How do you excavate/remove tree stumps??
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rdbrumfield
Veteran Member
For real quick work of clearing and grubbing of stumps and debries nothing out performs a trackhoe with a thumb. Being able to knock stumps around to get the dirt off by dropping or using the teeth to rake it out of the roots and stack for burning is a great way to go if one is available to you.
Here in the northwest it is not uncommon to be up against oldgrowth stumps in excess of 4 ft dia. Of course big stump = big hole, but being able to pick them up and stack for burning or hauling off is a big plus. And of course loading tub grinders for chipping them is a must.
If you have a lot of clearing to do, the best way is to take the trees while standing so the stumps come out with them. Just take the roots from one side and ease them over. That way the limbs and such can be taken care in planned areas instead of cutting and limbing each tree where it falls just to have the cleanup and stumping to do after, makes for a much bigger mess and more work.
Here in the northwest it is not uncommon to be up against oldgrowth stumps in excess of 4 ft dia. Of course big stump = big hole, but being able to pick them up and stack for burning or hauling off is a big plus. And of course loading tub grinders for chipping them is a must.
If you have a lot of clearing to do, the best way is to take the trees while standing so the stumps come out with them. Just take the roots from one side and ease them over. That way the limbs and such can be taken care in planned areas instead of cutting and limbing each tree where it falls just to have the cleanup and stumping to do after, makes for a much bigger mess and more work.
woodmills1
Gold Member
A backhoe or a dozer will be much easier than a tractor bucket but it can be done. Definately use the tree for help or at the very least If you do fell the tree first leave a high stump to add to leverage. I found a site that was from the army about how to use a dozer and the process started by taking passes around the tree to sever the roots close to the surface. With my Kioti I take out small trees and start with a pass that is far enough away so the bucket can just rip off the roots. Working my way closer as I ring around the tree.
John_Mc
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I've heard of guys using a single-shank subsoiler and using it to run a tight circle around the stump to break as many roots as possible. Not tried it myself, so can't say how well it works. It does make sense though, for many trees, but you'll have troubles with oak (or similar trees) which have a long taproot in the center. After cutting as many roots as possible, pop it out with your loader, or hook on a chain.
This isn't as effective as a backhoe, but it's a whole lot cheaper.
John Mc
This isn't as effective as a backhoe, but it's a whole lot cheaper.
John Mc
have_blue
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It does make sense though, for many trees, but you'll have troubles with oak (or similar trees) which have a long taproot in the center. )</font>
John, I used to think oaks had a tap root too. I had 6 oaks blow down in the last hurricane, 3 didderent types. None had tap roots.
Cut the roots, reach up high and push! Cutting the roots is the hard part. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
John, I used to think oaks had a tap root too. I had 6 oaks blow down in the last hurricane, 3 didderent types. None had tap roots.
Cut the roots, reach up high and push! Cutting the roots is the hard part. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
have_blue
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( how do you remove tree stumps? )</font>
Best was is to remove the stumps while they are still attached to the trees.
I removed about 30 trees, ranging from arm sized to about 10" in diameter. Hitch a long, strong chain high up on the tree and get out of the way. If traction is good, the tree will go. Your larger trees will be more of a problem, but it will be interesting to see what size trees the TC45 can pull out. I think I could have pulled out a 12 inch tree by pulling while chopping on the tensioned roots. All this was with my old TC29, not my current TC35.
Best was is to remove the stumps while they are still attached to the trees.
I removed about 30 trees, ranging from arm sized to about 10" in diameter. Hitch a long, strong chain high up on the tree and get out of the way. If traction is good, the tree will go. Your larger trees will be more of a problem, but it will be interesting to see what size trees the TC45 can pull out. I think I could have pulled out a 12 inch tree by pulling while chopping on the tensioned roots. All this was with my old TC29, not my current TC35.
EastTexFrank
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I have the same problem. I've a lot of stumps to remove from around the lake and no backhoe. Man, I really need that backhoe ... perhaps Santa will bring one. In the meantime I was thinking of hiring a stumpgrinder for the weekend and seeing how that went. I should be able to grind the stumps 6'' below ground level and backfill/cover it with dirt and let the rest of it rot out. I thought that 6" below ground would be deep enough not to interfere with any tilling and levelling I might do later on. Do you think this method would work?
Justaplain
Gold Member
Check into the price of a stump grinder by the day, it is less than a twisted frame or bucket on your FEL, and no big soft holes. bcs
riptides
Super Member
I am in the process of doing this now with a 30hp Kubota 7800. No backhoe, just a chain saw and FEL. I usually clear as much brush and stuff out of the way first. Then I fell the tree leaving 3-4 feet. This provides leverage to rock back and forth with the FEL, AFTER, I dig into and sometimes under the stump.
Now since I am in the woods, once you start, you have a path cleared to get under the rest of them. Slow work, but somewhat satisfying. I'll post some pics if the weather cooperates this w/e. Area is about 150'-200'. Maybe 40 trees average size 10" round.
-HTH
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now since I am in the woods, once you start, you have a path cleared to get under the rest of them. Slow work, but somewhat satisfying. I'll post some pics if the weather cooperates this w/e. Area is about 150'-200'. Maybe 40 trees average size 10" round.
-HTH
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
GareyD
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After readin this whole thread...nobody seems to use leverage to their advantage....Granpappy always pulled stumps with a span of mules...
Dig around the stump to loosen up most of the roots (Backhoe, FEL, or pick - shovel & axe)...Take a chain (longer is better) with a slip hook and double wrap around the stump as close to the ground as possible...hook the chain to a clevis on the drawbar of the tractor/mules...stand a 3-4 foot piece of 4x4 (Grandpappy used an oak tree about 5 inch in caliper) vertically next to the stump, under the chain...climb on the tractor, (or gittty up Beck & Dottie) and tug that sucker outta the ground....may take a little back and forth from different sides, but eventually all but the most stubborn will come outta the ground.
Playtex has it right "Lift and Separate!!"
GareyD
P.S. Put a piece of strap iron on the top of the post with some ears bent up to hold the chain in place if ya have a lot of stumps to pull (will make the post last longer) and if the ground is soft, put a piece of 2x12 or equivalent under the post to keep it from sinking!!!
Dig around the stump to loosen up most of the roots (Backhoe, FEL, or pick - shovel & axe)...Take a chain (longer is better) with a slip hook and double wrap around the stump as close to the ground as possible...hook the chain to a clevis on the drawbar of the tractor/mules...stand a 3-4 foot piece of 4x4 (Grandpappy used an oak tree about 5 inch in caliper) vertically next to the stump, under the chain...climb on the tractor, (or gittty up Beck & Dottie) and tug that sucker outta the ground....may take a little back and forth from different sides, but eventually all but the most stubborn will come outta the ground.
Playtex has it right "Lift and Separate!!"
GareyD
P.S. Put a piece of strap iron on the top of the post with some ears bent up to hold the chain in place if ya have a lot of stumps to pull (will make the post last longer) and if the ground is soft, put a piece of 2x12 or equivalent under the post to keep it from sinking!!!