The Biggest Dead Tree That I Have Pushed Over

[Xfaxman]

It was dead when we moved here in October of 2011. Pictures from January 2015.

Early this month, the wind broke one limb off.

Picked it up with the Monster Grapple and put it on the burn pile.

Last week I put the grapple against the tree and slowly extended the boom.

Tried to pick it up, but it was too heavy, the rear axle came up. Measured 28" in diameter, must have weighed over 6,000 pounds.

Broke off some branches until I could pick it up.

 

[topbuilder]

Cool Machine!

 

[Steave]

Those dead trees look scary and bigger once you get the courage to tackle it. Got a couple around here that has died since a tornado in March 2003. The ones that have been dead several years I left them alone until most of the larger limbs fell by themselves. We always cable them and pull from a distance.

 

[k0ua]

Those dead trees look scary and bigger once you get the courage to tackle it. Got a couple around here that has died since a tornado in March 2003. The ones that have been dead several years I left them alone until most of the larger limbs fell by themselves. We always cable them and pull from a distance.

That is what I do too. You want your tractor the "heck and gone" away from that tree when you start putting any kind of pressure on it. I would point out also that the posters machine is NOT a tractor, and has the advantage of a long telescoping boom that he can stay a long way back from that tree, as well as an "armored" cab. I would never try to push over a big dead tree like that with my tractor, but I would give it a try pulling from a long distance with a good cable or several chains put together. You just need to be far far away.

 

[Code54]

That is what I do too. You want your tractor the "heck and gone" away from that tree when you start putting any kind of pressure on it. I would point out also that the posters machine is NOT a tractor, and has the advantage of a long telescoping boom that he can stay a long way back from that tree, as well as an "armored" cab. I would never try to push over a big dead tree like that with my tractor, but I would give it a try pulling from a long distance with a good cable or several chains put together. You just need to be far far away.

Great advice there!

 

[Xfaxman]

James is right about being under dead tree branches. Usually when I take pictures of pushing over a tree, I stand next to the V417, reach in to the joystick and extend the boom. This time on this long dead big one, I got back in the cab just to be safe.

Moved it out of the woods and took it to the burn pile. Dropped it on the branch hauled earlier.

Went back and got the 5 branches removed to lighten it enough to pick it up.

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Sure glad the Monster Grapple opens to 51".

 

[Xfaxman]

Took the 5 branches to the north burn pile.

Compressing the pile, note full travel on the rear axle pivot

 

[Steave]

Thanks for the pictures. Never knew the V417 had the tilt operation, very nice. We would rent a Lull or some other brand of extendable loader to install light poles when our cherry picker type man lift couldn't get in the area. They had the tilt also. Never realized the power of these machines until we were working at a prison and out Bandit sissor lift needed moved from the building nearing the end of the job. The brick masons owned a lull and reached into the building approximately 12' and lifted the bandit and brought it out then set it on the ground. The Bandit weights 3000+ lbs. That sold me on the lull brand but the other brands probably could have done it too. Well I'm reminiscing and getting off topic. Retired now and don't miss work but I do miss the toys.

 

[Xfaxman]

Thanks for the pictures. Never knew the V417 had the tilt operation, very nice. ----------------------------------

The V417 does not have Frame Leveling like some full size telehandlers. It has a pivoting rear axle, like a tractor has a pivoting front axle. The solid front axle on the V417 makes it much more stable for loader work.

The picture showed the rear axle pivoted over against the frame stop.

These also show the axle against the frame stop on the left side.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Said it before and I'll keep saying it - That Bobcat is bad@ss