Tree Puller for a Kubota?

[LarryBud]

My little 31hp Kubota has a max lift capacity of 1560 lbs.

I have a bunch trees to clear, ranging from 1-8” in an overgrown pasture. Now that I have a 3rd function in the front, would it be worth adding a tree puller designed for a skid steer. Is this tractor abuse or could I clean up most of the smaller stuff and then I hire the big stuff done with heavier equipment?

Any experience here?

 

[Elliott in GA]

I would clean up the small stuff with a chain on the draw bar, and then have a pro or rental equipment take care of the rest. Small is a relative term, since there are lots of factors (type of tree/root system, type of soil and etc.).

 

[85Hokie]

I have had good luck with these on the smaller trees - not going to do much for the large diameter ones.

 

[Jchonline]

My little 31hp Kubota has a max lift capacity of 1560 lbs.

I have a bunch trees to clear, ranging from 1-8” in an overgrown pasture. Now that I have a 3rd function in the front, would it be worth adding a tree puller designed for a skid steer. Is this tractor abuse or could I clean up most of the smaller stuff and then I hire the big stuff done with heavier equipment?

Any experience here?

A tooth bar on the FEL bucket might be a better option, if you can get at the smaller stuff. Say anything 3 in or less. For the rest I would use heavier equipment.

 

[Roadworthy]

I don't know your trees or soil conditions. I've had good success pushing trees over with the front loader - tree size will determine wisdom of this approach. I then turn the tractor around, wrap a chain around the tree, attach to the tractor, and drive off. This will drag smaller trees right out of the ground. I've not tried it with larger trees but I'm confident it wouldn't work as well with them.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Without knowing how many trees or acres you're dealing with, here's a suggestion (yes, it probably qualifies as abuse).
For the smallest saplings, you can run the FEL bucket (level) right at ground level or slightly below and push them right out of the ground.
For the larger ones, you'll find a limit, raise and tilt the bucket forward and push them over. Once you've pushed them over, back up, lower and level your bucket, and push the root ball out.
The largest ones need bigger equipment unless you're ok with chain sawing them and leaving the stumps.
I think the issue you'll have is dealing with them after you have them out. You end up with a brush pile between you and the next victims. This is where a grapple would be nice to have.
Pulling whole trees doesn't work well, because you're pulling the top over onto you and the tractor, so you'd need to cut the tree first.
Use extreme caution to protect yourself and the tractor.
PS: are you planning to burn these?

 

[Njtool]

I use a grapple on my LX2610. I’ve gotten out 8” black walnut in about 15 minuets. The smaller stuff I can pop right out.
But it depends on how many you need to do. 1-2 or 30-40.

 

[Njtool]

Oh. Another option that I’ve used is to cut them as level to the ground as I can. A few years later, you can easily get the half rotten stuff out

 

[RCW]

How tall are these trees? What species?

Understand in an overgrown pasture 1-8" can/will vary....

As PoTreeboy said, if you pull on a standing tree in any way....the top of the tree is comin' right at 'cha...

If your pushing, they can break mid-point, and the top will come right at you.

Not only the tree you're yankin'/pushing on, but everything it hits or brings with it toward you.

To your question, any skid steer implement is often VERY heavy, and thus deducts from your loader capacity. Many also require many GPM of hydraulic pump capacity. Your tractor has very few GPM capacities. Can work, but very slowly. In the case of a puller, it's just a cylinder (maybe two?), so may not be much of an issue.

My concern would be weight.

There are some pullers made for tractors.

 

[i7win7]

B2650, under 3/4" - the clamping pressure is high enough you usually snap off a sapling. 1-2" - usually pulls with FEL. 2-3+" - pulls by clamping, pulling and driving forward.

Sometimes if tree won't pull, it might from a different angle. Hardest to pull is when roots went straight down like a carrot. Next photo is a cedar stump they are hard to pull when you look at the root system.

 

[RCW]

i7win7 - - - that's great feedback/experience for the OP!

Maybe give him the make/model of the puller you have.

 

[mcmxi]

Those tree/post pullers are cool. I don't have any trees to pull out but lots of old T-posts. I usually use a chain but have to mess about at every post so whether it's a tree or post it sure would be nice to not have to get off the tractor to hook up a chain every time. There's a puller for sale locally for $1,750 OBO that I've been eyeing.

 

[torch]

Bear in mind that the roots don't hold the tree in the ground -- the dirt does. Remove or loosen some of the dirt around the roots and the bigger trees will come out easier.

 

[Deleted member 47704]

I'm clearing a few areas with old nursery stock thats rooted in, with a plain edge on the bucket I can take out trees up to 3" With a stump bucket it probably would do up to the 8" you mention.

 

[UpNorthMI]

My little 31hp Kubota has a max lift capacity of 1560 lbs.

I have a bunch trees to clear, ranging from 1-8” in an overgrown pasture. Now that I have a 3rd function in the front, would it be worth adding a tree puller designed for a skid steer. Is this tractor abuse or could I clean up most of the smaller stuff and then I hire the big stuff done with heavier equipment?

Any experience here?

I have a Titan hydraulic tree puller attachment. I used it on my MX5800 for a year or so but struggled with anything over 4” or so. I later got a track loader and that plucks 4” with ease. I would not consider trying to use this on my L3901, I’d be to concerned with FEL damage. If you are doing a small number, ok take your time.

When I really get into clearing 2-8” in quantity I now own a Kubota KX040 excavator fitter with a root rake type bucket. Backup is an old Case 450 dozer with root rake.

so in summary it depends on how many or how much clearing you have to do and the time you have available. If using you L series front loader I would be careful not to be too hard on your tractor.

an alternative tool is also a lightweight stump bucket. Good luck with your clearing task.

 

[LarryBud]

Without knowing how many trees or acres you're dealing with, here's a suggestion (yes, it probably qualifies as abuse).
For the smallest saplings, you can run the FEL bucket (level) right at ground level or slightly below and push them right out of the ground.
For the larger ones, you'll find a limit, raise and tilt the bucket forward and push them over. Once you've pushed them over, back up, lower and level your bucket, and push the root ball out.
The largest ones need bigger equipment unless you're ok with chain sawing them and leaving the stumps.
I think the issue you'll have is dealing with them after you have them out. You end up with a brush pile between you and the next victims. This is where a grapple would be nice to have.
Pulling whole trees doesn't work well, because you're pulling the top over onto you and the tractor, so you'd need to cut the tree first.
Use extreme caution to protect yourself and the tractor.
PS: are you planning to burn these?

Thanks for the advice. Yes, the plan is to burn them. I can't think of better way to eliminate them.

 

[LarryBud]

I use a grapple on my LX2610. I’ve gotten out 8” black walnut in about 15 minuets. The smaller stuff I can pop right out.
But it depends on how many you need to do. 1-2 or 30-40.

I'm afraid it's more like 100 or more. Most are < 3" in soft black dirt.

 

[BigG]

Those tree/post pullers are cool. I don't have any trees to pull out but lots of old T-posts. I usually use a chain but have to mess about at every post so whether it's a tree or post it sure would be nice to not have to get off the tractor to hook up a chain every time. There's a puller for sale locally for $1,750 OBO that I've been eyeing.

This is a little cheaper but you still need to climb of the tractor.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/metal-t-post-puller?cm_vc=-10005

 

[LarryBud]

I'm clearing a few areas with old nursery stock thats rooted in, with a plain edge on the bucket I can take out trees up to 3" With a stump bucket it probably would do up to the 8" you mention.

Now that's another option. Good call.

 

[LarryBud]

Those tree/post pullers are cool. I don't have any trees to pull out but lots of old T-posts. I usually use a chain but have to mess about at every post so whether it's a tree or post it sure would be nice to not have to get off the tractor to hook up a chain every time. There's a puller for sale locally for $1,750 OBO that I've been eyeing.

I hear you on the on and off.

There a guy that sells them new for $950 locally.