Mini Ex to clear some trees?

[yellowdogsvc]

I used to dig out trees with my john deere 310. Then I had an abandon mine land project done on my property. The contractors two different ones with large excavators told me it was dangerous to dig out the trees much safer to cut first then dig the stumps. I know from expereince it is nice to have the top of the tree persuade the stump out of the ground. I tried their method and it doesn't take much longer to dig the stumps with the tops off. one advantage is it is much easier to knock the soil off the stumps with the trees out of the way. I agree with an earlier poster to cut trees first and dispose to have area clear before starting digging. for a 14 inch stump it generally takes less than an hour to dig, clean stump remove stump and fill the whole. Compact your soil with the machine as you backfill.

The second method you tried leaves less chance of a widow maker finding it's way into your cab. Good advice. We almost always cut tall trees first, then work on the stumps separate.

 

[jca57jd]

I've got a cat 303.5 and I cleared a 2 acre area with mostly big oaks ranging from 20" to 36". No problem for me. I always dug down around 3/4 of the tree, leaving the roots still in tact on the back side (the way I wanted the tree to fall). Just push on the tree leaving some extra play in the second arm and bucket so you have some extra for directing it when it starts to go!

 

[jca57jd]

Oh yeh, I meant to tell you, that tb153 out weighs my cat by about 2 tons! Should def be no problem for you!

 

[NOTV8]

I've taken a lot of trees the same size as yours with my CT235 and Woods BH 7500.... just need common sense how you want the trees to go down. I used to cut it and then dig the stumps but it is much harder to dig it once the trunk is gone. Much easy with dig two or three sides then push....

 

[Big Bri]

Wow lots of good info, i really appreciate it. tlbuser you were right on the money about the 40hrs, glad you pointed that out. Eddie, wow lots of good info, i can always count on you.
Thanks to all of you
brian