I am currently using the old bucket a chain setup and on Sunday we removed a whole row of hedges. What gave me a large problem was a 6" diameter ash tree. It took rocking and shaking and pulling and pushing to get it out. I figured there had to be a smoother way to remove larger trees. Dozer
There is a limit if what a smaller skid steer can pull out, don't expect it to pull anything down you throw it at. Some have used pallet forks, even a trencher to cut around the roots. A backhoe attachment works, i have done this myself, it was rather slow but i got the result.
I spent and year and a half cleaning up Hurricane Katrina on the gulf coast. I dug many a stump and even whole trees, and may acres of heavy land clearing---not to mention "gently moving" a "few" cars in New Orleans for the Army Corp with a grapple. For trees that had spreading roots like magnolias and live oaks I used ONLY pallet forks. The bigger pines that have carrot-like roots I used the pallet forks too. I remove oaks back home here in Michigan too with forks. Last year I dug one out that was so big I could barely roll it out of the hole---it was roughly 6' across. Live oaks that had root balls 10'-12' across were no problem since they grow in a fan-like manner. For pines and other trees up to say just under telephone pole size, I used only the grapple bucket. I got pretty good at using brute forward force while lifting the loader arms AND tilting the bucket back since it was caught it a notch I made in the trunk. Some trees that were 10-12" across 5' up I actually cut in half just with the grapple. Other times I could tilt the tree sideways, bend it over and with the open grapple grab the trunk. Then pull it back and up and voila! It's out in a matter on minutes. Pallet forks work well since you can control the slicing action on the roots as you drive forward. Put the forks close together for better root cutting--breaking roots 6 or 7 inches in diameter are not a problem. If you drive the forks under as far as possible then lift as you tilt the forks forward you get tremendous leverage to lift the stump---the dirt on the other side of the stump under the forks acts as the fulcrum point. I cut the safety backboard off my pallet forks so I can use the lower stronger portion to push the tree over. You need a bigger machine AND tracks---I use TracksPlus lightweight alloy tracks---works like a dozer. I use a New Holland Ls185.b with weight kit which makes mine have a 5,500 lb. tip rating.
I Like that. I bet a guy could fabricate something like that. Although the Grapple feature may be difficult. If I get more into tree removal that will definetly be something to look into. Thanks, Lucas
The method I use for stump removal is the Bobcat Digger bucket. Because it has an open end it allows you to get under main roots of bigger trees and undercut them all the way up to the tree stump. This attachment was cheap, works great and is also good for cutting rootballs when transplanting trees and cutting neat little ditches. Here's a video of the Digger bucket removing a stump. http://www.youtube.com/user/JimHowDigsDirt#play/uploads/3/sVI76glsbyo
What I use is a stump bucket my cousin made. He took an old backhoe bucket and welded it to be able to mount on the bobtach and it works great. I simply dig down around the stump, or tree and pop the roots the n push it over. The only time it gets difficult is when the ground gets really dry and the clay around the tap root turns to cement, when that happens I add the use of a pressure washer to drill to the tap root
Pallet forks are the way to go. I had a backhoe that I used for digging stumps and land clearing (after I got the first skid steer in '03 the backhoe sat up until I sold it last year) . Waaaaay to slow compared to using forks. Forks actually sever the roots without any digging. And there is a lot less mess to clean up or push back in the hole.
put a quick spade on your forks and you can dig down and get under the tree
Earthworks Unlimited could you post a pic of your stump forks? I have a JD 325 I would like to use. Thank You Sam
I have a friend who has bought skid steer attachments before from these same guys. Not the cheapest prices I have seen, but the stuff they sell looks to be pretty high quality. I learned a lot just watching the videos on their site.