Stump Bucket vs Mini-Ex for Shallow Digging

[bcs001]

I'm planning to get a 1.5-2 ton mini excavator for a variety of projects around the property but can afford it just yet. This spring I want to bury some 4" gutter drain lines and build about 100' retaining wall along my driveway. I have no experience with an excavator so renting one probably wont be very productive while I learn how to operate it so thinking a $900 narrow stump bucket with teeth could be a good alternative for my Branson 3620h. I have a very HD subsoiler that can be run along each trench and wall footing before digging down with the stump bucket. Anyone have experience doing this and were you happy with the results?
Thanks.

 

[M59]

Please provide more details on length and depth of drain to be buried along with nature of soil ( rocky, sandy, clay? ) and whether flat or on slope.

What is the thickness and height of the proposed retaining the wall and what is the grade like beside driveway that requires a retaining wall? Are you trying to prevent earth from sliding into the driveway or the driveway from sliding downhill?

In all of the above you would be better off with a backhoe or excavator for footing and a trencher for cutting trench to lay drain. A stump bucket on the front end of a tractor is a very limited tool that is not intended or designed for digging trenches nor excavating footings.

 

[ptsg]

Excavators do the digging, while the loaders move the loose material. Loaders on tractors aren't really meant for digging, just move loose material, lifting stuff within reason and common sense but it's just my opinion.

 

[bcs001]

Please provide more details on length and depth of drain to be buried along with nature of soil ( rocky, sandy, clay? ) and whether flat or on slope.

What is the thickness and height of the proposed retaining the wall and what is the grade like beside driveway that requires a retaining wall? Are you trying to prevent earth from sliding into the driveway or the driveway from sliding downhill?

In all of the above you would be better off with a backhoe or excavator for footing and a trencher for cutting trench to lay drain. A stump bucket on the front end of a tractor is a very limited tool that is not intended or designed for digging trenches nor excavating footings.

No question the proper tools would work best but just trying to get opinions on how successful I might be trying. The slopes where I want to lay drain line and wall are relatively flat and I can line up the tractor/bucket directly along each run. My thought is making a few passes with the subsoiler will loosen the ground then the stump bucket could finish digging and scooping out loos dirt.

The retaining wall will run along the high side of the driveway and be approx. 30" high to hold additional top soil I'll bring in to level the front yard. It will be built with something similar to Allan blocks and only be 3 block high. I don't think the footing will need to be any deeper than 24" for a 1st course gravel bed and maybe 30" wide to accommodate a drain/weep line behind the wall.

It may not work out but I still plan to use the stump bucket for other small stump and rock digging.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Not sure yet but I will have to get back to you on this. I bought one mainly to relocate some blueberry plants and other bushes. I had thought about using it to dig a trench where I want to lay down some electrical wire between shops. I am hoping to do the wiring on that in a month or so.

 

[Jrasband]

I would wait for the excavator if possible.

 

[nybirdman]

I had a stump bucket for a very short time;terrible tool for a trench.Got the chance to sell it and it was gone quickly.

 

[4570Man]

I’ve dug some trenches with a stump bucket on a skid steer. It sorta works but the ditch starts collapsing back in itself from the repeated driving back and forth. I wouldn’t put a stump bucket on a tractor either. It’s a good way to bend something. It’s called a loader not a digger for a reason.

 

[rScotty]

Of course a mini excavator would be best, but if you can't afford the excavator, consider a compromise with a backhoe attachment for your tractor. Even a small backhoe attachment will outdo the stump bucket by leagues.
Don't overlook the importance of a thumb, it is very useful for the lifting involved in building a retaining wall. We build stone walls with our backhoe and thumb.
rScotty

 

[M59]

Of course a mini excavator would be best, but if you can't afford the excavator, consider a compromise with a backhoe attachment for your tractor. Even a small backhoe attachment will outdo the stump bucket by leagues.
Don't overlook the importance of a thumb, it is very useful for the lifting involved in building a retaining wall. We build stone walls with our backhoe and thumb.
rScotty

rScotty, The voice of experience.