Posthole Digger Post Hole Digger vs Bucket Spade for Pulling Small Trees

FreedomFamilyFarms · Jul 17, 2017

Hello TBN!

I'm planning to pull over some small trees on my property keep from leaving behind a stump. When I was a kid we'd use a PHD to auger around the tree roots and loosen the dirt before tugging on the stump.

I've been looking at PHDs and the best price I've seen is an older Ford 905 with a 12" auger for $350 on Craigslist. I'm wondering if a bucket spade might get the job done for a little less money and a bit more versatile tool.

Running a 27HP Kubota B2710 with loaded rears.

Thanks in advance!

TractorGuy · Jul 17, 2017

Sounds like a certified pain in the butt. Screwing a PHD auger in among tree roots is not something I would do on purpose.

teg · Jul 17, 2017

Can you define "little trees"? Also, are we talking mainly hardwoods (vs. pines)? Soil type and rocks?

I'm guessing you have a front end loader since you asking about a bucket spade... I've pushed over 12" dbh white pines that were 40 feet tall without digging.

Slowpoke Slim · Jul 17, 2017

JD855guy said:
Sounds like a certified pain in the butt. Screwing a PHD auger in among tree roots is not something I would do on purpose.

I would have to agree with this.

Does the PHD come with a box of shear pins?

Brazos by Nemo · Jul 17, 2017

Why not a stump bucket? They work pretty good for small trees.

FreedomFamilyFarms · Jul 18, 2017

These are very small trees, less than 5" DBH. Soil is a solid clay. We did occasionally get the PHD stuck when using it to loosen dirt around stumps and yes, we kept a box of hardware store bolts and nuts as shear pins. The stumps and the tractor were much larger back then. It sounds like that approach may be overkill for this use case. I'll see what I can do to just push em' over with the loader. Any tips appreciated.

CobyRupert · Jul 18, 2017

I've pulled over some "big trees" ("big" being a relative term, but way bigger than I though possible. ~ 18" maple & pines) by hooking a cable up as high on it as I dared climb (with a ladder).

The cable is also easy to rehook onto the root ball to pull out that last root(s) that remains planted on the side that the tree pivoted on. IMHO easier than trying to position the FEL to catch and pry the root ball to get that last root.

Also it keeps you and your shiny tractor away from falling trees and branches when the unexpected happens.

I also had the advantage of sitting on the tractor behind a protective screen/cage in case cable snapped. But a chain would work too.

"Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." - Archimedes (c. 287 BC – c. 212 BC)

FreedomFamilyFarms · Jul 18, 2017

I have some cable I've used to direct larger trees when felling. How thick should it be to just pull one over?

CobyRupert · Jul 18, 2017

FreedomFamilyFarms said:
I have some cable I've used to direct larger trees when felling. How thick should it be to just pull one over?

I'll answer a question with a question: How heavy is your tractor? When pulling a cable that's attached to a point higher than the tractor, I don't think you can pull with more force than the weight of the tractor. Unless you get a running start (not recommended).

I'd compare the rating of your cable to the tractor weight and apply a generous safety factor. Typically, I'd think a 3/8" or 1/2" cable would be more than sufficient, depending on it's condition and construction. Especially if the tree tress are only 5" DBH.