3-Point Hitch Drilling a stump?

[Dogtrainer]

I was looking at my new post hole digger and the sharp bolted on teeth on the auger. I started wondering if the teeth and shear pin would stand up to drilling out the center of an old long dead stump. If it will hold up to the abuse of hitting rocks, will it stand up to scrapping out rotting oak. Obviously you would have to go slow but it may be easier on the auger then hitting rocks. I don't think I would want to try it on a rock solid dry stump but some may yield to the power of the bit. Has anyone ever tried this? One thought is the amount of heat buildup on the bit teeth.

 

[creekbend]

Since you stated that the stump is a long dead rotting oak, I, personally don't foresee any problems. I haven't ever applied this method, but other members that have done this may chime in and give you a better idea. I would pay close attention in regards to the root system, especially the Tap Root, though. Best wishes.

 

[Zebrafive]

Interesting idea, let us know if it works

 

[Domush]

You may want to consider drilling into it with a drill first, just to see if you hit hard wood. That spiral drilling into hard wood may make for a long, bad day.

I know when I hit some small roots last week it almost took the tractor into the hole with it. I guess it depends on how ninja you are at using it and how rotten the stump is is, even at the core.

I think drilling, pouring some diesel and letting it slowly burn itself away may be the safer bet. Plenty of folks here swear by that method.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using TractorByNet

 

[sixdogs]

I have done this with a 6" auger on rotting maple and I needed a pilot hole to keep the auger from wandering. Worked fine but I could only drill one hole.
I kept building fires in the hole and when it was really bad hit it with a PTO rototiller and it was mostly gone. Start with slow rpm and stand clear as this can be a higher risk and dangerous operation.
Better to buy a 3 pt stump grinder if you have enough tree to justify.

 

[dminer]

For me, the best way to remove a rotted stump is with a small fan and a piece of sheet metal.

Build a charcoal fire on top of the stump, and after the charcoal has started the rotted wood burning, place the sheet metal over the stump (charcoal and all). Prop one side of the metal up a couple inches on a brick or two, and direct the fan towards the raised edge of the sheet metal. The forced air circulation will carry combustion down below grade and burn the stump and a significant portion of the larger roots.. The air circulation does not need to be great, just a gentle flow. Too much air will defeat the process. There will be some smoke, but not a great amount. It might take a couple of days to burn out.

 

[J_J]

Auger bits to drill out stumps are made special with carbide blades, and beefed up to take the abuse.

They only slice a little at a time.

http://www.augertorque.com/augerpdf/stumpplaners.pdf SP-500

Rotor Excavator Hydro stump cutter - YouTube

 

[Dogtrainer]

Auger bits to drill out stumps are made special with carbide blades, and beefed up to take the abuse.

They only slice a little at a time.

http://www.augertorque.com/augerpdf/stumpplaners.pdf SP-500

Rotor Excavator Hydro stump cutter - YouTube

Do these come as a 3PH system? I didn't see anything about that type of connection.

 

[J_J]

Usually made for larger tractors

Levaceppi Rotor S Stump cutter New Holland NH 8240 - YouTube

John Deere 8100 and Rotor S stump grinder - YouTube

JD- John Deere and Rotor Speedy 80-100 Hen-Ag version - YouTube

 

[Dogtrainer]

Usually made for larger tractors

Levaceppi Rotor S Stump cutter New Holland NH 8240 - YouTube

John Deere 8100 and Rotor S stump grinder - YouTube

JD- John Deere and Rotor Speedy 80-100 Hen-Ag version - YouTube

WOW!!
Uh, No, I don't think my JD 3320 would lift any of those!

 

[smalltown]

I remember discussing the location of a soon to be drilled well in my back yard. The "driller" asked it the spot had been backfiled filled with stumps. I responded no stumps there, but I asked why would that have been an issue with a drill that bores through rock. He answered the drill has a lot of problems when it encounters stumps.

 

[Dogtrainer]

I'm thinking the dril point on a dirt auger would tend to be a lot less forgiving in a stump then in it is in dirt. It is agresssave because it has to dig and pull the auger down into the soil. That being the case, as soon as the teeth hit the stump and were not able to match the rate of pull of the center point, the auger would bind and shear the pin, hopefully. I don't think I'm willing to test this theory and chance an equipment failure. BUT, it got us thinking. Thank you all for your input! Stay safe!
Gary

 

[NHmitch]

The main concern that I would have also, is if the auger became stuck, in the stump, you may not be able to free it, or back it out.

 

[sixdogs]

The stump has to be pretty rotten or it won't work. I did some pretty rotted maple with a 6" HD auger bit and it broke it up enough to allow me to further break the edges and get a fire going that ate most of it away. Then I covered what was left with dirt and seeded with grass.

I set the auger over the center of the stump and with the tractor at idle very softly lowered it with a "bouncing" motion because it grips quick. Sometimes a fast rpm but as soon as it touched the rotting stump I lifted it slightly and it knocked some pieces out. There is no way a dirt auger is going to "drill" a stump--it will only knock chunks out of a rotting one if you are careful, vary the engine speed from idle to fast and only momentarily touch the stump. In fact, a newbie should not try this since it's dangerous from the bouncing auger and augers are inherent killers from the get-go.

I did mine at a younger and more foolish age when I had zero $$ and was in the immortal stage of life with lots of free time. Today, a stump grinder would be the preferred method or a gas powered auger with a wood bit the best idea. Drill some some tight spaced holes in the center, more around the edges, build a lasting fire around on top of whats left and see what happens.