Tree / Post Puller Type & Manufacturer?

[kyabrams66]

I'm in the market for the same thing and have been watching this thread with interest. A neighbor of mine has this unit from Carolina Attachments that he likes. He brought his tractor with the unit to my farm and pulled about 20 trees from 2" -6" in pretty quick time. The ground was just the right dryness and he was able to easily shake the roots until very little remained on the roots. I called CA time morning and was quoted $1500 shipped and set up for JD loader and pioneer couplers. 10-12 biz days to build, 1 yr warranty, American made. I asked about the Titan unit I was also looking at and rep said it was made in China and there were QC issues. FWIW


Tree and Post Puller

 

[Dadnatron]

The only drawback I see to the Buckthorn is the lack of the capability for digging roots which you can do with the Intimidator and the Notch. But since I have never used a puller of any type, I may be 100% wrong on the need for digging roots.:confused3:

I use the 'dig' capability approximately 5% of the time, and typically only on 8-10" trees that just don't want to give it up with a big, high push.

I wouldn't pay $2K more ONLY for this feature. But, I would still pay $3k for the Intimidator, I think it has more going for it. One thing I really like, is the finesse you can achieve with very small things or trees close to other trees. I don't think any of the other styles other than Notch, could achieve anything similar. They can probably 'bulk out' some big trees and posts just fine, but smaller stuff, ie 1" or big bunches of old Honeysuckle 18" at the base growing on the ground. You have to be able to slide along the ground at the base, under the canopy, wrap all the way around the base, rock it forward and back to break it loose, then lift and carry it off.

 

[4570Man]

Tree / Post Puller Type & Manufacturer?

I used a Danuser intimidator today. Coupled with a Kubota SVL 95 it was a beast. I can't help but think it would be nearly useless on a compact tractor.

 

[Rustyiron]

Having never used one, but pulled/pushed a many tree over I'd think the same.

We used to pull wooden fence posts with a chain hooked to the bottom, draped over a 5" log about 4' tall with a "V" cut into the top, stood it up leaning against the post at about a 70* angle. Drape the chain over the "V" and hook it to the tractor drawbar. The price was right and it worked every time.

 

[gwtx]

I have been researching pullers for a long time. No doubt, the Intimidator is the Cadillac,,,the Notch is the Lincoln, so to speak.(sorry Lincoln owners).. I ordered the Notch this afternoon. It is the closest thing to the Intimidator I could find. Maybe not quite as pretty, or as wide an opening on the "jaws", but a good bit cheaper, and the quality looks very good in the pics. We'll see. Will be using it on the FEL of my Kubota 7060HDC. I'm hoping the visibility will be ok. I can lean forward and see the bucket pretty well.
The hood is short and slopes a good bit. If I need more visibility, I'm looking at mounting a "backup camera" on the top of the cab along side the work lights. They are almost wireless. Need to power the monitor. I can come up with a protected quick disconnect mount, it can be moved to the rear too. I have neck and back problems(doesn't everone) and looking back for any length of time is a killer. Should get delivery next week. I'll try to post back when I have experience with it. I looked at the Titan long and hard because of the price, but what I saw in the pics bothered me, and I try hard not to buy from communist countries, and others that would like to kill Americans. Good luck on your choice. Gary

P.S. Lake Henry Implements are really nice folks to deal with. They told me the puller needs a minimum of 2000 lbs "torque" to
operate. I think they meant "lift capacity" ???

 

[Dadnatron]

I think you made a wise decision. The Intimidator is fantastic, but for the price difference, I would likely have gone with the Notch had I seen it. I would DEFINITELY recommend this 'style' if you are clearing land. Other pullers are likely good at single posts and trees, but when you get into various types/sizes and heights of stuff, this style puller really shines.

I still would mount it on the FEL if at all possible. Make sure you put something heavy on the 3pt to counterbalance if you do. It makes a big difference in stability.

 

[Dadnatron]

Re: Tree / Post Puller Type & Manufacturer?

I used a Danuser intimidator today. Coupled with a Kubota SVL 95 it was a beast. I can't help but think it would be nearly useless on a compact tractor.View attachment 500616View attachment 500617View attachment 500618View attachment 500619

I'm jealous of your ability to use it on a CTL. You can see EVERYTHING that is happening. I have about 15' between me and the pull, and a tractor front in between to boot.

I'm going to get a CTL to use with it when I clear out a small grove of trees that needs cleaned up. My tractor won't have the ability to deal with the side hills and tightness of the trees. But... I have to get an adapter to hook SSQA to GLOBAL.

 

[gwtx]

I think you made a wise decision. The Intimidator is fantastic, but for the price difference, I would likely have gone with the Notch had I seen it. I would DEFINITELY recommend this 'style' if you are clearing land. Other pullers are likely good at single posts and trees, but when you get into various types/sizes and heights of stuff, this style puller really shines.

I still would mount it on the FEL if at all possible. Make sure you put something heavy on the 3pt to counterbalance if you do. It makes a big difference in stability.

Thanks for your helpful input. Have you heard of anyone using a backup cam to get a view of an implement on a FEL ? I'm thinking for most of the work, I can "feel" my way on to the tree, but might be a bit harder to get smaller trunks(2") located in the middle to front area of the jaws. The cam would be nice if it's possible to keep it from getting knocked off. Whatcha think? Gary

 

[coolnature]

Thanks for your helpful input. Have you heard of anyone using a backup cam to get a view of an implement on a FEL ? I'm thinking for most of the work, I can "feel" my way on to the tree, but might be a bit harder to get smaller trunks(2") located in the middle to front area of the jaws. The cam would be nice if it's possible to keep it from getting knocked off. Whatcha think? Gary

I have been thinking the same in regard to the camera. I believe there may be some TBN threads where someone has actually installed a camera for FEL use. I do however believe that the more you use the puller, the more proficient and skilled you will become. I have pretty much decided on the Notch. A local dealer priced me the Intimidator for $2,600 including freight. The Notch will run about $1,750 including freight. As far as capability is concerned, I believe the Notch will match the Intimidator.

 

[Dadnatron]

I think before you worry about being able to see, you should try it out first.

There are certainly times when I wish I could see exactly where I am, but as coolnature says, I have developed a feel for it and rarely, at this point, do I really wish I had a better view. Sure, I'd like the visibility of a CTL. It would make it more fun. But you do get the feel for where you are and where the tips are in relation to the trees or whatever. And, when you bump up against the inside portion of the claws, you know it. I think, I would have knocked a camera off my FEL 10x by now, had I installed one. Perhaps welding a pipe onto the FEL arm and placing the camera inside would protect it enough.

But, I've used this thing to clear a ton of fence, brush, and trees. At the very beginning, it would have added utility, but at this point, I don't know if it would really add much to my ability to use it. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, until you tried it out, and found that it was necessary.

All this does not mean I am not jealous of 4570man's CTL usage.

 

[4570Man]

Even on the CTL the shield ( which is 100% necessary) on the puller blocks a lot of my sight. I haven't ever used one on on a tractor ( and don't plan on it ) but I think it would be doable. I think you could use the shield to fairly accurately gauge your position.

 

[gwtx]

I think before you worry about being able to see, you should try it out first.

There are certainly times when I wish I could see exactly where I am, but as coolnature says, I have developed a feel for it and rarely, at this point, do I really wish I had a better view. Sure, I'd like the visibility of a CTL. It would make it more fun. But you do get the feel for where you are and where the tips are in relation to the trees or whatever. And, when you bump up against the inside portion of the claws, you know it. I think, I would have knocked a camera off my FEL 10x by now, had I installed one. Perhaps welding a pipe onto the FEL arm and placing the camera inside would protect it enough.

But, I've used this thing to clear a ton of fence, brush, and trees. At the very beginning, it would have added utility, but at this point, I don't know if it would really add much to my ability to use it. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, until you tried it out, and found that it was necessary.

All this does not mean I am not jealous of 4570man's CTL usage.

I was thinking of the pipe idea. I've done that for trailer lights etc. I'm hoping the visibility is good enough that I won't need the cam. My credit card was charged this morning, so that is supposed to mean it is being shipped today.
Curiosity has got me, I'll show my ignorance and ask(I already googled it), what does CTL stand for? Gary

 

[4570Man]

Compact track loader.

 

[Dadnatron]

Compact track loader.

 

[gwtx]

Thanks guys. I was pretty sure it was a "skid steer" of some kind, but couldn't think of anything that fit. Seems like that happens more often as time goes by Gary

 

[Leejohn]

I just made one for the loader and it works good. Mine is in the center of the loader and I have seen them off to the side, don't think that is a good ideal. What I found not so good, I wanted to be able to see the base when I hooked on to the tree. The cross tube on the loader is right in the way. The only other thing I didn't like was I would cut off some of them. I only have a 2" cyl. I think I might put a pressure regulator on it. It sure pulls them out good and you have control over the tree, beats the ---- out of a chain and only one person can do it all.

Update on mine: Used the 2nd time on flat ground and was able to pull 3 and 4" stuff easy. Then thought I would give it a good try, hooked onto a hickory tree about 4 to 4 1/2". Forget that and when I got back to the shop I bent the bottom cross frame. How I bent it was by moving fwd and back, it did not bent it going fwd only when I moved back.
Tried to pull it without heat with the loader, but couldn't. After braking a chain I put some heat to it and got it back where it was. As you can see in the pictures, I but 1/2" X 3" on the bottom cross and a 3/8" X 2" across the top. Went back out and hooked on the hickory again and could not bent it, just didn't have enough tractor and the hickory is still there.

The pictures the lighting isn't real good the sun was in the wrong place.

 

[Dadnatron]

This is a bit of what I've been doing this week. I have about 20 - 400yo blue ash that have been farmed around for 20+ years, without any upkeep. We are clearing everything. Being in KY, we have a huge amount of honeysuckle. Left alone, it can grow into several trunks from a common root. This is an example of why I believe the Intimidator style of puller is excellent.

Size 12 Muckboots

 

[breadtrk]

Chain and a few good pulls has worked for generations, Big tree, longer chaim. Old chainsaw blade and root cutting.

just sayin, it works and is cheap.

 

[4570Man]

I pulled every tree 6" and smaller on a 1/2 acre lot in about 3 hours with a puller. A chain is nowhere near the performance of a puller.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Chain and a few good pulls has worked for generations, Big tree, longer chaim. Old chainsaw blade and root cutting.

just sayin, it works and is cheap.

Should we also use oxen?