How can I remove stubs left from clearing brush?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How can I remove stubs left from clearing brush? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 5/11/2020 2:51:39 AM EDT

I've cleared a bunch of brush off my property and I have a bunch of 1-2" stubs or stumps that are about 3" tall. I would like to get these down flush with the soil. I don't have a tractor and I'm going to guess there is 150ish of them in number. I'm laid off so time is on my side. I am willing to budget $200 for tools to do this but I'd be happier spending less.

Any suggestions before I'm reduced to getting some hatchets and enforcing child labor with my offspring?

Posted: 5/11/2020 3:13:10 AM EDT

[#1]

You probably need to rent a bobcat. Its actually easier if you leave more of it to get hold of. There are stump grinders also. And since you have nothing but time an axe a shovel and a saw may be your path. Hatchets tend to miss the tree and wind up in the leg unless you know what your doing watch LINK

Posted: 5/11/2020 3:32:30 AM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
You probably need to rent a bobcat. Its actually easier if you leave more of it to get hold of. There are stump grinders also. And since you have nothing but time an axe a shovel and a saw may be your path. Hatchets tend to miss the tree and wind up in the leg unless you know what your doing watch LINK

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I would consider that but I have trees spaced in a way that would make that futile. I wondered about just using a sawzall to cut flush with.

Posted: 5/11/2020 6:05:00 AM EDT

[#3]

heavy duty weed wacker with a brush cutter blade?

i use a sthil fs90.

Posted: 5/11/2020 6:25:37 AM EDT

[#4]

I just use a small chain saw with a sacrificial chain and nub the stumps down flat.

Posted: 5/11/2020 6:28:16 AM EDT

[#5]

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Quoted:
I just use a small chain saw with a sacrificial chain and nub the stumps down flat.

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I've used a sawzall for doing this.

Posted: 5/11/2020 7:54:37 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've used a sawzall for doing this.

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I just use a small chain saw with a sacrificial chain and nub the stumps down flat.

I've used a sawzall for doing this.

I've done both and would rather use a sawzall since the blades are cheaper plus you don't have to worry about messing up the bar either.

Posted: 5/11/2020 8:16:19 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Originally Posted By chumpmiester:
I've done both and would rather use a sawzall since the blades are cheaper plus you don't have to worry about messing up the bar either.

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I’d still use a chain saw, with a sacrificial chain and bar.

If you have the saw, it’ll be well under your budget.

I don’t know how old you are, but my back is already aching thinking about it.

Posted: 5/11/2020 8:19:33 AM EDT

[#8]

cordless sawzall or some big assed lopping shears

Posted: 5/11/2020 8:24:12 AM EDT

[#9]

Buy a cheap used lawn mower.

run them over a few times.

Maybe lift front of mower and lower slowly on top of stump.

Posted: 5/11/2020 8:24:56 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Originally Posted By BLKVooDoo:
I just use a small chain saw with a sacrificial bar and chain and nub the stumps down flat.

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BINGO.
5 seconds x 150 stumps = less time than it takes to clean the saw when you're done.

Posted: 5/11/2020 9:18:32 AM EDT

[#11]

if they are far enough away from stuff, people use a coffee can with both ends taken out.
put it around the stump you want gone and put charcol in it and let it burn down.

Posted: 5/11/2020 9:37:37 AM EDT

[#12]

Get a grubbin’ hoe (Spanish “talache”) and grub those rascals up.

Posted: 5/11/2020 4:17:08 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
if they are far enough away from stuff, people use a coffee can with both ends taken out.
put it around the stump you want gone and put charcol in it and let it burn down.

View Quote

This is what I was going to suggest. Fire is the most often overlooked option....and in this case the best one. Usually means it won't grow back too. suckers from root are easier to kill off than dealing with the stumps.

Posted: 5/11/2020 8:38:29 PM EDT

[#14]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I do not have a chainsaw, only a pole saw. Now to get a shit load of coffee cans.

Posted: 5/11/2020 10:21:06 PM EDT

[#15]

If you don’t have a chainsaw, do you at least have a decently stout weedeater? I’m thinking the suggestion of a(several) brush blades will be easier on your back and faster than most any other option. Out of the several varieties I’ve tried the Renegade stuff seems to hold up as well or better than anything else. If you buy several at a time you get a worthwhile price break. Since you’ll be deliberately running them into the dirt you’ll go thru them faster than usual. On a decent weedeater/brush trimmer a 3-4” sapling is well within their capabilities.

Posted: 5/11/2020 11:16:24 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you don't have a chainsaw, do you at least have a decently stout weedeater? I'm thinking the suggestion of a(several) brush blades will be easier on your back and faster than most any other option. Out of the several varieties I've tried the Renegade stuff seems to hold up as well or better than anything else. If you buy several at a time you get a worthwhile price break. Since you'll be deliberately running them into the dirt you'll go thru them faster than usual. On a decent weedeater/brush trimmer a 3-4" sapling is well within their capabilities.

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I have a 4 cycle craftsman. I used it with a chopper attachment to hack them down.

Posted: 5/11/2020 11:44:39 PM EDT

[#17]

Not sure what kind of blade a chopper attachment is but why not use that instead of the sawzall ? All that time on your knees is gonna be rough on back and knees.

Posted: 5/12/2020 12:17:30 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Not sure what kind of blade a chopper attachment is but why not use that instead of the sawzall ? All that time on your knees is gonna be rough on back and knees.

View Quote

https://www.lowes.com/pd/TrimmerPlus-Brush-Cutter-Attachment/50129056

This thing. It doesn't really cut and it wallowed out rivets in my trimmer shaft. Works great on vines.

Posted: 5/12/2020 10:28:43 PM EDT

[#19]

Should have just pulled the trees out with a chain and car/truck. Would have been easier in the long run roots and all in one shot.

Posted: 5/13/2020 6:35:18 AM EDT

[#20]

Go rent a chainsaw for a half day or a day.
That's what the rentals are for.

Posted: 5/13/2020 6:40:02 AM EDT

[#21]

Yes, use a sawzall or get a small electric chainsaw. Sawzall may be better from a maintenance standpoint since you'll be getting down in the dirt..use a long bade. The 60v, 16" bar electric chainsaw I got on sale for about $130 last year is perfect for all kinds of small stuff like saplings, limbing, fallen limbs...just grab it and go.

Posted: 5/13/2020 7:05:15 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Originally Posted By Spaceboy:
I would consider that but I have trees spaced in a way that would make that futile. I wondered about just using a sawzall to cut flush with.

View Quote

Just the thought of that makes me have back spasms.

Posted: 5/13/2020 7:22:06 AM EDT

[#23]

Battery Recip Saw, Pruning Blades, Tordon. You might go over your budget.

Posted: 5/13/2020 8:26:46 AM EDT

[#24]

Mattock.

If you got the time and don’t mind physical work. A mattock/pickaxe will go through 2-3inches of wood in a swing or two.

Nothing to ruin. Cheap at under $50.

Posted: 5/13/2020 10:59:42 AM EDT

[#25]

Grubbing hoe
(The ones i grew up with had an axe/maul on the back side instead of the pick)

Posted: 5/13/2020 11:15:32 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
heavy duty weed wacker with a brush cutter blade?

i use a sthil fs90.

View Quote

This, but with a fs240

Or give the/a kiddo a set of long reach loppers, a bucket and pay a bounty of a nickel per stub.

Posted: 5/13/2020 1:34:58 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Originally Posted By Chipper44mag:
Should have just pulled the trees out with a chain and car/truck. Would have been easier in the long run roots and all in one shot.

View Quote

This.
Couple turns of chain right at ground level, back up truck.

Posted: 5/13/2020 11:38:55 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/69531/8506434D-E60E-4DAB-A34F-BC14063397DF-1413935.jpg

Grubbing hoe
(The ones i grew up with had an axe/maul on the back side instead of the pick)

View Quote

A friend of mine recommend an adze. Lowe's has one for $30 and it's similar to that hoe but with more of a duck bill. I think that's going to be my plan of attack. I've been putting in a driveway extension and haven't tackled the stubs yet.

Posted: 5/13/2020 11:46:40 PM EDT

[#29]

Pick axe.

Posted: 5/13/2020 11:49:22 PM EDT

[#30]

I've had great success with Oregon saw blades on my weed trimmer. I can get the stumps so flush that I never have to worry about hitting them with my mower.
https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/blade%2c-brush-cutter%2c-eia%2c-24-tooth/p/41-932

Also, I've got a cut-off saw (gas-powered circular saw, 12" blade) and using a carbide chip blade (NOT a carbide tooth saw blade) I can plunge into the larger stumps and use it like a mini-stump grinder.

Posted: 5/14/2020 12:08:20 AM EDT

[#31]

Diablo pruning blade in recip saw is what i just used to remove 3inch stumps at or below ground level...worked great!

Posted: 5/17/2020 12:47:34 PM EDT

[#32]

Buy a Pulaski tool (get one with a fiberglass handle) and get busy. It works great for cutting fire lines and it will do what you want as well. Plus you end up with a very useful tool.

Posted: 5/17/2020 7:30:45 PM EDT

[#33]

Sawzall works great for cutting out small stumps.

Posted: 5/17/2020 9:35:03 PM EDT

[#34]

Rent a small stump grinder for the day.

Posted: 5/20/2020 2:58:28 AM EDT

[#35]

+1 on the sawzall

Posted: 5/20/2020 9:46:19 AM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Originally Posted By The_Wizard_Of_Odd:
Buy a Pulaski tool (get one with a fiberglass handle) and get busy. It works great for cutting fire lines and it will do what you want as well. Plus you end up with a very useful tool.

View Quote

Pulaski tool = Polish version of a Mexican talache

Posted: 5/21/2020 5:27:13 AM EDT

[#37]

Been using this https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-5-lb-Fiberglass-Handle-Steel-Pick-Mattock/1000377469
Works like a champ. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Posted: 5/21/2020 2:57:58 PM EDT

[#38]

I made a brush grubber that works great for small stuff, it will pull up to about a 3" pine but it takes more ass than I have. I patterned it off the Pullerbear tools. I should have just bought one but I thought I could make it cheaper, I was wrong.

Posted: 5/21/2020 5:50:47 PM EDT

[#39]

Sawsall

You cut them too short to pull out with a high lift jack and a short chain.

Posted: 5/21/2020 8:15:03 PM EDT

[#40]

It ain't cheap ($340 an hour, about 3/4 acre an hour), minimum one day's time, but this works.

Grinding Head by FredMan, on Flickr

DSC 1226 54 9 Grinding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGOQZt-CIRo

Posted: 5/21/2020 11:29:58 PM EDT

[#41]

I picked up a 18" poulan pro chainsaw at Ollie's (like a biglots) today that came with a extra chain for an awesome price. Now I can lop the stumps flush too.

Posted: 5/22/2020 12:37:43 PM EDT

[#42]

Your chain ain't gonna like dirt. Get some chaps

Posted: 5/22/2020 12:40:18 PM EDT

[#43]

Quote History

Quoted:
Your chain ain't gonna like dirt. Get some chaps

View Quote

The part above, if you don't have a set you NEED a set.

And you're gonna want a stump vise and sharpener (STIHL 2-in-1 sharpener)

Posted: 5/27/2020 11:22:59 PM EDT

[#44]

Progress is going awesome, I've removed probably 95% of them. The axe is definitely the best tool but not the way I thought it would be. It works best coming in slightly past the stub and getting under the root and leveraging it out. Sometimes I have to chop a runner or two but even the big ones can be dug out.

I have about three tree stumps to remove and I bought a fire ring from tsc and I found charcoal on sale for $5 a 14# bag sooo I bought 8 bags and stump number 1 is currently smoldering. I've been feeding it all the brush I've raked up.and the vines, oh God the vines. The worst part is the vines, I have thorn vines and regular vines everywhere. They constantly catch the rake and I have to stop and yank them out.

Posted: 5/27/2020 11:45:28 PM EDT

[#45]

I’m sure your aware of this but be DAMN sure you’re not burning poison ivy. That smoke will seriously mess you up. Oh yeah and let me second the chainsaw chaps. Cheap protection. And in my experience a GOOD fiberglass handles sharp hoe works pretty well on vines. Once it catches on a vine, the sharp edge will often cut the vine runner.

Posted: 5/28/2020 12:30:51 AM EDT

[#46]

Appreciate the concern, I have been checking any plant I don't know to make sure I'm not burning poison. I've barely used the chainsaw. I need to order chaps, shame on me.

Posted: 5/28/2020 2:55:42 AM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:
Appreciate the concern, I have been checking any plant I don't know to make sure I'm not burning poison. I've barely used the chainsaw. I need to order chaps, shame on me.

View Quote

Dont order chaps. Find somewhere local that has them and get them before you run the saw again. I know that makes me sound like a pussy but if you make a mistake it could get real bad real quick. It's not worth the risk.

Posted: 5/28/2020 11:16:45 PM EDT

[#48]

https://www.gardenersedge.com/centurion-monster-pro-lopper/p/PRO665/?kc=geshop20n,&mkwid=%7Cdm&pcrid=431407825607&pkw=&pmt=&plc=&prd=PRO665&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=cpc%7D&slid=&pgrid=105606008852&ptaid=pla-900337431835&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwr32BRD4ARIsAAJNf_0LfepLOCRRm7vi_iACFSs9fAbLZDrZD1_BsF1gDMOekaS916b1LvIaAtF4EALw_wcB

Posted: 5/28/2020 11:20:23 PM EDT

[#49]

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200756199_200756199?cm_mmc=Google-LIA&utm_source=Google_LIA&utm_medium=Construction%20%3E%20Concrete%20Pouring%20%2B%20Curing&utm_campaign=Klutch&utm_content=73171&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwr32BRD4ARIsAAJNf_1950P31WnuBjddHXhsh3cE-vfHK1NYIw7WWx9zqbQKKWbddpDw860aAr7oEALw_wcB

Posted: 5/28/2020 11:23:16 PM EDT

[#50]

https://youtu.be/3aiErElwrxA

Stump pulling

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How can I remove stubs left from clearing brush? (Page 1 of 2)

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