Tree Removal

GregJ · Apr 8, 2005

Penokee,
I have had ropes snap before, but fortunately no damage. As long as we are confessing here.... My most embarassing moment was when I first started dropping trees about 25 years ago. I managed to pull down about an 80 foot tree with about 75 feet of rope /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif..... I drove a '74 Datsun pickup for many years with a nice V shaped dent in the top of the cab...... Now THAT... was a religious moment. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Greg

Highbeam · Apr 11, 2005

Here's another one... When pushing trees over with a loader or dozer be sure not to push the tree into the other trees. That is, if the tree being fallen is within a clump since the only access is towards the clump. So you push the tree and the root ball pops out and the tree stays standing. But then what? As you back out the tree starts falling back towards you. There is no way out without getting serious. In my case the trees are usually pretty small and the tree slowly falls down onto the ROPS and slides off as I back away.

This happens frequently with the big clumps of alder forest here in the NW.

tillboy2001 · Apr 11, 2005

Not sure if anyone mentioned this one... Be careful pushing on dead trees or trees with dead branches up high. If you rock the tree hard enough to snap the branches loose up top, they might come down right on top of you...and cause serious injury...or death!

Also, instead of dragging trees around with the bucket, we've pulled hundreds of trees from behind. We always use the hitch in the back to drag. Much better control and no danger of tipping or tree swinging around. Get yourself a bar to go across the 2 lower hitch points and use a chain. Attach chain to heaviest end of the tree (stump). Raise is a little off the ground and drag away. I moved a HUGE stump in wet grss on rolling hills and a slight bit of snow on the ground. Stump was from a formerly live ash tree and it had lots of soil on the roots still. I'd say the rootball literally stood 5 feet tall lying on it's side. In this case I drug the stump from the trunk that was still attached (was still about 5 feet of trunk on it). All this on R4 tires /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I was a little surprised at how well the 4120 dragged this beast along. Wish I had a picture!

LBrown59 · Apr 12, 2005

( Penokee,
I have had ropes snap before, but fortunately no damage. As long as we are confessing here.... My most embarassing moment was when I first started dropping trees about 25 years ago. I managed to pull down about an 80 foot tree with about 75 feet of rope /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif..... I drove a '74 Datsun pickup for many years with a nice V shaped dent in the top of the cab...... Now THAT... was a religious moment. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Greg
)what would you use for a 100' tree ;a 60 foot rope?

KiotiJohn · Apr 12, 2005

( Raise is a little off the ground and drag away. )
I would add that you should pull no higher than the drawbar or a rear flip could occur when dragging logs. The drawbar is the best center of gravity for pulling. Also, if you're on hills, keep in mind that the log can roll and drag the tractor down or over. You need to have the chain set so that the log will come out of it in case of a roll or slide down a hill.
John