Moving Brush Without a Grapple (3 tips that make the job easier)
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- One of the things you find yourself doing when you move out to the country is cutting brush. It seems like there's always a fence row or hillside that I have that I've let get out of control and so I'm always cutting brush. Since I don't like the "dead" areas that are left over from having numerous bonfires, I tend to have one burn pile and move the brush to it.
Brush grapples are made for projects like that, and I really ought to break down and buy one. A grapple mounts on the front of the tractor and has forks on the bottom that you drive under the brush, then one or two arms that come down to grab the brush. The arms are driven by hydraulic cylinders and that's my problem. My tractor doesn't have a hydraulic hook up to activate the grapple arms. You either need a set of rear remote hydraulics to plug into, which run the length of the tractor and have a quick attach on the front so you can remove it, or, some tractors have a third function joystick. Basically, that's a button on the joystick handle that diverts the flow of hydraulic oil from the tilt function of your loader bucket, to the grapple arms. So, you press the button and close the arms, then release it and you can again tilt and curl. Without one of those two systems you can't have a grapple.
So I'm stuck with the poor man's way of moving brush, with a set of pallet forks. But, being industrious, I've found three tips that make moving brush easier, even without the grapple, and they're shown in the video.
First, the bigger the brush pile, the better. Try moving a small pile and you'll leave a trail of brush from wherever you cut it to the burn pile. If you add more material it seems to make the transport project much easier.
Second, when the pile is complete, put the pallet forks above the pile and move your joystick forward so it smashed the limbs together. It's okay to lift the front wheels of the tractor off the ground when you're doing this.
Finally, let the pile set for a few days. I've moved newly-cut piles after doing my first two tips and still had problems, but I've found the longer the pile sits, the easier it is to move. It seems like after a week or two the whole thing melds together and you can pick it up with pallet forks and move it wherever you want.
Again, the best solution to moving brush is getting the new tractor with a hydraulic connection and investing in a brush grapple. If that doesn't fit your budget, this is the next best thing.
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Your 3 points of pile making are well-noted and valid. I have just completed building a tree and brush pile that is the size of 6 Greyhound buses x almost 7 feet high now awaiting my forestry mulcher contractor to convert to mulch! All of this collecting, placement and compacting was done with 42" forklift attachment on my LX2610. Not a single issue and certainly MUCH less cost than a grapple and third-function valves. One other point of comparison....a grapple only does one thing where a set of pallet forks does many!
I throw the smaller stuff into piles and run over it with the brush cutter. For those without pallet forks, at least get a set of bolt on forks if you don't have a removable bucket. Pallet forks are something I use just about as much as the cutter. Saves a ton of lifting, literally. Great video Mike!
Great advice. All three tips are equally applicable to moving brush with a grapple. I absolutely love my grapple and use that more than any other attachment. But I can say that in some cases, moving a pile just as you suggested with forks is easier and works better than trying to use a grapple. Keep up the excellent work!
Amen to this, still don't have pallet forks but I can vouch for what a pain it is to move brush with just a bucket.... hoping santa brings me forks gosh it would make life soooo easy especially since we have lots of trees here on the land. Thanks for the inspiration.
If I know it's going to be a big pile before hand, I'll lay out a large ratchet strap, then throw everything across that. When I'm done, I cinch it all down and it's one big piece. Even better, I'll put the bucket on top to keep it compressed and ratchet the bucket and the bundle together.
Once again, good tips to know. I've actually done this the same way myself several times. Stay safe.
What I found that works good is stack your limbs on a section of wire corral fencing. You can pull it with a chain as you clear away. When full pull it to your burn pile & come around to the side with your bucket flip it up to unload it. 👍
Good tips! I don't have pallet forks yet. But I do have a bucket with bolt-on tooth bar. I have done just about the same thing, but didn't have the reach of the forks.
Another great video. I completely agree, the third function valve is very expensive to add, and while I would use a grapple often, I can't quite justify the expense. Now I just need to buy the pallet forks. I guess I could use them to move my other implements around also, or build a box on top of a pallet to move fire wood.
Ever get a grapple? I added a third function to my loader and bought a grabbble a few years ago. Makes moving the brush so easy.
Brush piles settle a lot after sitting a while, for sure. Looks like it works really well!
TheodorEriksson ' aus
great vid mike you can buy after market true third function valve kits for any tractor on the market . the price is a round seven to eight hundred dollars. I put one on my tractor it is well worth the money.
I've gotten by with just a bucket for many years. I just keep pushing the brush till it rolls up like a big cigar. if I'm lucky, I can even get it picked up. placing the biggest or widest branches on the bottom helps also.
I've rolled a few cigars myself :). That's a great way of describing it.
I roll it up as well, not having a grapple or forks. Then I lay a chain on the ground and roll it over it, loop it around it and lift by the chain. You can place the chain around it and then smash the pile with the loader to get it tigher.
Another thought, if you are putting the brush on a trailer, it is much easier if you don't let it sit for a few days. The limbs bend and fit into place better. It's funny that when I unload the trailer after sitting, drying and interlocking for a few days, they come off in a large trailer shaped block. I always put some larger limbs, butt end out at the bottom to interlock with those piled on top of them. Then you just pull on them and the entire load slides out.
I’m rather surprised that you don’t have a grapple (although the lack of a third function setup does explain a lot). That aside, ‘twas another great video. Thanks!
I used to build my piles across a length of rope and then tie a trucker’s hitch to hold the pile together as I moved it.
Good work!! I'm thinking of buying a FEL for my tractor. I think I'm gonna choose one that has the third "function" to be able to attach a grapple, because I plan to move brush like you!
Anyway, I see that it's possible to do this kind of work with the pallet forks also.
I'd get the third function valve if I were buying a new tractor or loader. Its a very handy option to have.
Was looking to possibly fabricate a grapple or buy one. I'm gonna try this first. Thanks
that is good info, i have tried using pellet fork to pick up small pile, could not get it to work.
Great video. I know everyone wants a new insanely expensive setup and equipment. We are in the same boat with a NH TC40DA. I priced out a grapple and the modification necessary on the tractor and had to walk from it. As a side note, can you create a video on how to disconnect your loader from the tractor?
I'll think about it. My dad and I took a loader off the first tractor we had that was equipped with one and it took us four hours of agony to get it back on. That was the last time in my life I ever removed a front end loader :). Seriously, I need to do a video about that and never had because I never take my loader off. I remove the front bucket all the time, but the mainframe has never been off. The only thing that's keeping me from doing that video is the effort involved...
Another way to deal with it is to never move brush piles at all. I found it easier to bring the chipper to the piles than the piles to the chipper.
My tractor doesn't have the Quick attach bucket so I can't get good pallet forks. I know there are bolt-on kind but they just don't work as well for this kind of stuff. However, I did find a solution. A guy local to me builds these brush forks that attach (with chain binders) to your bucket front edge. There is a steel fork about every foot apart and they are about 2 feet long. This allows you to stick it in a pile and also use the bucket to hold the smaller stuff and stumps that don't go well on the forks. I paid about $300 for it and it takes me about 5 minutes to attach / detach it.
Sounds like a great tool, thanks for sharing!
Thanks. This is what I'm talking about. Not trying to advertise here, just providing information...
easttexas.craigslist.org/grd/5812150213.html
Thank for the tip Mike.
I'm too poor to afford pallet forks. Instead, I have bolted old leaf springs under the bucket of my loader. It works.
Mike, Another really helpful video. I've learned a great deal watching all your videos. now my question: have you ever done a video on changing the blades on a finish mower deck? I've got a 60 inch phoenix deck that desperately needs blades. changed the belts last season after one broke, but still need to do the blades. I do most of my own basic maintenance on the Kubota (it's a B3200), but wonder if I should leave this task to the dealer? This looks difficult and dangerous to me.
Thanks Paul, I haven't done a video like that, but I'll put it on the list. That job is about identical to changing blades on your lawn mower, if they've been on there forever it can be really tough to get them off. The advantage of a tractor finish mower, you can lift the machine up with the three point a put jack stands underneath it and it's not too hard to get to them, but if they're really stuck, watch your knuckles!!! As you mentioned, you might just take it to the dealer; he'll have a hoist to safely lift the whole mower up by one end and then take air tools and zip the old blades off and put the new ones back on in a fraction of the time it would take us, and many dealerships are looking for work in the winter, so they might not charge you much to get it done now. Many finish mowers can fit in the back of a pickup truck, so they're not hard to get there. I'd call my dealer and see what he'd charge and then decide if it's worth it or not.
I use forks myself and works really well. Can't justify a grapple at this point.
I use a set of debus bucket forks with good results. They have more "teeth" than pallet forks and less is lost.
There are a lot of different attachments that would work better than the forks, I'm halfway thinking about getting a manure bucket which is close to what you have for brush and barn lots.
What do you think about the clamp on bucket pallet forks…my budget is tight
They tend to bend the bottom of the bucket if you lift much with them. Also, the weight is further in front so it greatly reduces your lift capacity. You can tell I'm not a big fan, but if you're just wanting to move a few light items around on a budget, they'll work.
once you hear ass tractor you cant unhear it lol. +1
Hi, how would a 4 in 1 bucket work for grabbing brush? I’d imagine it would work pretty well to grab and move stuff.
Karl Degraa I have a 4:1. It would work on smaller piles. I can only grasp a 20” log for example, even though the jaws open much wider. You can put a lot of down pressure as you close, but my experience the forks are a much better option. Wonder about a chain or strap to hold the pile better, Mike didn’t need, but I have lots of hills and things easily slide off my forks.
So a two hydraulic hose valve setup isn't adequate? I have a valve off the rear for the power angle on my back blade and I thought I could run 14' of hydraulic hose under tractor to the front to operate grapple.
No, you're okay. If you have a single remote on the back of your tractor you can snake a couple of hydraulic lines through the body of the tractor up to the front of the loader and hook into the grapple. I'm lacking any rear remotes, thus, I'm stuck with the pallet forks for brush removal.
Do you think a grapple would still be usable if you couldn't roll the bucket at the same time as operate/close it? I was thinking you could put a solenoid operated three way valve on the roll lines. Press a button to switch from roll to grapple, and release to go back.
That's some Wenie roast. Lol
Yeah, a lot of times we have to let the fire die down for three or four hours before we cook them, otherwise you get a bonfire tan on your face :).
I have a rope tied to my forks so once I pick up the pile I can synch it down and move it anywhere I want.
how about using a pto powered brush chipper make a chip from your brush leave as mulch. I know more equipment more cost ect...
That works...makes good mulch!
Enjoy the videos
I just push it like a bull dozer. I don’t have pallet folks so it’s my only option at the moment
Don't forget to watch the radiator so you won't poke a hole in it with the end of a wild branch.
My only disappointment is your tractor isn't orange. :) Once the brush dries out, it takes a "set" which will let the branches all stick together. vGood video .....again.
I really need a front loader on my tractor, but don't have one. Instead, I have to use my brush hog to move piles of brush.
You could get a carry-all from Tractor Supply for about $130. It attaches to the 3-point hitch. You can then mount various kinds of wood or metal to it to make it work better for whatever job you have, such as moving brush.
I may end up getting something like that to move brush easier. Thanks for the information.
I push the pile upto a tree and mash it on to the forks.
Shouldn't step one be, "Have pallet forks."?
That brush could have been used for a Hügelkultur garden. Waste not Want not. ;-)