I've been pulling up bushes with my
B2650 using a chain. The chain can be a pain with it coming loose plus it's to big to fit into the tow hitch hole. I use chain hooks and they tend to come off.
Would a strap do better? I'm sure you guys have lots of ideas.
Safety first!
Towing or pulling out with chains and straps can kill, which is bad for your health.
Just pulling something is less dangerous then say, pulling out a stump.
What you have to be careful of is:
1 - the burden suddenly releases causing the object and/or the chain/strap to release and launch towards you.
This could be a stump finally releasing, something with friction breaking it's hold, starting to move.
2 - chain, strap or connectors breaking under load.
The results can be very serious.
Chains and especially straps can stretch under load and how much they stretch varies greatly on the material so only buy a recognised brand so you can trust the load specified.
Straps and chains pulling capacity will deteriorate with use so check for wear and be aware of it's limitations.
LIfting chains are for lifting and pulling but its preferred to keep them just for lifting.
They're often smaller guage than pulling but stronger - better steel.
Pulling chains are only for pulling.
A light line with heavy connections can be very dangerous as the light line provides little slowing down for the heavy ends travelling at 70kmh towards your head. Ive also heard of some people having serious injuries with cables snapping and encircling the cab and the drivers neck.
I tow medium to heavy logs, branches, vehicles, troughs and most of the time use a 10 or 12mm pulling chain but make sure the line is attached as low as possible. Think about the direction the line will go if it breaks.
Get your mother in law to stand between you and the dangerous part.
When using straps, try to avoid using them in situations where they become cut, scratched. Especially if they have fine fibres.
I usually use 10,000KG straps 50mm wide to help pull over backleaning trees but Im careful to avoid them being scratched on the ground or branches, rocks. A few scratches can decrease the pulling capacity significantly.
Where the line could get scuffed, I use a 6000KG strap 75mm wide but this is a harder material that doesn't easily scratch.
If a machine doesn't have the power to pull something then use a strap or towing line with some stretching capacity and use launch control to double the initial starting force to get something moving.
If unsure about what will happen if something in the line breaks - try to simulate a breakage when under partial load and then try a few more times increasing the load.
I know when my 10,000KG lines break (and sometimes they do), it will quickly fray and turn into streams of candy floss before the connectors fall to the ground, moving towards the end of the shortest segment of line.
But another brand or type of line will act differently.
To quote Inspector Callaghan, "a mans gotta know his limitations" So get to know what your towing equipment can and can't do.
If you're using such a small machine, your problem is likely to be more dangerous than using heavy machinery because you're likely to be closer to the line and it's connectors.
I'd be very careful but more likely, I'd use a spade - or wait till you get a few jobs ready to go and then hire a 2.5+ton excavator and do a huge amount of work (and damage) in one afternoon and live to tell the tale.
I pull with a small MF-135 or if the job laughs at me, I'll be using the 13ton digger or the D-65 which are my toys for the backyard. here:
Be ye careful out there.
