I know this is a strange question but; for all you mid south people!
The next building project is south of Tulsa on a stone bluff with shallow (read 6-18″) soil on consolidated rock. It is covered with post & black-jack oak 4-6″ dia. The drive & construction area have been felled with 2′ stumps.
My question is how hard are these type stumps to get out of the ground. I would like to hope I can use the endloader on my 85hp tractor. I know we couldn’t do that on deep rooted trees in deep soil but don’t know what to expect in this situation.
If you have a problem, don’t just talk do something to set it right.
Jim Andersen
Replies
If they're 2' tall, probably have better luck tying a chain to then towards the top and then pulling horizontally with your tractor in low gear.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
Not that this will help your situation, but for future reference, it's usually easier to push the trees over with the machine, using their weight to pull the stumps out. Then cut them up.
But it sounds like the root system is pretty shallow, so digging under them might be your best bet.
Yah, I know. The reason we cut them off back in March was to stop foleage growth. We didn't have the tractor down there yet and were going to burn the branches last summer. But that got stopped by drought burn bans. Things never go ahead exactly as planned.If you have a problem, don't just talk do something to set it right.
Jim Andersen
On small 4-6" dia. stuff, would try first just pulling straight out with backhoe with a thumb, if that doesnt work right off, break'em loose with a sideways pull first as others said.
As one of the board's rew of rednecks, I've pulled out a bunch of stumps.
Do you have a rear-mounted blade for your tractor? If so, you can angle it so one end cuts into the ground. Drive around all sides of the stump and cut off any roots you can. That will weaken the stump considerably.
Then I'd just say hook a chain on the stump, pull, and see what happens. Sometimes it helps to pull one direction for a bit, then pull another direction for a while. Or you can pull with the tractor, then push on the stump with a blade or loader. Working the stump back and forth will loosen up the roots. (Eventually)
Every stump is different. Give one a shot and see what happens. That shoudl give you some idea what will happen with the next one...
If you can get a chain around the stump, loop the chain over an X made of sturdy timbers, so that when you pull it will pull upward.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
Thats a good suggestion>
Fortunatly, I have a heavy duty fork lift for both the front and the 3-point. I always seem to try to use that back one like a spade. Hope it will add some lift to the chain. Like I said I've never tried pulling these things but hoped it would be easier than diging out something 2-3 ft diameter. It's just that there are a bunch( 60-100 ) of them.
I can always get a dozer or something but hate paying someone to do something I can do(maybe). The maybe always seems to be the one that breaks the equipment!If you have a problem, don't just talk do something to set it right.
Jim Andersen
If you ahve that many, I'd suggest hiring a trackhoe. They can make short work of the stumps without much effort. You mentioned something about adding "Lift with a chain". I assume you know that if you pull on something with the chain hooked too high in back, you can flip over and kill yourself rather quickly. BTW - I almost hate to ask, but what kind of tractor is it ???
Our dog is finally housebroken. But he keeps forgetting to put the seat down.
This is a European Ford/NH designed for Orchards but 85hp It's about the deminsions of one of those little Kabota 30hp rigs but this is a heavy mid size about like the Case & JD backhoe rigs. It easily handles a 1-3/4 yd bucket. on an ALO Quicke boom frame. The Europeans really like thes smaller size units for there much more closely spaced plantings. They are common around the orchards in Michigan. Really great Fiat diesel.
Found that back fork is really great for ballast- just load 1500-2000# stone on a pallet & pick it up. Had a local welding shop make a 20' quick mounting boom for the front & with weight on the back & that on the front I can set stuff on the ceiling deck well in from the walls. Just have to be sure it is on level ground.If you have a problem, don't just talk do something to set it right.
Jim Andersen
Nice tractor but I dont want to see you bend or break something. Just pulled out out a bunch of shore pine with a Mid size cat. Had to use the winch to pull em. Using the blade was like running into a cement wall. My FIL says they used to use a big piece of railroad rail and a Mule. Hook up the rail and twist em out. I am sure your tractor would handle that.
You should never appoligize for asking abot things like that. The question might save someone's life.
JimIf you have a problem, don't just talk do something to set it right.
Jim Andersen