Traction Pulling stumps with a 2720?

[jfmach]

Hi all,

I have half a dozen stumps to remove, about 6 to 10 inches in diameter. I did a search on the forum and all I could find is recommendations to use a dozer to remove stumps. Thing is I don't really want to rent a dozer for such a small job. How safe would it be to attach a chain to the hitch of my 2720 and pull the stumps out? Would it work?

If it doesn't work I guess I'll just cut/grind them and forget about it, but I'm mostly worried about bending/breaking something on the tractor in the process of trying... I don't really know how sturdy it is!

Thanks,


- Jeff

 

[kennyd]

Jeff, you will not have the traction or power to "pull" a stump out, no way. These little tractors are amazing but...

I suggest renting a mini-excavator for a day, that will dig stumps out easily.

 

[carpenter383]

You will have to cut the roots before your tractor will even begin to pull a 6-10" stump out of the ground.
Stumps are very hard to just rip out roots and all.

 

[jfmach]

Thank you for your answers!

 

[RollTideRam]

If you are not in a hurry, put on a tooth bar and did around them. It is always easier to remove a whole tree, or at least leave the stump about 4' high. I dug up a cedar stump for a friend. It took about two hours, but the stump was almost 36". JC

 

[billb3]

Kinda depends on the stumps and ground they are in.

I've pulled 50 year old arborvitaes, yews and some younger pines that size out with a chain but they are shallow rooted and were in loose soil.

When iI've tried and failed the tires just spin.
Then I put the backhoe outriggers down and start digging.

 

[Rob-D]

As others suggest yo will have to dig around the stumps somewhat to get to the roots. Forget anything with a deep tap root like walnuts. I had a 2720 with a 46 hoe and that's how i got them out.

Rob

 

[magicheater]

As others suggest yo will have to dig around the stumps somewhat to get to the roots. Rob

Kinda depends on the stumps and ground they are in.

Lots of truth here. I have tackled many stumps with my bucket, some have taken more time than others, Like the 30" cottonwood stump that took 2 hours, others succumb in a few minutes, but always that gratification that you won! And for me a particular gratification that I did not have to change attachments to do it.

 

[wdchyd]

Lots of truth here. I have tackled many stumps with my bucket, some have taken more time than others, Like the 30" cottonwood stump that took 2 hours, others succumb in a few minutes, but always that gratification that you won! And for me a particular gratification that I did not have to change attachments to do it.

Majicheater,

I like that...."Gratification that You Won"!!!!

 

[LD1]

As to answer your question about bending or breaking things, probabally not. If you have a proper drawbar hitch for your tractor, there is very little chance of breaking anything, especally with turf tires. Even R1's would cut and dig before it will have traction enough to damage anything if hooked to the drawbar. Provided you dond do any jerking.

As to what the best method is for removing the stumps...well me need a little more info. What type of trees were they? How much stump is above ground? Soil conditions? All of these play a factor.

The higher you can chain, the more leverage you have. Even a tractor 2-3 times the size of yours would have a hard time with a 5" stump if it were hooked right at ground level. But a stump that is 2-3 feet and chained at the top...a whole different story.

I have removed many stumps ranging from 8" to 15" and all types of hardwood as well as pine. Just a little digging all the way around with the bucket and some pushing with the FEL from all directions and I can usually work them loose in 15-30 minutes. Although I do not reccomend pushing with the FEL.

Its all a matter of your opinion as to the best method of removal. Keep in mind that ir you pull/dig them out, you will have some good size craters to fill back in. If your land is flat and you dont have any dirt to spare, you might want to really consider cutting/grinding.