Unbelievable?

[Spencer]

TonyC,
Here is a link to the either thread title "NH TC33D vs. Stump". See my reply to Neil for more info on the forks.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=projects&Number=119779&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=>http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=projects&Number=119779&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=</A>


Spence

 

[Spencer]

Brad,
My tractor is actually quite filthy. I guess the camera just loves New Holland. If you are going to try this on your own then follow these steps.

Poke the forks into the ground (6 to 8 inches) in front of the stump while the forks are almost straight up and down. Move the tractor in reverse for about two feet. I do this to find the roots all the way around the stump. Use the forks this way to clean out the dirt from on top of and between the roots real well.

Now attack ONE root at a time. Bring your tractor in to the side of the stump and put one fork underneath one root about 2 feet out on the root. Have the fork at about a 45-degree angle and poke the fork down most of the way. Slowly drive forward as you are simultaneously curling the forks down. You may need to do this a couple of times on each root, each time repositioning the fork at a slightly different angle. Go all the way around the stump until you get all the roots you can see.

Next come straight at the stump and with both forks get completely underneath it and move forward as you are curling the forks down. This should expose hidden roots for you to work on. Work it from all sides. Once you have all the bigger roots out it should pop right out.

Spence

 

[Spencer]

MFK,
I am no expert on soil but I haven't come accross and rocks or clay yet. I am assuming that most of Western Michigan has a lot of sand in the soil due to Lake Michigan. I am about 6 to 8 miles as the crow flies from the lake. On that first big stump I came across in January I too thought I would have to try and cut the roots with an axe or a chainsaw. I really didn't want to rent or hire a BH so I probably would have tried to cut them first.

Spence

 

[rancar]

Spence,

These are real helpful links and information on the forks and 4in1 buckets. I have many stumps such as you just dug out. I cannot spend the $$s for a BH but this seems like a much more cost effective alternative that I think I will try. Was thinking of getting a HD bucket with HD toothbar attachment, still will get these for other purposes....but these forks seem to more effective against the stumps.

I vote we elevate you from silver to star member immediately /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Thanks.

Regards,
Bob Ancar
Cambridge, NY

 

[mikim]

must be a lot of that in your state - I spent a week at Alpena and it was all sand there as well ... good for a resort town like that tho'
mike

 

[dummy]

Spent a few weeks in Alpena myself. Must have missed out on the resort features. The trout festival is quite an occasion though.

 

[kbarrett]

Also in West Michigan, about an hour inland - Clay, Sand, loam and a some rocks here and there on my property.

I've really enjoyed this thread Spence!

Keep thinking of things to do with those forks.

 

[frank_f15]

spencer: great photos and thanks for your method of removal, will be sure to ty it when the weather allows about 2 months yet/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif but i wonder if a lot of your sucess was do to the type of tree stump and the soil ? i understand that my b2400 and bucke with tooth bar is not the same as your rig and our ground and trees may be different from yours but i do beleive i will try your method, it sound like a good way to do it. thanks for the tips.

 

[pennwalk]

I think this is an opportunity for an enterprising welding company to come up with an inexpensibe 3pt stump digger. Those forks seem to work better that a lot of other methods. I wonder if anyone out there is reading us here and thinking "I could make some money on that. I see lots of un-met needs here.

Chris