Stump removal .. how deep? Or all?

[RadarTech]

Hello!

I’m working on regrading a bank and removing some stumps.

They are all 18-26 inch diameter.
Plans are one of the following.
1. Rent a mini ex and dig the entire stump and use the tractor and chain to pull it out.
2. Rent a mini ex and dig it deep, cut it and pull out whatever I can.
3. Hire/rent a stump grinder and grind it as deep as possible.


What are y’all’s thoughts?

The mini ex would be a 5k or so with an 18 inch bucket.

 

[RandyT]

That answer could be predicated on how much are you cutting the bank down during the regrade. Stump grinder at most will get you 12-15 inches in most cased depending on size of machine.

 

[RadarTech]

That answer could be predicated on how much are you cutting the bank down during the regrade. Stump grinder at most will get you 12-15 inches in most cased depending on size of machine.

I’m actually going to be adding dirt and ramping this..

 

[RadarTech]

I should have also said that there is 1 concern… the water line to the well crosses right before the stump near the tires…

 

[RandyT]

Than I think you would be time ahead by grinding the stumps and then adding your dirt over the top. Less disturbance that way. Digging out a stump can result in some big holes to get under them.

 

[RjCorazza]

Hard to tell how much dirt you're adding, but can you just cut the stump off and fill over top? I would think 6" of dirt would be adequate.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Old adage: If you have a stump you have a problem; if you excavate the stump you have 2 problems; you have a (big) hole, and you still have the (big, 18-20") stump. There is also the possibility that while excavating the stump near the water line, you disturb the water line.

Grinding a stump typically leaves some of the stump that will gradually rot and subside. As your intention is to slope the grade, such subsidence would likely be minor, tolerable, or easily corrected. (As opposed to building a structure like a retaining wall on ground that is expected to subside.) My suggestion would be #3, grind.

 

[seville009]

Hard to tell how much dirt you're adding, but can you just cut the stump off and fill over top? I would think 6" of dirt would be adequate.

I did this maybe six or so years ago.

The woods had slowly encroached into the yard over the years. Lots of 3”-4” size trees. I cut them and their stumps as close to the ground as possible, then dumped dirt over the whole area.

Worked great. Nothing grew out of the stumps. I mow over that area now, so if something does grow, it’ll get cut up right away.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Are the stumps still green or have they been cut long ago and dead? If still green I would take a chainsaw and cut a thin layer off the top and immeadiately take straight glyophosphate/roundup and put it all the way around the cambium layer/bark which will ensure that the stump won't sprout, then cover with fill dirt. If already dead, just cover with fill dirt. Good luck.

 

[EddieWalker]

Out on my land, I dig out the stumps and get rid of them. It takes years to rot away, and I don't want them in my way when bush hogging.

Near my house, I cut them kind of long so the truck is sticking up a couple of feet. Then I drill a hole in the middle of it and place a Wind Spinner.

 

[arto98607]

We had a whole bunch of 8" to 40" diameter fir stumps removed last year and based on my experience here's what I would do.


Depending on how many or large stumps you are dealing with, but if it's just 1 to 20 or so, I would rent one of these:




For many large stumps I would hire someone who has one of these:



PS.
We had two of these big grinders working at the same time!

 

[Camofurever1]

Hello!

I’m working on regrading a bank and removing some stumps.

They are all 18-26 inch diameter.
Plans are one of the following.
1. Rent a mini ex and dig the entire stump and use the tractor and chain to pull it out.
2. Rent a mini ex and dig it deep, cut it and pull out whatever I can.
3. Hire/rent a stump grinder and grind it as deep as possible.


What are y’all’s thoughts?

The mini ex would be a 5k or so with an 18 inch bucket.

18-26" stumps? You might want a larger excavator. Not saying a mini ex couldn't do it, but it will take a lot of time and you may end up with some stumps that weigh more than what the mini ex can safely handle. You probably need a 20k ex, like a Cat 308 or a Kubota KX080. I rent an excavator every two or three years to use on my farm to do projects. I too, went for the small mini excavator at first. Not enough power and it didn't weigh enough. Now, I usually rent a 40k excavator with a thumb. I would rather the machine be over-kill for the projects than too small for the projects. As far as the waterline, generally locate where it should be and then use a spotter while you are skimming the dirt with the bucket in the general vicinity.

(The spotter should be armed with a shovel, to help locate said water line, before you find it with a toothed excavator bucket)

 

[RadarTech]

Are the stumps still green or have they been cut long ago and dead? If still green I would take a chainsaw and cut a thin layer off the top and immeadiately take straight glyophosphate/roundup and put it all the way around the cambium layer/bark which will ensure that the stump won't sprout, then cover with fill dirt. If already dead, just cover with fill dirt. Good luck.

Less than 2 months old.. cut to clear the area for this new ramp..

 

[RadarTech]

18-26" stumps? You might want a larger excavator. Not saying a mini ex couldn't do it, but it will take a lot of time and you may end up with some stumps that weigh more than what the mini ex can safely handle. You probably need a 20k ex, like a Cat 308 or a Kubota KX080. I rent an excavator every two or three years to use on my farm to do projects. I too, went for the small mini excavator at first. Not enough power and it didn't weigh enough. Now, I usually rent a 40k excavator with a thumb. I would rather the machine be over-kill for the projects than too small for the projects. As far as the waterline, generally locate where it should be and then use a spotter while you are skimming the dirt with the bucket in the general vicinity.

(The spotter should be armed with a shovel, to help locate said water line, before you find it with a toothed excavator bucket)

The problem is getting a big excavator to us.. the road is a single lane gravel… and the driveway has switchbacks..
So large stuff is tough… I think the grinding and cover might be my path..

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Less than 2 months old.. cut to clear the area for this new ramp..

Well the cambium layer is already healed over, so just cut a thin sliver off the top and apply the roundup around the outer layer of the stump and she will be through, add your fill dirt and don't look back.

 

[garry1p]

I did the rent a stump grinder and fill over.
Of course it depends I only had six fairly large stumps.
I rented on Saturday and returned before noon on Monday for a one day rental.
It was a one day project but driving time to pick up and return would take up a half day.

 

[Jrasband]

You can also burn them that's what I like to do. Use a chainsaw to make slots and plunge cuts into the stumps, pour a little diesel in and light it up. Time consuming, but cheap is what I like about it.

 

[shooterdon]

I had 8 or so stumps to deal with. The largest being 24" in dia. I had them ground and covered them with dirt. It was the easiest for me to do.

 

[oosik]

JMHO - Radar - I think you have the best idea. Grind and cover. Considering all the possible problems with digging and removal.

 

[RadarTech]

Update.. rented a stump grinder, used the tractor and dug down a foot or so lower than the current ground level, then ground it.. got this picture of my son helping rinse the grinder before going back to HD..
I’ll likely NEVER rent from them again..
$1k deposit.. and the have a $1500 deposit for mini-ex..

It did work well..