Backhoe Backhoe work for tree stumps??

[tinman955]

I am needing to remove 6 or so tree stumps with my Bobcat CT335 with a 8' hoe. Any advice for doing it right the first time? I never tried before so I dont know how easy or hard it will be. Just looking for some tips from the best in the business TBN users.

Thanks

 

[vic4news]

Start by digging a little ways away from the stump where you are able to break the roots. Break the roots on two sides then move closer to the stump.
Once you can get the bucket under part of the stump, curl the bucket to see if you can move it. You'll be able to tell where there still are roots you need to break. Don't try to rush it and they'll come out easily.

Vic

 

[biggerten]

It will depend on the kind of tree (different root systems), but I generally need to dig on two sides, the move to come at it from the other two sides.

One time I ended up with a huge root ball (two trees had grown together). I used a garden hose and 'washed' all the dirt out of the combined rootball while it was still in the hole to make it lighter before hauling it away. A lot of times just worrying it around a bit knocks most of the dirt off.

I also use my ATV and plow to push the dirt back in the hole, it's just quick and nimble.

Other folks may have better advice.

 

[tinman955]

sounds like good advice, I guess I just need to have at it and give it a try.

 

[Scooby074]

All good advice. I just scrape around the stump. THen i try to curl under the roots to break them up. Then i work the stump.

A tip is to leave the stump cut higher than normal. Like 2ft. This gives you some added leverage and its also a little easier to grab when moving the dug out stump.

 

[tinman955]

Yeah I was thinking about that stump height when I cut them down, so I did leave them 2' or so above ground.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I have dug out stumps before and that's one job i hate to do.....When i first moved on this property i dug out about 20 stumps, and last year i made my garden bigger & had to cut 11 trees & dig out those stumps.

The stumps that i dug out was popular & wild cherry....The way i do it is start digging all around the stump, and when i see a large root i take an axe & cut that out, so I'm not putting so much strain on the BH jacks....and it helps so the tractor don't jerk all over the place

After i have dug down and removed dirt & the big roots...then i take my BH bucket and try to get under it from the back side, and see if it moves much....If it doesn't then i have to dig deeper and cut more roots....Then try to pull again & just work it back & forth and it will finally come out.

It all depends on what type of tree it is....(AND) all stumps are different when digging out....I have seen some roots on populars stay close to the top, and then the next one have roots that go straight down....and the wild cherries are a different story, and hard to dig out.

I have dug out stumps before that had such a big root ball on that i had to pull them, because they would not fit in the bucket.

Like Vic said, just take your time & don't rush it.

 

[20 20]

Pulled well over 100 stumps on my land some were bigger then my old oliver dozer 10' round root ball. The best advice I can give is make time, have patience, and dig dig dig, did I say dig. I did rent a 312 excavator once and pulled a few stumps with that, worked nice. But most{90+%} of my stumps have been removed with a small BH or a mini excavator{under 4000lbs}. The taller you can leave the stump the better, gives more leverage. I have even left the whole tree 80+' where I can have room to move. Just use the advice above and HAVE PATIENCE, them trees like their dirt foundations and are made to stay put.

 

[NSBound]

All of these descriptions remind me realllllly a lot of my last visit to the dentist, for some reason!!

 

[newbury]

Search is your friend
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/144707-videos-removing-stump-cut-backhoe.html

 

[BigE_]

The way i do it is start digging all around the stump, and when i see a large root i take an axe & cut that out, so I'm not putting so much strain on the BH jacks

I've got a battery powered Sawzall type saw. I put a pruning blade in it and cut the roots with that. Makes quick and easy work of even the thicker roots.

 

[Chuck K.]

If I had it to do over I would have just ground the stumps on my propery except the ones that would be beneath a foundation. With time an patience you can get dig them up but I personally believe its hard on small B/H's.

A ripper tooth like Bro-tech offers may be a good option. I used my ripper tooth on my Bh75. The soil had just enough moisture I was able to use the ripper tooth to severe most all the roots then I just pushed the tree over.

The advantage to this method is very little backfill work. Sometimes the real challenge can be getting the stump and root balll out of the hole, dont ask me how I know

Had a heck of a time dragging this one out of the hole, should have got out the pressure washer and knocked the mud off to lighten it up..

 

[JoelD]

Depends on size and type of stump and soil conditions.

Big hardwoods in rocky soil, rent an excavator.

Pines in non-rocky soil, kick them and they jump out of the ground.

I ended up renting an excavator (CAT 311) for a day. Best $500 I've ever spent.

There is nothing like having the right tool for the job.

My stumps were so big that my tractor would not have been able to lift them out of hole even if I had been able to dig them out.

I posted a post on the subject.

Good luck,
Joel

 

[wedge40]

I have about 15 stumps that I need to remove in an area I want to build a shed/barn with concrete floor. I'm renting an 3 ton excavator for a week. (hey I'm gonna play a little while I have it. ) Most of the trees are down and I'm in the process of removing everything but the stumps.

I guess I should start a thread and post few pictures.

Wedge

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I've got a battery powered Sawzall type saw. I put a pruning blade in it and cut the roots with that. Makes quick and easy work of even the thicker roots.

Yes that would work, I have one but i always keep a long handle axe on the tractor.

Or do like Chuck and carry a chain-saw.......My wife tells me all the time that i do everything the hard way.......I think i got that from her dad.

Had a heck of a time dragging this one out of the hole, should have got out the pressure washer and knocked the mud off to lighten it up..

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Hey Chuck,

I have been there & done that.......When a person finally gets the root-ball out of the hole, then it looks like a bomb went off.

 

[BeeferMan]

When using a small machine to remove a stump, it really helps to leave enough tree on the stump to give you some leverage! Can save some digging...

 

[pat32rf]

Dig the sides free, the if the curl won't move it dig the other two sides. Try the curl again. You will be able to roll the root ball a lot easier than a straight lift. You can also drop a chain and pull it under the rootball cutting any roots that go straight down. Drag the ball out of the hole with a chain. Use leverage instead of brute strength....

 

[Jrrcorp]

What do you guys do with the root ball after its' out of the hole? If you don't burry it somewhere else, how do you remove all the dirt that clings to it so you can burn it?

 

[biggerten]

What do you guys do with the root ball after its' out of the hole? If you don't burry it somewhere else, how do you remove all the dirt that clings to it so you can burn it?

I wash the dirt off (stand back with the pressure washer!) if needed. For disposal, they get hauled to the burn pile.

 

[vic4news]

What do you guys do with the root ball after its' out of the hole? If you don't burry it somewhere else, how do you remove all the dirt that clings to it so you can burn it?

Sometimes I just dig the hole a little deeper and bury the stump in the same spot. If I'm not going to bury the stump, I scrape the dirt off using the BH bucket. Once the dirt dries, just about all of it will come off the stump.

Vic