Massey Backhoe to Dig Out Stumps?

[TractorFeverFL]

I am looking at possibly trying to remove some stumps that I have been told were water oak trees on my property.

Anyone with a Massey tractor use or try to use a 1575 backhoe or a 1580 backhoe to dig out stumps?

If so, what type of diameter stump is realistically doable?

 

[WranglerX]

I think its more about how than what size... Of course if stump weighs more than lift capacity of hoe it is not going to "lift" it, but a lot will be about how you dig around stump to get it's roots to release from ground... You may have to dig up stump, but may have to drag (with chain) it out ....

Dale

 

[4570Man]

I think that’s pretty similar in size as my BH-90 was. Digging a 12” fresh cut stump took way too long to be practical. Digging a 6” was a pretty good job. Digging 4” was pretty easy. Of course the stumps makes a lot of difference. Around here hickory’s are the worst and white oaks are a close second. If the stumps have aged a while it’s a lot easier. I really consider my John Deere 310 to be about the minimum for digging stumps in a practical time and I’d want something bigger for digging very many.

 

[GC1710]

I hope you can do it with that big tractor, my little GC doesn’t do too bad! Biggest stump dug was about 2 20” stumps together as one.....I couldn’t lift that with the thumb lol...my little GC isn’t fast but she sure is a joy to use....I use her for all sorts of tree activities


And she’s my backup house gennie and let’s me weld wherever I want!




Sorry for the extra post I just always chuckle when people ask if their tractor is big enough! The answer is usually yes, but on here you’ll find many who think you need Goliath to do David’s work.

 

[TractorFeverFL]

Thanks for the input! Greatly appreciated!

The age of the stumps varies a little. Some of the stumps are about two years old after a hurricane, some where already there when I bought the property, and some will be new ones after I cut the trees that have partially rotted out and have started to hollow out in the middle. They are all in the 20" to 30"ish range but they have different sizes of holes in the middle where they have partially rotted out.

Thanks for the suggestion about using chains, DL. Makes perfect sense that would be the case.

Really love the GC, GC1710. The work you have done is nothing short of incredible.

4570Man, how long would you say it took you to dig out the fresh cut 12" stumps?

 

[Jchonline]

Thanks for the input! Greatly appreciated!

The age of the stumps varies a little. Some of the stumps are about two years old after a hurricane, some where already there when I bought the property, and some will be new ones after I cut the trees that have partially rotted out and have started to hollow out in the middle. They are all in the 20" to 30"ish range but they have different sizes of holes in the middle where they have partially rotted out.

Thanks for the suggestion about using chains, DL. Makes perfect sense that would be the case.

Really love the GC, GC1710. The work you have done is nothing short of incredible.

4570Man, how long would you say it took you to dig out the fresh cut 12" stumps?

Digging big stumps can take hours per stump. It really does depend on how old, how big, type of tree. Hardwoods are pretty tough. Move around the stump in a star pattern, digging parallel to the roots. Remove all dirt around the roots before you try and snap the root. Dirt gives the root its strength. This process takes longer, but will save your backhoe. If you go perpendicular you are going to dramatically shorten the life of your backhoe. Personally if over 12 inches I leave it for a rental machine. Backhoes are for digging dirt.

 

[fried1765]

Digging big stumps can take hours per stump. It really does depend on how old, how big, type of tree. Hardwoods are pretty tough. Move around the stump in a star pattern, digging parallel to the roots. Remove all dirt around the roots before you try and snap the root. Dirt gives the root its strength. This process takes longer, but will save your backhoe. If you go perpendicular you are going to dramatically shorten the life of your backhoe. Personally if over 12 inches I leave it for a rental machine. Backhoes are for digging dirt.

I have a strong 10' hoe, but when I have a really big stump (24" or more), I dig a hole alongside, and roll it in.

 

[WranglerX]

IF you are dragging it out with chain be sure you use low draw bar that is under transaxle....

Dale

 

[irvingj]

Guess my experiences mirror others -- my 2310 can do it, but it takes a while! Biggest I've done were 20" PLUS, and VERY heavy. Needed to use chain to drag them as the BH couldn't really lift them. Stumps 10" or less are far more possible. Here's a few of the "smaller" ones:

 

[redman135]

Investgate the cost of a single leg ripper to break the roots off and reduce the stump size. It also reduces the amount of dirt to be moved.
This works for 20 ton diggers stumping swamps with the stumps having a foot print size the same as the digger. The intact stump is to big and heavy to lift.
The princple should work at your size too.