attachments for cutting roots?

aardvark · Oct 10, 2004

I'm removing a bunch of stumps with the backhoe and am looking for a quicker way to cut roots around the perimeter of the stumps. My dad has a cutter of some sort he uses with his 8N. It plunges into the ground and cuts as he drives along. I don't think this will work for me since the BX23's are pretty light in comparison. Does anyone make a root shear of some sort which can cut rioots underground? Will a trencher cut through roots like a chainsaw? Alternatively, I'm going to buy an extra bar and blade for my chainsaw, not worry about ruining them, and throw them away when done.

ns_in_tex · Oct 10, 2004

I wonder if you could make a knife that would snap or pin onto your backhoe bucket and cut them with it?

aardvark · Oct 10, 2004

I thought about just sharpening the edges of the bucket, but I'm not sure how well that would work. I've also thought about a shear like the hand held pruning shears you can buy to trim branches. Only it would be hydraulic powered and cut through the ground to the root.

rswyan · Oct 11, 2004

( Alternatively, I'm going to buy an extra bar and blade for my chainsaw, not worry about ruining them, and throw them away when done. )

I have an old bar and several old chains that I have kept for any cutting I need to do where I might encounter dirt, mud, etc. Nothing will dull saw chain quicker (except maybe steel) They are completely worthless for normal cutting - but useful for cutting dirty stuff. I spent all day outside today - took down and cut up better than a dozen trees.

On the attachements for cutting roots, you might be able to fab something up like single tooth ripper (see attached image) that would attach in place of the bucket, although I don't know it whether would work with the BX hoe's limited capabilities. Bobcat makes them (that's where the attached image came from) as do other companies (mostly for larger equipment)

RodgerF · Oct 11, 2004

This may or may not help in your situation but for me a box blade with the teeth all the way down has really done the job. I don't have a backhoe yet so I use the blade to break up the roots and loosen the soil, then the FEL to dig/roll them out.

On a small area I cleared I also used the BB over the whole area to pull up any remaining "runners". This worked very well in an area with smaller trees and brush/vines.

Your mileage may vary. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Rodger

KiotiJohn · Oct 11, 2004

( Does anyone make a root shear of some sort which can cut rioots underground? )
Funny you should post this as I was just thinking last night that I need to do this to an oak tree that I want to get rid of. The roots are very likely going WAY under my house as the canopy hangs about 1/2 way over my roof, and if it uproots, the end of my house is going to be torn to pieces.
It's a big old water oak, and with the hurricanes we've had, I'm amazed it hasn't yet gone down. I lost two other smaller oaks with the last blow.
The roots are going to be quite substantial on this old tree, and something like you describe would be perfect as I can't get under the house to rip the lighter ends of the roots with my backhoe.
Guess I'm going to chain saw the main tree down and worry about the rest later.
The only tree shears I've seen that would work were quite expensive, and too large for smaller tractors. John

aardvark · Oct 11, 2004

I spoke with my dad on the phone this afternoon and he said the thing he uses is called a sub soiler. He bought it from Ringo Hill Equipment Company in PA. I looked it up on thier site and it's $225. There's no picture though.

http://www.ringohill.com/proddetails.asp?PRODID=2702

Inspector507 · Oct 11, 2004

$200-230 is about an average price for a sub soiler

MMM · Oct 12, 2004

I've seen a backhoe attachment called a stump splitter a couple times. It's a single long tooth and it's handy for getting under a stump and prying it out or splitting one in half. I doubt a small tractor have the power for that, but might work nicely for feeder roots. I imagine you'll ruin sprocket on your saw constantly using it in the dirt.

EricL · Oct 12, 2004

I am guessing one like this?

GoodGuy · Oct 12, 2004

My hands & arms are still sore from using an axe & hatchet last weekend so, I'm definetly interested in hearing any suggestions, I've attached a pic of the mess of roots I struggled with last weekend

aardvark · Oct 12, 2004

I think I'll buy a sub soiler and try it. If it doesn't work out like I want, I'll just sell it on ebay and go with the disposable chainsaw idea. There are factory refurbished Poulan's on ebay for $80.

dave_the_mayor · Oct 13, 2004

For root removal at our Nature Center, I use a portable sawzall type saw with a 8" or longer wood blade. Yes they dull but not as fast as a chain saw and are cheaper when you buy them in packs and are much quicker to change.

LoganWildman · Oct 13, 2004

Heres a kit you might consider
http://www.metkit.com/ripper.htm
I have also seen somewhere where they fabricated a smaller ripper that mounted to the hinge point behind the backhoe bucket so that you could dig normally, then when a root is encountered, you just curl the bucket in completely which puts the ripper into position.

aardvark · Oct 13, 2004

The sawzall was something i hadn't thought about. I do have a Porter Cable sawzall which I cold try.

That metkit ripper is similar to one thing I was thinking of making. I was thinking of making one to slide over the bucket edge though, but mounting it on the pivot pins in replacing the bucket would put out alot more cutting/tearing force. Sharpen the front edge of that ripper and it would probably go through about anything I need.

Gary_in_Indiana · Oct 13, 2004

That methkit looks like it could be a real help but I have a couple questions.

I read that it can be set up to use with or without their bucket thumb but I'm not sure I understand exactly how it would work in either instance. Is it just a piece to curl against the root to break it or does it have a pincer action with some other piece and, if so, which piece and how, exactly?