Backhoe vs Stump Grinder

[California]

The real old fashioned way.
View attachment 538502

Prototype of the Hi-Lift jack?

 

[Code54]

A mid to large excavator will do it QUICK - like minutes a stump. May spend $800 bucks with delivery renting a machine but will be done extremely quickly.
Excavator Ripping Stumps - YouTube

 

[goeduck]

Prototype of the Hi-Lift jack?

Looks like it had wheels on two legs for transport and then a big worm gear the horses would rotate on. I image the two men were chopping the roots as they became exposed.

 

[goeduck]

A mid to large excavator will do it QUICK - like minutes a stump. May spend $800 bucks with delivery renting a machine but will be done extremely quickly.
Excavator Ripping Stumps - YouTube

Yes, just pay the man, get it done in one day, maybe two. Probably more mobilization time than stump pullin time

 

[TractorGuy]

Yes, just pay the man, get it done in one day, maybe two. Probably more mobilization time than stump pullin time

Even with a large excavator you are not going to be done in a day or two. Lots of clean up to do behind those guys. I had one give me an estimate on my place and the first thing he told me was I would need a larger tractor than I have to clean up after him.

I agree if you are going to hire it done don't waste time and money on somebody with small equipment. Get someone to bring in the big bad boy and get them out. If you have a decent size tractor with a grapple that will help greatly with the clean up but the sad reality is all the fine stuff will almost have to be picked up by hand.

 

[Jstpssng]

Even with a large excavator you are not going to be done in a day or two. Lots of clean up to do behind those guys. I had one give me an estimate on my place and the first thing he told me was I would need a larger tractor than I have to clean up after him.

I agree if you are going to hire it done don't waste time and money on somebody with small equipment. Get someone to bring in the big bad boy and get them out. If you have a decent size tractor with a grapple that will help greatly with the clean up but the sad reality is all the fine stuff will almost have to be picked up by hand.

My experience was different, but probably my situation was also. The contractor sent a big excavator, and the operator is one of the best in the area. After pulling the stumps he would rake the ground with the bucket teeth, picking up roots and rocks; so when he got done I was able to use my Troybilt. The stumps were also green, which may have made a difference. The downside is that the top 6-8" of topsoil is in the stump pile until I can reclaim it. Not a big deal because I still have about 16" on the field, but most of the nutrients are also in that layer so I've had to rebuild my soil.

 

[goeduck]

Even with a large excavator you are not going to be done in a day or two. Lots of clean up to do behind those guys. I had one give me an estimate on my place and the first thing he told me was I would need a larger tractor than I have to clean up after him.

I agree if you are going to hire it done don't waste time and money on somebody with small equipment. Get someone to bring in the big bad boy and get them out. If you have a decent size tractor with a grapple that will help greatly with the clean up but the sad reality is all the fine stuff will almost have to be picked up by hand.

I disagree, we are only talking about 40 stumps under 18 inches. A 10 hour day is one every 15 minutes. Very doable. Not a big deal for a decent size excavator with an experienced operator. Cleanup aside because that will need to be done if a backhoe is used and to a lesser extent if a grinder is used.

 

[TractorGuy]

Cleanup is the necessary evil after any method of stump removal.

I guess a good operator could make it somewhat easier. The operator I spoke with didn't indicate he would leave my property clean. That video shared in this thread didn't look like that operator was going to clean up as he went but maybe that was to come.