Sometimes the 2520 eyes are bigger than its stomach -but it ate it anyway :)

ducati996 · Aug 28, 2007

Just one of those projects that start out straight forward and turn more involved than what was planned -
A large maple tree had to come down because of fungus rot - so the task of dropping the tree into manageable bits were in order. Lots of limbs & Big logs (1,000 lbs plus) resulted in the tractor having to move and load them in the truck, a lot were a little to big for the saw I had at the time. Started focusing on the stump, not thinking how big it was - well it just keeped getting bigger and bigger -

The backhoe had to fight for every bite - the roots on this maple were strong and made for difficult going. Persistance pays off, and eventually seeing the size of this monster, I had to dig a ramp into the stump to get under it.
The truck pulled it out of the ditch (2520 could have pushed it as well), but the 2520 did all the hard work and removed all the roots holding this monster in place - Overall it was a successful job and the 2520 did an amazing job. It dosent mean I will tackle something like this anytime soon. I will either grind it, or get a full size TLB -

Getting the stump on the truck part hasnt been completed yet (ran out of time) but it will be of one or two ways - the stump is 3000-4000 lbs best guess, so by me getting all the dirt off and cutting off the last part off the tree trunk should get me to the point where I can get it in the truck. Otherwise I can back the truck into the "ravine" which will give me enough height to place it on the truck bed - either way the hard part is over with (and thats getting the stump out). I have no doubts the 2520 will be successful in getting the stump where I need it-
I'm determined to get it on the truck no matter what

I will post a follow up maybe in the next day or two - and I will have that area smoothed out and seeded looking like nothing happened in no time at all

well anyway thats the plan. Overall the goal was not to swing an axe at all, and I was very successful in that - the axes stayed just where I left them

Enjoy the pictures -

p.s just a friendly reminder the links are optional for your viewing pleasure - they are there for those who want to view as many links as possible, and for those who choose not to view them can simply ignore them -

curly · Aug 28, 2007

Man I sure woulda loved to have that maple wood. Great pics.

Chris2520 · Aug 28, 2007

Thats a wicked looking stump Duc.

There is no end to what the 2520 can do,
in the hands of folks that knows how to use it..

Chris......

Spiveyman · Aug 28, 2007

Wow. Looks like a David and Goliath story. I'm impressed with what that litte Deere could do. It'll be interesting to see the saw Vs. back hoe crowd show up. Just curious, it sounded like taking it down intact was not an option? After seeing Eddie's posts on taking out trees with a back hoe I'm always thinking along those lines now.

Good luck getting rid of the stump. Any pics before it was cut?

ducati996 · Aug 28, 2007

Spiveyman said:
Wow. Looks like a David and Goliath story. I'm impressed with what that litte Deere could do. It'll be interesting to see the saw Vs. back hoe crowd show up. Just curious, it sounded like taking it down intact was not an option? After seeing Eddie's posts on taking out trees with a back hoe I'm always thinking along those lines now.

Good luck getting rid of the stump. Any pics before it was cut?

It was a huge tree and in this case the 2520 would not have been able to push it over in a safe enough manner for my liking - I will have to get a much larger machine to try that trick the others suggested for trees this size. I will see if I have an earlier shot of it before it was cut

JDFANATIC · Aug 28, 2007

Duc,

Great post!

I'm thinking that you really did end up with the right machine when you got the 2520 (though that 3720 we sat in would still look great in our sheds).

Spiveyman · Aug 28, 2007

ducati996 said:
It was a huge tree and in this case the 2520 would not have been able to push it over in a safe enough manner for my liking - I will have to get a much larger machine to try that trick the others suggested for trees this size. I will see if I have an earlier shot of it before it was cut

Yeah, no kidding. Gigantic! I don't think there really is a "safe" way to take down something that big (short of an ID from a decent range). Even cutting pieces had to be tricky. Glad to see it down and in pieces, rather than it down and you or your stuff in pieces.

ducati996 · Aug 28, 2007

JDFANATIC said:
Duc,

Great post! I'm thinking that you really did end up with the right machine when you got the 2520 (though that 3720 we sat in would still look great in our sheds).

Sheds is the key word - dang thing is too tall for a shed or garage - otherwise this story might have been different

but I think there is still an issue with a BH on the 3720.

Dont laugh I did speak with Jack regarding a 4120, CX, loader, & a 448. At least that will fit in a garage when everything is folded - Im undecided on what direction I need to go in next -but no matter the 2520 stays regardless

scott_vt · Aug 28, 2007

Afternoon Duc,
Thats a great advertisement for the JD 2520 !!! John Deere should be paying you for a super story !

ducati996 · Aug 28, 2007

scott_vt said:
Afternoon Duc,
Thats a great advertisement for the JD 2520 !!! John Deere should be paying you for a super story !

I'm happy the feedback has been really positive - I just wanted to share in the experience of getting results - regardless of color

RollTideRam · Aug 28, 2007

Good story, I'll look at the pics at work tomorrow (faster internet). JC

gunmaker · Aug 28, 2007

ATTA-BOY!! Sounds like you were having fun!

Simpleman922 · Aug 28, 2007

I know how you feel, I just did the same with an oak tree, it wasn't as big, however the 2210 was a handy toy... I mean tool to have..

prosperity · Aug 28, 2007

Thanks for sharing your story and photos -

Always love to see our machines in action!

Chris2520 · Aug 28, 2007

ducati996 said:
I'm happy the feedback has been really positive - I just wanted to share in the experience of getting results - regardless of color

See Duc , Arn't you glad i talked you into posting this here.
I told you everyone would enjoy it....

And arn't you happy your little girl showed you how to
run that back hoe like a real man.....

I can just hear her now. ( Daddy your not doing it right. Get
off and let me show you how to dig up that stump ).....

Chris.....

ducati996 · Aug 29, 2007

Chris2520 said:
See Duc , Arn't you glad i talked you into posting this here.
I told you everyone would enjoy it....

And arn't you happy your little girl showed you how to
run that back hoe like a real man.....

I can just hear her now. ( Daddy your not doing it right. Get
off and let me show you how to dig up that stump ).....

Chris.....

Its true she is already giving orders -

She will be the general manager in no time at all -

Dutch445 · Aug 29, 2007

Great Job!
Quite a stump there, glad the 2520 could handle it.
I've always been impressed with that little 46 hoe,
the books say it's stronger than the 7 on a 790,
and i don't doubt it!

but, just where in NY are you?
that is beautiful soil! hardly a rock to be seen!

(unlike where I am, hardly any soil to be seen )

ducati996 · Aug 29, 2007

Dutch445 said:
Great Job!
Quite a stump there, glad the 2520 could handle it.
I've always been impressed with that little 46 hoe,
the books say it's stronger than the 7 on a 790,
and i don't doubt it!

but, just where in NY are you?
that is beautiful soil! hardly a rock to be seen!

(unlike where I am, hardly any soil to be seen )

I live on that fish shaped glacial deposit called Long Island -

Im real glad the 2520 did the job - I wont do this on a regular basis thats for sure...

jdbower · Aug 29, 2007

ducati996 said:
I live on that fish shaped glacial deposit called Long Island

I thought it was spelled Lawn Guyland, that's how yous guys pronounce it

You should add a set of forks or, even better, a grapple for those logs - much easier to pick them up than with just a bucket.

ducati996 · Aug 29, 2007

jdbower said:
I thought it was spelled Lawn Guyland, that's how yous guys pronounce it

You should add a set of forks or, even better, a grapple for those logs - much easier to pick them up than with just a bucket.

LOL! nah I thankfully dont have that twang sound - especially when they have some reality show showing someone with that long island twang - ouch

Forks would be a good idea -grapple would be great to but too much $$ I think