Skid a big tree, almost as fun as a mud bog..

[David_VT]

Don't try this at home... .

=============================

Just wanted to share the fun I had this weekend testing the traction of my new tires.....



On saturday we dropped two massive bull spruce trees in my backyard. There was then going to be several hours of cutting to reduce the monsters to something we could cart off to the burn pile... ...



But it was hot, the beer was starting to work and ambition was in retreat



So, looking across the road to our empty pasture, I had the brainstorm to drag the beasts over to the field where we could deal with them at a later date..... Too bad we did not have a skidder



One of the wives turned to my wife and in an attempt to give her some good 'ammo', said "geez, why doesn't your husband just drag them off with his macho truck"...



seeing that my pride and joy was about to be disrespected, I sized up the situation (naturally under the effect of beer) and responded:



GREAT IDEA, LET'S GO FOR IT



We connected the tree to my trusty tow strap and dropped the green monster into 4low. I took up the slack and commenced to pull.....



S N A P

oops, I am never gonna hear the end of this one due to a parted nylon towstrap...

ah brainstorm... ... .



"Guys, tie a knot in the strap, no problemo"

wives now on the ground laughing and that yellow light in the corner of my eye flashing WARNING... MAJOR EGO DAMAGE PENDING



With the modified tow strap ready I took up the slack and commenced to pull... ...



Holy cow, that tree is moving and look the wives are silenced...



Well in the end we dragged a total of 3 nearly 6 story high trees with no real problem. (the strap was old, that is my story and I am sticking with it. . )



Very cool indeed, but for all the darn gravel I had to sweep out of the road later on...

 

[JGK]

Nice story. Well written. Too bad you didn't have a video camera (or did you?).



Jay

 

[Archive]

Or did you at least take a picture?????



Post them, please!

 

[David_VT]

We did the first tree and one of my buddies remarked we should catch this for your website. I showed him how to use the camera a bit too quickly and 'murphy' got involved. (camera must be on record not playback to function).

When I discovered the recording failure it was too late for the big trees but I did catch about a three story tree on the tow strap.

I figured if I posted that I'd get the old 'fish story' feedback and decided to tell the story in words.

I will go back and review the clip to see if it is funny enough to post.

 

[Jff24Gordn]

How big was the strap?? Ive broke a 30k strap, and proud of it. Also cracked my 5" drop hitch doing it.

 

[David_VT]

Don't recall if it was a 20K or a 40K, it was due for replacement after dragging rocks down the road for the wife's garden project... . (that and I had made the mistake of making a knot in the strap not long after I had bought it)



As to the hitch, thx for the reminder. I've had the recall but never really looked to see what the recall did for the hitch. I've got a long haul tow next month so I should check it out before I find there is a problem... .

 

[BPINE]

One trip to California and a few hamburgers and you have gone OUT OF CONTROL. lol Good job David

 

[David_VT]

Thx for those diesel burgers..

Yep, everytime I go visit the San Jose Cummins gang, my wife knows it...



Symptoms... diesel on the driveway, fresh mud on the windows, B. O. M. B'd parts showing up at the house, and those passenger whiplash blues from too much of the go pedal...



Ah, thanks for the motivational visits... !

 

[BPINE]

No problem David that's what we are here for, we like to call it Diesel Therapy.