Backhoe Backhoe work L39

[mbradey]

Finally got to do some real work with my Kubota L39 TLB this weekend. Dug a trench across the driveway, installed a culvert and then thanks to TBN posters tried falling some trees with the backhoe. I tested it out on a small 10 inch tree about 35 feet tall and was done in around 10 minutes. Couple of scoops to snap the roots then just push it over. The next tree was oak about 3 1/2 feet across, 70 feet tall. Took about 2 hours to dig out half the roots and then I pushed it over. It came half way down and was hung up in another tree. Took many hours and a chain saw to get it right down, cut it up and get the rootball out. Got stuck and figured out how to use the backhoe to lift the tractor and move it. Hope you enjoy the pictures. I have about 30 more trees to remove....
Pic 1 - The tree half down
Pic 2 - Digging the tree
Pic 3 - After being stuck
Pic 4 - Firewood

 

[nspec]

Man, use a chainsaw and dig the stumps out later. You're gonna kill yourself like that.

 

[mbradey]

Man, use a chainsaw and dig the stumps out later. You're gonna kill yourself like that.

I read a whole long post here on TBN where this was safer than using a chain saw. Lots more fun...Ended up using a chainsaw after it hung up in another tree and i tried to pull it down with a chain but broke the chain. Besides it was my first time working the backhoe, have to learn somehow. It was very safe as the tree was leaning a bit and I knew which way it would come down.

 

[JoelD]

I find it much easier to fell the tree with hoe than to cut down and then stump the weight of the tree really helps

If using excavator then entirely different story, a 25000 pound machine pops stumps out like they are nothing

Joel

 

[mbradey]

Im a believer now. Using the backhoe pops up the rootball and saves a lot of digging time. The rootball on this tree was almost the size of the tractor. Had to use the chainsaw to cut through some of the roots as they were 8 to 10 inches.

 

[jmanatee2]

I will be honest with you, Even with a back hoe (L39 and a bigger Case 680) I have all but given up on stumps.

I cut the tree with a chain saw then cut the stump close to the ground.

Then I call a local guy with a stump grinder.

 

[mbradey]

Grinding the stumps was not an option for me as I will be building a garage where the trees are coming down. Besides its more seat time.

 

[crash325]

Your doing a fine job. Keep going and enjoy yourself. If done right The back hoe is Safer than a chain saw. :thumbsup:

If you need instructions on how to "Get Stuck" let me know, I am an Expert. Last summer I was so stuck I had a man pushing with my back hoe while I pulled with the front bucket. :laughing:

 

[mbradey]

Your doing a fine job. Keep going and enjoy yourself. If done right The back hoe is Safer than a chain saw. :thumbsup:

If you need instructions on how to "Get Stuck" let me know, I am an Expert. Last summer I was so stuck I had a man pushing with my back hoe while I pulled with the front bucket. :laughing:

That made me laugh. I don't think I need instructions on how to get stuck as I seem to come by it naturally. It was my fault for not leaving enough room between the trees and where I dug the hole. A rookie mistake for sure, but I will continue to learn. It does get tippy when moving the back end with the hoe.

 

[BruceWard]

Digging around a tree for hours at a time is dangerous. You are loosening the roots and taking away the trees support. The wind could blow it down on top of you. That 70' tree would make a huge dent in the FOPS.

I have had operators with decades of experience take down trees that size with 20 ton and larger excavators. They do it in a scoop or three and can control the tree. Even they are reluctant to attack a tree their machine will not pick up.

Why not cut the trees with a chainsaw at shoulder height then dig up the roots and push the stump over with the FEL?

 

[mbradey]

Digging around a tree for hours at a time is dangerous. You are loosening the roots and taking away the trees support. The wind could blow it down on top of you. That 70' tree would make a huge dent in the FOPS.

I have had operators with decades of experience take down trees that size with 20 ton and larger excavators. They do it in a scoop or three and can control the tree. Even they are reluctant to attack a tree their machine will not pick up.

Why not cut the trees with a chainsaw at shoulder height then dig up the roots and push the stump over with the FEL?

I was trying to use the momentum of the tree to popup the rootball as just digging half of it took about 3 hours. Ended up cutting it with a chain saw as it only came half down and hung up in another tree. Ended up taking many hours to get the rootball out. It was almost the size of the tractor and far to heavy for the tractor to lift. Had to cut the stump right off and chain to an upper root and roll it out. Just to pull it on the driveway would only happen with the front bucket full and backhoe bucket full and fully extended.

 

[crash325]

Digging around a tree for hours at a time is dangerous. You are loosening the roots and taking away the trees support. The wind could blow it down on top of you. That 70' tree would make a huge dent in the FOPS.

I have had operators with decades of experience take down trees that size with 20 ton and larger excavators. They do it in a scoop or three and can control the tree. Even they are reluctant to attack a tree their machine will not pick up.

Why not cut the trees with a chainsaw at shoulder height then dig up the roots and push the stump over with the FEL?

Please tell me how that working with a chain saw shoulder high is safe. That is really asking for trouble and a good way to get hurt.

 

[Jay4200]

Ugh - I hate digging stumps. Give my a 40,000 pound excavator, and I could see it, but with a 9 or 10' 'hoe...yuck.

Taking the whole tree out in one shot is the way to go though, provided you don't smash yourself or your tractor by accident. There isn't much getting out of the way fast when you're digging with a backhoe. I haven't tried tearing out a big tree, but for the sub-foot diameter trees, I can usually just grab the trunks with my Woods 9000, and simply rip it out of the ground. That's some fun (and makes me do Tim Allen grunting noises too...).

JayC

 

[mbradey]

Having done it both ways, chainsaw and backhoe I think on smaller trees the backhoe wins hands down but with large trees I would only do it with the backhoe if the tree is leaning a bit and you know which way it will fall. I would not want to try a realy large tree straight up in case it blew over or had the slightest chance of falling the wrong way. Also not safe either way if it has a lot of large dead branches. Just my 1 cent worth canadian....

 

[Grandad4]

Having done it both ways, chainsaw and backhoe I think on smaller trees the backhoe wins hands down but with large trees I would only do it with the backhoe if the tree is leaning a bit and you know which way it will fall. I would not want to try a realy large tree straight up in case it blew over or had the slightest chance of falling the wrong way. Also not safe either way if it has a lot of large dead branches. Just my 1 cent worth canadian....

There is some wisdom inside of you that's beginning to shine through. :thumbsup: I tried the backhoe method when the BH was new. The first tree... piece of cake, down in 10 minutes. The second tree... got the roots loose and a slight breeze started swirling around. I sat there frozen to the seat of my new tractor watching the tree start working loose from the ground, having no idea which way it was going to go. Gave it a shove, it went down, and I decided that wasn't the smartest way to fell trees in most situations. Great method for leaners and maybe if you have the tree tied off so you can guide it down. Otherwise, not so much.

 

[mbradey]

There is some wisdom inside of you that's beginning to shine through. :thumbsup: I tried the backhoe method when the BH was new. The first tree... piece of cake, down in 10 minutes. The second tree... got the roots loose and a slight breeze started swirling around. I sat there frozen to the seat of my new tractor watching the tree start working loose from the ground, having no idea which way it was going to go. Gave it a shove, it went down, and I decided that wasn't the smartest way to fell trees in most situations. Great method for leaners and maybe if you have the tree tied off so you can guide it down. Otherwise, not so much.

Wow, thats an awesome statement and I will definitely use it. From now on I will take some rope or cable and tie the tree off in the direction I want it to fall. This would eliminate the risk of the tree falling backwards. Thanks so much for this.