What are my options for removing tree stumps?

[clovergamecock]

I have probably 100 stumps of various sizes that I need to pull up. Most of these are pine with a few hardwoods. I have a L2800 4wd Kubota but I am sure that it wouldn't touch this job. I am looking for something economical that I could do myseflf but now opposed to hiring it out..

If I did hire it out what would be an expected or acceptable cost?

Thanks
Wade

 

[Western]

Wade I just went through this in a garden spot, Oak trees up to and over 22". (towards the end of the "Texas fall winter thread page 163 http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/224444-texas-fall-winter-thread-163.html)

I started with the small excavator, 29hp, to light and not enough power for the red clay 14" down. Rented the Kubota SVL75 (75hp) skidsteer and that dude dug the he11 out of the trees, but be warned that machine will tear up some turf with it's power.

I pulled around 5 "stumps" and as Brandi and Jim recommended, the standing trees are easier with the added leverage. BUT the skidsteer excelled there also. BTW, a much bigger excavator would have also been better.

 

[J_J]

Dig it out.

Burn it out.

Blast it out.

Cut it low and bury/cover it.

Outside table support.

Work table.

Bird feeder.

 

[kevin37b]

Find someone with a 15-20 ton excavator and at the end of the day write a check for 6-800 and be done with it . You can do the clean up , just have them pop the stumps .

 

[clovergamecock]

Find someone with a 15-20 ton excavator and at the end of the day write a check for 6-800 and be done with it . You can do the clean up , just have them pop the stumps .

Thanks. that would not be as bad as I thought it would but if it goes over that I just don't want to go there.

The trees were cut by a logger that in hindsight I don't think had a clue. Some of the stumps are 2 feet high. I would have thought that he would have cut them lower to the ground. I am borrowing a buddy of mine skidsteer\Bobcat. I might can do something with that but some of these are pretty big. I was also thinking stump grinder rental but not sure if I can get one big enough or if that matters othher than overall time per stump.

 

[OkieDiesel]

You may very well be thankful the logger didn't cut them off lower. I made the mistake of cutting down a swath of trees to about 6" off the ground. Now they punish me on the mower or brush-hog. But, to get them out, they'll have to be dug under. At least with a 2 ft stump, you can dig around and hook it with a hoe to pull it out. Next time, I'll either rip the trees out whole, or leave a 3-4 ft stump to get them out later.

 

[don45640]

Yes,and leaving the stump higher at say 6', you can have a dozer push them over and out also.But I like the large excavator idea. don-ohio^)

You may very well be thankful the logger didn't cut them off lower. I made the mistake of cutting down a swath of trees to about 6" off the ground. Now they punish me on the mower or brush-hog. But, to get them out, they'll have to be dug under. At least with a 2 ft stump, you can dig around and hook it with a hoe to pull it out. Next time, I'll either rip the trees out whole, or leave a 3-4 ft stump to get them out later.

 

[Xfaxman]

I am borrowing a buddy of mine skidsteer\Bobcat. I might can do something with that but some of these are pretty big. I was also thinking stump grinder rental but not sure if I can get one big enough or if that matters othher than overall time per stump.

If you can rent a stump bucket, the skidsteer will do it.

I have this Blue Diamond brand, it is the longest, for better leverage.

 

[econometrics]

+1 to Western's advice on renting a skidloader. I think that's your best bet if you want to dig them out and move them around yourself. Otherwise, like others have mentioned, you should find a local excavator operator and have him pop them all out one day.

I have a bunch of stumps no greater than 6" that I need to take care of (prob. 30+ of them), and I'm about to have a land clearing service come out with a Fecon machine and grind those babies into mulch for me. But I'm not sure if a machine like that can take on stumps as large as 22" or greater.

 

[ddivinia]