Who's dug stumps with a backhoe?

[atlarge54]

Last summer I bought a Ferguson TO 30 tractor with a backhoe that appears to be original equipment (1952). To look at the tractor it's difficult not to laugh at the rust and paint, but the rubber is great and the owner did rebuild the engine and it runs great. My intent was to dig a few fencerow trees and quit when the backhoe broke, then convert it to a regular tractor. I've already dug more than I dreamed possible. I've dug some elm, mulberry and apple in the 12-18" range with pretty good success. Right now I'm looking at a cottonwood that is slightly larger. What type of root structure does a cottonwood have? I usually dig around the stump and cut the lateral roots with my junky chains.

 

[stihlkicken]

dig and push.

I find that the larger trees that have tap roots like pine and fir are dealt with much faster by digging on one side of it and than pushing it over.the weight of the tree is on your side breaking that tap root off as she goes.

 

[ehgauss]

The poplars around here, which I think are related to your cottonwoods, don't have a taproot. I just break the roots with the backhoe and push them over. Elms around here have a taproot The process is similar, but it takes a lot more push to get them to go.

 

[Lawnmowerboy48]

Make clean cuts on the roots before you plant them. The plant is able to recover from a clean cut faster than it is from a hack cut with a junk chain.

 

[thejdman04]

They can somtimes need some coaxing with an ax(cut the roots) butyou should be able to get them out

 

[Mama Tried]

I used to use my old 245 cat trackhoe when my 966 or D6 couldn't push it over

 

[stihl sawing]

I've pulled a few up with a winch, Had to chain the rear of my truck to another tree but they came out. Pulled some decent size ones out too. On the last one i broke the bracket loose from the frame and had to weld it back up.

 

[lawrencetreeman]

We leave the stump 4-5 feet tall and our Case pulls em right out. The height gives leverage to pull on.

 

[tomtrees58]

yep the fun now i used a pc 150 komatsu tom trees

 

[nilzlofgren]

I pull them out with my Case 580K. That's the biggest part of my side work. I don't like to leave the stumps too tall, as they take up to much space in the dumpster. I dig down on all sides, and break all the main roots. I can usually pull out a 30+" stump from a gravelly loamy partially clay like soil in about 5 minutes.

 

[LouB]

Another vote for using a Case 580K. Dig around the stump and break off the major roots with the bucket then the stump comes out easily enough.

I have removed stumps using a small 45 HP tractor with backhoe and a stump that takes at least 1 hour with the small tractor can be removed in 15 minutes with the Case. The soil is typical New England rocks, roots and other tough stuff.

Lou Braun

 

[Ontario_Logger]

i use a KX 61 kubota mini ex, i dig around breaking the roots then i can take it out no problem, takes about 30mins for a good size stump

 

[Buckethead]

I have a '63 Massey Ferguson 202 with a backhoe that I use to remove stumps. I also dig around the stump to cut the roots and then work the bucket under the stump and pop it out by curling the bucket up. I had one double stump that I popped loose but was too heavy to move it with my machine.

A friend of mine has an 18 ton Kobelco excavator with a thumb. That is the machine for popping stumps. A little digging around the stump to loosen it and then grab it with the thumb and yank it out. Give the whole thing a shake to get the dirt out and toss the stump into the burn pile.