Stump Buckets

Mowermoney · Dec 26, 2009

Does anyone on here have experience with stump buckets on a skid steer?

I'm thinking about buying one to add to my arsenal of clearing attachments. I've always used a grapple bucket to clear stumps and small trees and it has worked fine for me. But I just landed a job clearing a nursery with lots of 6" to 8" oaks and maples. I think a stump bucket would speed up the job and allow less strain on my Cat 248. They a very cheap compared to other attachments and I could probably sell it after I'm finished.

Any Thoughts?

Cat_Driver · Dec 26, 2009

I have a nursery and tree farm and I use a stump bucket more as one would use a shovel.

It is one handy tool. It lets you dig like a shovel in tight areas. I don't use it as a "stump bucket" strange name for it any way.

I also will dig around all four side of a tree then chain it up to the bucket ( have the mfg weld hooks on it for you - mine did ) then pop the tree out. Saves two guys digging.

Now when it come time to plant a tree that's when this bucket is sweet . Drop it straight down and push in and your hole is done - no need for a back hoe.

It also precisely places gravel or fill where you want it in a small area, rather that 66" wide from a bucket.

Also great for plucking out old scrubs etc - drive it in and out pops the brush or shrub.

J_J · Dec 26, 2009

Something like these. A friend of mine, who passed away made the last tree scoop. It is made from 3/8 in steel.

rharkins · Dec 26, 2009

I have a stump bucket that looks a lot like the first one in JJ's pictures. I use it on my NH 3040 tractor. I really wanted something to pop oak stumps out of the ground, and it does fine with 3" to 6" toothpicks. Much bigger than that, and it ends up taking me a lot of time and digging to get them out. Keep in mind that I'm new to my tractor, and probably not being very effective yet. I also don't have quite the hydraulic muscle a Bobcat does, so I have to depend on digging with the weight of the tractor moving forward.

Rick

Mowermoney · Dec 27, 2009

Thanks for all the positive reinforcement. I can't see any way I can go wrong with buying one of these. I'm headed more toward landscaping and less toward mulching. I think I will pull the trigger on this baby.

I think I will go with the one made in Denton, NC. It is made of 1/2" steel.

yellowdogsvc · Dec 27, 2009

i use a blue diamond bucket. Works good.

http://site.mawebcenters.com/bluediamondattachments/_images//stumpbucke2.jpg

AlanB · Jan 2, 2010

I have the one from Markham Welding and really like it. That said for us, with our 743 Bobcat digging out stumps we just don't have enough butt to do it.

It is great though for little ditches and swales, precision placing of gravel, sand, concrete etc.

While I don't think I would reccomend it for the job you are speaking of it is pretty nice to have around and the investment is small and in your soil with your machines it may work well.

I am taking an Automotive Cherry picker and adding a hydraulic cylinder to it too run off my Dingo or 743, then you put the cherry picker legs flat on the ground with the legs around the tree, hook a chain around the tree / shrub and activate the huydraulic cylinder to pull the thing out. Doubt it would do a 6" but for some smaller stuff I am hoping it will be the bomb.

Good luck, post back how it works out.