just going by his comment that he knew of a BH he could buy.

 

[IslandTractor]

Yea that is also an option I was just going by his comment that he knew of a BH he could buy.

Yep. If there is a reasonably reliable used commercial size TLB for sale that would probably do the work faster, be less wear and tear on the new tractor, and already be fully depreciated for resale. Good option.

 

[sdef]

Pappy, I also have to remove a bunch of trees on some new property, but not as many as you. I have not tried it yet, but my plans are to try and just push over the 6" and smaller ones. And the CID stump bucket is to cut the lateral roots as required and then push the tree over. Or to just dig/pop out the saplings.

Here is an ebay listing I seriously considered and the price is more than reasonable, if the steel is up to the task. I do question how sturdy this might be, but it could be an option for you:
New Stump Bucket Grapple w Teeth Skidsteer Attachment Universal Quick Attach | eBay

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

sdef, I found that one this past weekend and that is the one I'm now considering. The price is certainly attractive. And the lighter construction doesn't bother me because I'd rather tear up the grapple than my FEL. I'm just going to be digging out the lateral roots (not the whole stump) so I think that one should hold up ok. It's inexpensive enough that I could sell it and not lose much money if it doesn't work for my needs.

 

[CJONE]

Any time I have a large # of bigger trees to clear I will rent a mini x at least 7-10k range to dig out the trees with the stumps. If I have a field to clear a larger X gets rented or I will use a large loader 644J size machine. But the mini X are impressive in the right hands. for the # of trees you have, rent then you don't have to worry about the wear and tear. CJ

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I throw a logging chain around the ones 3 to 4 inches thick. Bigger than that I just can't do with my 3000 pound 30 hp tractor.

 

[Sysop]

I throw a logging chain around the ones 3 to 4 inches thick. Bigger than that I just can't do with my 3000 pound 30 hp tractor.

I'd bet adding some weight during such operations you could easily double those sizes (unless your soil types are much different than here and your roots may have a better hold in the ground). A 40HP with 6000# on a chain can pull over most trees under 12" without much effort on the soil types we have locally.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'd bet adding some weight during such operations you could easily double those sizes (unless your soil types are much different than here and your roots may have a better hold in the ground). A 40HP with 6000# on a chain can pull over most trees under 12" without much effort on the soil types we have locally.

Another way to maximize tree/stump pulling power is to pull up rather than sideways. Wrapping a chain around the bottom of the offending tree and then up and over a post (?4x4, ?steel triangle) before going to the tractor drawbar will exert force upwards which is not what the tree's root system is designed to resist. I haven't tried that with a cedar but as they have shallow roots, I would imagine it would work well.

 

[k0ua]

Another way to maximize tree/stump pulling power is to pull up rather than sideways. Wrapping a chain around the bottom of the offending tree and then up and over a post (?4x4, ?steel triangle) before going to the tractor drawbar will exert force upwards which is not what the tree's root system is designed to resist. I haven't tried that with a cedar but as they have shallow roots, I would imagine it would work well.

.

I haven't tried that either, and A frame, or something like that, but a lot of guys around here claim pulling over an old tractor wheel rim is another way to get that upward vector on the chain while the remainder of the chain is horizontal heading towards the tractor Drawbar.

 

[Sysop]

Another way to maximize tree/stump pulling power is to pull up rather than sideways. Wrapping a chain around the bottom of the offending tree and then up and over a post (?4x4, ?steel triangle) before going to the tractor drawbar will exert force upwards which is not what the tree's root system is designed to resist. I haven't tried that with a cedar but as they have shallow roots, I would imagine it would work well.

I've done such things using a rim from a semi-truck stood on edge beside the tree with the chain wrapped over it. You are right that many times a tree that is just slightly too large to pull over and pop the rootball up will come up with ease using a simple lever and hooking low to the tree will help lift on the rootball to pop it out..

 

[IslandTractor]

Yes, a big old wheel would be even better than a 4x4 or metal triangle. Anything that will get a good upward angle on the chain.

here is a youtube of someone with a ??30ish hp tractor pushing over pine trees. Not the greatest technique and a bit rough on the loader but I can attest that it does work. Works even better once you cut at least the roots at the front/tractor side of the tree first. It also helps sometimes to push from either side a bit to loosen things up before getting aggressive. I find having the loader/grapple/bucket at about 8ft off the ground is a good compromise between leverage and stability. Kubota tractor Vs. Pine Tree - YouTube