Trying out a Brush Grubber

[nikdfish]

After running the rotary cutter over all the saplings I dared to drive over, I still have a bunch that were too thick to try that - & a bunch of stumps that have been a pain to try to grub out with box blade scarifiers & FEL bucket.

I thought I'd try a different tack and look into pulling rather than pushing. I had to send back a defective Christmas gift that had been purchased via Amazon. Rather than wait for the same item to come back in-stock, I used the store credit to pick up a BAC Indus. BG-08 brush grubber.

It works as advertised. I hooked one end of the chain to the front of the frame, the other to the grubber. The main thing is getting enough traction. Some of the areas I had been working in have the sod scrapped off & sandy loam makes for spinning wheels! The approach that worked was to use additional length(s) of chain to get the wheels on firm ground. The biggest hassle was constantly dismounting & getting back on the tractor.

I put a short vid on youtube.

Nick

 

[Markcuda]

This has some close ups of the item.
YouTube - Brush Grubber Tree Tongs

 

[nikdfish]

sorry about not providing a close-up in the first post ...

The version they are shipping is a little different from the manuf. web site. The ones being shipped appear to have cast components on the "arms" rather than bar stock.


Nick

 

[Markcuda]

On Youtube, there are lots of videos of this gizmo

 

[Carykong]

I guess ya know that you will get a lot more traction if you attach your grubber to the drawbar and go forward rather than back up

 

[nikdfish]

I guess ya know that you will get a lot more traction if you attach your grubber to the drawbar and go forward rather than back up

Probably a good idea, but no drawbar ... haven't put one on yet

(also not real good at looking back over my shoulder - too many fused vertibrae in my neck )


Nick

 

[Carykong]

use your boxblade as a drawbar and get a mirror. good luck with the back

 

[wally hamma]

Would a chain work just as good? I would use the fel to play bull dozer,no
bigger than that was.

 

[nikdfish]

Would a chain work just as good? I would use the fel to play bull dozer,no
bigger than that was.

The FEL was what I tryed first. It took way too much digging before there was enough leverage to get them out working from the bottom. Way too limber to just push from up higher - they act like a shock absorber & the root just stays put.

The advantage over just the chain is that the grubber clamps on firmly & doesn't slide. Generally the trunk is horizontal for a while before the root even starts to break loose.


Nick

 

[nikdfish]

use your boxblade as a drawbar and get a mirror. good luck with the back

Actually my original intent was to do just that... I ended up hooking up in front cause it was quicker & easier at the time, especially when carrying the chains & grubber around in the bucket between trees. I'll give the rear pull approach a try next time out.

I really do appreciate any & all observations & tips!

Nick