i need to pull some stumps out of the ground.

nothing major, just some 4-5" little trees i had to cut down to clear a backyard.

i know that the tie-rods on these 'trucks' are the weak-link, but should i be worried about pulling out about 10 of these stumps?

i'll be using 4-hi, easing into them (not yanking or jerking) and slowly feeding it gas until something happens.

the ground that the truck will be on is dirt. i actually just cleared about an acre of blackberry bushes from the area, so the little blackberry roots that are sticking out of the ground are what i'm going to be pulling on.

my truck-extra account is still recovering from all this fuel i'm having to buy so the tierods are a few weeks out.


also, does anyone have any tips of pullng them? i've heard the 4X4 chain-over trick to pull 'up' on them, but i only left about a foot of stump :rolleyes:

cable? i like cable. what kind of tensile strength should i be looking at? should i choke it to the stump?

any info would be great. i looked through a few old threads but didn't find what i was looking for.

thanks

if i don't hear any advice better, then i'll just dig around the stump a little with a spade, cable (or chain) as far down as i can and easily pull.

i wish i had a trailer to transport my tractor there. my JD would pop those things out like zits

Dig around the stup a little...use a chain and a choker...i would use 4x4 but still use a little bit of a running start so you hit the end of the chain with a little momentum..should pop them right out

I have done it, and found that using the low range worked better for me. If I was in hi range, I didn't have the power to pull them out without a running start. In low range, I could take up the tension, and then pull most out. Some were too big and I would spin the tires, and on those I would take a small jerk, but jerking was the last option.

Did it with 94 pre vortec 160hp Suburban, think your dmax should do fine.

cable? i like cable.

I'd stay away from cable. They have a bad habit of finding the back of your truck after they snap:eek:

Dont ask...

I've had pretty good luck with the chain over a 6 x 6 trick but only use'd about a 3 or 4 foot length. Loader tractor or backhoe is always the best though.

I would also suggest low range as Allegehnyrose described. If the stumps a re bigger i would dig down and chop the roots away from the truck that you can get to. The tap root running straight down is usually the toughest so if you can get a good wrap underneath and close to the base you should be good.

I have done it, and found that using the low range worked better for me. If I was in hi range, I didn't have the power to pull them out without a running start. In low range, I could take up the tension, and then pull most out. Some were too big and I would spin the tires, and on those I would take a small jerk, but jerking was the last option.

X2. Low range is the way, ease into it, only jerk at last resort. Fasten with hook at the rear of stump, bring chain over top middle of stump to create a 'pry' or leverage effect to assist.
Also lay a coat or blanket over the chain about half the distanct between your truck and the stump on the chain or cable. That way if it brakes it helps weight it to the ground instead of whipping your D/A.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

thanks for the replies

i'll use 4low and get pictures.

i like the suggestion of wrapping it around the base and then having it come up and over the top for that extra leverage. really good idea.

chain is better, i know, but it's EXPENSIVE. i have a 20' section of 3/8 chain i use with my tractor and it was something like $60. and i don't have it with me to use right now.

maybe i'll swing by lowes and get some good 5/16" stuff.

Or swing by a truck stop, thats where I bought a binder chain at a good price.

The binder chain would be a better choice than chain from the hardware store. It has a higher strength.

I've used this big honking tow strap to pull out stumps. Works great.

Use a old rim put the rim standing up right next to the stump run the chain over the rim will pull up. 4lo is better. Throw some weight in your truck for traction

Use a old rim put the rim standing up right next to the stump run the chain over the rim will pull up. 4lo is better. Throw some weight in your truck for traction
That's a great tip! I have never heard of it before.:Whoa: :Whoa: :Whoa:

Nice one jdman!

i borrow a real nice heavy-duty strap from my broinlaw tonight so i'll choke that around the stump. i'd rather break his crap first experimenting with what works :D

i'll try and get videos just for fun

I did this just a week ago for a friend, i was going to use my off-road 4X4 but i tore the pinion right out of the housing. He had left the stumps about 2-3' up for better leverage. Tried the chain, wouldnt advise it. I used my strap instead, get about 5' running start on it in 4-low but not to hard. I was pulling stumps up to about 12" in diameter until it started jarring the truck so i stopped. I will just go back when my ford is back together, i dont care if i hurt that.

Truck didn't break a sweat. infact, the only time i had to give it any throttle when pulling was the big(ger) one. and even that was barely a blip.

i used 4L. i'm confident i can pull much bigger. i just need sleeves.

no video. it wasn't impressive watching them get ripped out, but it sure sounded cool.


http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1327/smallstumpscv4.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1327/smallstumpscv4.jpg)
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Before you guys get carried away pulling stumps with your pickups, let me tell you one of my experiences at it.
Almost 30 years ago the "in thing" for pulling around here, was a nylon rope about 20 ft. long. they had about 30% stretch, and came in 1, 1 1/4, and 1 1/2 inch sizes. They were fantastic for pulling cars out of ditches, you just backed up close, took off, and the momentum of the puller and the recoil of the nylon, worked really slick.
On a Sunday afternoon, my project was to remove a pine tree stump in the front yard. My trusty rope was handy, but I needed a something to attach to the stump other than a chain which is a no-no with stretch ropes. Neighbor to the rescue, he worked on a drag-line, and always had good stuff at the house. He gave me a piece of 5/8 wire cable, with a factory loop on each end. About 6 ft. long. also he had a large clevis. I can't tell you how much it weighted, but the pin for it was 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Hold in your mind that clevis...............
The wire rope looped into itself making a noose, and the clevis connected the wire rope to the nylon rope. For the first pull I went easy, then progressively harder, but the stump wasn't budging. A different direction was tried next, and I couldn't adjust the noose accordingly because the wire cable had penetrated into the stump. What the heck, I thought, by this time having doubt if this job was going to get done.
On the last pull I ever made with a stretch rope, the factory loop on the wire rope broke, causing the fore-mentioned clevis to propel forward into the tailgate, barely slowing down, continuing through the rear window, about 2 inches from my right ear, and on through the windshield stopping only when the rope got tight going the other way.
With less luck my screen name could have been "Poorheadless!astard"

Guys and Girls, please don't try to pull stumps with your pickup, unless it is rotted off like the one posted in this thread. It can be dangerous.

yep. That tow strap looks like what I used. Works great,

You can go a lot bigger I pulled this one with a 81 F250 I6. The conversation when like this.
Buddy "We need more firewood."
Me "Hold my beer I got an idea."
:D
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=1421&d=1137374784

I would pull it from the front,because the reverse gears are lower-

the second 'bigger' stump was dead. the roots broke off, so i'm not sure if i would have been able to do it if they were strong.

i don't like stretch nylons. this strap was static.

it was fun anyway

I would pull it from the front,because the reverse gears are lower-

Ducan,

That is what I thought, also pulled out few items (like a tow motor stuck in a field etc). When I posted it here someone came back and stated the reasoning for pulling from the front when it is a very hard pull and you have a choice. I think it had something to do with tranny will only give you a certain % or the computer knows you in reverse and cuts power or something like that. Someone who knows may chime in or do a search on pulling from the front.

NO MATTER WHICH WAY, WHEN PULLING WITH A CHAIN, STRAP, CABLE OR ANYTHING ELSE (EXCEPT MAYBE YOU LADY'S THONG) PUT A COAT OR BLANKET @ 1/2 THE DISTANCE OVER THE ITEM USED SO IF IT DOES BREAK, IT IS WEIGHTED TO THE GROUND INSTEAD OF FLYING THORUGH THE WINDOW OR DENTING YOUR TRUCK!

Yanked some bushes this weekend. Pal moved into his new house. wanted em yanked....of course Dmax to the rescue I offered. Mostly wanted an excuse to tear stuff up :D. asked if I could leave marks in his driveway....sure he says :D Wraped a chain....coked it round the base of the bush. Told him to get the camera as i was going to first try in 2wd :D Idle forward to take up slack and truck just kept idling forward. :think: Darn it....chain musta slipped off. :mad: Hop out and nope....bush came out at an idel :mad: And here I wanted to tear stuff up and blow smoke):h

Lol we where cutting firewood and I wanted to play a little, so after we fell the trees I was pulling them into the open with my truck. Didn't work to bad but we had to add a good bit of weight to keep from just spinning the stockers.

I wouldn't pull in reverse. From what I've heard it's a good way to damage the teeth on the ring & pinion gears. Think of how they are machined. Applying a lot of torque in reverse can damage them.

I wish I could figure out something. I had my lot selective cut & have a ton of pine stumps left. Most of them are about 24" in diameter. I may drill them & put saltpeter in them, then burn them.

I really don't want to pay for an excavator to remove them, I bet that would be $$$$$$$$$$.

or rent a stump grinder. that's what i plan on doing on the back half of my property where 20-30 stumps 24" or so are. that or borrow the neighbors backhoe.

I wish I could figure out something. I had my lot selective cut & have a ton of pine stumps left. Most of them are about 24" in diameter. I may drill them & put saltpeter in them, then burn them.


I don't know where you are but be careful burning anything. There's some awful nasty fires going in the southern US right now.

Here's the little lady pullin' down our garage with the old Silverado. I usually use the TrailBlazer for stumps and other light work.

View My Video (http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=66mxy05)

Shark

do not pull from the front I did when we lost about 100 pines a few years ago in the hurracane, the 99 F250 4x pulled a bunch intill I bent the frame, look under the front and you will see a relief area that will acorden in a wreck, well thats what went on mine, do not know about my chevy but furd will snap with enought yank, becides it will pull the trees a lot eaiser if you hook it to the ball

If the stump is too big to pull, cut it off as low as possible, drill as many 1/2" holes in it as you can and then pour kerosene or diesel into the holes, and light it. The stump won't burn up, but it kills the stump so it rots faster. In a couple of years, refill the holes again with kerosene or diesel, and it will probably burn from the inside out, as the wood will be dry by then.

If you have a big enough stump you have an excuse to drink beer and have a fire everynight. My buddy had a huge oak stump that we couldn't move with a d7 cat so we just burned it everynight. It took a lot of beer to get rid of that thing:D

Do not use anything that can recoil for this application- use chains they won't recoil. Ropes, straps, and cable are the worst choices. Using them is asking for someone to get hurt or at the very least to bang up your truck in the event of breakage. Always use a chain. They will not recoil!

I agree with the laying a coat or a blanket over a cable or tow strap, but one is not needed for a chain.

Do not use anything that can recoil for this application- use chains they won't recoil. Ropes, straps, and cable are the worst choices. Using them is asking for someone to get hurt or at the very least to bang up your truck in the event of breakage. Always use a chain. They will not recoil!
.

Exactly! Couldn't have said it better myself...

Chains don't recoil? I beg to differ I have seen and heard of countless chains breaking back glasses/windshields etc.

Chains don't recoil? I beg to differ I have seen and heard of countless chains breaking back glasses/windshields etc.
Sorry, nothing personal, but they don't. Something else in the works may have caused it, but a chain will fall to the ground when it breaks and not snap back. When a chain is stretched and links are deformed they stay that way, they don't store energy and bounce back like a rubber band. Simple fact of the material and construction.

I'm sorry, I should clarify my above statement to this- a properly used chain will not recoil.

A chain that is used for a jerk rather than a pull, can definetly recoil because of the lateral action of the chain as it is being brought tight, which usually involves it jumping up off the ground several feet at a high speed and with a lot of potential force. If the chain were to break at that moment, then it will recoil due to the high lateral forces present.

Proper usage is too bring the chain to tension in a slow controlled manner and then if under straight line tension it snaps, it will simply fall to the ground and not recoil. Sorry if I caused any confusion by my comments.

I don't know where you are but be careful burning anything. There's some awful nasty fires going in the southern US right now.


Yeah, I'm in Maine & yesterday it's a red flag alert. I couldn't get a burn permit if I had to. I'll wait awhile, we're supposed to get rain this weekend, maybe then...

MWP is right about chains

Makes sense that clarified that they won't recoil during steady pressure. Yes will recoil will jerked. Sorry about the confusion.

i pulled several stumps from around my aunt's house last year til i jerked out about 6ft of foundation.the tree root had grown underneath her house and come up in the crawl space.:eek:

Also if you pull in reverse, the gear ratio is lower than 1st gear.