rigging for stump pulling

builderpaul · November 21, 2004

Hi,

04 K2500HD with G80, factory tow and plow preps.

I was told as long as you rig to balance the pull between the two front hooks it is better to do heavy pulling hooked to the recovery hooks.

Is it really stronger to pull with the 2 front recovery hooks or off the factory hitch?

If so what is a good way to rig this so I balance the force between the 2 hooks.

Peter_C · November 21, 2004

From what I understand the transmission is weaker in reverse than forward. You should never pull off a receiver ball but use one of these Receiver Shackle

Mighty HD · November 21, 2004

I have always done the same. PUll from the front as a last resort. When I have snatched people out of the mud or ditches, I ususally hook from the rear and start off easy then gradually using more and more force. If you use a kinetic strap, it will greatly help you.

bigdogs · November 21, 2004

In that Ford commercial where they show it pulling 19K pounds they have it hooked up to the front tow hooks.. For myself I figure the hooks "should" atleast handle the weight of the truck. I believe reverse also is a lower gear than 1st so you have more torque...

Mighty HD · November 21, 2004

I thought reverse was always a higher gear than 1st?

One time I was stuck in my ZR2 in a bad hole in the woods. A fullsize blazer hooked to my factory front hooks and started to pull me out, after a few snatches the hook broke from the bolts, slammed into his back window, flew through the cab, barely missed him and blew through the windshield, and finally came to a halt about 250ft infront of the truck.

I've heard stories, saw it, so I keep away from the front hooks unless there's no other choice..

They aren,t as strong as you think they are.

Silverado4x4 · November 21, 2004

For all people that pull in reverse do what I do open your hood to block anything from hitting the windsheild or flying threw it if something would break or snap off, I was pulling a stump out one day and the stump split in half flue up and hit the underside of my hood which would have very easily went threw the windshield and man ill tell ya it happened fast and believe it or not there was no damage to the underside of the hood I guess the hood padding took most of the hit as pulling forward ill put a piece of 3/4" plywood inbetween the cab and the bed of the truck guarding the rear window with the tail gate down. Just my little bit of safety advice for everyone.

major · November 21, 2004

Mighty HD: Just out of curiosity, who did end up buying new glass for the Blazer? That is a tough spot to be in. If you don't know the guy and he was trying to help out, what do ya do?

dewfpo · November 21, 2004

04 K2500HD with G80, factory tow and plow preps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And what exactly is Option G80? A search on this site reveled nothing.

Thanks, DEWFPO

lrymal · November 21, 2004

And what exactly is Option G80? A search on this site reveled nothing.

Thanks, DEWFPO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

An Eaton rear-end locker. It is an option for some trucks. The reason you couldn't find it with SEARCH is that the search engine here won't accept three characters. grrrrrrrr

http://www.traction.eaton.com/prod2.htm

99silveradoz71 · November 21, 2004

DEWFPO,

If you explore the section marked RPO Codes on the left side of the screen, it might help you out as well.

builderpaul · November 22, 2004

Thanks to all responses and that reciever shackle (peter C) looks like the ticket. Was hoping to pull in reverse so I could better see what is going on but I guess forward is better.

If I use chain any snap back, due to breakage, is greatly eliminated, is this correct?

Mighty HD · November 22, 2004

No I didnt have to buy any glass. It was his beater off-road truck so he was fine with it. We were all glad no one got hurt.

As for using chains, please dont unless you have no other options. If you do have to use a chain, put a towel, rug, or somethign in the middle of the chain, just in case it does snap, that will help slow it down some.

search ebay for "tow strap" "tow rope" , etc. I found a 4" kinetic 40,000lb 30ft strap for $15 brand new. Tractor supply has the same one here in town for about $100.

Mighty HD · November 22, 2004

woops, 35,000lbs 30ft x4"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=43998

for $25+shipping.

Cant beat it.

bigdogs · November 22, 2004

On the Allison tranny reverse is like 4.48:1 and 1st is like 3.10:1 so you will get more power out of reverse. I don't pull anything heavy with mine from the front (just the ATV out of the snow a few times) but if I did would use the HD tow shackle brakets you see on military vehicles. I use a nylon tow strap too, don't want to see a chain come flying back in pieces nor a cable ready to cut someone in half when it snaps.