Steve83 > 1983 Ford Bronco > open folder Stress Testing

After Greg left work, we met at his house just to check out the area for the big pull on Thursday. ...
01Set.JPG
854 hits | 135.92 KB | Posted: 10/8/13
After Greg left work, we met at his house just to check out the area for the big pull on Thursday. ...
This is how the tree looked when we started. It came down in a storm about 6 years ago, so it has b...
03Tight.JPG
641 hits | 131.77 KB | Posted: 10/8/13
This is how the tree looked when we started. It came down in a storm about 6 years ago, so it has b...
We were both surprised that it had lifted the entire ~30-foot tree trunk nearly a foot off the groun...
05Lift.JPG
653 hits | 126.85 KB | Posted: 10/8/13
We were both surprised that it had lifted the entire ~30-foot tree trunk nearly a foot off the groun...
With tension still on the cable, we decided to see if the chain saw would run. Eventually we learne...
07Saw.JPG
648 hits | 120.85 KB | Posted: 10/8/13
With tension still on the cable, we decided to see if the chain saw would run. Eventually we learne...
The log bit down on the saw bar, so I had to cut it out with my axe, and I accidentally hit the end ...
08Sawed.JPG
623 hits | 126.6 KB | Posted: 10/8/13
The log bit down on the saw bar, so I had to cut it out with my axe, and I accidentally hit the end ...
Greg wanted to stand the stump up, but I wanted video during daylight, and I wasn't sure about winch...
09Stumpy.JPG
641 hits | 120.73 KB | Posted: 10/8/13
Greg wanted to stand the stump up, but I wanted video during daylight, and I wasn't sure about winch...
I plan to pull it over the other way, ripping out whatever's left of its roots, then drag it up the ...
11Sprite.JPG
648 hits | 159.7 KB | Posted: 10/9/13
I plan to pull it over the other way, ripping out whatever's left of its roots, then drag it up the ...
A lot of this was temporarily just a few inches off the ground last night when I stalled the winch. ...
11Sprith.JPG
620 hits | 150.88 KB | Posted: 10/9/13
A lot of this was temporarily just a few inches off the ground last night when I stalled the winch. ...
The stump might have slid downhill a few inches as it fell, so it should be possible to rip it out.
12Stump.JPG
590 hits | 149.52 KB | Posted: 10/9/13
The stump might have slid downhill a few inches as it fell, so it should be possible to rip it out.
Hey, turn around you DA! [url=http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/998920][img]http...
Stump01.MOV
666 hits | 5.86 MB | Posted: 10/10/13
Hey, turn around you DA!

[url=http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/998920][img]http...
It didn't take anything at all to make the stump flop over to the other side of the creek. We proba...
14Flopped.JPG
750 hits | 174.94 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
It didn't take anything at all to make the stump flop over to the other side of the creek. We proba...
Once I got set, it wouldn't budge at all, probably because I was already on the 3rd layer of cable o...
14Lined.JPG
666 hits | 137.92 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
Once I got set, it wouldn't budge at all, probably because I was already on the 3rd layer of cable o...
We couldn't drag it straight up from the creek like I had imagined, so we set up to roll it out side...
Stump11.MOV
654 hits | 5.48 MB | Posted: 10/12/13
We couldn't drag it straight up from the creek like I had imagined, so we set up to roll it out side...
With the 2nd 12K winch attached, it really started moving.
14Looped.JPG
623 hits | 161.69 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
With the 2nd 12K winch attached, it really started moving.
The first roll was fairly easy, but when the root ball hit the Bronco frame bridge, it took a lot to...
14Looping.JPG
609 hits | 171.35 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
The first roll was fairly easy, but when the root ball hit the Bronco frame bridge, it took a lot to...
My truck is off-axis, so my winch isn't wrapping straight onto the drum. And on this layer, it's wra...
Stump13.MOV
634 hits | 5.63 MB | Posted: 10/12/13
My truck is off-axis, so my winch isn't wrapping straight onto the drum. And on this layer, it's wra...
I'm guessing this is around 6 tons of wet logs & dirt, but I have no way to really judge it.
14Mid.JPG
610 hits | 161.1 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
I'm guessing this is around 6 tons of wet logs & dirt, but I have no way to really judge it.
After a few more cycles of re-wrapping my cable & letting the wires cool, we could see we were makin...
14Midway.JPG
613 hits | 163.47 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
After a few more cycles of re-wrapping my cable & letting the wires cool, we could see we were makin...
At full stall, the bumper almost seemed to wrap around this tree. But the bumper didn't bend at all...
14Stay.JPG
884 hits | 146.92 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
At full stall, the bumper almost seemed to wrap around this tree. But the bumper didn't bend at all...
It took a lot to get it rolled up this high - I thought we were gonna have to stop again to let my w...
14Teter.JPG
674 hits | 159.42 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
It took a lot to get it rolled up this high - I thought we were gonna have to stop again to let my w...
When the winches suddenly sped up & the cables unloaded, we knew it was coming over. [url=http://...
14Timber.JPG
619 hits | 161.17 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
When the winches suddenly sped up & the cables unloaded, we knew it was coming over.

[url=http://...
Ultimately, we pulled it a few more feet past here, just to keep the weight off his septic drain lin...
14Y.JPG
694 hits | 151.23 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
Ultimately, we pulled it a few more feet past here, just to keep the weight off his septic drain lin...
The last job was to remove my winch cable from the stump, which was easier said than done. I had exp...
14Z.JPG
650 hits | 149.55 KB | Posted: 10/10/13
The last job was to remove my winch cable from the stump, which was easier said than done. I had exp...
To inspect some property we're considering buying, I got permission to blaze a trail yesterday. I m...
McFadden01.MOV
713 hits | 5.11 MB | Posted: 9/29/14
To inspect some property we're considering buying, I got permission to blaze a trail yesterday. I m...
To inspect some property we're considering buying, I got permission to blaze a trail yesterday. I m...
McFadden02.MOV
717 hits | 5.08 MB | Posted: 9/29/14
To inspect some property we're considering buying, I got permission to blaze a trail yesterday. I m...
To inspect some property we're considering buying, I got permission to blaze a trail yesterday. I m...
McFadden03.MOV
610 hits | 4.88 MB | Posted: 9/29/14
To inspect some property we're considering buying, I got permission to blaze a trail yesterday. I m...
To inspect some property we're considering buying, I got permission to blaze a trail yesterday. I m...
McFadden04.MOV
691 hits | 5.13 MB | Posted: 9/29/14
To inspect some property we're considering buying, I got permission to blaze a trail yesterday. I m...
This was a light load. The grille guard will carry MUCH more weight. (It also makes a reasonably...
93-30Haul.JPG
710 hits | 168.36 KB | Posted: 10/27/14
This was a light load. The grille guard will carry MUCH more weight.

(It also makes a reasonably...
This dead tree was near a trail I was blazing, so I pushed it over.It (or one of the others I knoc...
93-30Tree1a.JPG
603 hits | 178.29 KB | Posted: 10/27/14
This dead tree was near a trail I was blazing, so I pushed it over.

It (or one of the others I knoc...
This dead tree was near a trail I was blazing, so I pushed it over.It (or one of the others I knoc...
93-30Tree1b.JPG
704 hits | 183.52 KB | Posted: 10/27/14
This dead tree was near a trail I was blazing, so I pushed it over.

It (or one of the others I knoc...
This dead tree took a few good hits to get all the way to the ground.It (or one of the others I kn...
93-30Tree2a.JPG
685 hits | 166.62 KB | Posted: 10/27/14
This dead tree took a few good hits to get all the way to the ground.

It (or one of the others I kn...
This dead tree took a few good hits to get all the way to the ground.It (or one of the others I kn...
93-30Tree2b.JPG
626 hits | 174.9 KB | Posted: 10/27/14
This dead tree took a few good hits to get all the way to the ground.

It (or one of the others I kn...
This dead tree took a few good hits to get all the way to the ground.It (or one of the others I kn...
93-30Tree2d.JPG
655 hits | 176.96 KB | Posted: 10/27/14
This dead tree took a few good hits to get all the way to the ground.

It (or one of the others I kn...
This dead tree took a few good hits to get all the way to the ground.It (or one of the others I kn...
93-30Tree2e.JPG
721 hits | 171.92 KB | Posted: 10/27/14
This dead tree took a few good hits to get all the way to the ground.

It (or one of the others I kn...
This live tree is where I want to put a driveway, and it overhangs the road, so I didn't want to cha...
Timber.jpg
936 hits | 158.55 KB | Posted: 12/1/14
This live tree is where I want to put a driveway, and it overhangs the road, so I didn't want to cha...
The 12K electric winch alone couldn't rip this out last week, so I'm putting 3 tons of Bronco into t...
Stump02.JPG
805 hits | 167.25 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
The 12K electric winch alone couldn't rip this out last week, so I'm putting 3 tons of Bronco into t...
I'm starting at the top of this little hill & backing down to snatch the tree out. But it's still f...
Stump03.JPG
630 hits | 155.24 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
I'm starting at the top of this little hill & backing down to snatch the tree out. But it's still f...
The soft ground is a few inches deep, but it's pretty solid below that.
Stump05.JPG
649 hits | 157.53 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
The soft ground is a few inches deep, but it's pretty solid below that.
The fulcrum of logs under the base is working - the root ball is much higher now than when I started...
Stump06.JPG
605 hits | 167.77 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
The fulcrum of logs under the base is working - the root ball is much higher now than when I started...
Even though I'm getting cross-axled on this crest, the truck is heavy enough to keep the suspension ...
Stump08.JPG
705 hits | 166.85 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
Even though I'm getting cross-axled on this crest, the truck is heavy enough to keep the suspension ...
I expected the ground to be softer & slicker than this, but I didn't have much trouble driving up & ...
Stump09.JPG
882 hits | 162.61 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
I expected the ground to be softer & slicker than this, but I didn't have much trouble driving up & ...
There's still one big root down there hanging on, but I finally pulled it far enough up to expose & ...
Stump13.JPG
625 hits | 170.62 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
There's still one big root down there hanging on, but I finally pulled it far enough up to expose & ...
Jerking on that tree caused some cargo shifting...Eventually, the seat even flopped back.
Stump14.JPG
601 hits | 110.61 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
Jerking on that tree caused some cargo shifting...

Eventually, the seat even flopped back.
Eventually, I won the fight.
Stump16.JPG
713 hits | 163.28 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
Eventually, I won the fight.
It came up over the hill pretty easily, despite the slimy ground.
Stump17.JPG
670 hits | 129.73 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
It came up over the hill pretty easily, despite the slimy ground.
The ruts kept the logs from rolling too far away.The little Husqy 435 has been doing GREAT.
Stump18.JPG
721 hits | 173.65 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
The ruts kept the logs from rolling too far away.

The little Husqy 435 has been doing GREAT.
One stump closer to putting a driveway here...
Stump20.JPG
642 hits | 138.97 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
One stump closer to putting a driveway here...
I pulled the stump all the way to the back of the property into the burn pile. I plan to leave it o...
Stump21.JPG
752 hits | 162.43 KB | Posted: 12/10/14
I pulled the stump all the way to the back of the property into the burn pile. I plan to leave it o...
I decided it was time to really load it up. These 2 loads were heavy. The 3rd (near dark) was so m...
BrushGuard2a.jpg
922 hits | 152.84 KB | Posted: 12/12/14
I decided it was time to really load it up. These 2 loads were heavy. The 3rd (near dark) was so m...
It just won't bend!...and nothing fell off as I drove through the woods, up & down hills, & over ...
BrushGuard7.JPG
925 hits | 152.98 KB | Posted: 12/14/14
It just won't bend!


...and nothing fell off as I drove through the woods, up & down hills, & over ...
I don't know what I'm gonna have to do to bend this thing......but I'll keep trying! ;-)
BrushGuard4.jpg
1468 hits | 158.07 KB | Posted: 1/6/15
I don't know what I'm gonna have to do to bend this thing...





...but I'll keep trying! ;-)
This is 43' of a 45' tree.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkGIG9uRdTshttps://www.youtube.com/wat...
Topple13.JPG
919 hits | 169.17 KB | Posted: 2/6/15
This is 43' of a 45' tree.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkGIG9uRdTs

https://www.youtube.com/wat...
I got tired of steering around this stump, so I decided to get rid of it.[url=http://www.supermoto...
Stump02b.JPG
763 hits | 137.94 KB | Posted: 10/21/15
I got tired of steering around this stump, so I decided to get rid of it.

[url=http://www.supermoto...
Stump removal with a Bronco.IDK why the audio is unsynchronized.It may be necessary to click Pla...
Stump02cH.mp4
967 hits | 65.93 MB | Posted: 10/27/15
Stump removal with a Bronco.

IDK why the audio is unsynchronized.

It may be necessary to click Pla...
After a few gentle taps, it got the message.[url=https://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/med...
Stump02c.JPG
1068 hits | 152.65 KB | Posted: 10/21/15
After a few gentle taps, it got the message.

[url=https://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/med...
The completed bumper has stood up better than I expected. Even knocking a 20" stump out of the ...
Stump02.jpg
259 hits | 71.79 KB | Posted: 11/22/20
The completed bumper has stood up better than I expected. Even knocking a 20" stump out of the ...
The completed bumper has stood up better than I expected. It's strong enough for a double-line pull ...
Bumper83s.jpg
311 hits | 113.18 KB | Posted: 11/22/20
The completed bumper has stood up better than I expected. It's strong enough for a double-line pull ...
The stump in the distance (far side of the white driveway, Right of the brick stack) died a couple o...
ShopStump02.jpg
372 hits | 142.6 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
The stump in the distance (far side of the white driveway, Right of the brick stack) died a couple o...
This is either 1/2" or 5/8" (if that exists) aircraft cable, and I've used it before as an...
ShopStump06.jpg
289 hits | 152.31 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
This is either 1/2" or 5/8" (if that exists) aircraft cable, and I've used it before as an...
The way I set up the anchor line left me exactly what I need on the winch for the maximum pulling fo...
ShopStump03.jpg
294 hits | 96.9 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
The way I set up the anchor line left me exactly what I need on the winch for the maximum pulling fo...
With 2 lines, I get nearly double the force at half the speed. So I should get up to ~24K lbf on th...
ShopStump05.jpg
269 hits | 142.49 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
With 2 lines, I get nearly double the force at half the speed. So I should get up to ~24K lbf on th...
After tightening up the cable, I checked the anchor, and it had cut into the rotting stump about an ...
ShopStump11.jpg
259 hits | 155.49 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
After tightening up the cable, I checked the anchor, and it had cut into the rotting stump about an ...
Even though the winch is at full-stall, it doesn't even look like there's any tension on it. It's n...
ShopStump13.jpg
260 hits | 109.48 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
Even though the winch is at full-stall, it doesn't even look like there's any tension on it. It's n...
After stalling the winch a few more times, and several violent pops & shakes, the cable is embedded ...
ShopStump14.jpg
244 hits | 141.14 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
After stalling the winch a few more times, and several violent pops & shakes, the cable is embedded ...
It's still ignoring me...
ShopStump15.jpg
263 hits | 141.89 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
It's still ignoring me...
I started to worry that the hook might rip the center bar out, or slip out of the cable eye, but eve...
ShopStump16.jpg
269 hits | 89.36 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
I started to worry that the hook might rip the center bar out, or slip out of the cable eye, but eve...
At about 2K RPM, I'm getting all the alternator can give, but stalling the winch still pulls the bat...
ShopStump23.jpg
299 hits | 83.06 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
At about 2K RPM, I'm getting all the alternator can give, but stalling the winch still pulls the bat...
I don't think NASA lasers are this straight. And this shows why tree straps are required on live tr...
ShopStump26.jpg
314 hits | 96.59 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
I don't think NASA lasers are this straight. And this shows why tree straps are required on live tr...
It's still just smirking...
ShopStump28.jpg
277 hits | 145.41 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
It's still just smirking...
I got sick of it NOT moving, so I sharpened up one of my digging bars and started working around the...
ShopStump33.jpg
306 hits | 143.71 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
I got sick of it NOT moving, so I sharpened up one of my digging bars and started working around the...
THAT got its attention - now it's leaning noticeably, and the dirt is rising behind it.
ShopStump38.jpg
288 hits | 142.03 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
THAT got its attention - now it's leaning noticeably, and the dirt is rising behind it.
At this point, it's creaking & popping each time I bump the winch, but it's still at full stall (aro...
ShopStump42.jpg
363 hits | 136.39 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
At this point, it's creaking & popping each time I bump the winch, but it's still at full stall (aro...
I found a couple more heavy roots as they came up, and cut them. That really relieved the cable ten...
ShopStump52.jpg
333 hits | 123.66 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
I found a couple more heavy roots as they came up, and cut them. That really relieved the cable ten...
It's moving much faster now; so much that I have to stop frequently to check the cable wrap and knoc...
ShopStump55.jpg
345 hits | 104.63 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
It's moving much faster now; so much that I have to stop frequently to check the cable wrap and knoc...
Game over - there's hardly any tension on the cable now.
ShopStump64.jpg
334 hits | 86.45 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
Game over - there's hardly any tension on the cable now.
I'll leave it here tonight, and probably try to wash some of the dirt back into the hole before ripp...
ShopStump74.jpg
338 hits | 80.27 KB | Posted: 2/3/19
I'll leave it here tonight, and probably try to wash some of the dirt back into the hole before ripp...
There are a few more big roots preventing me from pulling this out of the hole, and I can't cut them...
ShopStump83.jpg
304 hits | 151.74 KB | Posted: 2/4/19
There are a few more big roots preventing me from pulling this out of the hole, and I can't cut them...
The weight of the dirt pulled it back upright, so I put some of the log sections under the stump to ...
ShopStump87.jpg
331 hits | 138.78 KB | Posted: 2/4/19
The weight of the dirt pulled it back upright, so I put some of the log sections under the stump to ...
The stack is nearly gone, but it lifted the root ball enough to break the last few big ones and drag...
ShopStump89.jpg
369 hits | 134.83 KB | Posted: 2/4/19
The stack is nearly gone, but it lifted the root ball enough to break the last few big ones and drag...
After a backbreaking load is hefted onto the grill guard, it's much quicker & easier to unload it wi...
LoadUn.jpg
249 hits | 64.03 KB | Posted: 9/7/22
After a backbreaking load is hefted onto the grill guard, it's much quicker & easier to unload it wi...
Another dead tree had to come down, and this is the easiest way to get the stump out of the ground. ...
TreeCrawl22.jpg
0 hits | 124.63 KB | Posted: 10/28/25
Another dead tree had to come down, and this is the easiest way to get the stump out of the ground. ...
I've lost track of how many times I've loaded the grill guard. IF THE IMAGE IS TOO SMALL, click it.
LogHaul.jpg
0 hits | 85.56 KB | Posted: 11/23/25
I've lost track of how many times I've loaded the grill guard.
IF THE IMAGE IS TOO SMALL, click it.