Thoughts on tree pushers?

[SwampDonkey]

Never had a need for such a device. If the tree didn't fall when severed, hook a choker on and winch it down and keep on skid'n. Usually if it was a great big old rock maple, everything around it was a lot smaller, and a heavy tree like that comes down.

If pinch'n the saw is the issue, dad would say, don't do that no more. :D

[Offthebeatenpath]

I hear what you're saying Swamp Donkey, but you're not likely to pinch your saw if you're bore cutting and only apply pressure once the backstrap and holding wood remain.  Of course, the process is a lot easier with one guy on the skidder and one with saw in hand, but that scenario also has it's potential hazards...

[loggah]

 working on steep ground ,its a lot nicer being able to push the tree up the hill instead of having to fight with all the brush in a top ahead falling situation, plus like i said you can keep more of the leaders on the stem . if you have a bunch of steep ground to work you want a fairly long tree pusher so when you back to the tree you can still use your saw ,and the bottom of your buttplate dont hit the tree first. You worked in Waterville valley where my father and i logged on national forest land ,and you know what i mean on steep ground !! ;D ;D

[SwampDonkey]

Up here the way hills have been logged is the road is built to the top and everything yarded up. So, the tree falls down hill and the cable skidder guy walks down hill easier than up to hook on said felled tree. I've seen lots of skidders go from gully bottom to the top loaded. Never did that here, because never had a hill anywhere on 800 acres. Nice and rolling, but not steep rolls.

[Offthebeatenpath]

Different terrain, different methods for sure.  I kinda like the sounds of your terrain Swamp Donkey.

I'll have a crew in Waterville Valley for three months next summer Don, it would be nice to catch up at some point.  We won't be logging, but building a new hiking trail across some really steep rocky slopes.  Hurricane Irene wiped out the old trail along Flume Brook and we'll be rebuilding higher up the mountain.  Coincidentally enough, we'll tie into a trail named "Old Skidder".  There's lots of evidence of logging in the area and I love trying to sleuth out the historic skid roads and landings.  You could probably teach me a bunch about the history of the area Don.  Unfortunately, all the old skid trails are oriented the opposite way that we need to build the trail, so we were unable to utilize them for the most part.

[loggah]

Years ago  when i worked for Waterville co ,i ran there 450 jd putting in a bunch of their cross country ski trails.  We cut the snows mt trails, and i dozed up towards avalanche and caskade brook on those trails. I been all over that whole bowl ,cutting and building ski trails. Let me know when your up there.

[jdatwood]

Like this....

[Offthebeatenpath]

Nice looking skidder jdatwood!  Looks like its in even better shape than mine.  Do you have any close up photos of the pusher?  Where are you in Maine?



 

[jdatwood]

Hi, that's actually a photo off the web that I found when I was looking into fabricating one. Unfortunately it's the only pic I could find. I haven't built one yet myself but I will at some point. I am located in the town of Benton. You've got a nice assortment of toys there!

[Stephen Alford]

Ta Da !!


 
Decided to go with a piece of Ibeam 14" which fit between the rollers allowing their removal. Replacing the bearings in the rollers as well so they are off in the pic. Thank- You Black_Bear for your inspiration. Once I smelled what you were cookin all went well.  ;D  I know she is not a looker but she has cunits of personality.
   On another note remounted the canines to stop roll back on a slope. Tried them on front this time so they do not scarf stuff and put the holding mounts on the blade to reduce log rollover when piling. Lowered the arch by 1&1/2' to reduce her profile to keep her in the petite category. She is so self conscious of her weight, poor thing.  :D


 


 

[Offthebeatenpath]

Dang Stephen, impressive follow through.  One day you say you're thinking of making a pusher and BAM- done and then some... I get the feeling that you're not sitting idle on the couch very much.

The pusher looks like it will work great. Nice idea with the beam.  I like the canines too.  Must be pretty quick to move them from the top of the blade to underneath.

[OntarioAl]

Folks
Best investment I ever made was to trade a regular dozer blade plus some labour for one with a bill for piling etc.
For pushing trees unbeatable, just drive up with the blade up bill fully extended you are now pushing at least 10ft above ground level. On level ground  I just set the parking brake on steeper ground I shut the machine down and leave it in gear (no danger  of rolling) Notch the tree  back cut leaving slightly more hinge) some  hop back on the machine and push the tree over .
Thanks
Al

 

[jdatwood]

It's finally done! It was easier to build this than to upload the stupid photo  :D

[beenthere]

Nothing stupid about that photo..  a good one and good looking push bar.   

Used it in the woods yet? 

[jdatwood]

Thanks, haven't tried it yet I just finished it. Should work very nice.

[Maine logger88]

That looks great you will love it!

[treechopper40]

my c5 treefarmer has a pusher on the arch but my case skidking don't have a pusher it will when it comes home for breakup this year ther handy as a pocket on a shirt

[jdatwood]

"Handy as a pocket on a shirt" that's my new favorite quote!

[Offthebeatenpath]

The pusher looks great Jdatwood!  Although I'd love to make a similar one for my JD, I don't have the metal stock on hand or the tools to fab one up right now.  If you ever get a hankering to make another one like yours and sell it, let me know.  I may be interested.

Where are you in Maine?

Jed

[jdatwood]

The fab work isn't too bad offthebeatenpath, I made a cardboard template for the side brackets and top. Basically just trace it out on steel (I used 3/4"x6")  Next cut it out with torches to get close and then just clean up with a grinder. I cut the teeth with a sawzall. The beauty of using the stock I did was the benefit of some factory edges to help with squareness. I don't weld so I hired that out. I'm located in the town of Benton. If you ever want to trace a template out your welcome to stop by.

[Offthebeatenpath]

Thanks for the offer.  I might take you up on it.  I have a good stick welder, but no torches. Might be time to invest...