Stump Grapple

Poopdeck Pappy · Sep 20, 2013

Ok, so you're probably saying "Another grapple thread?!?!"

Well, I have a specific need for a grapple to remove cedar trees. I want something to do some digging around the roots to loosen them up so I can then push them over and haul them off. So, unlike a typical grapple user, I will need to dig a little with mine.

I figured that instead of trying to push a typical 50" or 60" grapple in the ground, something like the one in the link below might work better. Anybody have any experience with this one or something like it?

Skid Steer Stump Grapple

ETA has something similar but it weighs 978 pounds and costs almost $2,700. http://www.(Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure)/Construction-Attachments-Stump-Grapple-Bucket-p/cal-grapple-wickstumpsxd.htm The one linked above from Unlimited Fabrication costs about 1/2 of that delivered to my door.

Poopdeck Pappy · Sep 20, 2013

Oh, and this grapple will be used on a Kioti DK50SE HST, which I just ordered today. :cool2:

k0ua · Sep 20, 2013

How big are the biggest of these cedar stumps you are wanting to dig out?. And are they stumps at this time or are they still trees? And if still trees, high high are they and how big around at the base? I have some reservations about how successful you are going to be digging out large stumps. It takes a lot of weight and hydraulic power to just scoop out stumps. More than you would think. Of course the type of ground these are set in will make a difference too. I am not trying to "pee" on your idea, but I would hate to see you spend a lot of money and be disappointed. I don't know how much tractor experience you have, and how many trees you have taken out. I have taken out quite a few cedars in particular.

Wicked Stump Grapple Vs. Two Headed Monster Stump - YouTube

Poopdeck Pappy · Sep 20, 2013

My cedars are still trees. The bigger ones are up to 10" - 12" at the base and 15' - 20' tall. I'd say the average size is 6" or so and 12' - 15' tall. The roots are fairly shallow and they push over pretty easy once the roots are dug up somewhat. The soil is tight black clayish soil.

I've been taking them out so far with a borrowed skid steer, but it has no teeth on the bucket so it's been slow trying to dig up the roots enough to push them over.

I've been debating on buying a backhoe or a separate machine with a backhoe, which I could sell after I get all the tree removal done in a year or two. This is a long term project for me. I'm not in a huge hurry. I think the stump bucket would work ok, although perhaps a lot slower than a backhoe. I just don't want to tear up the FEL on my new tractor.

I have a lot of tractor experience, but that was 40 years ago on the family farm with old row crop and grain crop equipment. (We grew wheat, cotton, milo, etc. on about 2,500 acres).

k0ua · Sep 20, 2013

Poopdeck Pappy said:
My cedars are still trees. The bigger ones are up to 10" - 12" at the base and 15' - 20' tall. I'd say the average size is 6" or so and 12' - 15' tall. The roots are fairly shallow and they push over pretty easy once the roots are dug up somewhat. The soil is tight black clayish soil.

I've been taking them out so far with a borrowed skid steer, but it has no teeth on the bucket so it's been slow trying to dig up the roots enough to push them over.

I've been debating on buying a backhoe or a separate machine with a backhoe, which I could sell after I get all the tree removal done in a year or two. This is a long term project for me. I'm not in a huge hurry. I think the stump bucket would work ok, although perhaps a lot slower than a backhoe. I just don't want to tear up the FEL on my new tractor.

I have a lot of tractor experience, but that was 40 years ago on the family farm with old row crop and grain crop equipment. (We grew wheat, cotton, milo, etc. on about 2,500 acres).

Well around here I can push over the 6 inchers with the tractor, or what I usually do is get at least 2 log chains together, and wait for a rain. Then about 2 or 3 days after the rain the top soil is firm enough to operate your tractor on without fear. Then get the log chains together to get enough length so there is no danger of the tree falling on you, and put the chain up 7 foot on the trunk and pull them right over. The soil is still damp and soft at the root level and most of them up to 10 inches just give up easy. Then grapple them to stack them or cut them up. I think your stump bucket will work for trees that size on your tractor, but chains don't cost much. Of course I pull from the fixed drawbar well below the axle and I always ease into the tree with the hydrostat. NO JERKING. If the tree won't pull, I will try a different direction. Then if it wont pull, well it is time to start to dig some roots. But most of the trees of that size I have tried, have pulled over easily as long as the soil is damp. You have a lot of leverage on the tree with the chain up high on the trunk, and the soil on top of the ground is perfect for maximum traction. I bet this technique would work for you too.

James K0UA

rmorey · Sep 20, 2013

I agree with James. It would be a shame to spend $1,208 plus shipping for an attachment that doesnt do what you want. Give his technique a try before you order.

We have Eastern White Cedar here, they can grow to 18" dia. and 60' long. I usually dig 'em out with the hoe, as pushing/pulling them over is out of the question.

Another option is to buy the hoe and sell it when you're done in a couple of years for 60% - 75% of what you paid for it. :thumbsup:

Poopdeck Pappy · Sep 20, 2013

James' log chain method might work on mine too. But I have hundreds of cedars to remove and it would be a tedious process. I'm in no particular hurry on this, but I'm not sure I'm THAT patient.

I can push the 6 inchers over with the skid steer (and I assume the FEL on the tractor will do just as well), but the soil is like concrete and some of them want to break and splinter the trunk of the tree instead of coming up roots and all. If I can loosen up the roots with the bucket, I can then push the tree over without breaking the trunk. THAT's where I think the stump grapple will earn it's keep.

Once pushed over, the cedars aren't very heavy so I think that stump grapple will work ok to grapple them and carry them to a burn pile. I know a wider grapple would provide more stability for carrying long heavy logs, but it should work ok for the cedars.

At this point I'm about 50/50 on whether to try the stump grapple or just go the safe (and expensive) route and buy a backhoe. I've got a line on a used backhoe I could buy and use for a year or two and probably not lose my shirt when I resell it.

rmorey · Sep 20, 2013

I think the grapple will work fine, its the digging I'm wondering about. :confused3: But it sure is a mean lookin' beast. :thumbsup:

k0ua · Sep 20, 2013

Poopdeck Pappy said:
James' log chain method might work on mine too. But I have hundreds of cedars to remove and it would be a tedious process. I'm in no particular hurry on this, but I'm not sure I'm THAT patient.

I can push the 6 inchers over with the skid steer (and I assume the FEL on the tractor will do just as well), but the soil is like concrete and some of them want to break and splinter the trunk of the tree instead of coming up roots and all. If I can loosen up the roots with the bucket, I can then push the tree over without breaking the trunk. THAT's where I think the stump grapple will earn it's keep.

Once pushed over, the cedars aren't very heavy so I think that stump grapple will work ok to grapple them and carry them to a burn pile. I know a wider grapple would provide more stability for carrying long heavy logs, but it should work ok for the cedars.

At this point I'm about 50/50 on whether to try the stump grapple or just go the safe (and expensive) route and buy a backhoe. I've got a line on a used backhoe I could buy and use for a year or two and probably not lose my shirt when I resell it.

Yeah one thing, down where you live, "waiting on a rain" could be a while:shocked:. And the log chain method of course works best with 2 people, and wears the heck out of the "groundman".. you have to trade off jobs, riding the tractor or dragging log chain all day. And the guy on the tractor needs a rear view mirror, as it puts a crick in your neck watching the progress of the ground man. So for 100's of trees.. yeah, it would be a pita.. but if you could find a wet time, you could probably push over the majority of them with a grapple and haul them off. I just don't know how well that stump bucket will work on the DK50 with the KL401.. If you get it, I sure would like to know how well it works. The backhoe is a sure thing, but of course it will cost some money.

James K0UA