JCB Photos

[JCB in KY]

I purchased my JCB 214 II about a year ago and thought I would post some tree removal pics from this summer. This is my first piece of equipment and have loved every minute of operating.

[JCB in KY]

It was in pretty bad shape.

[JCB in KY]

It fell right where we wanted it.

[JCB in KY]

Getting the stump out took longer than I thought.

[JCB in KY]

Lots of surface roots were attached.

[DKinWA]

Great action pictures! IMO, a backhoe is probably one of the most versitile machines out there.

One quick word of caution to those that have never done this before. When pushing from a low position on the tree, it is easy to push too hard and actually push the tree right off the stump. When that happens, the tree can actually tip back over the machine. I've never done it, but I've heard plenty of stories about it happening to others. On a big heavy tree, it can easily result in some extensive damage or injuries.

BTW JCB, keep the pics coming. I'd contribute some myself, but work has done dried up. Actually, it's more like done washed up with all the rain:)

[nobull1]

Cool pic's great to have a place to play with the new toy:D .One thing I will mention too if you don't already know,lift stumps don't pull or you could have a missle doing 90 miles a hour in your face:( been there done that.But I am superman and I just dodge speeding missles.If you believe that do I have a story for you :D

[digger242j]

No doubt about it, trees are tricky business. I *NO* case should you be messing around with taking one down unless you know exactly what's going to happen, from start to finish. All that weight up in the air like that equals a lot of stored energy, which can create some *very* dynamic action if it goes in any direction other than it's intended to. From the pictures, it looks like you had the whole process planned and it went just as you wanted it to.

I'm curious--was there somebody in the machine to push the tree in the direction you wanted it to fall, or did you rely on the cutting technique to get it to fall the way you wanted and just use the bucket as insurance to be sure it fell the desired way?

I still personally prefer to have a machine big enough to push the tree over without having to cut it. (Obviously, the size of the tree in question plays a big part in figuring out that equation.) That way the whole tree helps to pull the stump out of the ground.

For anyone who's never done it, but is sure they have it all figured out, I'd suggest taking a look at "ArboristSite.com". They have a forum for discussion of accidents, and a little reading there might give you some food for thought before you finalize your plan.

[cat320]

Iwas doing the same thing with my 580 this fall but I did not have nice stright trees to work with. I put my extand a hoe all the way out but could not get enough leverage to push her over with out it snapping on top of the machine or anything else. great pics on a that job .

[JCB in KY]

digger242j, yeah I was in the machine applying pressure as my dad was doing the cutting. It would have been nice to be able to dig around it and push the whole thing over but with it as close to the house I didnt want to try it. By cutting a wedge out of the base the backhoe really just assisted it to start going in the right direction. I will contiue to take pictures and post as i get some more good projects.

[Dusty]

great pic its nice when they fall where u want um