How to cut through BIG tree roots?

familyman · Jun 17, 2007

I once had a manufacturers website on my favorites list who made a sharp edged ripper attachment for backhoe buckets (the link is gone - victim of crashosis). The stump I started digging today has some roots 3-4" in diameter 24" out from the stump, and although I'd eventually get it done, digging this one this is hard on my machine. Does anyone know of a product that mounts to a backhoe bucket, dipper stick, or even the 3-pt. for cutting through roots? TSC has a subsoiler for about $160 that I guess I could sharpen, but I'm not sure it would work.

Z-Michigan · Jun 17, 2007

Can you dig the dirt from around these roots and then use a chainsaw on them?

nmu98 · Jun 17, 2007

I have the sub soiler from TSC, and I do not think it would work.......

familyman · Jun 17, 2007

I thought about the chainsaw, but the roots are at various depths, so far 6" to 12" deep, around the stump. It may be my only recourse.

crbr · Jun 17, 2007

familyman said:
I thought about the chainsaw, but the roots are at various depths, so far 6" to 12" deep, around the stump. It may be my only recourse.

Soil will ruin a chain and wear you out trying to keep it sharp (already ruined).

Kendrick · Jun 17, 2007

stump grinder

Is this like what you were looking for?

texasjohn · Jun 17, 2007

Harbor Freight has a chaiin saw sharpener for about $40 on sale at the moment... I have one.... works fine.... Ii'd get a couple of chains, dig as much dirt as possiible, chain saw carefully, resharpen when necessary... can't thiink of another way... assumiing you can't get a chain under the root and pull it out of the ground...

mrutkaus · Jun 18, 2007

Could you sharpen one or both sides of the bucket, or bolt on some blades; especially if you had a thumb, this would almost have to do something...

Mike

BTDT · Jun 18, 2007

Does anyone know of a product that mounts to a backhoe bucket, dipper stick, or even the 3-pt. for cutting through roots?

What about a scarifier tooth (like in a box blade). Might have to fab up some way to pin it to your bucket, or bucket attachment. Then you need some way to sharpen it. Maybe that would cut through your roots.

srjones · Jun 18, 2007

If you have access to water, dig around the stumps and then use a strong blast of water to clear off any dirt and rocks around the roots before cutting them.

Heck, if you have a pressure washer and a trash pump, you could keep digging and cleaning and then pump out the slurry. Pretty messy, though...