pulling bushes
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 208
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From: Under a rock in PA
I pull most shrubs with a nylon tow strap attached to the ball hitch while in 4high. If its something large i will use the front tow hooks and the nylon tow strap while in 4low. If you use a chain, throw a canvas tarp folded into a 4x8 rectangle in the middle of the chain so if it would snap that would stop some of the recoil. This is the same trick to use with winch cables.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 130
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50yr old and you may have a little trouble -- may break traction before pulling out. Good luck and be careful, especially if using a chain. Make sure that no one is standing around watching, particularly out to the sides.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 818
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From: everywhere and nowhere
did that with a 2wd, and with a chain that weighs about 70 lbs, think it is a loggin chain, dont know, friends bought it for this purpose, and all we did was dig around the front of the bushes, wrap the chain around the hitch, and then wrap it around the bush, and PULL!!! and these were holly bushes that were over 30 years old, didnt go down without a fight
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 208
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From: Under a rock in PA
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
When I pull bushes with my truck I use the weight of the truck and "bump" them out a little at a time with a 30,000 lb tow strap or heavy steelhauler tiedown chain. Get hooked up, leave 2-3 feet of slack and get the truck rolling, when it hits the end of the slack I have the clutch in and let the 6600 lbs do its' thing. Back up and do it again, repeat until you have the bush out. I do wrap the strap or chain around the stump twice so when it starts to pull the chain/strap tightens around what you are trying to remove from the ground.
I find that pulling with the truck drivetrain tends to tear up the grass, and my truck (being 2 wheel drive with open diff) does not have a lot of traction off road. I did pull a bush out years ago with an older Ford, using front plow mount and a chain. When it came loose it slung around the length of the chan and landed on my hood (thank goodness I was on a short chain) where it put a nice dent.
I do now have a JD 2010 tractor for that kind of thing, works a bit better.
Dave / Believer45
I find that pulling with the truck drivetrain tends to tear up the grass, and my truck (being 2 wheel drive with open diff) does not have a lot of traction off road. I did pull a bush out years ago with an older Ford, using front plow mount and a chain. When it came loose it slung around the length of the chan and landed on my hood (thank goodness I was on a short chain) where it put a nice dent.
I do now have a JD 2010 tractor for that kind of thing, works a bit better.
Dave / Believer45
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 107
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From: Lake Placid, FL
I park my F250 6.0L beside the barn and get on the John Deere front end loader and push trees. I have put way to many dents and dings in my trucks over the years. I just found a F250 king ranch bumper yesterday to replace mine because of a "farming accident"! 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> nylon tow strap attached to the ball hitch while in 4high
How many accidents and people getting killed will it take before people stop using ball hitches as yanking attachment points? They are not made for it and fail enough to make it totally unsuitable for that purpose.
How many accidents and people getting killed will it take before people stop using ball hitches as yanking attachment points? They are not made for it and fail enough to make it totally unsuitable for that purpose.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 107
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From: Lake Placid, FL
Originally Posted by evilbeast
do we even want to know what kind of farming accident involves a new bumper?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 818
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From: everywhere and nowhere
big mower blade! but i cant say much about the tall grass issue, did somethin like that, but the front of the truck fell into a hole, got lucky, didnt hurt anything, but was fun gettin it back out of the hole with a dually, and pourin down rain in the process.
