3-Point Hitch Drilling a stump?

[smalltown]

I remember discussing the location of a soon to be drilled well in my back yard. The "driller" asked it the spot had been backfiled filled with stumps. I responded no stumps there, but I asked why would that have been an issue with a drill that bores through rock. He answered the drill has a lot of problems when it encounters stumps.

 

[Dogtrainer]

I'm thinking the dril point on a dirt auger would tend to be a lot less forgiving in a stump then in it is in dirt. It is agresssave because it has to dig and pull the auger down into the soil. That being the case, as soon as the teeth hit the stump and were not able to match the rate of pull of the center point, the auger would bind and shear the pin, hopefully. I don't think I'm willing to test this theory and chance an equipment failure. BUT, it got us thinking. Thank you all for your input! Stay safe!
Gary

 

[NHmitch]

The main concern that I would have also, is if the auger became stuck, in the stump, you may not be able to free it, or back it out.

 

[sixdogs]

The stump has to be pretty rotten or it won't work. I did some pretty rotted maple with a 6" HD auger bit and it broke it up enough to allow me to further break the edges and get a fire going that ate most of it away. Then I covered what was left with dirt and seeded with grass.

I set the auger over the center of the stump and with the tractor at idle very softly lowered it with a "bouncing" motion because it grips quick. Sometimes a fast rpm but as soon as it touched the rotting stump I lifted it slightly and it knocked some pieces out. There is no way a dirt auger is going to "drill" a stump--it will only knock chunks out of a rotting one if you are careful, vary the engine speed from idle to fast and only momentarily touch the stump. In fact, a newbie should not try this since it's dangerous from the bouncing auger and augers are inherent killers from the get-go.

I did mine at a younger and more foolish age when I had zero $$ and was in the immortal stage of life with lots of free time. Today, a stump grinder would be the preferred method or a gas powered auger with a wood bit the best idea. Drill some some tight spaced holes in the center, more around the edges, build a lasting fire around on top of whats left and see what happens.