Massey Backhoe to Dig Out Stumps?

[TractorFeverFL]

I am looking at possibly trying to remove some stumps that I have been told were water oak trees on my property.

Anyone with a Massey tractor use or try to use a 1575 backhoe or a 1580 backhoe to dig out stumps?

If so, what type of diameter stump is realistically doable?

 

[WranglerX]

I think its more about how than what size... Of course if stump weighs more than lift capacity of hoe it is not going to "lift" it, but a lot will be about how you dig around stump to get it's roots to release from ground... You may have to dig up stump, but may have to drag (with chain) it out ....

Dale

 

[4570Man]

I think that’s pretty similar in size as my BH-90 was. Digging a 12” fresh cut stump took way too long to be practical. Digging a 6” was a pretty good job. Digging 4” was pretty easy. Of course the stumps makes a lot of difference. Around here hickory’s are the worst and white oaks are a close second. If the stumps have aged a while it’s a lot easier. I really consider my John Deere 310 to be about the minimum for digging stumps in a practical time and I’d want something bigger for digging very many.

 

[GC1710]

I hope you can do it with that big tractor, my little GC doesn’t do too bad! Biggest stump dug was about 2 20” stumps together as one.....I couldn’t lift that with the thumb lol...my little GC isn’t fast but she sure is a joy to use....I use her for all sorts of tree activities


And she’s my backup house gennie and let’s me weld wherever I want!




Sorry for the extra post I just always chuckle when people ask if their tractor is big enough! The answer is usually yes, but on here you’ll find many who think you need Goliath to do David’s work.

 

[TractorFeverFL]

Thanks for the input! Greatly appreciated!

The age of the stumps varies a little. Some of the stumps are about two years old after a hurricane, some where already there when I bought the property, and some will be new ones after I cut the trees that have partially rotted out and have started to hollow out in the middle. They are all in the 20" to 30"ish range but they have different sizes of holes in the middle where they have partially rotted out.

Thanks for the suggestion about using chains, DL. Makes perfect sense that would be the case.

Really love the GC, GC1710. The work you have done is nothing short of incredible.

4570Man, how long would you say it took you to dig out the fresh cut 12" stumps?

 

[Jchonline]

Thanks for the input! Greatly appreciated!

The age of the stumps varies a little. Some of the stumps are about two years old after a hurricane, some where already there when I bought the property, and some will be new ones after I cut the trees that have partially rotted out and have started to hollow out in the middle. They are all in the 20" to 30"ish range but they have different sizes of holes in the middle where they have partially rotted out.

Thanks for the suggestion about using chains, DL. Makes perfect sense that would be the case.

Really love the GC, GC1710. The work you have done is nothing short of incredible.

4570Man, how long would you say it took you to dig out the fresh cut 12" stumps?

Digging big stumps can take hours per stump. It really does depend on how old, how big, type of tree. Hardwoods are pretty tough. Move around the stump in a star pattern, digging parallel to the roots. Remove all dirt around the roots before you try and snap the root. Dirt gives the root its strength. This process takes longer, but will save your backhoe. If you go perpendicular you are going to dramatically shorten the life of your backhoe. Personally if over 12 inches I leave it for a rental machine. Backhoes are for digging dirt.

 

[fried1765]

Digging big stumps can take hours per stump. It really does depend on how old, how big, type of tree. Hardwoods are pretty tough. Move around the stump in a star pattern, digging parallel to the roots. Remove all dirt around the roots before you try and snap the root. Dirt gives the root its strength. This process takes longer, but will save your backhoe. If you go perpendicular you are going to dramatically shorten the life of your backhoe. Personally if over 12 inches I leave it for a rental machine. Backhoes are for digging dirt.

I have a strong 10' hoe, but when I have a really big stump (24" or more), I dig a hole alongside, and roll it in.

 

[WranglerX]

IF you are dragging it out with chain be sure you use low draw bar that is under transaxle....

Dale

 

[irvingj]

Guess my experiences mirror others -- my 2310 can do it, but it takes a while! Biggest I've done were 20" PLUS, and VERY heavy. Needed to use chain to drag them as the BH couldn't really lift them. Stumps 10" or less are far more possible. Here's a few of the "smaller" ones:

 

[redman135]

Investgate the cost of a single leg ripper to break the roots off and reduce the stump size. It also reduces the amount of dirt to be moved.
This works for 20 ton diggers stumping swamps with the stumps having a foot print size the same as the digger. The intact stump is to big and heavy to lift.
The princple should work at your size too.

 

[TractorFeverFL]

There are a number of ways I can try to address the things I want to do and am weighing the options.

JCH: I am debating buying sufficient tractor / backhoe to dig out the stumps, versus rental ($400 per day plus delivery), versus hiring someone to dig them out. I don't mind the time it would take and would prefer to do a little here and a little there but I need to make sure the machine I end up with is capable enough. I have the same dilemma that everyone else has. I have 30+ stumps. Rent and I will have to go as fast as I possibly can. May take away some of the fun of it, if that makes sense. How much will the total rental fees be? And, I will not have the equipment after it is said and done for other uses; same thing for hiring someone to do it. If I end up doing it myself, I will definitely dig farther out from the stumps as you suggest.

Fried: I am debating digging out the stumps and burning them or pulling them all to one spot in the corner and burying them there. I don't want to bury them where I pull them to have them rot in place underground. I don't mind dealing with refilling periodically but would prefer to do it in one spot. Plus, if I were to do that, I could just have them ground or buy a 3pt stump grinder and do it myself. But I'm leaning more towards puling them and burning them.

DL: What do you mean by low drawbar? Aren't all the drawbars basically straight out from below the 3pt hitch? Or, are you suggesting one like those used on a pickup truck with high lift kit?

Irving: I really like the GC series; seem very capable and strong. But, there are no Massey dealers around for new one and I have not seen a single used one pop up locally in the many months I have been looking.

Redman: Have also been considering getting a ripper and a thumb for the backhoe. You did not suggest this but I also considered possibly using a subsoiler. But some older posts seem to suggest a subsoiler will not be strong enough to use as a ripper and if I remember correctly that it may damage the 3pt hitch.

Thanks to all of you for your input. I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Gofast]

A root ripper gives you a lot of power at a single point and digs up less dirt.
These are smaller than you are digging. Bigger stumps you have to start farther out and work your way in closer.

 

[AWSubie]

Even though I have a backhoe, I have come to like the 55 gallon drum burning method (google it for details).

 

[Gofast]

Even though I have a backhoe, I have come to like the 55 gallon drum burning method (google it for details).

That looks like a pretty cool method.
The fastest and easiest way to burn large tree stumps (and small). *updated* - YouTube

 

[WranglerX]

DL: What do you mean by low drawbar? Aren't all the drawbars basically straight out from below the 3pt hitch? Or, are you suggesting one like those used on a pickup truck with high lift kit?

I was referring to the single hole bracket below and behind HST, attached to tractor sub frame.... My 1715 has one, yours being equipped with BH may not... But I will bet its there....



Also suggest you read up on draw bar use and danger on how you use one... Several good write ups and how to stay alive and not hurt your machine.....

Dale

 

[TractorFeverFL]

Thanks for the additional responses.

DL: Thanks for the photo. That is what I was thinking but the mention of "low" bar threw me off and made me think some tractors possibly had another draw bar. I would try to be extra careful if pulling something that heavy, no doubt.

GOFast: A ripper seems like a great idea that I have also been considering.

AwSubie: The burning method was my first and only try with the stumps so far, on a stump that had been dry for at least two years. Researched it, bought a big box store trash can that would not give off toxic fumes when burning, but was unable to get it burned down. The diameter of the trash can was approximately 20" but the stumps are not perfect circles and are 20+" so I was unable to get them "inside" the trash can. Tried to burn anyway, without the trash can, and spent a couple of hours trying to get the fire going all the way. Made some cuts with the chainsaw on the stump, tic tac toe style, to have it burn from different "angles." Burned the top of the stump off but that was it. Had fun with the kids and did the whole smores bit, good quality fun time, but as far as the stump went, it was a fail.