come-along questions

Pulling from the base looks like you'll need enough tension to break some root first, so I wouldn't do that. I sectioned one once and won't do that again. There are options to cut, but none of them are good and safe. A windstorm might be worth waiting for unless it is a spot people walk by.

Take a photo of the canopy and it may give us a better look.

 

The OP said he had been given a Maasdam come-a-long. I just looked at Baileys and that brand of puller works with rope and not cable, at least not thru the puller. The suggestion he invest in good rope for pulling is good info.

 

Maybe I'm on crack, but 1500 is not a ton.
The model referred to almost has to be this, I have personal experience loading up a drum style come along stretching ropes not moving anything, having to release the stored energy, it is NOT " Good info"
Maasdam 2,000 lb. 12 ft. Winch Puller 144S-6 at The Home Depot - Mobile

 

You will need a way to attach the puller to a tree/truck/tractor etc. for an anchor I recommend a tree. Also, you will need 1/2" three-strand rope to pull with. I bought this "kit" from treestuff.com. It came with the maasdam puller, an endless loop sling to attach to the anchor and 1/2" Samson Pro-Master 3-strand rope. I'm very happy with this system. The loop sling is very inexpensive, but super fast, easy and strong to attach to the anchor. The Samson rope is great, but any 3-strand, 1/2" rope will work great.

 

They make rope pullers and come-alongs, I have a three-quarter ton Maasdam rope puller, I think he has a come along though.

 

I use a large truck rim placed under the cable close to the trunk.
As you pull the truck rim will turn and prevent the trunk from plowing in the ground
Just like people there are no two trees alike, use your head its the best tool you have.

 

Yes Siree.
Think it through before you touch it, after you cut it, think it through again, when you get everything hooked up check it all out and think it though again.
Don't get in a big hurry unless it goes wrong, then run like hell

 

Pics of the Maasdam puller being discussed, as it came up earlier in the thread.


Pics include rain-drenched silver maple from the "next year" pile as an added bonus

 

The cable style with a drum only allows like a 2 or 3 foot pull before having to reset. A 60 foot "rope" easily stretches that far with moderate weight on it.

The rope style, you dont have to be reset, can be set inline and are not limited to pulling a few feet. Or resetting.
Just clearing up the differences as I think there was some confusion on the idea that if it comes with a rope you must be able to use a rope.

I would hate to see somone hurt or worse.

 

I learned something today from this site. Maasdam makes more than rope pullers. That clears up some of the confusion earlier in the thread.

 

Personally, I'd get a rope as high around the trunk as possible and pull from the side it wants to go to. With a long enough cable or rope, you lesson the chance of something going wrong as you are well away from the tree while pulling with the come along.

 

If you use a pully or even 2, don't you get double or triple the pull, with the same effort, by doubling the rope with pully at the leaner ?

 

You can just count how many cords are between the trees using a set of pulleys and that count is how many times you are multiplying your pulling force. The down side is that is how many feet you need to pull the end to get a foot of travel.

 

As others have said, it all depends on the tree. I personally don't care for ropes on hard leaners, big trees or when buildings/powerlines get involved. On small stuff you can throw a rope through a limb split. Put a weight on the end and toss a few times. Bow and arrow with string, working your way up works too.

If it solid, An extensions ladder or bucket lift(tractor and such) will work fine to get a chain around it. I use chains and cables. Here is a link that may help you when we helped a family friend out.

Helping an old friend out | Firewood Hoarders Club

Do you have a bigger tractor you could borrow? As open and flat as that ground looks that is what I'd use. Get the chain as high as possible, hook chains and cable with lots of length. In the direction you want it to fall, wrap a chain around a tree at the ground and use a pulley like this:



Then go at a safe distance and angle for the tractor to pull. This way it isn't coming at you. Beyond letting it fall by itself over time, his is the safest way I can recommend to you. Yes, it takes time and equipment but not getting hurt is normally worth the extra input.