Stump removing help

Smokeydog · Sep 19, 2024

Mikester is much more an expert than I. I fabricate to be able to try ideas and repairs. I’m an engineer trying to be a craftsman.

200amps is plenty to weld 1/2” with multiple passes usually three. Good bevel. Takes a little skill to run 7018. Can weld thicker with more passes. DC does better with good penetration easier to use. Easy helps ole shakey... While I used stick from a Miller gas powered Bobcat for decades now use Miller 211 MiG since retired. Can weld 1/2 also with multiple passes. Love the MiG. Shielding gas is so much cleaner and MIG is easy. Weld prep is key to good results which is easier for me.

Stick if you lay a good bead usually a good weld.
MiG can lay a good bead but have poor penetration or strength. Can be very strong but does require more prep.

My welds are not as pretty or consistent as my buddies but rarely fail. They weld high tech stuff for a living.

CraigStu · Sep 20, 2024

Thanks guys. I have the bucket on order but I need to make up something to put a ball mount on the dozer blade to move my 5.5x10 trailer. When I load it full w/ tree trunk pieces my garden tractor can barely get it up slope from backyard to the driveway to hook up to the suv.

Smokeydog · Sep 23, 2024

Like Milester’s scorpion! Often think about how to add teeth to help chew through bigger roots. Sharp tooth to hep split roots. The relative wide blade of the USA Attachments helps to leverage under bigger roots. Maybe cut a few notch like teeth to better break big root fibers?

CraigStu · Oct 8, 2024

I ended up getting this 8" toothed bucket in the version that fits my machine.

8" Kubota Excavator/Mini Excavator Tooth Bucket/Kubota U25/U27 - KMK Welding and Attachments, LLC

8" Kubota Excavator/Mini Excavator Tooth Bucket/Kubota U25/U27

kmkattachments.com

Had it now for about 3 weeks. It is much better than my 22" bucket. I make a smaller moat around the stump. I seems to rip up snapping a root more easily since it is pulling a lot closer to all in one spot. I can see that a ripper would be better still but it is kind of a one use tool. I've tried but haven't worked out how to make good use of the teeth yet. They may be doing something but I think I may need to grind them as they are made from 1/2" steel plate. So a sharp point looking from the side but looking on the edge the point is 1/2" wide.

Smokeydog · Oct 8, 2024

While a smaller bucket helps with stump removal, it’s still different than a ripper. Used a small bucket on several different backhoes decades before trying a ripper. It traces out lateral roots better to remove them. In short gets more wood out of the ground with less excavation and collateral damage. Large stumps about half the time vs small bucket. Takes a while to recoup investment.

There are spots on the farm that have good brick making clay. Recent water line repair goes up this particular bank. Stickiest, bucket plugging clay with sharp quartz like rock. Ground damp from leak compounded problem. Clearing a plugged bucket is a chore too much like digging by hand.