Box Blade for Small Stump Removal

[econometrics]

Howdy all,

I have a Frontier BB2172 box blade for my JD 5103 (with FEL)- with the 5 steel shanks. I just mowed about 3-4 acres that had quite a few 3-5" trees that had grown up that the previous owner of the land I purchased did not clear.

I cut most all the trees down to about 6-12" of stump size and was thinking of using my box blade to try and pull them up? Some are pines, most are smaller hardwoods. My soil is pretty sandy, so they are not rooted in too tightly.

My idea was to drop the 3 center shanks as low as I could, drop in the box and grab onto the roots while raising the blade with the 3-point, then pulling forward to rip them out.

Before I did, I wanted to see if this was a bad idea first. I probably have about 15-20 to pull out.

Thanks!

 

[El Wood]

I would also like to try this and hear what folks have to say.

 

[nybirdman]

Boy I don';t know about that one.Lots of side torque on your box blade.If they are small enough and the ground loose it may work.May want to think about a tooth-bar on the bucket and loosen a little first.

 

[econometrics]

Boy I don';t know about that one.Lots of side torque on your box blade.If they are small enough and the ground loose it may work.May want to think about a tooth-bar on the bucket and loosen a little first.

That's kind of what I was thinking, too. Maybe loosen them up with the FEL a little before I try to rip on 'em. :thumbsup:

 

[PoorPlowboy]

I would be more inclined to try a single subsoiler type ripper to go around the tree before hooking the stump and pulling on it. It puts a lot of forces into your box blade at weird angles when you have small isolated contact areas you're pulling from.

Something like this is what I have in mind.

 

[econometrics]

I would be more inclined to try a single subsoiler type ripper to go around the tree before hooking the stump and pulling on it. It puts a lot of forces into your box blade at weird angles when you have small isolated contact areas you're pulling from.

Something like this is what I have in mind.
View attachment 300065

Ahh, that's just the thing I've been thinking about getting. I would much rather use something like that than my box blade. I guess I first thought of the box blade because I already have it, ha! How much does a ripper like that cost, and where can a guy get one?

Thx!

 

[PoorPlowboy]

I bought the one that I have at Atwoods. It is a King Kutter I believe, though the shank isn't quite as beefy as the one shown in the photo I posted above. The one I have. I paid in the neighborhood of $130 for mine. A little easier on the wallet if broken.

 

[econometrics]

Ahh, I saw a single-shank 3pt attachment there the other day, but it had a plow blade on it. I'll have to look again and see if I can find one here in town like that. I think that would do the trick.

Have you used yours to take out some smaller stumps successfully?

 

[Deere Dude]

The box blade would be the last thing I would use for that. If they are in light enough soil, use the FEL with a tooth bar, or even without one if you don't have one.

I was using my Frontier 6' medium duty rated for 60 HP+ with a little 3720 and was going along at 2 MPH with a load of dirt and hit a 4" stump cut off a couple inches underground. I don't remember if it stopped the tractor, but it bent the blade and the big angle iron supporting the blade in back of it about 2-3" in the center.

I had to use a log splitter in some fancy set-up to get it somewhat straight again. Those shanks are like butter if you hit or snag a good tree root or stump. But those are easier to straighten that be blade itself.

 

[econometrics]

That's exactly the kind of review / previous experience I was looking for. I figured that if I started from a standy-still and eased into the roots, it wouldn't bang up the box too bad. But I didn't want to risk it.

Really appreciate that input.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

Yes it didn't have any problems with the 4" pine stumps from the thinning of a plantation but after a number of acres, I grew impatient and hauled the dozer to the site to finish. I would straddle the row of stumps and put a rip on each side of them, then the third pass right down the middle of the stumps and the final pass was scooping them into the FEL bucket. Impatience grew when I would frequently have to stop and back up and rehook the stump as it slipped out. I had hundreds to do, so if you have fewer you may not grow as impatient as I did.

 

[bikerdib]

TSC:

CountyLine® Middle Buster - 2128228 | Tractor Supply Company

Then, if you don't have the tools or ability to do it yourself, go to a welding shop and have them cut a piece of plate to make it into this:

CountyLine® Sub Soiler - 2128333 | Tractor Supply Company

I had an old shredder blade that I used to make the plate for mine. I've hooked roots up to 6" diameter and pulled them out with mine. You just drop the subsoiler blade on the ground behind the small stumps you are talking about and I bet it would rip them right out.

 

[econometrics]

Thanks all. I will let you know how it goes later this week when I get to pullin' on 'em!

 

[L355SS]

Personally I would try what you were intending in the first place (since you already have the box scraper) use two of the rippers a foot or so away from each side of the stump. Go down a little at a time till you hit a root then depending on the size take the chainsaw or an axe and cut it. Then continue gently pulling/lifting, do not hit it at any speed.
Dennis

 

[KPark]

For a low investment, you could try a brush grubber for some extra versatility.

 

[econometrics]

For a low investment, you could try a brush grubber for some extra versatility.

I was reading about some guys on here using that the other day, actually. Thanks! Looks like they have one down at the local Northern Tool. I might go check that out.

 

[55woodie]

I have the TSC Sub-soiler ($130) and it can pull up decaying stumps pretty easily. Flush (2-4 inches) to the ground is easiest so you can drive right over them. Larger ones can be hooked and lifted/snapped with the 3pt. Used a toothbar on the FEL to pick up the debris. I also have a brush grubber ($95), but it is a 2 person job because you'll be jumping in and out of the seat to un-hook and re-hook. Works well but I'm limited to 3-4 inch max because of 25 hp tractor. I'll cut the trees to a 4 foot height and pull from there to remove roots and all. If you try to pull a 20 ft sapling, the top of the tree will be coming your way as you pull it forward. The grubber actually works the best with my 4x4 truck in low gear off the hitch receiver, but still a 2 person job. Pretty low cost approach for removing smaller tree stumps and roots.

Good luck!

 

[econometrics]

Thank you all for the feedback, it's given me some good ideas / plans of attack!