one of the easiest and strongest ways to hook the strap to the truck (if u dont have rear mounted hooks) is to put a clevis in place of the ball and hook the strap through it

 

When pulling from the back I hook directly to the receiver of my frame mounted hitch.

 

Or slide the strap loop inside the hitch, then insert the hitch pin.

Chris

 

[quote author=GO 4LO link=board=8;threadid=23166;start=30#msg219757 date=1070839938]
Or slide the strap loop inside the hitch, then insert the hitch pin.

Chris
[/quote]

Done that before. Makes for a very secure anchor point.

 

What westcoaster diagramed is called a "jib pole" - they are also extremely useful in raising tall stuff like antennas and pole barn supports. After a hurricane blew over a line of Leland Cypress trees I used a jib pole and the old 78 PowerWagon to stand 'em all back up. These trees were all 25-30 feet tall and flat on the ground but a 12 foot 4X4 and a controlled pull and they stood up. Had to stake them all and they all eventually died from root damage but I made the property owner happy that day.

Running the pull line over a tire is a good alternative. Just remember that a larger diameter is better. Old tractor rims (minus tires) are good for this - they are large and don't have a tire to compress and potentially damage plus they are wide and will not sink in to soft ground as easy.

Tow straps and industrial slings are the way to go. Chains are deadly if/when they break.

 

[quote author=BigBlue link=board=8;threadid=23166;start=30#msg220242 date=1070913659]
[quote author=GO 4LO link=board=8;threadid=23166;start=30#msg219757 date=1070839938]
Or slide the strap loop inside the hitch, then insert the hitch pin.

Chris
[/quote]
Done that before. Makes for a very secure anchor point.
[/quote]
Yup - works great for me unless you're pulling from a bad angle, in which case the strap wears against the sharp edges of the hitch. For stump-pulling, you should always be in a straight-line pull anyway though.
Chris

 

I would have to go with the cable idea as the safest.
Take the ball out of your hitch, use a shackle and whatever you do, do not tighten the shackle too tight.
I usually tighten it hand tight and then back off about 1/8 turn.
This will allow you to remove the shackle after you are done pulling.
Use at least a 1/2 inch cable, some will have a tag on them with the capacity.

And always remember to put a blanket in the middle.

Rich

 

deffinitetly say no to chains. my friend of my fathers was decapitated this way. chain went through the tailgate, 1/4 spread steel headache rack, window, his neck, steering wheel, and windsheild. i suggest a 6"x30' nylon strap. if you can get it to fit just slip it into the square reciever hole and put the pin through it. or use a large clevis and go through the hole that the ball mounts in.

 

An update.
Found a local company that supplies chains and straps to companies that use cranes. Bought a 4" strap rated at 5082 kgs. I have used this strap and a 6 foot long 4X4 and can now easily pull out trees of around 4" diameter. Will try some larger trees in a few weeks. Strangely, some of the bigger bush type 'trees' seem to take more effort even tho they are only a fraction of the height of a tree.

 

Over here we have a saying that translates to something like- you don't pull the tree, you pull the roots.....

AlpineRAM

 

Well, I sure am also pulling the roots. Every tree I take out leaves a big hole in the ground.

 

Glad to hear you made it work for you... Although I didn't have 4" and larger trees in mind, just a bigger strap and pole though.

 

why not use a wire lifting cable that come with the eyelets in each end. You can get them rated for some pretty hefty weight and also use the eyelet to loop the cable around the stump and ust the other end to attach over the tow hook

 

Thought of that but from my experience the thicker ones that are good for the 5000kg minimum rating that I think I need tend not to like being bent around too tight a bend radius. So if I use that around say, maybe a 3" or smaller diameter tree it will not straighten out properly afterwards.
Bought a 10 foot strap today rated at just under 3000 kgs and will try that tomorrow around a few trees. Figure I can wrap it around the tree a couple of times and that will give a capacity of close to 6000 kgs. Then attach that to my big strap and pull away. Will know by this time tomorrow if this works.

 

Howdy, Concerning the pulling backward no-no. I can really second that wisdom. 10 years ago I pulled out my inlaws buried 30' diesel motor home, I was in 4 low in reverse and on bare dry pavement. Now this truck did pull out this big beast without seamingly a hitch but the next year I replaced a $4700 getrag trany and replaced the gears in the rear end $800. I cracked the gears in my drivetrain in my excitement to do the big pull and help. Last year I saw a State Patrol stuck on the side of the road, I really wanted to go help him but common sense and past history stoped that kinda generousity. You will have to pay for the repairs to your diesel power puller.
Nimrod