Stump Pulling with 3-Point - Any concerns?

[Baby Grand]

Back to the OP's original question - pulling stumps using the 3pt hitch:

I've had some luck plucking small ones (< 6" diameter hardwoods with no taproots) using a single point sub-soiler. This is on a 3,500# 32 HP machine with an additional 1160# FEL attached. Puts the 3pt hydraulics into bypass without lifting the fronts at all. It's not quick and sometimes I have to "fly the box", cutting the side roots, as some others have described. If you can get the point of the subsoiler hooked under the stump you will have tremendous power pulling straight up with the 3pt hitch, as the contact between the subsoiler point and the stump will be right around the fwd/aft location of the 3pt lift pins, but down, under the stump. To do this effectively, it helps to cut the stump as close to flush with the ground as you can without fouling you saw blade in the dirt. Otherwise that stump and one of your rear tires will always be trying to occupy the same place at the same time as you try weakening the side roots - gets tippy real quick!

 

[bcp]

The safest way to learn is from other people's mistakes.



Bruce

 

[Egon]

The safest way to learn is from other people's mistakes.



Bruce

But then you still don't know how??

Each to their own but I'd rather learn from someone who is doing it right!

 

[pat32rf]

Its jobs like this that are a whole lot safer with a hydro tranny. You can apply JUST enough force to START lifting the front end and no more. You get the maximum pulling and lifting force without having to worry about slipping a clutch or flipping the tractor because you can't get the clutch depressed in time to stop a backflip.
The same applies to skidding logs. I made a bracket for my 3pth that I can hook my chains to that lets me lift the front end of the log off the ground so it doesn't get hung up. If to pull gets too tough and the front end does get light, all I have to do is lift my toe, not try to find the clutch while hanging on for dear life!

 

[94BULLITT]

Its jobs like this that are a whole lot safer with a hydro tranny. You can apply JUST enough force to START lifting the front end and no more. You get the maximum pulling and lifting force without having to worry about slipping a clutch or flipping the tractor because you can't get the clutch depressed in time to stop a backflip.

I agree, don't mash it to the floor or jerk it.

 

[bmurphy777]

We really dont know what were talking about. We hit the actual OP subject occasionaly, at random. :confused3:

Okay, now that made me laugh out loud!

Lot's of good stuff in this thread - not just about tractorin' but how to relate to people. I'm really starting to like it here!

 

[Recoveryhill]

Good information concerning possible damage to the 3-pt, not something I am interested in breaking so I will stick with the drag-bar and try a shorter chain or just cut the dang things flush with the ground. Take Care All!

Yes, cut them off flush and paint the stump ends with Tordon RTU. No more trees, no more living stumps.

My problem trash tree here is a Tan-Tan. It is also a tap rooted tree and having pulled both Tan-Tan and trees with more lateral roots, the tap root trees pull easier, within reason......

 

[Hermio]

Amen to that!!

 

[SPYDERLK]

Amen to that!!

It is two yrs since the last post on this thread. ... Amen to what?

 

[Hermio]

Its jobs like this that are a whole lot safer with a hydro tranny. You can apply JUST enough force to START lifting the front end and no more. You get the maximum pulling and lifting force without having to worry about slipping a clutch or flipping the tractor because you can't get the clutch depressed in time to stop a backflip.
The same applies to skidding logs. I made a bracket for my 3pth that I can hook my chains to that lets me lift the front end of the log off the ground so it doesn't get hung up. If to pull gets too tough and the front end does get light, all I have to do is lift my toe, not try to find the clutch while hanging on for dear life!

Amen to that! I have often made that point for hydrostatic transmissions.

 

[bigdeano]

It sounds like maybe the trees aren't cut yet? Just push them over with the FEL before you cut them. Sorry if I read it wrong. Didn't read all the posts either.

 

[Todd727]

I didn't imply that there is resistance to back flip. However if the 3 PH is not raised above the fixed drawbar height, then you are pulling from below center of gravity and traction looses before flipping can occur.

That's wrong but a common misconception. The force is being applied to the tractor at the point the arms attach to the tractor.

 

[Hermio]

That's wrong but a common misconception. The force is being applied to the tractor at the point the arms attach to the tractor.

But there are 3 places where the arms attach. With a quick hitch or a winch, it is possible to transfer most or all of the pulling load to the place where the top link attaches to the tractor.