Best way to chain a stump???

[Tororider]

Is there a best way to chain a stump to pull it out? I have heard wrapping it from top to bottom and then back up so that it pulls and tightens on itself. Is there a special logging chain that would work better?

 

[GaryM]

I've seen logging chain with links that are square in cross section rather than round. Supposed to bite into the log rather than slipping off. Sounds good in theory.

I did a google search before posting this reply, but didn't find what I remember. I'll look some more and repost if I find it.

 

[Farwell]

I use a 6 foot chain with 1/2 inch links. On one end I have a round link that is big enough to slide a hook and chain through. On the other end I have a hook that will hook on to a 15 foot log chain. I wrap the stump/log with the short chain, slide the hook through the round link and fasten the hook to the 15 footer. As I put tension on the chain the short chain snugs up tight to the stump/log and in most cases locks on to the log or stump until tension is released. It is very easy to fasten and very easy to remove after the log/stump has been removed. There is a name for the short chain that I use but don't recall what it is.

 

[Highbeam]

We call them chokers and they are usually made of cable aka wire rope.

 

[MrJimi]

I usually leave as much sticking up top and just wrap a chain around the top upper part and wet/soak the ground really good and just pull them out, like pulling a nail out of wood. I don't think that is what you have, food for thought next time
and the choker method is the best
I wish I could have been more help to you
Jim

 

[1bush2hog]

Chokers are a lot easier, but you can also improvise and use a figure 8 or double wrap that will usually hold

 

[easygo]

I would just wrap the chain around the top of the stump so it makes two full loopes and hook the chain back on itself. As you apply tension on the chain it will just get tighter and tighter and when the tension is released it is very easy to take off the log. I use 3/8 tow chains with the grab hooks on the ends. It is a lot cheaper than buying the loggers choke or the special logger's hooks. Also the chain is a bit more multi purpose that way. I only cut about 3 cords of wood each year and very (very) seldom pull on stumps so the extra time it takes to make the loopes does not matter to me.

 

[daBear]

What size tractors are you guys using to pull stumps? My Kubota L2800 only weighs 2,300 pounds or so and all four wheels just turn when I hook onto something like that.

 

[Renze]

I dont pull stumps, its easier to pull whole trees. As soon as it leans over, the gravity of the crown takes over and rips off the roots.
Once its down, i use the loader to chop off some more roots, saw the branches of the log and then attach a chain to the far end, to twist it around in a circle untill all roots are broken. with a downed tree still attached to it, you have a lot of leverage to twist the stump off its roots

 

[Tororider]

Started pulling stumps tonight. Worked pretty well, just wrapped it a few times and then wrapped it back on top of itself and it tightened down when under tension and most of them pulled right out. There were a couple 8-10 inch diameter ash trees that didn't want to come out, I think I may have to use a sawsall to cut some of the bigger roots to get those out, but for the most part they popped right out.

Dabear,
We have a JD 4310, and we had to work at it sometimes, but wasn't too bad.

 

[john_bud]

Toro,

If you make an A frame out of some stout steel (3x3x1/4 tube) with a chain eye at the top, then place it so that the bottom is digging in and the top is pretty close to the stump (about 24" off the ground). Then as you pull forward, the A frame pivots up and pulls the stump out of the ground and forward to the tractor. Works better than a dead line pull - by far!

jb

 

[RAD10]

hello jb,

if possible can you post a picture, i'm not sure i'm following how you are using this to pull the stump.

 

[knute_m]

Toro,

If you make an A frame out of some stout steel (3x3x1/4 tube) with a chain eye at the top, then place it so that the bottom is digging in and the top is pretty close to the stump (about 24" off the ground). Then as you pull forward, the A frame pivots up and pulls the stump out of the ground and forward to the tractor. Works better than a dead line pull - by far!

jb

JohnBud's frame certainly makes things safer, and probably easier to pull out a stump.

First thing, don't try to pull to hard or too fast. It is way too easy to pull a tractor over backward. Make sure you are only connected to your drawbar hitch.

Assuming you are working safely, either a wire line "choker" as mentioned above, or a chain with a slip hook on one end, and a grab hook on the other end is needed.

Either a choker, or a chain with a slip hook, will tighten around the stump, and will not slip when you start to pull. Multiple loops around the stump are not necessary.

A slip hook has a rounded inside that slides down the chain when you start to pull. This is different than a grab hook, which hooks over a chain link and stays in place.

Any place that sells heavy duty chain, including Tractor Supply, has various types of slip hooks and grab hooks. Most places can make a short chain with a slip hook on one end, and a grab hook on the other. Like Farwell sadi, six foot is more adeqaute for most stumps. Connect that chain to a longer chain, and then connect that to your tractor.

However, you may actually find that a come-along will be faster and safer. For many stumps greater than 7-10 inches, you need to cut/chop all around the stump to break the lateral roots.

Be safe,
Knute

 

[EddieWalker]

Years ago, I tried pulling stumps out with chains. I'd dig down all around the stump and then try to pull it out with the chain. My 80hp backhoe didn't have enough power to break them free. Later, when I bought my 168hp dozer, I tried chains again. The chain broke. I got a larger chain and broke it too!!!

Lesson learned. I don't try to use chains any more to take out stumps. If it wont come out, I remove more dirt until it does.

Once it's out, or even broken free, then they move along easy with chains.

Eddie

 

[Tororider]

We finished with the stumps last night. Nothing bigger than 8-10". Had to axe around them a bit, but they all came out with our chains. Most of the small ones just popped out, probably a function of being near the swamp.

 

[sandman2234]

I have a couple of fat lighter stumps in my way that I am "bumped" with the JD2555. 65 hp and they didn't even begin to budge, so I just work around them till I have someone nearby with a hoe. I could burn them out, but fat lighter is getting harder to find.
David from jax