Tree Removal with a Backhoe

[EddieWalker]

What is the gain by doing it this way? I can't see the pros outweighing the cons. Why not cut the tree down and then dig up the stump? It's much safer. I pushed a tree once and a decent size widow maker came down 6' next to me. Enough for me to not do that again.

When cutting down a tree with a chainsaw, there is allot of danger involved. The tree falls where it is supposed to about 90 percent of the time for those who know what they are doing. For those of us who are not experts, it's even less likely to fall where we want it to every time. Then you have to dig out the stump. This is work. It doesn't want to come out, and there isn't anything helping to pull it out. It's all up to the backhoe to remove enough dirt and break off all the roots to get it out. The bigger the tree, the worse it is. But even some species of smaller trees have tap roots, which just adds to the fun. I've spent several hours taking out really big stumps with my full sized backhoe.

When taking out a tree with a backhoe, the tree takes out the stump for you. It's a very safe way to take out the tree. I've taken out thousands of trees with my backhoe and in every case, the tree goes over slowly and easily. No surprises!!!! With most trees, you only have to dig two sides of it and then push. This means less dirt is removed and less time burning fuel. It's a smaller hole to fill too!!!

No matter what sized tree it is, you dig less taking it out hole then you would if you had to take out the stump.

Eddie

 

[alltoys]

I've taken out many trees with my old backhoe; just take your time and don't get too ambitious.

Good luck, Wm

That tree is a monster it must have been in the 300 foot tall range. I see your tractor is roughly the same size as mine only my hoe attachment isn't as big.

Did you pull it over??

 

[alltoys]

Eddie I agree using a hoe to remove a large tree is the only way to go when totally removing it.

 

[Redbug]

William, that tree was huge. Tell us the story. When digging the roots and cutting them, how do you know when it's time to push? If it rocks, how do you know what way it will go? Or did you have it roped off to another tree as an anchor?

 

[jwhite]

This method is very interesting! It takes me hours and a LARGE crater to remove large Oak stumps with the backhoe after removing the tree.

I can see cutting the roots on either side of the stump and roping off the tree to avoid "falling" unpleasantness.

The sequence I imagine is to rope off (or chain and come-along) to side opposite where you put the backhoe. You then dig on either side of the tree. What do you do about the roots closest to the backhoe? I also imagine that these could spring up under the backhoe and take something out (at least a hose or worse). Do you cut the roots opposite the rope first, then reposition to cut the side roots?

I have a TC33D with an small Bushhog BH on it and I have to get a pretty good distance from the stump just to be able to cut the side roots on Oak stumps in my heavy clay/shale soil.

Please specify a little more on the exact technique. I would like to give it a go...

Thanks!
Jay

 

[JoelD]

Type of soil and tree make all the difference.

Where I live I've got nothing but rocks, shale, ledge, etc. The trees seem to grow where the most rocks are, and the roots grab hold. I can dig and dig and dig and never get to the bottom of the ball where the root goes straight into the ground.

I got the use of an excavator last weekend and the 28K machine made quick work of the trees, I dug deep on one side through all roots then pushed the trees over.

My machine (kioti 30HP) would never have been able to dig through the rock / root combo and then push down these trees, just too big and stuck.

You really need correct machine for some situations.

Joel

 

[MikeInEburg]

The process that I use is this:
1. Get big rope as high as possible in tree. I have a very slippery small rope with "bean bag" type weight (from Baileys like this Bailey's - 16 oz. Throw Weight & Line Combo) for just this purpose. Use small rope to pull up big rope.
2. With backhoe, dig a trench along "back side" of tree (side opposite of desired fall direction). Also dig along both left and right side. I do NOT dig side toward fall direction.
3. Move tractor to end of rope - that extends beyond reach of tree.
4. Pull with tractor.

Thus far, 100% have fallen exactly where I wanted and in slow motion.

If you wanted to be very fancy, you could put a large log or something on the "fall" side - so that when the falling trunk hit it, it would help to pop the rootball out of the ground.

Mike

 

[Stimw]

Been there, done that. It's 10 times harder to dig a stump out without pulling it over using the tree for leverage. AND, not as much fun!
Look at the tractor in the center pic, It's smiling!!

 

[MarkV]

I have always dug deepest on the side I want the tree to fall and then cut on the sides. That normally is all it takes for me to push it over. Generally I push with the backhoe bucket. The size of your equipment and the soil conditions will certainly make a difference but I have done it with both my 21 hp tractor and my 39 hp tractor successfully many times.

MarkV

 

[Eagleview]

2. With backhoe, dig a trench along "back side" of tree (side opposite of desired fall direction). Also dig along both left and right side. I do NOT dig side toward fall direction.

Mike

This is the recommended way to fall a tree , the dirt and roots at the front act as a hinge which directs the tree as it falls . It also stops it coming back at you if you need to get a second bite at the tree while pushing with the tractor etc . Digging all the way around leaves a tree standing on a small pad , if a gust of wind comes up , the tree can fall anywhere it wants .