Backhoe Backhoe work for tree stumps??

tinman955 · Jun 9, 2009

I am needing to remove 6 or so tree stumps with my Bobcat CT335 with a 8' hoe. Any advice for doing it right the first time? I never tried before so I dont know how easy or hard it will be. Just looking for some tips from the best in the business TBN users.

Thanks

vic4news · Jun 9, 2009

Start by digging a little ways away from the stump where you are able to break the roots. Break the roots on two sides then move closer to the stump.
Once you can get the bucket under part of the stump, curl the bucket to see if you can move it. You'll be able to tell where there still are roots you need to break. Don't try to rush it and they'll come out easily.

Vic

biggerten · Jun 9, 2009

It will depend on the kind of tree (different root systems), but I generally need to dig on two sides, the move to come at it from the other two sides.

One time I ended up with a huge root ball (two trees had grown together). I used a garden hose and 'washed' all the dirt out of the combined rootball while it was still in the hole to make it lighter before hauling it away. A lot of times just worrying it around a bit knocks most of the dirt off.

I also use my ATV and plow to push the dirt back in the hole, it's just quick and nimble.

Other folks may have better advice.

tinman955 · Jun 9, 2009

sounds like good advice, I guess I just need to have at it and give it a try.

Scooby074 · Jun 9, 2009

All good advice. I just scrape around the stump. THen i try to curl under the roots to break them up. Then i work the stump.

A tip is to leave the stump cut higher than normal. Like 2ft. This gives you some added leverage and its also a little easier to grab when moving the dug out stump.

tinman955 · Jun 9, 2009

Yeah I was thinking about that stump height when I cut them down, so I did leave them 2' or so above ground.

JohnDeere4300 · Jun 9, 2009

I have dug out stumps before and that's one job i hate to do.....When i first moved on this property i dug out about 20 stumps, and last year i made my garden bigger & had to cut 11 trees & dig out those stumps.

The stumps that i dug out was popular & wild cherry....The way i do it is start digging all around the stump, and when i see a large root i take an axe & cut that out, so I'm not putting so much strain on the BH jacks....and it helps so the tractor don't jerk all over the place

After i have dug down and removed dirt & the big roots...then i take my BH bucket and try to get under it from the back side, and see if it moves much....If it doesn't then i have to dig deeper and cut more roots....Then try to pull again & just work it back & forth and it will finally come out.

It all depends on what type of tree it is....(AND) all stumps are different when digging out....I have seen some roots on populars stay close to the top, and then the next one have roots that go straight down....and the wild cherries are a different story, and hard to dig out.

I have dug out stumps before that had such a big root ball on that i had to pull them, because they would not fit in the bucket.

Like Vic said, just take your time & don't rush it.

20 20 · Jun 9, 2009

Pulled well over 100 stumps on my land some were bigger then my old oliver dozer 10' round root ball. The best advice I can give is make time, have patience, and dig dig dig, did I say dig. I did rent a 312 excavator once and pulled a few stumps with that, worked nice. But most{90+%} of my stumps have been removed with a small BH or a mini excavator{under 4000lbs}. The taller you can leave the stump the better, gives more leverage. I have even left the whole tree 80+' where I can have room to move. Just use the advice above and HAVE PATIENCE, them trees like their dirt foundations and are made to stay put.