Productive day today

[Mobuck]

As a result of a leaking hydraulic hose on the skidloader, I was on the road early to be at the hydraulic hose fix-it shop @ 8AM. Before I reached the shop, I received a text indicating the tree removal guy was coming @10:30 today--SURPRISE, had not planned on him showing up before noon. By the time I made it home, tree guy was already started. Son and I got the new hose installed quickly and were going by the time the first tree hit the ground . First tree came down easily( I could have cut it alone but then I don't have liability insurance). Second tree wasn't too difficult but required more topping and encouragement to make sure it fell the chosen direction. The third and by far biggest and most technical removal seemed to take forever. Tree guy and I discussed the problems and he was getting a bit whiney due to the large amount of topping required but he finally agreed with my point of view. The biggest issue was the big hollow trunk that might or might not crumble during the cutting. We hooked 80' of 5/16 GR70 chain about 40' up the trunk, hooked a 15,000# tractor to the other end and snugged that up to prevent tree from toppling the wrong way. Then tree guy made the falling cut above the most seriously rotted base. Using the chain and tractor to balance the upper part, he cut enough that I was able to tip the top in the chosen direction landing the tree right on the target.. Three hours of cutting up and clearing the tops and we were finished.
Got a compliment from tree guy for our very capable assistance and knowledgeable input.
Downside: all that loader work resulted in another leaking hose so guess where I'm headed again tomorrow morning. The skidloader is about 20 years old so it seems the working life of high pressure hydraulic hoses is around 20 years. About 2 more trips to the hose shop and we'll have all of them replaced.

 

[contender]

At least you had the space to fell the trees w/o too much topping. And you also had equipment to assist in an "easier" dropping & removal.
Glad it all worked out,, but hey,, hoses leaking,, always an issue it seems on hydraulic equipment.

 

[Dave P.]

Save time, aggravation, multiple trips and oil...shotgun approach... change all the damn hoses at the same time
and just get it over with. I know, it wasn't a good time, won't be when the next old POS hose fails either.
Farmers, good thing you guys don't work on airplanes.

 

[Hvymax]

Save time, aggravation, multiple trips and oil...shotgun approach... change all the damn hoses at the same time
and just get it over with. I know, it wasn't a good time, won't be when the next old POS hose fails either.
Farmers, good thing you guys don't work on airplanes.

That's what I do. I figure if 1 let go the others are all close behind. If a CV joint or wheel bearing wears out over or near 100,000 miles I'll rebuild the whole front end. Struts, tie rod ends, bearings and CV joints. Once you're in there 80% of the work is already done and you won't have to look at it again for another 100,000 miles or so. I suppose some people like pulling things apart every other month.