I didn't think it would do it

ns_in_tex · Nov 17, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

Thanks, I never knew that.

Will check them for sure tomorrow.

willfick · Nov 17, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

I use my old backhoe on stumps a lot, mostly for the hunt club but often for neighbors.
Chinaberries and willows are easy. Their roots are brittle, as are their trunks.
Oaks are shallow rooted, lots of good sized roots but not hard to cut them off a couple feet out from the stump. Then they'll push right over.
Maples will have a big root ball of small sized but tough roots, need to be dug all around.
Sweet gums have large tap roots, but they're usually not real deep. You can find each one with the hoe without too much trouble. Black gums (tupelo) send their taproots straight down. A big one can be a lot of work. When I dug my pond I found a lot of tupelo stumps left from when the place was logged many years before. They were still tough.
Pines are the worst. They vary by species and soil, but a big one is always a job. In deep sandy soil the longleaf pines will have a trunk going straight down almost as big as the one going up. The mature loblollies will send out eight inch roots horizontally for six to eight feet in all directions, then turn straight down. Each one is like digging up a whole stand of trees.
Not meaning to put you off trying /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Let us know how it comes out.
Wm

ns_in_tex · Nov 17, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

I had planned on cutting them down anyway, but after the china berry, I wondered if it might work on the pines.

I am partially aware of the pine roots from when we cleared pines off a sand hill years ago for my sons house. It seems the tap root was larger underground than the trunk above ground, and as I remember they had to dig about 8' deep before they could break it off.

I have also seen some pines on clay soil blow over & the roots were all near the top of the ground.

I wanted to remove these beside my drive, because they are tearing up the drive & might take down the power lines & radio tower if they fall, Plus they make a mess on top of the drive.

The opposite side of the drive is sand rock about 12" down, so I was hoping their root might all be on top.

thcri · Nov 17, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

About two weeks ago I told my wife I was going to take my TC29D and pull out the pine tree that died this year. It was about 12 feet tall. She told me my tractor would never pull it out. I thought what the heck, I hooked my tow strap around it and drove off with the tree right behind me. Big hole in the ground and my wife's jaw dropped. Didn't even phase my tractor. Now the fact that the tree was transplanted there just two years ago so I am sure the root system wasn't there yet. But to see my wife. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

murph

willfick · Nov 18, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

(
I wanted to remove these beside my drive, because they are tearing up the drive
)
Is it that the roots are cracking the drive? If so, you might cause worse by pulling them out from under.
( The opposite side of the drive is sand rock about 12" down, so I was hoping their root might all be on top. )
You may be right. Another thing that makes stumps easier is moisture. I can tell a big difference depending on how much rain we've been getting. Try running a sprinkler around them off and on for a few days.
Wm

have_blue · Nov 18, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

Neal,

Man, that's a big tree to just rip out of the ground. I bet the 16' height of the cable is what got enough leverage for you.

I used to pull chicken trees (Chinese tallow trees) up to 6-8" out with my little TC29. I would hook the chain up high as I could reach, put 'er in creeper gear, engine at idle, and they always came roots and all. I know what you mean about the tree not even shaking. That depends on whether any roots pull out smoothly or suddenly pop. For trees up to ~10", I would put a strain on the tree, chop a main root or 2 on the back side, and then pull them right out. I learned right away to use a heavy chain. Cables were nothing but a headache, and a little scary too. My TC35 doesn't pull as well as the TC29. Could be the wider tires.

hazmat · Nov 18, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

Nice work Neal.

I'm really looking forward to using Dad's new TC40DA (pic). He has a grapple on order...

Trees laugh at my little TC18.

MikeIA · Nov 18, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

( Thanks, I never knew that.

Will check them for sure tomorrow. )

If it turns out that they are installed backward, the damage from "crimping" the live horse has been done. Trim the cable back and install the cable clamps (or Crosby's") on a fresh section of cable.
And always use a thimble (the teardrop-shaped channel) thru the hole in your hook
From an old post:
(

A cable clamp will reduce the strength of the assembly by at least 20%. You need to be careful to apply cable clamps correctly: "Never saddle a dead horse" is a catch phrase to help you remember which way to install Crosbys-- The dead end of the cable is the end not supporting any weight, the saddle should always be towards the live end. More information is available at www.thecrosbygroup.com. In their online catalog, look for "Wire Rope End Temination", then "Application Information" )

Mike

BigGary · Nov 18, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

WILLFICK,
I think that the soil and the type of oak trees have a large part in the ease of stump removal.
Here in NewEngland if you told anyone that has dug out white oak stumps that they were relitivly easy that would look at you a bit funny.
I have found that all hardwoods can be a challange depending on the tree and that groups of small trees growing in a clump can be the worst.
A large, say 16 inch, shag bark hickery has gotta be right up there with the toughest of em. The roots are as tough as , well hickery.

ns_in_tex · Nov 18, 2004

Re: I didn\'t think it would do it

( Not meaning to put you off trying /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Let us know how it comes out.
Wm
)

I decided I would try today. Sure enough, I failed. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Pulled my cable into near the middle. As far as I could tell didn't even lift a root.

It did change the shape of my new thimbles at the hooks. Looked like they were about to go again.

I've got to stew about this for a while and decide if I will cut them down and grind the stumps, or try to build a root saw, to cut outer roots, then try another cable.