stump removal advice

[SnoFalls]

Here's a pic ... (click for a bigger version)

(I set a 4x4 on top for scale ...)

I trenched all around (about 2'-3' deep), and managed to cut all the surface roots.

In this pic ... There is a septic tank just behind, the septic line runs to the left, my shop is just to the right, and right in front is the power/water feed for my well. (tight quarters and I managed to not break anything! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Problem is that root ball aint budging.

I really only need it taken down to grade (I wanna fill for a RV parking spot in this area).

Anyone ???
Got a good idea for breaking this loose?
Should I just burn or cut it as low as possible?

I was thinkin maybe a slip chain under the surface roots might help break it free (with enuf tugs from the truck), but I dunno ...

 

[escavader]

From the pic it looks like you need to dig more in front of the hoe.Id recommend move to another side 1/4 way around and then see what you get.Sometimes you can miss some and pick them up at different angles.Take your saw and try to split the stump in quarters,ive even used wedges to help split it.If your able a pressure washer will expose whats holding,but you will get dirty! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifKeep trying,once you notice it twiching your almost there.Ipulled alot of stumps with my little bx-23,one which was 2 and a half ft across[pine]It took a long time but once i got it to twich,i kept doing it ,it got looser and looser,and finally let goI had to drag it with a chain,the rootball was enormous!.youll get it ,your close.
ALAN

 

[ToadHill]

If you want to park an RV in that spot, you'll be glad you took as much of the stump out as possible, as the wood left in the ground rots, you'll get a sinkhole where the stump was. If you have an old chainsaw blade, try to cut some of the larger roots. As a last resort you may try to burn out the stump.

 

[SnoFalls]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( From the pic it looks like you need to dig more in front of the hoe.Id recommend move to another side 1/4 way around and then see what you get.Sometimes you can miss some and pick them up at different angles.)</font>
If you're saying get closer to the stump, then no way. The hoe had a tough enough time getting the "surface" roots free ... If you mean further out, that aint happin either (septic/shop/etc) ...

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Take your saw and try to split the stump in quarters,ive even used wedges to help split it.If your able a pressure washer will expose whats holding,but you will get dirty! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
)</font>
yea ... I'd cut into it at one point. I might be able to get further into it now that some is exposed.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifKeep trying,once you notice it twiching your almost there.Ipulled alot of stumps with my little bx-23,one which was 2 and a half ft across[pine]It took a long time but once i got it to twich,i kept doing it ,it got looser and looser,and finally let goI had to drag it with a chain,the rootball was enormous!.youll get it ,your close.
ALAN )</font>
I'm not even CLOSE to having that root ball twitch yet!

 

[SnoFalls]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you want to park an RV in that spot, you'll be glad you took as much of the stump out as possible, as the wood left in the ground rots, you'll get a sinkhole where the stump was. ))</font>
heh .. this is a Western Red Cedar ... see the one way in the background, that sucker was cut 100 yrs ago ... and it's still solid as a rock (it's probably 9' in diameter).

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you have an old chainsaw blade, try to cut some of the larger roots. As a last resort you may try to burn out the stump. )</font>
I think tomarrow I'll wash it as best I can and start sawing stuff free ...

Would luv to haul it out as a trophy, but I dunno yet if that's possible.

 

[beenthere]

I'd put a chain saw cut down from the top of the stump about 12-16", and then make some good 'gluts' which are wood wedges (that 4x4 would be a good one to taper into a wedge of about 12" long). Pound two or three of those down to split the trunk, and get wider gluts to open it up down through the center of the stump.
What species tree is this? Doug fir?
When you get it open, decide if you might need to make it into quarters. Then your backhoe might be able to wiggle one or all of those sections.
Whatever you do, don't hook a chain to it and try pulling it over by getting a run at it. If a steady pull with pickup or tractor doesn't move it, then dig more trench to get at the deeper surface roots that likely are holding it.
If on my place, I'd bore a hole down the center and pour some gun powder in there and place a fuse and let that rip away at it. But suspect the neighborhood wouldn't like that trick too well. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MMM]

Find a large tire rim to pull chain over. A snatch block to increase MA will also help.

 

[EddieWalker]

Since it isn't a pine, it should be pretty easy to get it out with your backhoe. What happens is the bottom of the tree and roots create a sort of suction or glue to the ground. If the tree was still on the rest of it, the weight of the tree would pull it over real easy, but since you don't have any leverage, it's just that much harder to get out.

You need to do two things.

The first is dig down a little deeper. You can never be too deep, but there is a point where your just waisting your time. Each stump has it's own depth when it will just pop out.

Second is to undercut under the stumps. When I said the stump is glued to the ground, just think of what it's like putting two wet pieces of glass together. They create a suction, but if you slide them sideways, they will move.

Use the teeth of your bucket and try to cut as deep under the roots as you can. Your goal is to get as much dirt from under the roots. On really big stumps, I will do this all the way around it.

Now that you've removed as much material as you can, it will come out. There is one direction that is weaker than all the others. With enough power, this is less noticable. With a smaller machine, you will have to work your way around to find this. Also the distance you extend your hoe stick will affect how much power you have.

The trick now is to find the spot that will break it free. Sometimes grapping the stump from the high point and pulling it in will work, sometimes curling it with the bucket works better. If not, try the sides. Try pulling, then try lifting. If nothing works, change locations and try it again.

I've spent hours working on a large pine. I've dug down 12 feet and had the tap root explosed all the way around and still couldn't break it free. Pines are the worse!!!

You got a good start on it, you just need to finish the rest of the job.

Eddie

 

[Highbeam]

Another suggestion, though I've never tried it, is to lay a log down beside the stump off center so that only a couple feet hang over one side. Wrap a chain around the stump once or twice and then around the log once or twice. Now go to the far end of the log and pull like mad with the tractor around the stump. You are trying to twist the stump free. If you've relieved the side roots, then the bugger should twist out.

I was just stumping big alders today and dug a massive hole with the FEL to get under a stump. I really need to try the twsit method some day. I have logs, stumps, and a tractor, Why not try?

That stump in the background looks to be a fair bit less than 9 feet across. These old cedars still smell fresh when you open them up.

 

[ronjhall]

I used the power washer trick on the last stump I removed. Be prepared to get dirty. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif After I had power washed the stump I was able to cut some more roots off. It still would not move. Filled the hole with water. Let it set over night. Next morning I went out and hooked on to back side of stump. It popped loose. When I tried to lift it out of the hole. I found that it was to heavy for my tractor. Used a chain to pull it out. Then cut it up into small enough pieces that I could put it in the FEL bucket.