Tree grubbed

Dan Lamb · Mar 7, 2020

Tree grubber ,
Any of you guys ever use one of these ? Looks like it would just rip the bark off the tree , only bad thing is I would be on and off the tractor dozens of times in a short while because I always work by myself . I have hundreds of 2” & 3 “saplings on new property , anyone have any good ideas for a better way and I don’t want to leave any stumps and can’t afford a brush hog at this time , any ideas welcome , thanks Dan

RNeumann · Mar 7, 2020

A brush hog will leave the stumps to that’s out. A root grapple would be ideal but if that’s out of the budget I’d get a toothbar for your bucket. My first choice would be from WR Long because they had longer skinnier teeth like the root grapple. My second choice would be a piranha from BX Expanded. Those are nice but the teeth aren’t long so you may take more soil.

old and tired · Mar 7, 2020

"...Tractor: Branson 2400h TLB/ cab..." Use your backhoe to rip them out....

s219 · Mar 7, 2020

I had good luck with one to clear a trail many years ago, but as you note it can be slow going by yourself (but it's easy work, so you are still productive).

shooterdon · Mar 7, 2020

I have a grubber and it is remarkably effective but slow....too slow for me. Great for clearing out a few trees by a fence line.

I put on a Piranha bar it is not that great IMHO. Might be OK if all you have is saplings but it cannot get between trees you may want to save. Late last year got a tree puller but have not used it enough to recommend it.

BTW, on another thread someone suggested getting a length of chain and adding about 10 smaller "chokers" to the links to pull out a bunch at a time. Still need to get on and off but a lot less often.

i7win7 · Mar 7, 2020

Hundreds of small trees, check your local equipment rental shop for a tractor or skid steer with a tree puller attachment. I have bush honeysuckle here. Birds spread the seeds everywhere.

hkbirdman · Mar 8, 2020

"Rip then out with you backhoe"--I agree with this idea. Since you already own a backhoe - you could buy a manual thumb and not have to dismount backhoe seat except to move the tractor. I had a manual thumb on my machine (just recently converted it to hydraulic) - but while it was a manual thumb - I would rip out appx. 40 stumps of 2-3" diameter in 2-3 hrs.