Regret not getting a backhoe for my tractor

[deezler]

That's not taking out a stump LOL. That's taking out a tree. Very dangerous.
Here in Texas they bulldozer or trackhoe them.

Yes. But taking down the whole tree using a backhoe or excavator is by far the easiest way to get the stump out! The whole weight of the tree helps lever the stump along with it. If you chainsaw the tree down first, then its at least twice as difficult to get the stump out afterwards.

I don't do this practice on windy days, but it's really not all that dangerous IMO. For any normal healthy tree on flat ground, you just take little bites at a time until you see the tree moving around, then you simply push it over exactly where you want it to go. As soon as you convince the tree to start leaning the way you want it to, it's not like it will change its mind and flip back over.

Again, see my comfortable size limits (up to ~12" diameter, but 10" or less and under 50' tall is really the only easy stuff).

 

[LowellBen]

Back when I was looking far and wide for a used tractor, I had to have a BH. Bought a Mahindra 1538 with a BH on it. Had to travel from central Colorado to western New Mexico to get it. I don't really regret the purchase, have put nearly 500 hours on it, bought it with 119 hours on the meter. I've used the BH to cut into a rocky ledge to install a solar ground mount, cut through rock/soil/scrub oak on a steep hill side putting in a UTV trail, cut in new ditches where it was too rocky to use the scraper blade, dug holes where I could not drive ground rods, buried some animals, scraped down a hill side to enlarge a parking area and did other things I think I have forgotten. When I'm plowing snow off of our steep 1/4 mile long driveway, it is nice to have the extra weight back there. The 1538 does have frame reinforcements for the BH. I have blown a few hoses that had already been abused by the previous owner. There are times when I wish I had more hydraulic power and/or more tractor weight. But the 1538 can get into places a larger machine won't fit into.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

Or a boat!

They say if it flys, fornicates or floats, it's expensive.

I say if it flys, fornicates, floats or farms, it's expensive

 

[Jstpssng]

Yes. But taking down the whole tree using a backhoe or excavator is by far the easiest way to get the stump out!

There is another, safer compromise. Cut it off about 4 feet above the ground. Then you have something for leverage, without the risk.

I agree. I don’t think many people consider the stresses transferred thru the tractor frame to the front. That’s where the subframe avoids other potential weak spots. It’s obvious is a lot of stress is directly applied to and thru the 3 pt but some of that migrates thru the tractor frame.
Without a subframe I think you’re asking for problems.

It isn't just when you are working it, either. You have a tall, ? hundred pound implement sticking out the back, swaying with every movement of the tractor.