Where to connect a chain to pull trees/brush

[patrick_g]

Sorry for the long post

use common sense.

You didn't waste my time! Good post. The missing ingredient in many SNAFU situations is COMMON SENSE.

With care, common sense, and knowing when to back off you can do some pretty amazing things with smaller equipment but it sure increases the need for the COMMON SENSE ingredient and the judgment to know when to just NOT DO IT.

I'm pleased to hear how well the Russian cast iron monster worked for you. I have never been fond of them but I think you found a good use for one.

Pat

 

[arrow]

Old Trout

massey 135 huh. The one time I saw a guy get killed on the 500 acre woodlot we were working on 25 years ago was on a Massey 55 or 45 I forget which one. . Our company had 3 skidders and 2 were on this lot. One of them broke down and we were waiting for the third trailered in as the backup. This was going to take a day and production is the key word in the wood game as it is in other fields. The lot ownwer volunteered his Massey with the condition that only he drive it. A new kid we had hired hitched him up to 3 trees. Too big a load for this tractor. I think macho got the better of this guy as he wanted to show off his stuff in front of a bunch of loggers. Even the kid told him to take it easy. He proceeded to rev the tractor, popped it in gear and over he went in a blink. Dead on site. Now this tractor could easily pull out 1 and maybe 2 whole trees. 3 trees and a reved up motor is a death sentence on this type of tractor. Lack of common sense, inexperience and ego combined to kill this guy.
I've taken out 250 cords with my little JD 750 for my own use Always used the 3 point. Tens of thousands of cords professionally and I
wouldn't be caught dead (pun intended) using the 3 pt on tractors like you described . As I said earlier....factors

 

[daTeacha]

The time I had my place logged, there was not any chance at all of a tractor accident. The Amish guys pulled them with big Belgians and log arc. It worked great. Even when the horses were just on their back feet throwing dirt with the fronts no one was concerned about them coming over backwards.

 

[Oldtrout]

Another thing I seen once was a chap pulling cut to length logs (10 to 16 feet) on his 3 pt hitch by the butt he had 3 in tow coming out a woods road the butt of one log hit a large rock and pitched poled, lucky missed the tractor operator and landed on the right fender bending it into the tire. A hard hat wouldn't provided much protection in that case.
I am not saying that the chap with a small woodlot can't safely remove A few trees on a 3 pt hitch ....but ...I never would attempt to do so...as i said in my earlier post I will hire a proper rig to winch my firewood to my woods road and than cut it into 16 inch lengths throw in trailor and take home. Maybe just maybe I may purchase a 6000 pound winch to put on the back of the ck25 however in the mean time I will hire the pulling out of the hardwood.

 

[Northland]

Mostly, this is about varying factors. The advice given on this subject will depend on the experience of the advice giver for a particular point in time with a particular set of factors.

You got that right Arrow! The same holds true for most other subjects on TBN.

I use my little Kubota like you use your JD. Like the advice given by others I take it very slow and careful and have never even come close to having an accident.

I am even more careful operating my 65cc chainsaw. I had it out today (in the snow) for the first time this year to cut down a dead 60 foot yellow birch and I was nervous for the first few wedge cuts.

 

[arrow]

Northland


Seeing a dead white or yellow birch or a black birch for that matter, in the woods is kind of a sad event for me as I think they are the prettiest trees in the forest.
I've handled all kinds of chainsaws in 40 years and dropped literally thousands of trees. Everytime I start one up, I still get nervous. I think that's what keeps you alive when dealing with dangerous entities such as chainsaws and tree felling. If I don't feel that little bit of what I call stress sweat at the back of my neck when tree dropping, it'll be time to put down the chainsaw for good. When I did it for a living, after clearing a 10000 sq ft houselot which would take no more than 20-30 minutes of actual cutting time to drop every tree, I was completely drenched. Then the real work began of topping and gathering and I would just evaporate with nary a bead for the rest of the day.

 

[Oldtrout]

Well said arrow, a power saw is not fussy what it cuts;including legs etc.

 

[Northland]

thanks old-timers I am glad it's not just me with the chainsaw sweat.

That yellow birch was in its prime and left standing intentionally when I had a road put in a few years ago. The excavator knicked the south running roots while ditching and the tree died. I kept hoping it would budd the last few years but it was dead.

Reminds me of losing my oldest dog last month and this great poem by Jimmy Stewart -

YouTube - Johnny Carson - Jimmy Stewart - Beau Poem

 

[Oldtrout]

Hey Northland...who you calling old..LOL... If there is one bit of advice I can give anyone using a power saw its wear the safety equipment,ie pants and proper safety boots,they should be red so that you can see them while standing in the brush;and of course the brain bucket complete with screen and ear protection.
I normally carry a power saw in the back of my truck,and the pants etc behind the seat,never know when someone wants a tree cut down.

 

[Northland]

Yes Old Trout-I have all that gear; chaps, hardhat with visor/ear protection, safety glasses, cutting boots and cutting gloves and mitts

SAFETY FIRST!!!!!!