Stump removing help

CraigStu · Sep 2, 2024

I have a KX71-3 compact excavator. I see a ripper like this but seems not ideal for stumps.

kubota style frost ripper for Kubota KX040 and more

www.excavatorthumb.com

I see this but seems like cutting a root at 2 spots isn't ideal. (Yes I know it is not for my model, I assume they could make one though)

8" Kubota Excavator/Mini Excavator Tooth Bucket/Kubota U25/U27 - KMK Welding and Attachments, LLC

8" Kubota Excavator/Mini Excavator Tooth Bucket/Kubota U25/U27

kmkattachments.com

I kind of like this one although it is a huge thing made from 1" steel where most are 3/4" or less. I can't cut >3/8" steel but I can weld on teeth.

Kubota KX71-KX91-KX121- KX033 Frost Ripper - Ox Thumbs

Great for ripping frost, roots, brush, stumps, and more, the Kubota frost ripper is 28" long from the mounting plate to the tooth tip and uses a 1.0" thick AR400 steel shank and is for the Kubota Quick Attach. It comes with a standard replaceable tooth. This item weighs approximately 115 pounds...

oxthumbs.com

This looks good but dang $1500.

Kubota Root Ripper/Frost Ripper - KX040 | KX033 | KX71 | KX91 | KX121

Upgrade your excavators capabilities with the D Attachments Root / Frost Ripper - the ultimate solution for conquering roots, rocks, and everything in between. This Ripper is designed for ripping frozen ground, pavement, or similarly challenging soils that surpass the recommended duty of...

dattachments.com

What are your experiences removing stumps w/ similar excavators?

masscity · Sep 15, 2024

CraigStu said:
I have a KX71-3 compact excavator. I see a ripper like this but seems not ideal for stumps.

kubota style frost ripper for Kubota KX040 and more

kubota style frost ripper for Kubota KX040 and more

www.excavatorthumb.com

I see this but seems like cutting a root at 2 spots isn't ideal. (Yes I know it is not for my model, I assume they could make one though)

8" Kubota Excavator/Mini Excavator Tooth Bucket/Kubota U25/U27 - KMK Welding and Attachments, LLC

8" Kubota Excavator/Mini Excavator Tooth Bucket/Kubota U25/U27

kmkattachments.com

I kind of like this one although it is a huge thing made from 1" steel where most are 3/4" or less. I can't cut >3/8" steel but I can weld on teeth.

Kubota KX71-KX91-KX121- KX033 Frost Ripper - Ox Thumbs

Great for ripping frost, roots, brush, stumps, and more, the Kubota frost ripper is 28" long from the mounting plate to the tooth tip and uses a 1.0" thick AR400 steel shank and is for the Kubota Quick Attach. It comes with a standard replaceable tooth. This item weighs approximately 115 pounds...

oxthumbs.com

This looks good but dang $1500.

Kubota Root Ripper/Frost Ripper - KX040 | KX033 | KX71 | KX91 | KX121

Upgrade your excavators capabilities with the D Attachments Root / Frost Ripper - the ultimate solution for conquering roots, rocks, and everything in between. This Ripper is designed for ripping frozen ground, pavement, or similarly challenging soils that surpass the recommended duty of...

dattachments.com

What are your experiences removing stumps w/ similar excavators?

I bought the ripper for KX121-3 for my L3540/BH92 from Rhinox Group UK. Price is a little less and free shipping.

What I like is that it is 1 1/2" thick. Very strong, weighs 147 lbs.

2manyrocks · Sep 15, 2024

Those prices seem to be much higher than the ones sold by BX Expanded, but I don't know if they make one to fit your model. Thumbs and Rippers

4570Man · Sep 15, 2024

I have the USA ripper with the smooth body. Based on previous experience with a skid steer stump bucket that was serrated I feel like the serrated edge was better. I’d buy a ripper with a serrated edge if I was buying again.

mikester · Sep 16, 2024

Single tooth works better on roots than a narrow bucket for smaller machines

Here's a link to the one I fabbed up for my M59

Meet the Scorpion...

Inflict 10,000+ lbs of mayhem and destruction with The SCORPION! Maximum carnage! 1" thick tooth AR400 ripper weighs only 125 lbs. Takes out a 24" diameter ash tree stump with ease. The forked tooth on the end is to make yanking small invasive trees out of the gardens easier. My wife said this...

www.orangetractortalks.com

Smokeydog · Sep 16, 2024

Have a kx excavator ripper from USA attachments on Kubota M59. It cuts roots better than a narrow bucket. Don’t have the power to cut big roots. Easier to probe thru soil without excavating. For big stumps it helps find large lateral roots out from stumps. Use the roots length as a leverage to break them off near the stumps is better than just cutting them. Ripper does save time removing stumps and trees. Much rather dig a tree out than a stump.

CraigStu · Sep 18, 2024

Thanks guys. I don't understand why there were no replies for 2 weeks but whatever. I ordered the 8" toothed bucket. I like the idea of a toothed ripper but I think it would be a one job tool. The bucket will have other uses. Mikester I almost fabbed my own but I have no way to cut or weld 1/2-3/4" steel. My welders top out at 200amp. I looked into renting a large mig or stick as well as a plasma cutter. I also looked at raw steel prices. Seemed to me the $200 here and $300 there would have gotten real close to the same as I spent. Your ripper is fantastic but beyond my equipment.

Smokeydog · Sep 18, 2024

Did weld some ears to the back of the ripper in order not to have pick up or block under to use the quick attach. Also handy chain attachment points. Made adapter to share ripper with smaller B26. Did bevel the leading edge and sharpen tooth.

mikester · Sep 19, 2024

CraigStu said:
Thanks guys. I don't understand why there were no replies for 2 weeks but whatever. I ordered the 8" toothed bucket. I like the idea of a toothed ripper but I think it would be a one job tool. The bucket will have other uses. Mikester I almost fabbed my own but I have no way to cut or weld 1/2-3/4" steel. My welders top out at 200amp. I looked into renting a large mig or stick as well as a plasma cutter. I also looked at raw steel prices. Seemed to me the $200 here and $300 there would have gotten real close to the same as I spent. Your ripper is fantastic but beyond my equipment.

I have a local laser/plasma shop that will cut the parts for me from my CAD files

CraigStu · Sep 19, 2024

Mikester and Smokeydog what did you use to weld the thick steel. My stick welder is 200amp and can run 3/16 rod but I have never tried welding anything > 5/16". Could I just make a million passes to weld 1/2" to 1/2" for instance?

Smokeydog · Sep 19, 2024

Mikester is much more an expert than I. I fabricate to be able to try ideas and repairs. I’m an engineer trying to be a craftsman.

200amps is plenty to weld 1/2” with multiple passes usually three. Good bevel. Takes a little skill to run 7018. Can weld thicker with more passes. DC does better with good penetration easier to use. Easy helps ole shakey... While I used stick from a Miller gas powered Bobcat for decades now use Miller 211 MiG since retired. Can weld 1/2 also with multiple passes. Love the MiG. Shielding gas is so much cleaner and MIG is easy. Weld prep is key to good results which is easier for me.

Stick if you lay a good bead usually a good weld.
MiG can lay a good bead but have poor penetration or strength. Can be very strong but does require more prep.

My welds are not as pretty or consistent as my buddies but rarely fail. They weld high tech stuff for a living.

CraigStu · Sep 20, 2024

Thanks guys. I have the bucket on order but I need to make up something to put a ball mount on the dozer blade to move my 5.5x10 trailer. When I load it full w/ tree trunk pieces my garden tractor can barely get it up slope from backyard to the driveway to hook up to the suv.

Smokeydog · Sep 23, 2024

Like Milester’s scorpion! Often think about how to add teeth to help chew through bigger roots. Sharp tooth to hep split roots. The relative wide blade of the USA Attachments helps to leverage under bigger roots. Maybe cut a few notch like teeth to better break big root fibers?

CraigStu · Oct 8, 2024

I ended up getting this 8" toothed bucket in the version that fits my machine.

8" Kubota Excavator/Mini Excavator Tooth Bucket/Kubota U25/U27 - KMK Welding and Attachments, LLC

8" Kubota Excavator/Mini Excavator Tooth Bucket/Kubota U25/U27

kmkattachments.com

Had it now for about 3 weeks. It is much better than my 22" bucket. I make a smaller moat around the stump. I seems to rip up snapping a root more easily since it is pulling a lot closer to all in one spot. I can see that a ripper would be better still but it is kind of a one use tool. I've tried but haven't worked out how to make good use of the teeth yet. They may be doing something but I think I may need to grind them as they are made from 1/2" steel plate. So a sharp point looking from the side but looking on the edge the point is 1/2" wide.

Smokeydog · Oct 8, 2024

While a smaller bucket helps with stump removal, it’s still different than a ripper. Used a small bucket on several different backhoes decades before trying a ripper. It traces out lateral roots better to remove them. In short gets more wood out of the ground with less excavation and collateral damage. Large stumps about half the time vs small bucket. Takes a while to recoup investment.

There are spots on the farm that have good brick making clay. Recent water line repair goes up this particular bank. Stickiest, bucket plugging clay with sharp quartz like rock. Ground damp from leak compounded problem. Clearing a plugged bucket is a chore too much like digging by hand.