Using a 300DT to pull out bushes, tree roots.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

HuskyMan · #1 08-20-2018, 10:45 PM

I have some bushes and trees on the front of the house that need to come out. I'm thinking of using the 1984 300DT in place of a pick-up truck to do the job. I can cut the trees down to size with a chain saw; the bushes can be dealt with as in the youtube video below. I'm thinking of tying some chain around the rootball of the trees then connecting the other end of the chain to the bumper on the 300DT.

Do you think this idea would work or do I need the power and torque of a pick-up truck?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTHQucLY_y8

Diseasel300 · #2 08-20-2018, 10:58 PM

The difference between a pickup and your W123 is that the bumper on a pickup is designed for towing. Your W123 is not. If you want a bent bumper, get after it, if not, use a pickup, preferably with a receiver hitch that's bolted to the frame.

JB3 · #3 08-20-2018, 11:00 PM

Better off using the tow loop as the bumper bracket corrosion issue means its probably weaker than you think.

I probably wouldnt do that to a car you value.

t walgamuth · #4 08-20-2018, 11:02 PM

I definately would use the tow loop. you'll pull off the bumper in a eyeblink.

HuskyMan · #5 08-20-2018, 11:13 PM

Here's another great idea for removing bushes....I'm wondering if a 300DT would have enough pull to get the job done??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jE2yri0lPs

HuskyMan · #6 08-20-2018, 11:18 PM

I hate to show my ignorance but what is a "tow loop"??

t walgamuth · #7 08-21-2018, 07:12 AM

look under your car. On the rear it is welded onto the bottom of the spare tire well. On the front its on the suspension subframe. A loop about 2.5" in diameter. Hook into it and pull. I'd use a tow strap not chain.

moon161 · #8 08-21-2018, 08:10 AM

I'm thinking you could have a landscaper do it for less than the price of damage you would do to your car.

ykobayashi · #9 08-21-2018, 09:30 AM

Wow what a neat trick in the video. I need to pull some small bushes.

I always thought it was really dangerous to use a car because the stump could catapult out at the car. Maybe that’s why a chain is better than a nylon tow strap? I wouldn’t use my Benz for this. It is hard on the tranny.

A buddy of mine had good results on little stumps like this with a cherry picker. He just hooked up the stump and went up. When it popped up it didn’t go far. He had to reset the length of his chain a couple of times but it came up without much fuss.

Diseasel300 · #10 08-21-2018, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ykobayashi

I always thought it was really dangerous to use a car because the stump could catapult out at the car. Maybe that’s why a chain is better than a nylon tow strap? I wouldn’t use my Benz for this. It is hard on the tranny.

That's exactly why you use a chain. A chain doesn't stretch, any sort of rope or webbing will. When the stump comes out, a chain just goes slack while a rope or web strap will recoil.

The spare tire trick isn't anything new either, but safer to use an old stump instead (same issue with recoil, remember air compresses!) and a lot easier since you have a wider surface to bear on. The point of the wheel (or stump, or A-frame) is to turn your horizontal pulling force from the tow vehicle into a more or less vertical one to pull the stump upwards instead of sideways.

sgnimj96 · #11 08-21-2018, 10:23 AM

you may have seen this one too, another angle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZjqEC_FWqo&t=186s

doing a good dig around the stump and cutting the bigger roots should make it go well
x2 on the chain

I used my 300td to pull a huge tree that fell and was stuck on another tree. Just don't use the parking pawl to hold the tension. I'm sure you know to use the tow rings and not the bumper lol. I don't think it's a big deal as long as you use some "uncommon" sense.

Of course, this type of project is not for everybody.

vonsmog · #12 08-21-2018, 12:02 PM

Here is a video of me using one of my Mercedes to pull down a tree.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNBYell0Qj4

HuskyMan · #13 08-21-2018, 12:38 PM

I think I am going to use the cherry picker/engine hoist method:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVkJ9HAuNqA

JB3 · #14 08-21-2018, 08:43 PM

You know...
Renting a tractor with a bucket and backhoe for a day is not that expensive.

Theres something to be said for ingenuity. Of course theres something else to be said for just sourcing the right tool and spending less money and time in the long run