Stump removal

[johnk]

Looks like you did a great job. At least they're out of the holes..

 

[newbury]

GOOD WORK!!

 

[Botabill]

I'll post photos later today, but right now I'll try and describe my problem. I rented a 3ton excavator to remove some stumps. Took awhile to learn just how to operate the thing. I've always admired people who make it look easy, and now it has grown. Maybe I'm just challenged.
I have one stump "dug". This means I have a trench dug around the stump, probably about 12' in diameter. Now how do I get the root ball removed. I dug the trench too far from the stump to get a good grip with the FEL. I'm trying to avoid digging an access ramp to break the stump loose from the ground. Anyone have any suggestions on how to break the stump from the ground? I haven't hooked a chain up to see if I can just pull it loose. But for some reason I just think that's going to work.

Wedge

The one stump that stumped me as far as getting it out of the hole due to weight is now deep in the ground rotting. I simply dug down deeper and pushed it in. Happy happy joy joy.

 

[JoelD]

Nice getting the first couple behind you.

Stumping, other than ledge, is the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.

There is no substitute for machine size when it comes to stumping.

I got the 25000 lb machine for 8 hours for $500 delivered, I was shocked at how fast I got through my work. I'll be renting the same size machine next time I need to dig or move anything significant again. There is an exponential effect of size of machine on the amount of work that can be done.

Good luck with the digging, in my book, any seat time is a good seat time.

Sincerely,
Joel

 

[Airic]

Haven't you guys heard. Size does not matter, it's how you use it. I have a little MF2310 and have become quite skilled at removing stumps and ones far larger than the one in your photo. First is digging deep, at least 4'. I typically go to 5' if it is 12" or larger. This enables you to loosen the tap root. Other trick is to tear the roots with the bucket in small bites. I typically point the tooth of the bucket down on top of the root, press down to put as much weight on the root and then curl the bucket and it tears the root. In addition, keep your stumps long if you can. This helps with leverage when trying to pop that tap root out.

 

[20 20]

I've popped many stumps with little machines use 4000lb excavtor now. Learning the machine and being patient will get you a long way. The BEST advice I ever got or can give is "BE READY TO DIG !!!".

 

[kthompson]

The one stump that stumped me as far as getting it out of the hole due to weight is now deep in the ground rotting. I simply dug down deeper and pushed it in. Happy happy joy joy.

The comment about deep in the ground rotting...may not be 100% true. Well at least what the true pros have said if deep enough oxygen can not get to it, it will not rot. I know about 30 miles from me they dug up some trees that were buried a few feet deep they said were hundreds of years old and still good wood. I remember a few years back it was a in thing to not burn or haul off stumps but to bury them DEEP and a lot that we did live next door to was cleared that way oh about 25 or more years back and the best I know no sink hole has shown up. We do have high water level and that probably does affect this. We are filling in a low area and was assured the stumps that will be getting about 4 or more feet of fill over will never rot and will remain solid.

 

[JoelD]

Haven't you guys heard. Size does not matter, it's how you use it. I have a little MF2310 and have become quite skilled at removing stumps and ones far larger than the one in your photo. First is digging deep, at least 4'. I typically go to 5' if it is 12" or larger. This enables you to loosen the tap root. Other trick is to tear the roots with the bucket in small bites. I typically point the tooth of the bucket down on top of the root, press down to put as much weight on the root and then curl the bucket and it tears the root. In addition, keep your stumps long if you can. This helps with leverage when trying to pop that tap root out.

Depends very much on type of tree and ground. My oaks have root taps that go much deeper than the stump you got the picture of, including the stump. I've dug 5 foot and not even gotten to the base of the stump where the tap begins, much less being able to break the tap. Took a 25000lb machine to have the power to lift the stump out of the hole once freed. There was no way my 7.5 foot hoe could've gotten to the tap much less break the tap, I've not hit roots I haven't been able to adventually break, but the tap is another story all together.

Also, after 3-4 hours of continuous digging with little progress, was much easier to get the larger machine and do what I couldn't have done period with my machine, done in 10 minutes.

As I've said in the past, I don't think there is anything tougher to work with than hardwood stumps.

Joel

 

[newbury]

If you've got a true tap root I THINK the best thing would to dig as deep as your BH could go, angle in and call in Stihl.

I was just about ready to do that until with a lot of wiggling I broke off my little one.