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

[quicksandfarmer]

Here's how I once moved a pretty big rootball. I got a sheet of plywood into the pit so that I could roll the rootball onto it. I lashed the rootball onto the plywood, and then got some 2x4's and put them as skids under the plywood. 4x4's would have been better, but I use what I have. I then tied onto the plywood and pulled it out -- using a minivan parked on pavement 150' away and a long rope. Like I said, I use what I have.

Once I had it rigged it actually moved pretty easily, the plywood just slid over the 2x4's. It was like an old stone boat.

 

[3RRL]

While you're at it with the pressure washer, cut yourself a ramp with it. If you get a decent one, you can easily slide it out over the mud, pulling with your tractor.

 

[ragkar]

You guys are sure coming up with some great ideas. I count eleven good ones besides mine. That farmer fella with his dang 'Your tractor is a toy' And so is his because it isn't as big as the monsters used in strip mining.
Tomorrow I'm going to try again. An advantage of pressure washing the root ball is that now it will burn easier. Because of the trapped rocks I don't want to chance using a chain saw. But I might just use a sawzall with a pruning blade 5tpi 9" to cut some big pieces off before burning. After excavating more, that pit will be a nice burn pit.
You know, buying a tractor was suppose to make my work easier. But now I have a lot more of it because I'm tackling impossible projects. That tractor is as much fun as my first motorcycle.

 

[RobS]

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

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.

Be careful with this approach. You could potentially have enough weight on the rear of the tractor as you pull forward that it pulls your front end up in the air. With the backhoe back there, you probably won't be flipping backwards, but it could be an interesting ride. You could extend your stabilizers straight out for some added security.

Sounds like you're making good progress. If the backhoe can move it, won't your FEL lift it? My FEL will lift a lot more than my backhoe.

 

[Pete Milley]

Ragkar:
Have you considered using a block and tackle. It effectively doubles your lifting or pulling power. We used them extensively on the farm with mules and when I was in the tree business. If you can anchor it to a nearby tree that would be ideal. If not, anchor to your FEL and use a different vehicle to pull with. Also, use a slip sling or rope like a lasso so it tightens on the stump as you exert pressure, this will reduce slippage. The lower you can get the slip sling on the stump the better. This will help reduce the amount of friction as the stump moves and will prevent the roots from digging into soft soil. Sometimes we need to revert to the "old ways" to accomplish a new dilemma. I'm quite sure your tractor is stronger than a team of Missouri mules. Good luck!

 

[Bob_Young]

I had the same problem recently with a rootball that weighed close to a ton. Rolled it onto its side and got it to where I could roll it part way out of the pit using the hoe. However, if I let go to get a new grip, it rolled back into the pit.

Finally got the idea to fill in dirt behind the rootball and use it as a kind of chock to hold the ball in place while I got another grip with the hoe. I was going to have to fill the pit anyway, so why not? Luckily, the little B7610 was on hand, so a few quick buckets of dirt built my chock. Got a new grip with the hoe, rolled the ball out some more and repeated. About three cycles and it was out plus I had a good start on getting the pit filled.
Bob

 

[ragkar]

I GOT IT​

I went out there three times with my pressure washer and came back in the house looking like brown Sambo. Finally I thought that maybe I had lightened it enough to have another go with the tractor.
I elected to try the easy way, pulling it over the three foot edge rather that go to the trouble of maneuvering the tractor around back where the ramp was. I knew that I'd fail so why go to a lot of trouble. I did load the FEL with boulders.
Well I backed up close to the pit, lowered the stabilizers and grabbed a hold with the bucket tines. I managed to lift the root ball about a foot, so I lifted the stabilizers and got in the drivers seat. I put the tractor in four wheel drive and slowly creeped forwards, then it broke loose and fell back in the pit.
Second try - same results.
Third try - it worked
I see that there's still a lot of mud on the bottom roots that will have to be cleaned off before I burn the root ball.
It's nice when a plan comes together

I want to thank you guys for all your suggestions. I'm archiving them because I'm sure that there will be other root balls for me to wrestle with.

 

[shane]

I had the same problem recently with a rootball that weighed close to a ton. Rolled it onto its side and got it to where I could roll it part way out of the pit using the hoe. However, if I let go to get a new grip, it rolled back into the pit.

Finally got the idea to fill in dirt behind the rootball and use it as a kind of chock to hold the ball in place while I got another grip with the hoe. I was going to have to fill the pit anyway, so why not? Luckily, the little B7610 was on hand, so a few quick buckets of dirt built my chock. Got a new grip with the hoe, rolled the ball out some more and repeated. About three cycles and it was out plus I had a good start on getting the pit filled.
Bob

I was wondering if anyone was going to suggest "floating" the stump out as you say. I understand this is how they get huge rocks out. Like you say, the hole probably needs filling anyway and it would be much faster and cleaner than fire or pressure washing.

I like to drag stumps off to the woods and let Ma Nature have a crack at them. You know, the cirlcle of life thing.

 

[Egon]

much faster and cleaner than fire

The fire method is not about the need for speed. It's slow and easy watching the burn and ensuring the fire does not get away. We all gotta slow down a little!

Of course a nice comfortable Adirondack chair with a glass of cold beverage on the arm will make this a calming experience and could be called therapeutic!

 

[reelrunner]

I had the same problem recently with a rootball that weighed close to a ton. Rolled it onto its side and got it to where I could roll it part way out of the pit using the hoe. However, if I let go to get a new grip, it rolled back into the pit.

Finally got the idea to fill in dirt behind the rootball and use it as a kind of chock to hold the ball in place while I got another grip with the hoe. I was going to have to fill the pit anyway, so why not? Luckily, the little B7610 was on hand, so a few quick buckets of dirt built my chock. Got a new grip with the hoe, rolled the ball out some more and repeated. About three cycles and it was out plus I had a good start on getting the pit filled.
Bob

Bob is correct. I have a JD310D and was removing LARGE pecan and oak stumps after hurricane Katrina. This is the best and safest way to do it. Make sure that the stump is broken loose. Then backfill dirt until it is getting up on the stump. Then rock the stump back and forth with the backhoe and it will float/walk it's self out of the hole. You might need do this several times to get it up high enough to roll it out of the hole. Then you can push or roll it anywhere you want. Good luck
Donny