Stump removal takes a while!

[Rams]

When we moved to this home in Tennessee the rear of our backyard was an overgrown, forested vine infested mess. I hired a skid steer with mulcher to come in and take down everything but the big trees, some of the vines had been back there for almost 30 years and we're over 6 inches across at the base. Quite a few dead trees that I believe, died due to the vines, cutting off the sunlight.

Regardless, once the mulcher had done its job I was left with about 20 significant stumps in the yard that needed to be removed. So after attempting to burn out the stumps multiple times, I finally decided that the only way to get rid of them was to either rent a stump grinder or attempt to dig them out. I have a Kabota tractor with a front end loader but anyone with TRACTOR and front and loader experience will tell you it's not the correct tool to attempt something like this if I had a backhoe that would be much more effective.

Anyway, this last week I finally decided to attempt to dig one of the major stumps out. I spent all week (a few hours a day) using my front end loader to dig as deep as possible around the stump, this resulted in a hole that went down about 20 inches below the pre-existing surface. I also used multiple hand tools to get in close to the stump and attempt to remove as much of the packed Clay from the surface down to get to the actual roots. This resulted blood blisters on my hands and some sore arms, wrist, and back muscles and joints. Anyone that knows me knows that I am extremely allergic to pain.

I finally had success after this week of being able to break off the roots still holding the stump and get it removed. Success feels so good, but it may take the rest of my life to get the remaining stumps removed.

I have a few Valkyrie riders coming this week so as to join up and ride to Inzane in a group. It is my sincere hope that those dedicated friends and riders will see my dilemma join in in this wonderful project that I'm sure they will enjoy.

Note to David, John and Dewey, no need to bring tools. I have all you will need

Rams. 

[Serk]

TANSTAAFL

IYKYK

 

[f6john]

I may have to reconsider my arrival time

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Life's too short... rent an excavator. They even have air conditioning these days. 

 

[da prez]

We did a lot of land clearing. We found that a backhoe with a frost hook was the best tool . We would cut the stumps loose , sometimes the whole tree. Pull them out of the ground and cut the stump from the tree. It was faster and cleaner. This was before  drum shredders were common. Now , just dump everything in the machine and get mulch.

                                      da prez

[ridingron]

Did you look on you tube? Some videos on how to do it and more importantly, some on how NOT to do it.

[Serk]

Did you look on you tube? Some videos on how to do it and more importantly, some on how NOT to do it.

I mean... hear me out...

[Rams]

John,
You are very welcomed to arrive earlier.     Not necessary but greatly appreciated.    Don't worry about packing any work gloves, I have several pairs I have never considered wearing.

Rams.

[Rams]

We did a lot of land clearing. We found that a backhoe with a frost hook was the best tool . We would cut the stumps loose , sometimes the whole tree. Pull them out of the ground and cut the stump from the tree. It was faster and cleaner. This was before  drum shredders were common. Now , just dump everything in the machine and get mulch.

                                      da prez

I wholeheartedly agree.

I have a neighbor that just happens to have a Kubota tractor with a backhoe on it and asked him if you would mind coming down and taking a look. He told me he'd be happy to come down and take a look. The next day he showed up. After looking at the stumps most of them being cut off approximately 2 inches above ground level he stated I don't believe I can help you, but you've got that front loader on your tractor. You can probably get them out of the ground with it. I looked at him and stated that would be like trying to hammer finish nails with a sledgehammer. Where he could dig with his small bucket a 12 to 15 inch trench around the stump breaking off roots as he went I would have to trench a 6 foot wide hole.

Obviously, I was not gonna receive any assistance there and to be Frank. I'm too damn tight to go out and rent the equipment and or pay a professional with a backhoe to come do it. Therefore, I decided to go at it myself with my Kabota tractor in front end loader.

So I now have two stumps out of the ground with a huge hole and I'm about halfway through getting two more stumps out of the ground of course it takes a whole lot more effort on my part and my TRACTOR but we're getting there

Having John come down to assist will most likely be interesting.
Rams

[Hook#3287]

Rams, this post says one thing to me.

Perfect reason for buying a backhoe attachment 😃

Once you do, you'll wonder how you ever got anything done with out it.

[da prez]

A chain trencher will cut thru the roots . They are not that expensive to rent. I suggest you get the rental insurance. It covers "OOPS"

                                           da prez

[f6john]

Darn, I checked and I let my explosives certification expire! And, I thought we might get in some fishing while I was there too!

[Rams]

Rams, this post says one thing to me.

Perfect reason for buying a backhoe attachment 😃

Once you do, you'll wonder how you ever got anything done with out it.

Agreed, a backhoe attachment would be a wonderful thing to have, but the funds aren't available to do that and I refuse to borrow money. Although, if you happen toknow someone that wants Valkyrie I might be able to work out a trade.

Rams

[crow]

Since you've already cut the trees, this won't help, however someone down the road can use this info.  Cut the tree as high as you can, leaving a tall stump. Then a front end loader can push it back and forth. It will loosen and then be grabbed and pulled out.

[Rams]

A chain trencher will cut thru the roots . They are not that expensive to rent. I suggest you get the rental insurance. It covers "OOPS"

                                           da prez

Darn, I checked and I let my explosives certification expire! And, I thought we might get in some fishing while I was there too!

Darn, I checked and I let my explosives certification expire! And, I thought we might get in some fishing while I was there too!

Da Prez:  A stump grinder may be rented after InZane depending on how much progress John makes on those stumps.

Note to John.  Interesting that you mentioned fishing.  Based on recent weather reports and events, you might want to bring a set of waders,   That hole I created has about 18 inches of water standing in it.   

[Rams]

Finally, some success!   John Smith stopped by and (according to him) addressed the stump problem.   I am not real sure what he said to the two stumps but it must have been very degrading.   Both gave up today.


. . This one gave up about 15 minutes after I blessed it and ripped it out of the Frigg'n ground.   Only took a couple weeks of digging and moving dirt to get it done.   But done it is.

Edit:  BTW, yesterday was our 45th anniversary.   I went to the effort and trouble to actually go out and buy the wife a brand spanking new shovel thinking she would enjoy helping me dig those stumps out of the ground.   But alas, she wasn't all that excited.   Women!   Ya just can't please them......

[Serk]

If her shovel is the one on the left it looks like she already bent it! On your head I'd wager...

One year (Can't remember if it was anniversary, Christmas or Birthday) the spousal unit asked for a fancy electronic mop as her gift.

I found a legal contract of indemnity, filled it out, and had her sign it before I would agree to such a gift for her.

Glad the stump could finally be convinced it was best for it to give up!