Rent Backhoe for stump Removal?

[cbh]

Looking for little advice on how to proceed on this project. I have cleared a wooded area of around 2500 sq. ft. of trees and have about twenty tree stumps to remove. The stumps range from 12" to 24" trunk diameter. I have a backhoe on my Kubota B7500, but it is really too small to remove these stumps in any reasonable amount of time.

A local dealer rents tractor-loader-backhoes (New Holland LB75). I live close enough so they will let me drive it to my house. The NH looks huge compared to my little Kubota.

I am pretty sure I don't have any buried utilities (will call dig safe anyway), no overhead power lines, and the area is pretty level, so the risk seems low. I have some limited backhoe experience with my own machine, but how does this apply to a larger machine? Would stump removal with the LB75 be relatively easy? If this was a more complex project, like excavation, I certainly would hire it out. Thanks in advance.

 

[DieselD]

Stumps that big still will give you a fight, the thing you want to watch for is all the holes you'll have . You won't want to get that machine on its side in one. Plan your digging path.
Danny

 

[jmc]

Danny,

I'd rent it for a half day just to see if you can afford to do the whole job. Maybe you can pre-negotiate the extended rate in case you keep it longer. Worst thing that can happen is you'll have a lot of fun but have to take it back.

Once you start, don't waste time trying to keep the hole small. Those roots are thick near the stump and you can get them out much faster a short distance away from the stump. I keep having to relearn this trick.

John

 

[bgott]

Check out renting it on a Saturday. Usually you don't get charged for Sunday if you have it back early Monday morning.

 

[CTyler]

I don't know about that. The rental places do that on a lot of stuff like tillers, vibrating plates etc.. When it comes to tractors, excavators etc.. 8 hours = 1 a day rental. Even if you have it one day but put 16 hours on it you get charged for a 2 day rental.

 

[rmorgan]

I think this depends on what you plan to do with the ground. If you're going to be using it for gardens, then getting some of the stumps out may be necessary, but if it's going to be lawn, consider using a stump grinder to get them below ground level and giving them a couple of decades to decompose. Having 20 massive holes to fill--and 20 huge stumps to get rid of--ain't necessarily the best way to go, IMHO.

 

[cbh]

I plan on transplanting some small trees and a few mountain laurel bushes later, so I would like to completely remove the stumps. I was concerned about whether a person with limited experience could remove stumps with the LB 75.

 

[jmc]

Not familiar with the specs but see that it is 75 HP. That qualifies as a serious industrial backhoe. After a few minutes getting used to it, you're going to feel like Godzilla. How long it takes will depend on the soil, tree type, how long they've been dead, but mostly, your technique.

John

 

[jimg]

Im looking into this at the moment (removing stumps) and Ive almost concluded that grinding is most cost effective. I can rent a pretty hefty grinder for about $100/day. From what the rental compnay said I should be able to remove (to 1' below grade) all 30 in no more than a couple days (a full w/e). Granted this area will become pasture but still 1' below grade is out of the way of most everything. I also looked into renting a small excavator and while it would be great fun it would take about 3days and cost $190+/day. Thats a big price diff. Then again if price is no object would you rent the backhoe for me? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif jimg

 

[ducati996]

Find the grinder that can go 4- 6" below the surface !! that way in case you want to seed, you can...1" is not deep enough....I let this happen to me, and had to re-grind the stumps so grass could grow again...needless to say it was a pain in the ****, and 3x the work...do it right the first time