Tire puncturing form orange osage trees

[bjh2915]

I have a number of Orange Osage Trees that are blocking the sun from my garden. I want to take them down and clear them out. I have a Kubota BX23S with Grapple that I could use after I chain sawed them down. But, I'm afraid of running over the thorns and puncturing the tires for leaks. I've had a number of leaks on my Scags grass cutter from those darn thorns. I've thought about renting a Track steer with grapple, but that is pretty expensive. Also using a Tree Sheer to cut them down.
I am contemplating putting something into the tractor tires like "Multi-seal" before the project.
Any comments or suggestions would be welcomed.
I have R4 tires on the tractor now.

 

[oldballs]

I'd say that your Scag has turf tires which would be easier to puncture than the R4 on you BX. Yet, if you have very much of the Osage Orange to drop and move, I'd look at the Tracksteer. Maybe someone can give you some input on the various sealants that might be the answer. I've dealt with the OO for fifty years on my 400 feet. But I never dreamed of dropping the whole length.

My 50 x 100 garden is about75 feet from the hedge row and is not much of a problem as to shade and water.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Rockbadchild]

Putting Multi-seal in your tire prior to to a puncture wont do much for ya ... perhaps foam fill your tire prior to the job but I heard its pretty expensive .... might want to rent the equipment or dealing with the thorns by hand or dealing with the flat afterwards.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I am surprise that these thorns are capable to puncture tires.

 

[M59]

bjh2915,

An interesting problem since you indicate your Scag mower suffers tire punctures from I presume the thorns falling to the ground and you running over them in the grass. If that is the case then dropping a tree is going to litter the ground with thorns.

The only way to prevent tires from going flat from punctures is to fill tires with foam and that is a one way ticket. Tires have to be cut off when ever they need replaced.

Have you considerd hiring the job out including a thorough raking by contractor. Alternative is track loader with grapple but I presume you have someplace to put the trash and will clean the entire path of thorns between felled tree and trash pile.

 

[bullbreaker]

Some of those mature orange osage trees make one heck of a longbow . Highly sought after by the rite bowyer .

 

[Torvy]

Make a controlled burn. Maybe have the local FD use it as a training exercise. Burn the trees and the ground around to get the thorns.

Or, bite the bullet and use tracks or foam-filled tires. Heavier tires would reduce the punctures, but probably will not eliminate them. Good luck.

 

[bjh2915]

Appreciate all the comments.
I think I'm going to go with the cutting down (one way or the other) and renting a track Steer to clear. I'm probably going to use a dedicated area to leave the brush pile. Kind of a "No Travel Zone". Scags has turf tires yes it does. Kubota R-4 and yes those thorns will penetrate.
Foam filled tires. I haven't see to much about how to do that. I'm 75 and don't think I'll ever need to replace the R-4's. So cutting off is not a big deal.
Thanks again all

Bill

 

[Rockbadchild]

Appreciate all the comments.
I think I'm going to go with the cutting down (one way or the other) and renting a track Steer to clear. I'm probably going to use a dedicated area to leave the brush pile. Kind of a "No Travel Zone". Scags has turf tires yes it does. Kubota R-4 and yes those thorns will penetrate.
Foam filled tires. I haven't see to much about how to do that. I'm 75 and don't think I'll ever need to replace the R-4's. So cutting off is not a big deal.
Thanks again all

Bill

For the foam fill as far as I am aware you need to bring your tires to a industrial tire shop and they fill it for you, I don't think its something you can do yourself.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

TireJect, end of leaky tires! And it doesn't hurt the rims.

SR