Easiest/quickest way to pull bushes..

[IHI]

So, what are you all using? A skid, backhoe or what to pull juniper/other bushes and entire root systems? I've tackled a few lately, but was wondering what the best method is?
Thanks for your input.

[Raven386]

truck works pretty good too. im going to take a guess and say either a skid or a backhoe would make life easier. depends on the bush i guess and the area its in.

[Dirty Water]

I've pulled many a juniper with a Mini equiped with a thumb.

I've even pulled some huge ones using a tiny 4,000 lb mini.

[Gravel Rat]

A excavator with a thumb would probably be the easiest I don't have one so I try get a chain as low as I can and use my truck. If I need to I will use a snatch block and cable if its in a place where I can't get my truck to then a comealong which isn't my first choice.

[talonracn49]

f250 and a tow strap. B2600 and a ramsey 5k winch. chevy 1500 and a tow strap. Thats about it.

[tnmtn]

dig the backhoe bucket to just under the ball then pop with the curl. set the bushes or whatever in piles then pick up with grapple and dump. fun easy money.

[bishoplandscape]

I use what ever i have on that particular job.:laugh:

[tallrick]

Skid with combo bucket. Tough bushes pull up if you don't break them off first! I pulled a lot of florida holly and ficus bushes that way.

[IHI]

For some reason or another I've had about 4 requests in the last 3 days. How are you guys charging? per bush (range?) or per hour? I've been thinking of charging per bush.

[Kepple Services]

I have done a few bushes here lately... about 40 on my last job i just completed.. I used my mini EX.. I just bid the job as a complete unit.. not aper bush or per hour rate...

[beano]

My business isnt large enough to have a skid steer yet. For me, i use my 1500 4wd and a tow chain. Works pretty well as long as the bush is within 40ft of the road or driveway!

[DRM Ventures]

my last job was a chain saw and a small stump grinder......

[kyfireman2004]

Sure a bobcat works....I have taken lots of shrubs out that way. But If you only have a truck. Get a large rim off a road truck or dump truck, put it on end and run a chain across the top of it. This makes the shrub get pulled straight up . I truly believe this is the best way with a 1/2 ton to ton.

[sheshovel]

I've popped them right out with my 53'GMC and a good chain.

[LindblomRJ]

53 GMC? Do you have any photos or that critter?

Me, I use 3/4 ton pickup low range and log chain.

[New Heights]

A local company by me uses a toro dingo with a trencher, He said he cuts all around the tree or shrub with it then just knocks it over. He said doing that saves alot of time and loosens the soil for new shrubs. As for me I use the old truck and chain method and never had a problem. I try to hook the chain up high to get a little extra leverage and I never cut the shrub until its out of the ground.

[RockSet N' Grade]

We have done grundles of that......I own a track hoe and "old yeller" make quick work. Grab and dig a bit, grab with thumb and POP! the come out. Swing around and deposit into the truck and move to the next group. I think I would rather sit and watch SheShovel with her '53 pull them out though......that would be a treat! Hey She, fire off a picture of that most beautiful year of a rig.......

[janb]

I would not be charging by the bush, I prefer to make my profit on being more productive than the average .

Figure out what you can do in an hour, add a buffer for greasing, fueling, fixing, moving support equip. Then try to give them an overall estimate that you can beat. Then you will both be happy. But... do consider "worst case", seems that has a way of happening.

What kind of bushes and where are you pulling them out.

No Colo was home for my first 25yrs.... I really liked my Saturday evening trucking runs across the plains driving the 1963 Studebaker with Detroit diesel. The lightning storms were great this time of yr. And the ground blizzards kept you awake in the winter. (driving by reflectors only, rarely saw the road.:) )

[crash935]

Heres a trick for you guys using your pickup to pull shrubs,

Wrap the chain or strap around the base of the shrub and then to the truck, then take a 3 or 4 foot 4x4 leaning at a 45 angle with the top over the center of the shrub and the base planted firmly on the ground towards the truck and give a "gentle" tug. Shrub will pop right out without having to do the running start and jerk and you wont beat up your truck.

[kyfireman2004]

I use a tall truck rim ...........

[carcrz]

Skid w/ some forks on it will rip it right out. Dig straight down under the root system & work it out.

[sheshovel]

We have done grundles of that......I own a track hoe and "old yeller" make quick work. Grab and dig a bit, grab with thumb and POP! the come out. Swing around and deposit into the truck and move to the next group. I think I would rather sit and watch SheShovel with her '53 pull them out though......that would be a treat! Hey She, fire off a picture of that most beautiful year of a rig.......

Here ya go, only that's not me, or my truck, my truck has fat tires, corvette exhaust pipes, is clipped and has a 403 Olds under the hood.

[YellowDogSVC]

I use a tree shear. Set your hydraulics to variable and squeeze just enough to grip. You can pull out and shake off the dirt. Much cleaner to dispose of or even chip if it's real clean.
I pull some pretty big trees out with a 20" shear and heavy skidsteer.

I occasionally use my industrial grapple but that takes more finesse to get a good grip. Have you seen the "demo-dozer" grapple? It would be a good tool but costs about 3k.

[YellowDogSVC]

I use a tree shear. Set your hydraulics to variable and squeeze just enough to grip. You can pull out and shake off the dirt. Much cleaner to dispose of or even chip if it's real clean.
I pull some pretty big trees out with a 20" shear and heavy skidsteer.

I occasionally use my industrial grapple but that takes more finesse to get a good grip. Have you seen the "demo-dozer" grapple? It would be a good tool but costs about 3k.

For those of you wanting a bigger toy, check out this link:

http://www.cimarroninc.net/

[Demodozer]

If you want to pull shrubs or even tear down trees the demo-dozer works great, check it out at demo-dozer.com

[NEUSWEDE]

Skid w/ some forks on it will rip it right out. Dig straight down under the root system & work it out.

Not every time. I did this with a 10' Yew and I had the forks under the root ball and it lifted the whole machine(8K) curling it and bent one of the forks.