We have been cleaning up stump grindings with our tractor bucket and pitchfork/rake. It works well but I feel like there has got to be something more efficient. After spending all day today cleaning up stump grindings from 32 big pines with massive root flares I am looking to try something different. What is everyone else using? I am thinking maybe a 4in 1 bucket might be the ticket.
Stump cleanup equipment
- Thread starter Treeline
- Start date
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
When I cleanup stumps I use a BMG rake and clamshells or a smooth bucket. I recently did a 6'8" pin oak stump that took about an hour to scoop up the chips with the bucket, its a small bucket. It took 44 scoops to load it all in a dump trailer.
About two days before I had time to clean it up, I staged it all with the grapple rake, spent maybe 30-45 mins cleaning the yard and driveway and lining up all of the chips within reach of the driveway as we were expecting rain.
I found my biggest hurdle was the dump trailer. With the rain that had come down, the chips and dirt stuck to the trailer and wouldn't dump. Not to mention I may have overloaded the hoist by filling the 14' trailer. Logs dump great out of this trailer, but it doesn't tilt enough for stump grindings and the replacement topsoil to slide out.
About two days before I had time to clean it up, I staged it all with the grapple rake, spent maybe 30-45 mins cleaning the yard and driveway and lining up all of the chips within reach of the driveway as we were expecting rain.
I found my biggest hurdle was the dump trailer. With the rain that had come down, the chips and dirt stuck to the trailer and wouldn't dump. Not to mention I may have overloaded the hoist by filling the 14' trailer. Logs dump great out of this trailer, but it doesn't tilt enough for stump grindings and the replacement topsoil to slide out.
I’m using a 70hp kubota tractor with smooth bucket currently and even after scooping the big stuff i feel it is too much manual labor to finish up with rakes and pitchfork. We grind/ cleanup stumps every day so we know how to get it done, I’m just looking for a more efficient way.
All day every day! Trying to use it less!
flushcut
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Delavan, WI
BMG Scoops best tool there is.
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
Gotcha. I'd think smaller equipment, something that can get down in the hole to remove that debris. 70hp will make quick work of it, but as you mentioned it leaves a bit behind. The BMG clamshells work nice for that as they fit down in the hole. You might contact Branch Manager and see about possibly getting a set to fit your Kubota if possible, unless you also have a mini.
Judging by their customer support, I'd bet they'd mount one of their HD grapples to a Kubota attachment plate. Those grapples are designed for full size skid steers. But check and make sure that the clamshells and Rake (if desired) can fit the HD grapple.
I'm not sure if there are any other clamshell manufacturers for equipment besides grapple trucks.
4 in 1 already is a good shout. If the area is large, let's say 500sqft+ I get good results using a harley rake followed by a rotadairon. In this area there where about 20-25 stumps, the tallest was 4ft in diameter and 2ft in height, so lots of chips. The others where maybe 10-15" with lots of flare roots, that's why the area is affected so widely.
For the below result no shovel, rake or pitch fork was touched, not one tiny chip was removed from the area. Duration probably about an hour, only mini loader no manual labour, zero!
For the below result no shovel, rake or pitch fork was touched, not one tiny chip was removed from the area. Duration probably about an hour, only mini loader no manual labour, zero!
Gorman
Branched out member
- Location
- Rhode Island
These don’t work well if you have a chip box roof getting in the way.
flushcut
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Delavan, WI
Sounds like a chip box design problem. lol
But you can get around the by opening your doors, dump the scoops, back up close the scoops, and push the pile forward with the closed scoops. I can load out about 6-7 yards doing it that way.
But you can get around the by opening your doors, dump the scoops, back up close the scoops, and push the pile forward with the closed scoops. I can load out about 6-7 yards doing it that way.
VenasNursery
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Michigan
On real large projects
Largest loader you have and can use with the largest bucket withe your largest truck if you have bring 2 loaders and 3 trucks
Largest loader you have and can use with the largest bucket withe your largest truck if you have bring 2 loaders and 3 trucks
Thanks for the feedback everyone! It seems maybe we might be doing it as efficiently as possible. The bmg scoops look sweet I just don’t know if the bmg grapple is right for my application. We don’t have a chipper, we load into a large dump truck and a large gooseneck dump trailer and I don’t know if the bmg is good for that. I might have to see if I can rent a 4in1 bucket to try before I buy.
