Digging up tree with backhoe

[Charlesaf3]

Originally Posted by powerstroke444e

I have used the same plan to take out many trees with full six equipment as the weight of the tree just pops the stump right out. Just be smart about it and be carfull. I have seen a 220 Komatsu that the operator was killed because he pulled on the tree with the hoe instead of pushing it away from him and it came right threw the cab and crushed him.

yeah, PUSH don't pull! Figured that was obvious, but its worth saying. Some thought needs to go into the digging pattern.

Oak stumps are worse then pine. At least mine are. They are huge, I've had to dig basically tractor sized holes to get them out before, and the m59 loader can barely lift them.

Given a wide field, I'd figure out which way the tree wants to go and push it over with the hoe. You really have a lot more control that way.

Bare in mind a 6' tree will take a LOT of digging before it goes over.

[LBrown59]

Originally Posted by green duck

1*Any suggestions would be helpful, Thanks.

1*You don't want to saw down the tree because of the stump but if you push the tree over how are going to detach the stump from the tree to clean up the downed tree?

Originally Posted by green duck

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking instead of cutting it down I would use tall height of the tree to pull it over after digging around it. But, you are saying just cut it then dig the stump up after the tree is down? That definitely sounds safer.
2*I guess I was trying to save time.
Thanks

2*Seems to me the time required to saw off the stump
after the tree was pushed over would be about the same as it would have been to have sawn the tree down in the first place.

[green duck]

I figured that I could use the weight of the tree to "pop" the stump out, thus saving time. I figure it will take a lot more digging to get the stump out when the tree is already cut down. Basically use the big top of the tree as leverage to help me out.

Either way, the stump is coming out to be put on a future burn pile. I was just thinking less time digging means less fuel I use. Also, if I dig then pull it over it would take about ten mins. to saw the stump off and move it to a burn pile.

Yes you are right, the time to saw off the stump would take about the same time to saw the tree down in the first place. But, there again, I figure the dig then pull approach would save more dig time, as apposed to saw then dig approach.

As Charlesaf3 stated, it would take a lot of digging to just dig up the stump. So hopefully the weight of the tree falling will do a lot of that work for me.

Thanks

Also, when I say "pull the tree over" I mean pull with about 200' of heavy cable, not pull right up along side the tree.

[Charlesaf3]

lbrown, with due respect, I don't think you've downed many trees - the cut of the stump is the same either way, but the digging of the stump is the big deal - even with a big backhoe it can soak up a good portion of the day. Whereas popping the stump out by using the leverage of the trunk is faster, and you get more control. Its how the pros do it around here if they can get the heavy equipment in for that reason.

greenduck - I'd pull with the cable (don't forget to put a blanket or such over) AND push with the hoe around 15 feet up. I usually use a snatch block too, but thats going to depend on the situation

I find getting the line to a good place in the tree takes me a LOT of time, but its worth it. And maybe you are going to be better than I am at that - you couldn't be much worse...

You really want to make sure that tree isn't coming back at you... I wouldn't want to test the FOPS that way, though it'd be better than relying on a helmet in that circumstance.

[green duck]

Yeah I usually use a snatch block when cutting down trees by the house but this tree is in the middle of the pasture. Also, that's a great idea pulling and pushing, I'll pull the cable with my tractor and push on the tree with the backhoe, Thanks

[powerstroke444e]

Using a hoe and pushing them over is how most clear land around here. Being your in middle of a field I would figure out which way is the easiest to push it and get to go that way, after you push one over with the tree on the stump you will never cut a tree off before hand as it takes way to long to dig with stump only.

[Ductape]

Green Duck .................please don't be this guy !

[Redneck in training]

If the trunk is healthy sell the tree to a logger or timber mill. They will cut it down and pay you some money. Then dig the stump.

[green duck]

If the trunk is healthy sell the tree to a logger or timber mill. They will cut it down and pay you some money. Then dig the stump.

Interesting, I never thought about a mill buying a single log.

Thanks

[alltoys]

I have knocked over a number or large trees with my little tractor hoe just a 28hp tractor with 8' hoe. I did try to push over the first tree but found out it wobbles quite a bit and widow maker can fall down completely silent. I have since dug all around the tree on a windless day while anchoring it to a truck a long distance away. Once all the tap roots are busted a large tree is easy to pull over if the rope is high enough up the tree in the first place. My little hoe I have managed to rip through 12'' tap roots without to much trouble.

One trick I use is to dig as far under the tree as you can on the side you want it to fall and not as much on the opposite side.