Tractor with a tree puller

The Many Uses of Tree Pullers

We already know that a skid steer loader can be one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you own, but it’s the attachments that make this versatility possible.

Among the range of skid steer attachments, you’ll find a number of popular multipurpose pieces as well as specialty attachments that can be great for their intended purpose. One of these specialty attachments is the skid steer tree puller.

While the tree puller attachment is perfect for removing trees, what many people do not realize is that it can actually be put to a wider range of jobs. In this post, discover some of the other ways you can use your skid steer tree puller attachment.

The Versatility of a Skid Steer

A skid steer is a versatile piece of construction equipment. Compared to other types of construction machinery, a skid steer is a relatively small machine, but its many uses mean it can be a powerful addition to a variety of operations. This machine gets its name from how it operates, as the wheels do not turn on an axel like most vehicles. To turn, the operator decreases the speed on one side of the wheels, causing the other side to ‘skid’ in the direction the operator wants to move.

Various attachments make it possible for a skid steer to perform a wide range of jobs. The most common attachment of a skid steer is a bucket. Different types of buckets work best for different jobs — some are better for trenching and digging, while others are better for clearing snow and debris. Other examples of skid steer attachments include:

A tree puller is another common skid steer attachment. Two steel plates operate horizontally like jaws to grab onto vegetation, trees or even posts to pull them from the ground. If you own a skid steer or you’re in the market for one, a tree puller attachment will be especially useful for you in a variety of contexts, from landscaping to construction to agriculture.

Skid Steer Safety Tips

Operating a skid steer comes with certain safety risks. If you use a skid steer or are considering purchasing a skid steer to help make your operations more efficient, check out these essential safety tips to ensure everyone who operates or works near this machine stays safe:

  1. Understand the operation instructions: For most purchases, people may forgo reading the owner’s manual or the terms and conditions — however, for a large piece of machinery like a skid steer, this is an essential step in ensuring the continued safety of anyone operating the vehicle.
  2. Keep the bucket lowered when not in use: This safety measure prevents the bucket or attachment from lowering onto a person should they walk near or under the machine. Being crushed by moving parts is one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities with skid steers.
  3. Operate the machine on level ground: A skid steer works best on level ground. When pulling on an incline, the force of the machine or weight of the load can cause the skid steer to tip, potentially crushing the operator.
  4. Stay in the operator seat while the engine is on: You should only operate the skid steer while seated with the safety belts fastened securely. Check that the belt properly clasps before using the machine.
  5. Keep all safety systems in operation: Never modify or bypass safety systems, and place malfunctioning machines out of operation until repaired or replaced.
  6. Maintain a regular maintenance schedule: Before operating your skid steer, always check that all safety systems are working. Perform routine checks to prevent breakdowns during operation.
  7. Ensure everyone using the skid steer has proper training: Anyone operating or working around the skid steer should know the proper safety procedures and have training on how to work around the machine safely.
  8. Maintain constant awareness of your surroundings: One of the most important tips for operating a skid steer is always being aware of your surroundings. Always look before moving the skid steer, and when changing positions, do so slowly to avoid collisions.

Why Choose a Tree Puller?

Different Industries

If you have a skid steer or are in the market for one, you are probably considering what attachments will be most useful for your operations. A tree puller is a fantastic option to ensure you have an attachment that is powerful and versatile.

A tree puller tool for a skid steer has various uses for many industries. Their efficiency and speed make them the perfect tool for a wide variety of jobs. Some of the most popular industries that utilize tree pullers include:

Construction

Construction jobs of all kinds can benefit from a machine that’s able to pull trees and other vegetation out of the ground with the roots attached. While a single tree puller may not be the most efficient method for clearing a large forest, they work for midsize to small construction jobs or for use on land with smaller trees, more loosely grouped together.

Tree pullers are a better alternative to going through the multistep process of cutting back a tree’s branches, cutting the trunk and digging up the stump and root system. This process can take a long time, potentially disrupting the construction timeline. Without a tree puller, it can be very difficult to remove the entire root system, meaning the remaining roots would need to be dug out by hand.

Tree pullers are especially useful in demolition. Many construction projects first require the demolition of fences and other posts installed deep in the ground. As an alternative to spending valuable time digging out each of these posts, you can use a tree puller to quickly pull the posts out of the ground, especially in tough, compact soil conditions.

Landscaping

Skid steer tree pullers can easily pull trees, shrubs and other vegetation from the ground. When planning your landscaping design, whether for a residential or commercial property, the stray tree or bush can put a big dent in your overall plan. Being able to remove trees efficiently can keep the project on track and prevent too much ground disturbance.

The benefit of using a tree puller for landscaping is it can often remove all or most of the root system, preventing regrowth. Some attachments also include a spade to help dig out the whole root system.

Since tree pullers take the tree and root out of the ground, you might also be able to use a skid steer tree puller to transplant trees to another location. This process would require a little extra work, and a tree’s survival is not guaranteed. If you can’t dig the tree out yourself, you can prevent some damage by digging a hole to loosen the dirt around the roots before using the puller. This method could allow you to transplant trees rather than uprooting and discarding them.

Farming

Whether you’re farming in your backyard or have a commercial operation, a tree puller attachment for your skid steer is a great idea. Tree pullers help efficiently clear the ground of trees and other vegetation so you can begin the excavation and plowing process. Preparing the soil for farming is an involved process, and ensuring you get large vegetation out of the ground with its roots is essential.

If you operate a fruit orchard or other types of tree farms, a skid steer tree puller will prove an essential tool. Blight and diseases often strike trees in orchards and farms, making it imperative to remove the diseased trees so they don’t impact others.

What Else Can a Tree Puller Attachment Do?

Pulling up trees is the primary purpose of a skid steer tree puller, but there is more that can be done with this attachment. Along with being able to pull out trees of a variety of different sizes, this attachment can work for removing other types of vegetation.

Shrubs and Bushes

If you have large shrubs or bushes, the tree puller attachment can be perfect for pulling them out of the ground. Along with that, it can also work for pulling large overgrown weeds and it can be used for stump removal. Some people may also use tree pullers to grab and remove invasive vines like honeysuckle or kudzu. You could also benefit from using a tree puller if you have fallen trees and other dead vegetation you need to remove from your property.

Posts

As an additional purpose, you can also use your skid steer tree puller to remove posts. Removing a fence post can be time-consuming work that requires a lot of effort. In many cases, it can’t even be done by one person alone. With this attachment, you can pull up fence posts quickly and with no problem. If you are working on a row of dozens of posts, it could be a real time-saver.

Just be aware that a tree puller will likely leave marks on any wood or metal posts you need to remove, but it’s a great option for getting posts out of the ground without a lot of labor.

Tree Puller on a white background

Benefits of a Skid Steer Tree Puller

Having a tree puller attachment can make all of these jobs much easier. You just drive your skid steer up to the tree, bush or post, clamp it with the jaws and then lift it right up out of the ground.

1. Reduces Labor

The first benefit of the tree puller attachment is that it allows you to perform this work on your own. Instead of needing a few people to pull trees or posts up using chains, one person can do the work in less time and with greater safety. For smaller operations, the investment of a skid steer tree puller can pay off quickly in reducing the number of workers you have to hire to assist with operations.

2. Removes the Root System

As an additional point, this skid steer loader attachment will remove the whole root system of a tree or bush. Instead of leaving roots in the ground, you get the whole thing in one pull. Furthermore, some tree puller attachments also come with a spade on the front to help the user dislodge and dig up roots before they start.

3. Enhances Versatility

The benefits of a skid steer tree puller are that, despite its name, it has plenty of uses that can benefit a wide range of industries. From farming to landscaping to construction, a tree puller can assist in a variety of applications, reducing labor costs and making operations more efficient.

What to Consider When Buying a Tree Puller

A tree puller attachment can be a great investment, but there are a few points to consider before you buy. Here is what to consider when buying a skid steer tree puller:

  • Operating capacity: The most significant limitation for the skid steer is the operating capacity. Machines with a higher capacity will be able to pull larger trees. A lower-capacity tree puller will be sufficient if you only have to pull small trees, saplings or other vegetation.
  • Jaw opening: Since a tree puller can only pull something it can wrap around, a wider jaw opening will give you the ability to work on larger trees and posts.
  • Safety features: Look for essential safety features that protect the operator and the machine, such as a guard that attaches to the mainframe to prevent trees from falling back on the operator.
  • Type of tree: Different types of trees and plants will have different root systems. For plants with deeper or thicker roots, usually those in dry or arid climates, you might need a stronger attachment or skid steer, or you may need to do some work to loosen them up. You can help make the extraction easier by doing it when the ground is wet after heavy rain.
  • Ground conditions: The type of soil you’re working with will also impact how easy or difficult it is to pull up the trees or posts. Soil with a lot of clay will be tougher because it packs together densely, while if you have sandy soil, you’ll have an easier time digging and pulling up trees.
  • The build: You should always consider the material and quality of the construction when buying a skid steer attachment. Look for strong materials, good artistry and sufficient safety measures.

 

Shop Skid Steer Tree Pullers at Stinger Attachments

At Stinger Attachments, we are focused on building quality attachments that last, including our tree puller attachments for skid steers. The heavy-duty design of our tree puller attachment includes 3/4 inch, grade 50 structural steel jaws with a 34-inch opening. They can accommodate trees up to a 10-inch diameter and pull a range of items, such as:

  • Trees
  • Shrubs and bushes
  • Fence posts
  • Rocks
  • Tree stumps
  • Overgrown weeds

Tree pullers are a fantastic, versatile attachment, and as an added feature, our selection of tree pullers comes standard with a guard to protect the operator and enhance safe operation.

Shop our selection of tree pullers and other attachments online today, or contact us to learn more about how Stinger Attachments can improve your operations.