Tree Pullers

[Doofy]

Has anyone used a "Tree Puller" on their LS Tractor? I'm trying to buy attachments that offer me the most bang for the buck.

Since the main purpose of buying the tractor is land clearing and stump removal the hydraulically actuated tree puller looks like a great investment. The video's I've watched make it look so simple. Tractor is a XR3135H.

 

[Agvg]

Link to what you have in mind?

 

[Doofy]

Wood Post and Tree Puller for Tractors and Skidsteers - YouTube

 

[Doofy]

525 Tree Puller in Action - YouTube

This is more what I am interested in.

 

[Deere Dude]

525 Tree Puller in Action - YouTube

This is more what I am interested in.

It looks like a great tool. I would chain up to a tree with your bucket and see if it has the nads to lift it before I would throw money down on it though.

 

[4570Man]

Tree pullers are sweet, but IMO a tractor lacks the muscle to use it.

 

[Doofy]

Very good points. Guess I will see what the loader bucket will do first. Wouldn't make much sense to invest in a Tree puller if there is no lifting power. Our ground is so cold that I've never seen tree roots that go down over a foot and a half. Thanks!

 

[Dadnatron]

Your lift capability is going to be your main issue. Don't forget the weight of the implement when calculating how much you can lift. If your puller weighs 500lb you are already cutting your ability in half.

I have a 100hp JD 5100. I purchased the Danuser Intimidator, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. IMO, it is the best out there, but you pay a price. It would NOT be good for your size tractor, however.

I suspect that you would do fine with the puller you linked on YouTube. I wouldn't get the 'bucket attached' version. There is a lot of leverage and pushing it out 2-3 more feet will only hinder you. I think the puller would likely be a good investment. You might not get all the trees out you'd like, but avoiding cutting all those small 2-4" trees and just pulling them up might be worth it for you.

Also, whatever you choose, recognize you really should do your pulling with something heavy on the 3pt. This will significantly improve your ability as well as improve your safety and stability. I use a 2k lb box blade.

 

[Doofy]

Thanks for the input. Would mainly be pulling willows and small spruce 1-4". Going to chain one up to the bucket and just see if it has the "Umph" to pull it.

 

[Leejohn]

I made one for my B7800 and one for my L4240. The one for the 7800 I use in tight places to pull the small stuff and then come in with the 4240 when I can move around without putting a small tree up into something under the tractor. Just keep in mind go slow and easy, try and be on flat land or if on an hill " like I am" work straight down hill or straight up. Another thing I found out, when stacking the pile, put in front of a tree and push pile down as you go. Then come in with a set of forks push pile tight into tree. It packs the pile real tight and you don't loose anything when moving. With the larger trees I move fwd and back then it comes out. Again have a lot of weight on the back, then SLOW and EASY.

 

[Doofy]

Leejohn,

My tractor size, weight and horsepower falls in the middle between your B7800 and L4240. The backhoe on the back should provide the needed ballast on the rear. I just need to see if the hydraulics have the needed lifting power.

 

[stuckmotor]

A while back, I ran across an ad for a puller that consisted of a clamp similar to the second one the OP showed in his link. Behind the clamp was a large vertical hydraulic cylinder with a foot/pad on the bottom end. After the tree was clamped the cylinder thrust the foot down against the ground and pulled the tree. It looked as if it would take a great deal of stress off of the front end of the tractor. So far I haven't been able to relocate that advertisement. It seemed like a good idea when I saw it.

 

[Doofy]

stuckmotor,

Very interesting! That certainly would help, if lift capacity of the tractor is marginal. I'll do some searching also.

 

[stuckmotor]

Doofy,
I found a couple. They're both on skidstears and I don't know how well they'll work on a tractor.

Tree Grapple / Post Puller - TJ12UN-TRK-BF

The second link (below) doesn't go where I thought it would and I'm nodding off. Sorry.
Stuck
tree puller hydraulic assist - Google Searchz

 

[4570Man]

I think such a design would be great. It wouldn't be hard to exceed the lift capacity of even the biggest skid steer. How are they powered? It looks like it would take 2 hydraulic circuits that most machines don't have. I'd also worry about over loading the curl cylinder.

 

[Doofy]

What a Beast! The video's don't show the hydraulically assisted version in action though. I would imagine that unit would be quiet expensive too and it weighs in at 700 lbs. May be a little much for a compact tractor. Very interesting concept though.

 

[Leejohn]

Leejohn,

My tractor size, weight and horsepower falls in the middle between your B7800 and L4240. The backhoe on the back should provide the needed ballast on the rear. I just need to see if the hydraulics have the needed lifting power.

Just move back and fwd and it helps to pull it loose. When pulling back watch out and don't get hit with the tree.

 

[Doofy]

Thanks, Leejohn. I will try this today. I've just been digging out stumps with the backhoe and the jarring is killing my back. Little rusty on the hoe but my technique should improve with practice.

 

[stuckmotor]

Doofy,
It was a big disappointment for me not to see the hydraulically assisted version in action too. I became interested in this type of puller after a guy told me that he'd broaken several wheels and axle spindles just feeding heavy round bales with his loader.

 

[stuckmotor]

I think such a design would be great. It wouldn't be hard to exceed the lift capacity of even the biggest skid steer. How are they powered? It looks like it would take 2 hydraulic circuits that most machines don't have.

I have little experience with hydraulics, but, I think a diverter valve might operate the cylinder with the foot/bar. I'm not sure you'd be able to operate the loader lift arms at the same time. Maybe someone who knows will chime in.