A new to me 2018 KX71-3 mini excavator. Say I am trying to pull a stump out. I jam the bucket down behind it and now have several choices. I can; 1- curl the bucket, 2- pull the arm toward me, 3- lift the boom (after curling the bucket), or back up the excavator. Is there a general rule as to which option has the best chance of pulling the stump?
Which is stronger?
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LittleBittyBigJohn
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Bucket curl is going to have the most force. You may have to dig around the stump some to get it free enough to pull out, depending on the size.
woody
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True the curl is going to have the most force but what I do is plan ahead and leave the stump about 3 or 4 feet high that gives you a lot more leverage to break the stump over, sometimes that's all it takes.
workinonit
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I agree...curl as well. Having owned and run a 48,000 lb track hoe my feeling is you won't do a lot of stump digging with that little mini ex. Of course you can dig them but don't get in a hurry. You certainly won't have much luck with boom, arm or travel functions trying to force a stump out of the ground. Also, most of my stump digging was yellow pine and sweet gum. Probably the two hardest stumps to dig in our area.
LittleBittyBigJohn
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Since that was an example I don't feel bad about giving unsolicited advice now 
. When just digging, it is more efficient to coordinate the bucket, boom, and stick together to take a "strip" of soil. You can get more product in the bucket that way, and it's easier on the equipment. If you just bury your bucket and try to curl a load out of the ground your machine many not have the power to curl a big chunk up all at once, and even if it does it will take you more time per scoop that way.
. When just digging, it is more efficient to coordinate the bucket, boom, and stick together to take a "strip" of soil. You can get more product in the bucket that way, and it's easier on the equipment. If you just bury your bucket and try to curl a load out of the ground your machine many not have the power to curl a big chunk up all at once, and even if it does it will take you more time per scoop that way.masscity
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Go to Rhinox (especially if you have a quick coupler) or elsewhere and buy a ripper tooth, it will make taking out the stump easier.
I got one coming for my L3540HSTC/BH92. Rhinox didn't have a quick coupler for me so I have a machinist making me one.
I got one coming for my L3540HSTC/BH92. Rhinox didn't have a quick coupler for me so I have a machinist making me one.
SPYDERLK
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If the hole or ground around the stump is fairly "clean" you can augment your pop out force by forcing the boom down and curling simultaneously. Its prying.
Ken Mac
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Personally, I think it's a bad practice to travel with bucket engaged in such a way as you describe. You could possibly over pressurize the hydraulics and blow hoses or o-rings. Hydraulics have pressure valves to by-pass and prevent this, but they are not in the equation under these circumstances. This is my non-professional understanding, at least.
