Folk`s, dont underestimate the BX23S, its a VERY amazing tractor. I own a BX23S, i dug out 4 huge stumps last weekend and this past weekend. I have the optional 16in hoe scoop. I live next to a huge creek, very gravely, not much clay surprisingly. The smallest stump i started digging was 2ft diameter, largest was 3-1/2ft in diameter. It took me only about 2 to 2-1/2hrs each to dig out around them.
After my digging was accomplished, i then wrapped a log chain as tight as i could, completely around the lower base`s of the stumps. (get your chain as low as possible) Then i put a 25ft long log chain over the top of the centers of the stump(s) and hooked it to the chain around the base, the BX rolled them right up out of the holes with no problem. I did dig a small ramp into the ground with the hoe to aid in rolling the stumps up out of the holes. When you hook your top chain on, go over past the top of the stump away from the tractor... use the chain as a camming action to roll the stump towards the tractor during pulling.
Just some advice, knock off as much dirt from the stumps as possible before pulling them up out of the hole, thats half the weight that your working against if you dont. If you dont dig the hole to large, you can reach out and use the bucket to rock the stump to wiggle it loose. Once its loose, its ready to be pulled & rolled up out of the hole.
One thing to keep in mind, you can start rolling the stump up from the hole with your BX, then have a helper shovel some dirt under the stump as your working on pulling it out of the hole. Reason you want to do that is, if the chain slips off (and it usually does) the stump wont roll back down from where you started from. It will save you the time you already spent if it slips off the chains. If your helper keeps dirt under the stump when you pull it with the BX, it is less likely to go back down into the hole you dug. Make sure your helper is clear from the stump during pulling. It wouldn`t be very nice of you to bury your helper... then again, if you dont like the person, that`d be an excellent time to get rid of him/her...lol.
The best advice i can give you on how to take stumps out, work smarter not harder. Dont dig a hole bigger than you actually need, thats unnecessary work and added time you dont need to waste. Make sure you have 3 large logging chains... you`ll use 2 for pulling the stump out, the 3rd chain is just to pull a stuck chain free. And for liability reasons, get the hole filled back in as quick as you can. People are sue happy today.
