Stump pulling

MrFixit · Apr 7, 2006

I've heard a few people mention Stump pulling and I'm curious as to what techniques have worked and what typical limitations are. I have a KAMA 354C, Some heavy chain and 1/4" cable.

I have a variety of trees sizes I'm cutting down and the stumps are a major obstacle. some trees are 4" diameter at the base and they seem to pull out fairly easy. The 6" stumps sometimes seem to just break off and anything larger I can't get the traction to pull them.

I'm in South Florida and the trees I'm trying to get rid of I was told are Accacia, could be anything though. I also have Braziallian Pepper Tree brush that sometimes grows to 10" thich at the base. The Brazilian Pepper Tree grows right back (but worse) unless I remove roots.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Tim

bluechip · Apr 7, 2006

The best way is with a backhoe. otherwise you need to dig completely around the stump with a shovel. Creeper gear is good for this operation, but a bulldozer is better. Do not use the clutch pedal while pulling, leave your foot off, if the tractor stalls, you are overloaded

SPIKER · Apr 7, 2006

I agree with chip on this one, BUT also be ready to clutch it as the front end can come up quickly if the stump or chain slips, don't use a cable as they can snap and fly at the operator. don't pull up high (above the center line of the rear tires,) this can pick up the front tires fast. use the draw bar for this and not the 3pt arms...

also there is some stuff elsewhare on these brazilion pepper plants, a chemical that eats em up. it was posted here someplace before or on the http://www.forestryforum.com. web site.

mark m

JINMA224XR · Apr 7, 2006

<font color="blue"> I've heard a few people mention Stump pulling and I'm curious as to what techniques have worked and what typical limitations are. I have a KAMA 354C, Some heavy chain and 1/4" cable. I have a variety of trees sizes I'm cutting down and the stumps are a major obstacle. some trees are 4" diameter at the base and they seem to pull out fairly easy. The 6" stumps sometimes seem to just break off and anything larger I can't get the traction to pull them.
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Hey Tim,

Well Tim, removing stumps, is best done with a backhoe or a bulldozer, However: /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have found myself doing it with my tractor sometimes.

It is best to cut the root structure around the stump with something. A shovel is fine, but it is a lot of manual labor. Also, there is a type of Heavy Pick Axe, that is meant for cutting roots. I haven't tried this, but I think that they have a root cutter blade that attaches to a subsoiler. If not you could have the blade made to fit your subsoiler, and use that to cut around the stump, but cut in straight lines, rather than in a turning motion, as the subsoiler is meant to go in a straight direction. About 4 cuts on each side of the stump, might be enough.

Then I've used a boxblade to remove small stumps. 4" to 6" stumps, I think that your tractor might be able to handle without too much trouble using a boxblade and the tractor in a creeper gear or a very very low gear. Either backing up to the stump, or if the stump is low enough, just driveing over it in forward gear. But still in a very very low gear or creeper gear.

Again, stump removing is a job more suitable for a bull Dozer or backhoe, but it can be done with a tractor, keeping in mind that the tractor is not meant for this type of work and something may break, if you get the tractor in a bind. Also, if you try and use the hydraulics to do lifting as you are pushing or pulling, it may overwhelm the hydraulics. But I have found myself using that technique as well, knowing that something could break very easily.

You really just have to use a lot of common sense, when you are doing this type of work with your tractor, keeping in mind that a regular tractor is not meant for this type of work.

Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

RonMar · Apr 7, 2006

Unless you have a bulldozer, you need to loosen the soil around the trunk. As mentioned you can do this with a shovel. A back hoe works better. I have used a post hole digger and 9" auger in several places around the trunk, as close as I can get the auger to dig in next to the trunk. This is considerably easier than digging.

That tree has spent it's whole life resisting being blown over so it is it's strongest when pulled or pushed from the side. Another trick I have used to help overcome this strength is to attach the chain as low down and as tight around the stump as possible. I then roll a large cut section of log up against the stump. I run the chain up and over this section of log and attach it to the tractor drawbar(see attached drawing). This applies some of the pulling force at an upward angle in a direction where the stump should not be so strong. Some notches cut into the stump base with a chainsaw will help keep the chain from sliding up the trunk when this upward force is applied. I have heard of people using old truck rims for this as well and I imagine an old tractor rear wheel might work pretty well also.

bluechip · Apr 8, 2006

lots of good points. Sum it up to say: Never use your tractor to pull stumps, and when you use your tractor to pull stumps take all of the precautions mentioned and be prepaird to repair damage. and to reinforce some of the better points, never pull from a point on the tractor higher than the draw bar (for example, if you pull from the top link mounting, you will at best, damage the tractor and at worst stand it up on its rear). Using an old rim or piece of telephone pole (round) to get some upward lift is an excellent idea too.

MrFixit · Apr 8, 2006

Yep, pretty much as I expected, the stumps over 6" are gonna be a major chore!

Thanks for the sugestions, especially the safety notes!

Tim

Paddy · Apr 8, 2006

The best way to remove a tree, 10" and smaller, stump and all is;

DON'T cut it down! yet
Cut the three major roots found with in 6" of the surface. On the side you want to pull, remove a 3-4" section of the root to avoid the compressive forces.

Chain a fulcrum at the base as Ron stated.

Attach chain at 10' high.

Pull in the lowest gear. You will be amazed at how completly it will be gone. I've done this with 10" dia oaks and a Subaru car.

The trick is using the trunk as the lever. I takes 10 times the force at 1' that it does at 10' up the trunk

patrick

MrFixit · Apr 9, 2006

Thanks Patrick!

How do you get the root sections you described. The roots just laughed at my shovel. My chainsaw goes dull when it hits the sandy soil/

Paddy · Apr 9, 2006

I use my chain saw after I have dug around them. I keep my old chains just for this job. The dremel keeps them sharp enough. The grit will cause the links to Grow due to pin ware. After a while you need to take out a link or two.

I should have also stated that the root cutting process is within a foot of the trunk. Otherwise, you could have a large ciricular ditch looking for the main roots! The "root section" on the pull side is the size a pop can. This allows for the beast to lean with very little pull.

Have fun,

Patrick