What equipment is needed for stumps with root-filled mounds?

[Winchman]

I cut ten large pines in my own and my neighbors' yards a while back, but I didn't do anything with the stumps. They're surrounded by root-filled mounds that are at least eight feet in diameter.

I removed most of the upper part of the stumps after after the picture was taken, but they are still pretty ugly. I need to cut the roots out to the edges of the mounds to get the ground level. It seems like using any kind of stump grinder over an area that large will take forever, but getting a backhoe or excavator seems excessive. What's the best approach?

 

[96coal449]

Best approach is still a stump grinder.

I would suggest renting a high horsepower model. 65HP or better. Maybe demo a unit from your local dealer?

If that is not an option you may find someone that only grinds stumps for their gig. They usually run with the big machines.

 

[flushcut]

You are talking about the root swell? Less than an hour to grind. I do it all the time. My biggest was 30' or so in diameter, willow at a golf course, and they wanted it all ground out. Probably 40yards of fluff for them to clean up but that was on them. Took about two hours.

 

[96coal449]

You are talking about the root swell? Less than an hour to grind. I do it all the time. My biggest was 30' or so in diameter, willow at a golf course, and they wanted it all ground out. Probably 40yards of fluff for them to clean up but that was on them. Took about two hours.

He does have 10 stumps though.....

 

[flushcut]

Stump grinder don't give a fug. Hell 100 stumps turn it into chips.

 

[Phil]

If you just want flat ground....

if you want the stump actually removed this won't work. It really designed for brush and small tree clearing but it will get down into the top 1" of soil if you want. That would take care of the hump and any surface roots. The stump itself will take a bit more focused grinding but pine is soft so this would work to get it flat. We use one at work in the woods all the time. I would estimate it would handle one of your mounds in 10-15 minutes with most of that at the stump. Looking at your pics again though, your stumps are high in the mound so might be a challenge for this to get it really flat.

Locating one might be an issue though.

 

[Bucknut]

Keep in mind that the mound is about 90% dirt. It will go very quickly compared to the grinding of the stump. We also do this all the time since grinding just the stump would leave you an ugly mound with a hole in the middle. People want their yards to be flat so that’s what we give them.