Pulling Tree Stumps Safely

[ccsial]

I have a lot of black locust trees. They are terrific firewood but a pain to deal with. Gemini is right about how many and fast they grow. I'd put a few layers of thick plastic on the ground around the gazebo and put gravel over it. When I built my house 34 years ago the Cat that dug my basement pulled up the locust stumps. He would pick up the back of the cat before the stumps popped out and that is in very sandy soil. Those stumps don't rot very much either.

 

[AndyMA]

This is what a backhoe is for. If need be I would suggest renting one.

Andy

 

[dbdartman]

Look for my post in the picture forum. We pulled a few 6"-10" tree stumps, with a rather large machine & grapple, & they were NOT easy! Still needed to dig down along side of the root balls about 2'X2' & even then a couple were just tipping the machine up on it's tracks, & this is in VERY sandy soil.

 

[DenisM]

I have an old '54 Dodge Power Wagon with a winch and have been pulling the stumps just fine using the winch. One of the reasons I bought this tractor was to help me clear this area and make the job of getting the stumps out easier.
I have a Mahindra 4530 with a loader but no backhoe. When I first got the tractor, I pushed over one of the stumps easy enough but pulling them with the winch does a better job getting the roots out. That's why I thought pulling them with the tractor would be the way to go as it's hard to operate the winch by yourself.
As far as the locust trees go; I believe they are Black Locust. There are "male" and "female" trees I've been told. One of them has the thorns and the other doesn't but they both look the same. And they do make great long burning fire wood. More heat than oak. Also make great fench post as the wood is very rot resistant. My brother recently go a bunch of locust logs from a cabin built by the CCC in the 30's; still in great shape and never been treated or painted.

 

[dirtydan]

I was pulling a hedge stump out of a fence row this week. I have an old Oliver 1855 approximately 100 hp and over 10,000 lbs. To make a long story short I originally hooked on to the bale stabber which about 10 inches higher than the drawbar. Front end went up about 18 inches before I got the clutch pushed in. Made a believer out of me. Went back and rehooked to the drawbar. Front end stayed on the ground then and I was able to pull it out. I had the bale stabber on it to pull old fence posts straight out of the ground. Works good for that and doesn't leave such a big hole and the post doesn't break off that way. Always hook on to the drawbar if in doubt.

Dan

 

[ccsial]

DenisM:

If you keep them for firewood cut them to size while they are green. Dry locust is real tough on chains. You probably know this already but I thought I'd remind you.

 

[NewToy]

DenisM:

If you keep them for firewood cut them to size while they are green. Dry locust is real tough on chains. You probably know this already but I thought I'd remind you.

I've cut seasoned locust before and you're right about it being tough on the chainsaw. I've seen sparks flying from the chain while cutting it. The stuff burns like coal though.

John

 

[Reg]

Drawbar for sure.
Watching tractor pulls makes it clear; sure they wheelie, but it is self regulating.
The drawbar gets closer to the ground as the front wheels lift, SO close that there is essentially no leverage left to flip the tractor over backwards.

This question comes up a lot and there is always a reply or two suggesting that the tree could/should have been pushed over. I have a willow that is too big for that and the roots are probably fanned out and shallow anyway, so I'd be driving on them while pushing against the tree. IF it did work I could get into a nasty tip and flip situation, though I think the physics would prevent it.
There is no reasonable way that I can just snip it off 10 or 12 ft above ground level either (-:

Given that folk are faced with just the stump, are there any techniques for drilling down (maybe WAY down) into the stump and putting a big old thick walled pipe into the hole - then pushing or pulling that over ?

 

[ccsial]

I've cut seasoned locust before and you're right about it being tough on the chainsaw. I've seen sparks flying from the chain while cutting it. The stuff burns like coal though.

John

I've seen sparks come from black locust too. No other wood I have does that. I didn't say it though because I figured people would think I was exaggerating.

 

[Tororider]

My Dad and I pulled a bunch of stumps this fall using our JD 4310. Nothing over 12-14" I would say.

My suggestion would be to push the stump with the fel first, trying to break surface roots, then wrap stump with chain, leaving no more than 10' between you and stump. Maybe leave a little slack to jerk, but if it were me, not much.

I would have an axe handy and if you have someone else that can watch while you pull, a lot of times you can see where the large surface roots are and if you give them a couple whacks with the axe, you can then pop the stumps right out.

Good luck