How to Remove Trees with Excavator and Bucket - Pull Method

I needed to clear a lot of trees for a new home we are building. I was primarily pushing the trees over with my CAT 323. I found pushing to be difficult in a thick forest and it also resulted in broken trees. My experienced excavator operator friend showed me a new way of taking trees out by pulling them with the excavator instead of pushing them. It works brilliantly and is much safer.
By lining up the tree so that the arm is between the operator and the tree, it makes it highly unlikely that the tree will fall on the cab. Another benefit is the tree drops right next to the excavator so it is easy to process without having to move the machine any.
Enjoy!
driftlessinwi

[@ghettohey2388]

Ok Ive ran alot of excavators before clearing property and unless the tree is a small tree. Lets say no taller than the machine then pulling might be alright but for bigger trees this is not the way to do it. For one its not safe. Secondly you have no control of the tree even if you have a thumb. Thirdly if you lose control of the tree and it falls towards you then its going to do damage to the machine, you or both. That machine is not cheap to fix and nor are doctor bills. The best and safest way to clear trees is to push the tree. And depending on the size of the tree you might want to dig the roots. The size of the excavator also matters. The bigger the tree the bigger the machine you want. I dont have a channel but Digginlife21 is a great channel for learning

[@Icydedppl1]

Watch the video before commenting please. You’ll notice he states what he’s doing and how he’s doing it. My father did it this way and that was before the internet.

[@driftlessinwi]

What @andrewlovaas8936 said...also, pushing trees can be very dangerous too, especially when they break in the middle and fall on cab. Best advice is to analyze the situation and pick the safest method...this is just a method I was surprised by for the situation (working up a hill into trees), especially since I tried before the operator in video and I was pushing. But you probably just commented to plug digginlife 😀 You wouldn't be the first

[@aquamon68]

​​@@driftlessinwiThe comment was informative, I'm sure it was done to inform us common mortals, not as a mouthpiece or advertisement for a channel.

[@davidandersen5134]

Thanks for sharing! May not work for all situations, but seeing how experienced operators employ various techniques is a blessing to behold!

[@robert5521]

The size of the excavator relative to the size of the tree plays a very relevant role in this method. For instance, with a 5 ton mini ex, pushing is likely the more logical and safest option given the size of trees in the video.

[@driftlessinwi]

I would agree, as does the relative elevation of the machine to the tree (uphill or downhill). I use a CAT306 a lot in the woods and I still prefer the pull method. I find it to be safer because it is very easy to break a tree and have it fall back on the machine when pushing. I almost always push though when on the uphill side of a tree, because why fight gravity!? Thanks for the comment!

[@phillipramirez3991]

I am far from an expert but I’ve always heard pushing to the side like that is terrible on the machine. Not to mention risking the tree falling on the machine.

[@driftlessinwi]

The key is not to push it over by twisting... but to pull first then twist to make it fall to side of machine. By keeping it to right of arm, you keep it from falling on cab. If you have removed trees with an excavator before, you would certainly have some scary moments pushing trees over, a dead or hollow tree can break in area where you are pushing and the top can fall back on the machine. Thanks for the comment!

[@driftlessinwi]

I should also add that sometimes it does make sense to push over, like when working down a hill. When working up a hill, the pull method works best. Thanks!

[@jacain1234]

Excellent video and advice. The other comment about the uae of a ripper for smallwr trees is spot on. 👍

[@hinz1]

Well, tiny trees vs 25ton excavator. Try that on a big cedar tree or something and the excavator goes splat!

[@albertfreire264]

Sorry but I do not agree, pushing is way easier on machine and safer but just my opinion

[@genecoppedge5972]

Looks like a lot side load on your pins and Bushings in your boom and stick.

[@driftlessinwi]

Not really much at all because the swing doesn't happen until tree starts to fall down. It's a 50k lb machine and these are pines 😀

[@MrBeefa69]

About to undertake the same thing, great tip thankyou!!

[@driftlessinwi]

Here is another, a ripper tooth makes tree removal much easier, especially when dealing with hardwood trees. Good luck!

[@sammydiamond6115]

honestly i like everything but the end. instead of burning wood you can turn it all into woodchips and use it as bedding for livestock or mix it with compost piles . if anyone wants to burn wood , it should be for biochar .

[@driftlessinwi]

Thanks for the tips! I just need to get a wood chipper now.

[@garycotz563]

EXCELLENT Drone work

[@appstate1996]

I have about 200 small (2") saplings that I need to remove root and all so I can sow the area in grass. I am thinking of renting a mini excavator to do this. So I need to dig up the roots on the left side and then rotate the cab to the right, thus pulling the sapling out of the ground. I'm thinking the sapling will bend over as I rotate rather than pull up since it isn't ridgid like a full grown tree. But I'll give it a try.

[@driftlessinwi]

I would definitely recommend a ripper tooth. I have some other videos with my CAT306 where I remove lots of honeysuckle, buckthorn, and small trees, some over 10" in diameter...a ripper works wonders. Good luck!

[@joshm7456]

This is an awful idea and unnecessary risk. Anyone pulling trees towards the machine has a death wish. Small trees < 10" maybe, but that boom is not going to deflect a 36" oak

[@driftlessinwi]

Thanks for the comment, but this is definitely not an awful idea. It works great and is much safer, especially working up hill. If done correctly, the boom will keep the tree from falling on cab (always put tree to right of boom). Pushing trees can be very dangerous because if they break, the tops can fall on the cab. Regarding a 36" oak, I would be using a chainsaw for that, I don't know of many machines that will push a 36" oak over :) Maybe a D8. Also, the trees we used this method on were all straight pine trees, pulling (or pushing) large trees with giant heavy limbs like oaks and walnut would likely need a case by case analysis... and more than likely, a chainsaw.

[@ericcoplan]

i feel sorry for the bandsaw blade that has to process that lumber...

[@driftlessinwi]

😀...I don't. The logs are surprisingly clean after getting rained on. I am still on blade number one and have already milled 20 trees (about 60 logs). Besides a $29 blade and garden hose (if needed) is a heck of a lot cheaper than a feller buncher...😄... but you do make a good point if you plan to use this method for true logging, probably not the best way to get top dollar for your logs! Thanks for the comment.

[@ericcoplan]

@@driftlessinwi ya definitely got my vote on the feller buncher👍😂 I can watch those things work for hours, amazing machines.

[@teel6060]

No thanks. Definitely the more dangerous way not to speak of less effective.