How do I get a root ball out of a pit?

[J_J]

Use 6 chains. Form a circle with one chain to capture the bottom, then hook 4 chains to the bottom chain, equally spaced and secure at the top of the root ball. Hook up a pulling chain to the 4 chains surrounding the root ball, and pull it out if you have the HP.

 

[ccsial]

Interesting dilema. A buddy faced a similar problem with a big rock he hit while digging a basement UNDER his house. Yes, he is a bit off. Anyway, his solution was to take it "out" through the bottom. In other words, dig a hole deeper yet and simply bury the whole thing. Now, you'll hear talk of the stump rotting and causing a low spot in the yard. I'm sure that will happen and when it does, your great, great, grandchildren can tend to it.

I do like the firepit idea two, maybe a hybrid of the two...

I once thought that way and left two stumps buried under my blacktop driveway. 20 years later I had two sink holes in the drive that would hold 4 inches of water. I finally put in a new driveway.

I vote for the fire. Another good use of diesel fuel.

 

[BobRip]

I had a big stump like that. I borrowed a pressure washer and got the weight way down so that my PT could lift it. I estimate it went from 3000 pounds down to about 700 after pressure washing. Yes, I did get a lot of splash back on me since the roots actually focus the water right back at you. This was actually pretty easy otherwise. I highly recommend it. I did get it out of the hole first, and that took two tractors, two high lift jacks, and a come along, and two weeks. That was pretty dangerous. Once I power washed it, I could move it to the back woods.

Just an aside, I was buring a stump in the front yard, came home one evening and the wife was cooking supper on the fire. She's a long time Girl Scout (25 years). This stump was over 200 feet from the kitchen so this was not a convenient oven.

 

[J.Walker]

Build a nice big fire on it!

I wood like to add to Edon's idea.
Have you ever seen a construction incinerator?
A high speed fan moving air through a piece of metal pipe directed into the fire pit. This should burn everything really good.
Maybe some diesel fuel to help too!
Burn baby,burn.

Have Fun and Be Safe

 

[Toolguy]

I would dig out one side of the hole and form a ramp and then wrap a chain around it, back up to it as close as I could and pull. See what happens. It might come right out and your problem is over. I have always been able to pull most anything with just one chain. You have to find the middle of the object so the chain does not slide off. It may take a few tries but that is the fun part of it. When you get it right it is a good feeling. Enjoy and be careful whatever you do. Good luck.

 

[ducati996]

I've been rather successful in removing stumps till I came to this one. It's detached now and is about a three foot cube with embedded dirt and stones. The pit is three feet deep and about six feet across.
I figure, 27 cubic feet at maybe 20-40 pounds per cubic foot or 500-1000 pounds. My JD model 46 bh is spec'd to be able to lift 348 pounds. The 3ph can lift 1150 pounds but only about a foot and a half.
I asked a local farmer for suggestions and he only had one. He said that my tractor was a toy and I should get some big iron to do it. Darn if I'm going to pay $500 to get some guy to bring in his tractor. This root ball was a problem and now it's a challenge.
My first thought was to dig a ramp and loop chains around the ball. But then I realized that the chains will roll off.
My second idea was to attack the root ball with a pressure washer and remove a lot of dirt. Not only would that cut down the weight but it might expose a real heavy root that I could hook a chain to without fear of it falling or rolling off. Then I could hook the other end of the chain to my drawbar, or my pickup, or a one ton come-along and drag it up the ramp.
What do you think of that idea or do you have a better one not involving 'big iron'?

I suppose you missed my thread - has all the details as to how to do it with very similar equipment - Im willing to take a guess that what I removed was a little bit larger than what you decribed -


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/jd-owning-operating/106706-sometimes-2520-eyes-bigger-than.html

 

[john_bud]

Put two 4x4's with plywood into the pit to make a ramp. Wrap chain around the stump and pull it out, either with your tractor or truck. Chain won't snap back and bite you like a cable can. Then put it next to the tractor with the chain on the BH bucket, snap a pic and send it to your big iron buddy....


jb

 

[ragkar]

Sometimes you win sometimes you lose. Today I had two and a half wins.

Win1- Last fall I bought a pressure washer from one of those 'park their 18-wheeler at the firehouse' guys. It was refurbished, mislabled, and came with the wrong manual. By the time I searched the web and found a manual it was freezing out and too late to head the manufacturers warning of 'don't let water freeze in the pump'. today I fired it up for the first time and IT WORKED.

Win2- pressure washing really makes the mud melt off the root ball. I even cut through some roots to release trapped stones. But was it messy. I looked like a bad case of the smallpox. The second time out I stripped to my underpants and did it that way. And wouldn't you know, the Jehova Witness's came calling. I'm kidding- that was yesterday.

Half Win - After I did all I could, I used the bh to move and roll the root ball around so I could hit the other side. In doing this I found that my BH could almost lift it. Then I cleaned off a couple hundred more pounds of mud.

No I haven't got the root ball out of that pit yet. I'm going to wait a couple days till the mud drys out. But I have a plan that you guys didn't mention. Suppose I extend the bh and hook the bucket tines solid on the backside in the roots. Then I drive forwards dragging the bh, bucket and root ball up the ramp with me. I'll bet I don't need to use chains at all. I'll have to remember to load the fel with heavy stones to get the proper balance.

I've learned a lot today. Like don't park the tractor where the mud can splash it. And dress for the occasion.

 

[ducati996]

Win2- pressure washing really makes the mud melt off the root ball. I even cut through some roots to release trapped stones. But was it messy. I looked like a bad case of the smallpox. The second time out I stripped to my underpants and did it that way. And wouldn't you know, the Jehova Witness's came calling. I'm kidding- that was yesterday.

I've learned a lot today. Like don't park the tractor where the mud can splash it. And dress for the occasion.

Honestly standing in my underwear would have never crossed my mind while working outside -in the rain, sleet or snow. I find keeping my clothes on gives the feeeling of being protected and the neighbors dont have to start to worry -

 

[john_bud]

I could stand out in my birthday suit and wouldn't get anyone riled up. Closest neighbor is across the front lawn. Next one is 5-600 yards away.


Of course, after about 10 minutes outside nekked, I'd be down about 3 qt of blood due to flying blood suckers. Mosquitoes, gnats, black flies, deer flies, horse flies, and who knows what else.

jb