I'd been thinking about picking up a tree puller for the loader to remove small trees around 1-3" in diameter. I looked at the Buckthorn model, Notch, and PalletFork.com's offerings. I ended up going with the model from ProWorks, (skidsteerattachments.com.) The Notch and the Buckthorn look like they're nice setup's, but the weight, (about 600lbs,) would really cut into the loaders lift capacity, and they were both in the $1500-$2000 range. The PalletForks.com model was a lot lighter at about 350lbs and the price was around $700 or so, but it was skid steer only and it would require an adapter to use it. The ProWorks model I found on eBay through skidsteerattachments.com's ebay store. The cost was only slightly above $1100 shipped, and it was very similar to the weight and lay out of the PalletForks.com model, but it was JDQA compatibility. Shipping was simple and the company was fantastic to work with, very quick to answer any questions I had. Ordered it on a Monday and it was delivered the following Wednesday.
Once I got it home I knew I would need to change out the couplers on the puller, since it came with 1/2" skid steer QD's. A big shout out to KennyD for all his help with my hydraulic questions, he was a great resource in being sure I bought the right parts. I also installed the JD 3r loader line kit for the 3rd function at the same time. That install wasn't too bad, it only took a few hours. The hardest parts was probably just removing the loader mount bolts to install the QD coupler mount. I had to unstick the spool in the eSVC on the back of the tractor since I hadn't used it in a few months. Thankfully that loosened right up without issue.
So far I've been pretty impressed with the puller. It works great for small trees 1-3" diameter. The only limit is the lift capacity of the loader. Some trees require a little back/forth movement, but overall it has no problem on the stuff I've been pulling. I bet it would be even better if I could use it on a 5 or 6 series tractor, or even a 4 with just a little more omph. I would definitely buy it again as I've been able to clear out small patches of saplings reasonably quick. I spend more time just moving the pulled tree to the pile compared to just pulling them. Some soft wood trees will just get sheared off by the jaws, so it's not ideal for all trees.
Next attachment is a grapple. I'll be place an order for an EA wicked 55" in the near future.
Rick
Once I got it home I knew I would need to change out the couplers on the puller, since it came with 1/2" skid steer QD's. A big shout out to KennyD for all his help with my hydraulic questions, he was a great resource in being sure I bought the right parts. I also installed the JD 3r loader line kit for the 3rd function at the same time. That install wasn't too bad, it only took a few hours. The hardest parts was probably just removing the loader mount bolts to install the QD coupler mount. I had to unstick the spool in the eSVC on the back of the tractor since I hadn't used it in a few months. Thankfully that loosened right up without issue.
So far I've been pretty impressed with the puller. It works great for small trees 1-3" diameter. The only limit is the lift capacity of the loader. Some trees require a little back/forth movement, but overall it has no problem on the stuff I've been pulling. I bet it would be even better if I could use it on a 5 or 6 series tractor, or even a 4 with just a little more omph. I would definitely buy it again as I've been able to clear out small patches of saplings reasonably quick. I spend more time just moving the pulled tree to the pile compared to just pulling them. Some soft wood trees will just get sheared off by the jaws, so it's not ideal for all trees.
Next attachment is a grapple. I'll be place an order for an EA wicked 55" in the near future.
Rick
