How do I pull a stump?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Livonia, MI
How do I pull a stump?
Have a '96 F150 4x4 4.9L, straight 6 with a 5 speed manual tranny. Gears are 3.55. I have an apple tree stump is about 12-16 inches across. The roots beneath are about the 3-5" thick. I assume put it in 4x4, and of course in first gear. Do I use the clutch at all, or just put it in first and slowly pull? Will this cause the engine to stall? I don't want to pull the hitch right off of the truck.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 154
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From: IN
If the stump is very old you might break it off.
But your not going to move a stump that size with ANY pickup truck without moving alot of dirt from around it. I use my Kubota BX backhoe (small) for stump work. And one that size will take a little while with a hoe.
Todd
But your not going to move a stump that size with ANY pickup truck without moving alot of dirt from around it. I use my Kubota BX backhoe (small) for stump work. And one that size will take a little while with a hoe.
Todd
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
dig as much as you can from around and under the stump.
cut as many roots as you can.
wrap your choker strap as high as you can for more leverage.
put the t-case in 4 low, trans in low, and ease the clutch out with the truck on hard pack.
cut as many roots as you can.
wrap your choker strap as high as you can for more leverage.
put the t-case in 4 low, trans in low, and ease the clutch out with the truck on hard pack.
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Next time, don't cut the tree down. Hook on to the tree as high as you can and pull the whole thing over. You still have to dig and cut roots, but the stump comes out a lot easier with a big lever on it, and the trunk of the tree is ready made for the task.
Serving suggestion.....
Serving suggestion.....
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Island Southeast Alaska
Use a stout strap with some spring to it. when ya come to the end just above an idle let her pull and stretch till just as it starts to slip the tires. Some weight in the bed helps.
Than push in the clutch and let her spring back. But before ya loose all the spring tap the brake to stop and hit it again. never taking the truck out of first gear, ya don't need to use reverse if done right. The trick I found is to rock them out.
But if ya have any more than don't cut them off first. Do as 85e150 said.
But make sure ya have lots of line so ya don't pull the tree over on ya. Ask me how I know this.
Even then digging out the roots and cutting them off in front, the way ya are pulling helps a lot.
Edit: Oh!! and we do need a video please
Than push in the clutch and let her spring back. But before ya loose all the spring tap the brake to stop and hit it again. never taking the truck out of first gear, ya don't need to use reverse if done right. The trick I found is to rock them out.
But if ya have any more than don't cut them off first. Do as 85e150 said.
But make sure ya have lots of line so ya don't pull the tree over on ya. Ask me how I know this.
Even then digging out the roots and cutting them off in front, the way ya are pulling helps a lot.
Edit: Oh!! and we do need a video please
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Stumps are a lot harder to pull up than you would think. You are gonna need to do a LOT of digging and cutting roots. If apple trees have a tap root you are really going to have a time with it.
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Cargo Master
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From: Arcadia, Fla
Next time, don't cut the tree down. Hook on to the tree as high as you can and pull the whole thing over. You still have to dig and cut roots, but the stump comes out a lot easier with a big lever on it, and the trunk of the tree is ready made for the task.
Serving suggestion.....
Serving suggestion.....
Here's how I pull out trees, stumps stuck trucks. Use two heavy duty ropes or straps just in case one snaps(usually does). In 4H granny gear, I get a running start then clutch in and let the truck's weight/momentum do the work. Backup and repeat till something gives. I rarely dig in with power but if I feel a good hook and its coming out I clutch out and pull the object out. With a 4.9L I6 keep your RPM under 2000, that's where the torque is and torque is what does the pulling.
I also used two HD chains with a tire between the chains to act like a rubber band, sure fun watch that tire stretch out, lock your brakes down and it will keep pulling on the stuck object. Pull little more to stretch the tire and repeat. I got a few almost impossable stuck trucks out with that way.
FIRST OF ALL!! MAKE SURE NOBODY IS AROUND THE CHAINS, ROPES, OR STRAPS!!!! I watched a guy get gutted when a rope snapped.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Livonia, MI
I will definitely cut as many roots as I can - especially on the far side of the pull. I've already dug those out so they are exposed (that's how I know how thick the roots are. I really don't have any extra weight to put in the bed, and I will be on grass, so I am guessing I'll be slipping a lot. It sounds like Eddiec1564 has the right idea: get a running start then clutch in and let the truck's weight/momentum do the work. Backup and repeat till something gives. And yes, I'll take a video of it to post here.
the fun part is when you have to dig the hole and hit all the cut roots
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Island Southeast Alaska
Ya have got to cut the roots in front also Bud. Maybe more so than in the back. If not than the stump is trying to raise up over the roots and will take twice as much to pull it out cuz yer lifting it as well.
Than go back and pull the roots out one at a time. They will be easier than the stump for sure.
Than go back and pull the roots out one at a time. They will be easier than the stump for sure.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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For the record, I pulled over a 12" diameter (at the ground) Chinese Elm tree, and a 30" Deodor Cedar with a come-along. Lots of digging, lots of effort. Hardest $700 I ever saved......
Oh yea, anyone want to buy 40' of 5/16s chain and a slightly used come-along?
Oh yea, anyone want to buy 40' of 5/16s chain and a slightly used come-along?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 14
From: Island Southeast Alaska
So are ya way out in the country or right in town?
Think "Stumping Powder"
Another trick is to saw the stump from the top down in an X shape.
From where the tree was felled down to the roots or ground. Than just pull a 1/4
of the stump at a time. Once ya get the first 1/4 out the rest is easy.
Think "Stumping Powder"
Another trick is to saw the stump from the top down in an X shape.
From where the tree was felled down to the roots or ground. Than just pull a 1/4
of the stump at a time. Once ya get the first 1/4 out the rest is easy.