Digging out oak stump

tld · May 20, 2005

What is the best procedure to dig out an 8 inch oak stump?
JD4110 with FEL.

grandad · May 20, 2005

Setting aside dozers and excavators, backhoes are the weapon of choice if you're working with tractor-type equipment. But, since you're working with your 4110 and FEL, do you have enough room to operate the FEL to dig a trench around the stump (kind of like a moat around a castle)? It helps if you have a toothbar on the FEL.

Slamfire · May 20, 2005

Drive around the stump with a sub soiler, cutting off the roots. Then get a really big wheel at the tractor junk yard. Chain the stump, lead the chain over the big wheel and hook it to your tractor. If it doesn't come out, Drive the subsoiler around the stump closer than last time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

KiotiJohn · May 21, 2005

Without having a backhoe, and an Oak stump that isn't really old, you'll have a harder time, but it can be done. Keep in mind that the roots farther away are weaker than up close, so start out away from the stump and break the roots, moving in closer. Once you get the majority of the outer roots broken, you can follow the advice of using a large tire rim to hook a chain around the stump, running the chain over the rim and hooking up to your drawbar. Don't hook it higher than that or you may pull the tractor over backwards. Before attempting to pull the stump, you may want to try digging down under the perimeter with the bucket/toothbar and rolling the bucket up a few times around the stump to further loosen it before pulling. Another thing I've found useful is to put a light stream of water at the stump and soak it overnight after breaking all the roots. This makes it a little easier to pull out the next day.
John

skivt · May 21, 2005

How does the tire rim help. Does it lift up more or prevent the chain from flying at the operator?

Maybe it is better to just go start the coffee so I can wake up and understand.

Highbeam · May 21, 2005

The rim acts to change the angle of the chain where it attaches to the stump. Once the chain is over the rim, the chain will lift up and away on the stump. Also, it kind of acts as a snatch block to multiply the pulling force because in the end you will have pulled more chain when the rim falls over. I have heard of guys using the spare tire off of their truck for the same purpose. You will have a harder time just pulling horizontally on the stump than if you lift and pull.

Hook onto the stump as low as possible and use a tall tire for maximum lift angle on the stump. Try to run the tractor downhill from the stump to get gravity on your side. Ballast the tractor for traction.

KiotiJohn · May 22, 2005

( Hook onto the stump as low as possible and use a tall tire for maximum lift angle on the stump. )
That's really the best advice, and I've just got to go look for a really big rim. The one I've been using is not as tall as I'd like. I'm going to try to find a good tractor/trailer type rim. Should really get a great angle with that.
How big is the rim you use? Something like I'm talking about?
Thanks, John

Highbeam · May 23, 2005

The bulldozer doesn't need a rim. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif It definitely works better to push the stump out than to pull it though. Also, it doesn't need to be a rim, just something that won't tip over sideways.

KiotiJohn · May 23, 2005

( The bulldozer doesn't need a rim. )
Cool. I didn't realize you were using a dozer.
Next time I'm pulling a stump, I'll put a sign on my CK20, "My other tractor is a bulldozer, but it's in the shop!"
Thanks

SkyPup · May 23, 2005

Here is a 40 inch oak stump removed with a Kubota L-3130 and LA723 FEL with 72" square bucket. I just dug down through the roots until I hit the rootball on two opposite sides and then dug around the other two sides through the roots. Then lifted it up and out with the FEL.

It is a pretty good amount of work that is easier done with a BH, but if all you have is the JD & FEL you'll be okay as long as you do not run into too much rock or clay.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

SkyPup · May 23, 2005

Here is another angle of what it took to get down to the bottom of the rootball with the FEL

KiotiJohn · May 23, 2005

( Here is a 40 inch oak stump removed with a Kubota L-3130 and LA723 FEL with 72" square bucket. )
Very impressive work done with the FEL. I only wish Pines would come out that easily. Even the backhoe takes a long while with the pines tap roots!
John

SkyPup · May 23, 2005

I was lucky, the soil and subsoil were mostly sand fines, the clay is absolutley unmanageable when you hit that.....as are limerock boulders.

Here is another shot deep into it with my Scottish Terrier, Shorty, gives directions..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

KiotiJohn · May 23, 2005

That's a great looking little dog, and the tractor setup is nice too. That's a Woods BB?
Good working shots. Thanks.
John

Dhouk · Jun 25, 2014

I just doug out a 16 inch oak stump with my Kubota BX25. I have dug many and all you do is dig around as close to the base as possable. Dig deep and work around the stump. When you can get the bucket around and under the corners cuting the roots under the stump. As soon it starts rocking good you can push the stump over or twist it.

Cherokee140 · Jun 25, 2014

Dhouk said:
I just doug out a 16 inch oak stump with my Kubota BX25. I have dug many and all you do is dig around as close to the base as possable. Dig deep and work around the stump. When you can get the bucket around and under the corners cuting the roots under the stump. As soon it starts rocking good you can push the stump over or twist it.

Same here, so many trees it is not even funny....but I can't imagine doing it if I did not have the backhoe.