Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[Western]

A question for you guy's that have a backhoe (Jim, Brandie, anyone). I have to remove about 10 stumps in an area I want to garden, also would like to dig out the edges on my dinky pond to thwart the cattails.

I was thinking of renting a small to medium BH, but have never operated one and was wondering if the learning curve would be worth the rental fee for a day or two vs hiring dozer for $500 for 4hrs. Would be "funner" to rent the BH, but dont want to throw money away. Haven't priced renting the BH yet, may be more thn I'm thinking ($200-250 day guess)


EDIT. called and got a quote for $150 day w/trailer from rental store in Azle, the one in Decatur wanted $235!. This was for a 40hp tractor/ BH, is this sufficient??

Thanks!!

 

[txdon]

Dennis, I would say about 20 minutes on each stump. I would dig on two sides, reposition dig the other two, drag out the stump and the cover up with FEL (if no larger than a 24" stump). Smaller stumps might require just 10 minutes. Check the reach and the steepness of the bank for the cattail removal.

This is based on a 50hp tractor with BH added.

Learning curve: add 1 hour for the first stump.

 

[Western]

Thanks Don, that is about the timeline I was thinking based on watching others (after the learning curve) Largest stump may be 12", so digging "should" be relatively quick. The cat tails would be a bonus if I have extra time. I am a bit concerned if the HP is enough, but since the stumps are small, I think it will do.. I will fill the holes with my tractor after the fact and spend all the rental time digging.

 

[bindian]

Dennis,
If I was renting to dig out stumps and clear a pond's edge..............I would rent a midi excavator. About 6-8,000 pound machine. You have a front end loader right? For the dirt movement and grading?
A BH would be fine for just the stumps..........but an excavator can get down into softer spots the BH can't, especially when you try to put down stabilizers. If.................... you have firm ground to dig out cattails, it is still hard for a BH to move the spoils where your loader can reach them. An excavator can swing 180 degrees and dump the stuff into you tractor's FEL bucket. Something to think about. I would say an midi excavator would be easier to learn, as they are easier to move around a dig site without that much planning.
But a BH would do in a pinch...just all depends on what rental units are available to you. Both are fun machines.
hugs, Brandi

 

[jinman]

What Brandi said ^^^^^^. A mini-ex would be my choice for rental. It will do fine on the cattails and you'll be able to swing 180 degrees with your pond edge loads. With my backhoe, I have plenty of power, but have to place the spoils within the swing limits of the backhoe. If you place the backhoe parallel to the shoreline, you lose about 18" to 24" of reach compared to coming in perpendicular. I love my backhoe for moving dirt because of the big bucket, but for the jobs you're talking about, the mini-ex would be my choice.

 

[bindian]

The BH you mentioned above will do for your intentions. I imagine it is a Kubota?
hugs, Brandi

 

[Western]

Yes, I believe what they carry is largely Kabota, and I didn't even consider a mini excavator??? Great idea young lady!! (no offense Jim, but she did beat ya to it:laughing I was thinking BH primarily for the stumps, but the mini makes more sense!, especially around the pond.. I will have to check tomorrow on availability.:thumbsup:. My plan was to dig, then deal with the spoils with my Kioti anyhoo

 

[Lou66]

I have a Case 580c backhoe/front end loader,, it is a three stick,, now the new ones have a joy stick,, I like the three sticks cause it keeps both hand busy,, not that, that matters,, but it will take you 53 minutes to become proficiency with the three stick and 41 minute with the joy stick,, based on inside information,, lol.. it doesn't take long,, for as taking down a tree it depend on how big it is.. a 20" oak can take sometime.. where a 20" pine not long at all,, but a 12" tallow,, I take my time cause I hate those dang trees.. 20 minute for them to suffer,, then out of the ground.. digging out a pond may want to get a pro,, if you take your liner out (clay) you may have to replace it,, if you know what you are doing then skim it out.. but a excavator would be better on the pond,, wide bucket and 180 degree turn.. but you could do it in a week end with good weather.. Lou

 

[Western]

Thanks Lou, Pond is 60' diameter, I could almost use a shovel if I wasn't so lazy:laughing: I only want to steepen the edge so there is less room for the cattails. I have used a Bobcat with a "joystick", it was OK, I suppose I didn't use it enough to like it one way or other over the old style BC controls. The trees are mostly cut, remaining ones I will cut down prior to digging out the stumps. If I was going to hire a dozer operator, I'd leave 3'-4' out of the ground for leverage. I'm shoot'n for a 37 1/2 minute learning curve:laughing:

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions so far, I knew you guys and gals could help me out. I just hope I dont like enough to want one!!

 

[jinman]

Dennis, I always find that what I want to dig around a pond is usually about 6" farther than I can reach. If you can make a measurement so you know what you are needing to reach, then you'll be way ahead of the game. I think the backhoes with extenda-hoe dippers are cool, but you don't see them in compact tractor hoes and almost never in excavators. As Brandi suggested, you may need a mid-sized excavator rather than a mini just so you'll have the reach needed. I just did what you are suggesting along my lake frontage and found myself handling dirt two or three times because of my limited swing with my backhoe. If you can move dirt once and be done, you'll save yourself a ton of time.

 

[bindian]

Dennis,
Do not cut the trees first and then dig................but dig around the trees, then you can push them over. That is the best way to handle a tree and stump. The height/weight of the tree leverages the root ball out of the hole for you.
But if you feel better cutting, then digging............do it the most comfortable way you feel.
Lou66,
My two joysticks on my Bradco BH keep both hands busy.. Three sticks would remind me of a forklift.
hugs, Brandi

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a pretty good sized dozer and it is the last thing that I would use for tree or stump removal. It is for smoother and spreading dirt and massive digging projects. It is not for removing things or land clearing. It creats a bigger mess then anything else that takes forever to clean up.

Backhoe is what I use for everything from saplings to massive oaks and pines. There is nothing that is too big, you just have to start out farther from the tree so you can break the bigger roots. Sometimes it's just another foot out, other times you need to go a few feet. Every root will break, but the closer you are to the tree, the more dirt there is holding it in place. For bigger trees, you have to change position and get all four sides dug out. With really big stumps, you have to get under it, so it might take a few changes of where you park. Keep in mind where you pile your dirt because it's a pain to have to move your dirt pile to get where you want to be.

I've never used an excavator, but think it would be a lot better for digging. Get one with a dozer blade if you can, because filling in the hole and what you leave behind is what you will have to live with.

If you haven't cut down the tree yet, don't. The weight of the tree takes out the stump easily. Without that weight, it's a big job digging out stumps with minimal hp. I have 80 hp on my backhoe and I've spend half an hour to several hours to what seemed like all day taking out one stump. Different types of trees, soil type and positioning all add up to how long it will take.

Whatever you estmimate it will take, double it, then double it again.

Eddie

 

[Lou66]

View attachment 296048View attachment 296049 Here is my granddaughter playing,, picking up beer cans without causing to much damage to the grass.. .. Lou

 

[Western]

Most of the trees (maybe 7) are already cut down 3 years ago. Like everything else, plans change and I never planned on doing anything in this area. There are maybe 4 trees still standing that may have to go, so I will leave them up and give that a go, makes allot of sense. When they put in my sewer tanks, they had to clear out around 12 small to medium Oaks, (guy was worried about the roots entering the leech field, he dug them (all standing) in maybe 45 minutes. Of coarse he had at least a 50hp BH and was very skilled, fun to watch.

Eddie I agree on the dozer, but the operator I have used before, I would swear he could pick up a dime with his D7, he was popping stumps and stacking trees with barely a drop of dirt on them when he put in my 1400' "road", so I think the operator and the job has something to do with it but over all I agree 100%. This guy hass ran a dozer since high school over 30+ years, me I just watch'em a drool:laughing: I've seen your dozer , wish I had one sitting here right now

 

[Lou66]

Dennis,

Lou66,
My two joysticks on my Bradco BH keep both hands busy.. Three sticks would remind me of a forklift.
hugs, Brandi

Brandi,, my forklift only has one stick,, up/down/left/right is tilt.. I have to get off if I want to widen it,, now I have an old john deere 3pt hook-up backhoe that is a two stick,, Lou

View attachment 296050View attachment 296053

 

[Western]

OK, Excavator probably out, the place with the best rental prices does not carry them. If I have to, I will dig out the edge of the tank with my tractor. If this was "need to "work rather than "want to" I would look at it in a different light.

The BH's are "Terramite" I have never heard of them??? She said 35-40hp (she thinks) they also have the 20hp too. Anyone familiar with Terramite? same thing right?? $150 a day sounds fair, if it will do the job.

BTW, "joystick" just sounds more "funner":laughing::shocked:

 

[jinman]

In my opinion, they should pay you to take the Terrible-mite. The one I rented was 20 hp and not worth the fuel it took to haul it to my place. The guy at the rental yard tried to sell it to me for $6k and I just laughed. I am obviously not a fan. I see a lot of them in rental yards and I think they are popular because they are cheap and can be rented with a trailer you can tow behind a 1/2 ton pickup. They are the rental equivalent of Tony Romo: all the cost, but they choke when the going gets tough.:thumbsdown:

 

[bindian]

Dennis,
Too bad on a mini ex. A Bobcat 331 would have you singing praises and telling the wife you want to buy one.:laughing: I never have used a Terramite, but have seen them and the smaller ones look like an 8 inch stump would kick their butt. Try to get the model number and google specs on it's hydraulic system. I'm betting it isn't that much.
Bare in mind rental machines are used and abused and a used unit won't dig like a new one,...ie, wore out hyd. pump. Try to test it at the rental yard. See if the hoe and outriggers will pick up the rear tires off the ground.
The smaller the machine........the longer the digging time. Anything you get, it will be fun.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Western]

Thanks for the reply's. When I asked the guy today and he said Terramite, I Goggled Terramite and they look seems they where the 1st company to produce a backhoe??. I may just go with the other place for more $$, cant remember what the girl said, was like 590b or something like that, will call tomorrow. I'd rather spend the extra $85 and be able to get done.

 

[bindian]

Thanks for the reply's. When I asked the guy today and he said Terramite, I Goggled Terramite and they look seems they where the 1st company to produce a backhoe??. I may just go with the other place for more $$, cant remember what the girl said, was like 590b or something like that, will call tomorrow. I'd rather spend the extra $85 and be able to get done.

<<<spend the extra $85 and be able to get done.>>> That about sums it up.
hugs, Brandi