I'm stumped..

GregJ · Sep 30, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

For cutting through some of the stubborn roots that the hoe couldn't break, I dug around them with the hoe and then rinsed them off with some water then cut them with my chain saw. When I went in to one of my big projects, I figured I was just going to sacrifice a chain. Then I bought a Dremel chain saw sharpening attachment. I abused that chain like you wouldn't believe and that Dremel tool kept sharpening it like new. I am still using the same chain today. The chainsaw attachment was less that $20.... Well worth it. Also, RDalley's suggestion about leaving more stump to work with is a good one. On the smaller stumps I try to cut the tree off as high as possible to get leverage to tip it over.

Greg

RonL · Sep 30, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Jibber

I go around the tree and pull out the roots. If it won't go, I move a little further down the root until I reach a point where it gives. One thing you want to be careful about is tension. When you're pulling on the root be careful it doesn't snap and throw something in your face. I have seen it recommended that you always pull upwards rather than towards you. Experience will tell you the best way to pull.

RonL

Jibber · Sep 30, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Well, I hope to get at the first of them this weekend.. Much thanks for all the good advice. I'm hoping I dont' unearth monsters like in those photos!!

I have a feeling that my excavation will be complicated by the rocks in this area. I can't dig a hole for a sapling without hitting mega rocks it seems.

but, that's another project!

BLUEBONNET2 · Sep 30, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

the best way i've found to remove stumps is to hire a contractor with a track hoe with about a 2-4 foot bucket......(about $60-75/ hr. here) and save your tractor for clean up work.......
or hire a stump grinder guy or rent one if you just want to do the work......save your tractor for YOUR fun /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
same with the rocks.............

good luck,
bluebonnet2

Jibber · Sep 30, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Actually, despite the work.. I still have fun doing anything with the tractor!

B21nut · Oct 1, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Jibber, Right you are. Don't we buy these things to work?
In fact I'm often surprised with some of the photos I've seen on this site. Some of these tractors don't look like they get much use. I've dug tons of stumps out with a B21 and it's rewarding work. If you're not scratching or breakin' something once in awhile then maybe you should have bought a mercedes or something. Enjoy your stump removal

jpr62902 · Oct 1, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Amen! My wife keeps tellin' me to keep my tractor clean. What!!!??? It's a TRACTOR for Pete's sake. Its supposed to be dirty. Next thing, I'll have to take my overalls to the cleaners to get them pressed. ARGHHH!

EagleEye · Oct 1, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

This is what I did also... time/money well spent (a dozer) when you have many trees stumps to remove (leave a couple feet on the stump for the dozer to use in getting it out of the ground)... for a tree here or there... I take it down to as close to the ground as possible (with a chainsaw) ... mostly pines around here so.... 3 yrs later, it's pretty well rotted... (especially in hard pan)... then I take my loader to what's left .... If you're patient (as a grower of plants, it's a required quality), this can be a very easy task. For hard woods, I would think the indicated BH approach will work very well.

mytoys · Oct 1, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Since you haven't cut the trees down yet, leave the stump a little tall. This will give you some leverage to "wiggle" the stump when it starts to loosen up.

Of course my father, an old timer, thinks i'm crazy for digging up stumps. "just let em rot" he'd say, you'll just beat up the machine. I never did listen well.

BIGUN · Oct 1, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Here is a method of removing stumps an old timer showed me that really works quite well. It may not appeal to those who want to do it all with their tractor.
As others suggested this works better when you leave the stump long for increased leverage. Dig all the way around the stump removing the dirt and cutting the roots using your backhoe or a shovel and axe if you are less fortunate. At this point the stump will probably still be rooted pretty tight. You then take a 1 ½ ton or so Lever Chain Hoist and anchor it to a nearby tree at the base (right against the ground) using a cable over some material to protect the bark of the tree. Attach the other end around the very top of the stump and pull up on the hoist good and tight. You can use a relatively small tree for and anchor compared to the stump due to difference in height (leverage). Continue to dig, pry, and cut roots on the side away from the hoist. As the stump starts to move you will need to take up the slack on the hoist. Since this is a chain hoist you won’t get that sling shot effect when the stump breaks loose. It works if you have a tree in the area to anchor to.

Wannafish · Oct 1, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Bigun,
I'm glad to hear the chain worked for you, however, to say "you won't get that slingshot effect" can be misleading to those new to using a chain for pulling. I can show you the dents down the side of my truck that were put there by a chain when it broke...also the skid marks on the seat of my dozer when a chain broke a different time and hit the headache rack on the ROPS. Chains are a great tool, just don't become over confident of their lack of elasticity. It only takes once...I figure I owe somebody after surviving twice /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.

normde2001 · Oct 1, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

EagleEye, the guy I hired just pushed over the whole tree, then pushed the whole 40-50' tree about 50 yards to the burn pile by pushing on the stump with the whole tree in front of him. Reminded me of pushing a peanut with your nose. When finished he smoothed over what appeared to be about 3 acres of bomb craters.

slowzuki · Oct 1, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Wannafish, he was refering to a chainfall come-along which have clutches which slip to prevent one from overloading the chain like you did on your dozer.

Yanking or pulling with a chain is a completely different story.

Ken

EddieWalker · Oct 1, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Are you taking out stumps or the whole tree?

It makes a HUGE difference if it's the whole tree. Much easier. Most trees just need a decent cut along the roots on either side and a little push.

The weight of the tree does all the work.

Good Luck,
Eddie

Jibber · Oct 2, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Whole trees.. but I'm too chicken to fool with the roots while it's still standing. I'm going to start on the perimeter of the existing lawn and probably lay them down on the lawn to make cutting them up easier.

I'll probably leave some length for leverage.. but not more than a few feet.

MarkV · Oct 8, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

Jim,
I agree with Eddie if your location will allow it. You are looking at fairly small trees when you estimate them at 6 – 14". Take a few smaller ones and try cutting the roots on the forest side with the backhoe. Then set your loader 5 or 6' up the tree and push it into the forest. That has worked well for me and my B21 which is much smaller than your tractor.

For the bigger ones I can understand why you might hesitate. When cutting I like to leave a good 3' of stump to use as a lever after digging around the stump. It really helps break those tap roots you can't get to with the hoe.

Good luck, have fun and be careful.

MarkV

Wildman1 · Oct 9, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

I agree with Eddie. I have tall, skinny Birch, Aspen, Cottonwood and Alder. 40-60' and 10" to 14" diameter here in Alaska. The roots tend to go out and not too deep. I use my loader and dig around it, use a single blade ripper to cut roots down about 2'. Then run my loader up to max hieght and push on the whole tree. Its own weight does most of the work and I can drop it exactly where I want it.

Then I cut up the tree leaving 4-6' of stump to hook a chain to and pull it out with the JD2210. Out of 50+ stumps I've only been stumped once. Needed a backhoe.

EagleEye · Oct 9, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif....some of us like to use the wood for burning in other places... However, that's how my dad had it done as well.

bncsauve · Oct 23, 2003

Re: I\'m stumped..

My favorite technique for stumps with my backhoe is to dig a trench on each side of the stump down about 3 feet or so as close to the stump as the backhoe will cut through the roots. Move the tractor 90 degrees to the stump and do the same thing again. Now, put the teeth of the backhoe bucket as high up on the stump as you can and push. (arm down, dipper stick out) until you lift the back end of the tractor off the ground or break the tap root or roots. If it doesn't let go, reach over the stump and grab it and curl the bucket. Keep pushing and pulling until it lets go. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif