Tree Stump Removal Tools – 18 Equipment & Machine

There are several pieces of equipment and supplies with which you can remove the stump, and in this article, I’ll be discussing tree stump removal tools.

When you fell your tree, you’d be left with a stump to deal with. If you don’t remove the stump, the stump will produce sprouts that will eventually grow back into trees.

Keep reading.

How To Select The Best Stump Removal Equipment To Use

As I just said, there are several stump removal tools, but the tools you use will be determined by the stump removal method you opt for.

When you have decided on the stump removal method, then you will have a clear idea of the tools you will need.

Tools To Remove A Tree Stump

Below are different stump removal methods and the tools you will need to execute them.

1. Digging By Hand

This removal method is effective for small tree stumps and you can do it all by yourself.

The tools you will need for this approach include –

Shovel: For you to loosen up the stump from the soil and expose its roots, you will need a shovel to dig around the base of the stump.

Shovels come in different sizes, so you should select the one best suited for the soil type.

Hoe: A hoe can also be used to dig the soil around the stump’s base. It performs the same function as a shovel, so it’s up to you to decide which digging tool you’re more comfortable with.

Ax: After the soil around the base of the tree stump has been dug, you can use an ax to cut the stump into manageable pieces.

The ax can also be used to chop up the exposed roots. When the roots have been cut away from the stump, it will be easier to pull it out of the soil.

Root saw: This is an alternative to the ax. A root saw (manual or electrical) can also be used to cut the roots away from the stump, which will allow for easier removal.

If you wish, you can use the saw to cut the roots into smaller pieces and pull them out. By doing this, you will kill the roots and regrowth will not be possible.

Chainsaw: A chainsaw can be used to cut down the stump into logs of firewood. It does the same job as the ax, only that it is a lot faster and it requires less physical energy.

2. Pushing Method

For large stumps, the pushing method can work pretty well. This of course cannot be done with small tools like a shovel. You will need heavy-duty machines for this.

Here are the tools you will need for the pushing method of stump removal –

A tractor: A tractor is one of the most powerful farm machines known to man. It moves slowly but its power lies in its pulling and pushing ability.

Tractors can remove stumps quickly and effectively with little physical effort on your part. All you need is an operator to steer and an attachment for the stump removal.

This powerful machine is ideal for large scale tree stump removal and clearing large sites.

Blade attachment: The blade attachment can be fixed on the tractor and used to push over large stumps.

The operator lifts the blade and pushes the stump with it until the root ball is exposed. The next step is to lower the blade beneath the root ball and lift the stump out of the soil.

Tractors and blade attachments are best suited for large tree stumps located in open fields or farmlands. If you use them in your yard, then your landscape will be damaged and your soil will be pressed in.

3. Pulling Method

The pulling method of stump removal is almost the same as the pushing method, as they are both suited for large tree stump removal. The major difference is that the pulling method requires vertical force while the pushing method requires horizontal force.

The pulling method also requires the use of heavy-duty tools that are powerful enough to lift the stump off the soil.

The tools you will need for the pulling method of stump removal include –

Chains or strong cables: These will be tied on two ends of the tree stump and to a winch which will generate the force needed to pull the stump out of the soil.

Cranes: A crane is a hydraulically powered machine that can have chains affixed to it. They are very effective for pulling out tree stumps from the ground.

You will need to wrap the chains around the stump and fix the other ends on the hook of the crane. All the operator has to do is control the crane to pull the stump out of the ground.

Cranes can be used for removing both small and large tree stumps.

Trencher: A trencher is used to dig large holes in the soil. This tool will expose the roots as much as possible and will make the pulling process a lot easier since it has given the winch less soil to wrestle with.

Soil saw: After the trencher has dug up as much soil as it can, you can use a soil saw to cut up the roots of the stump.

With all these done, the chains attached to the winch will have an easier job to do.

4. Burning Method

The burning method of tree stump removal is suitable for stumps in your yard. It is not suitable for large scale stump removal, as that will mean setting multiple fires.

The tools you will need to execute this method of tree stump removal include –

Shovel: This will be used to dig up the soil around the tree stump’s base so the roots will be exposed as much as possible.

Hoe: This can also be used to dig up the soil that covers the roots. It’s an ideal substitute for the shovel.

Power drill: To burn a tree stump, you need to allow kerosene or diesel sink into the stump as deeply as possible. The stump is filled with moisture so if the kerosene or diesel don’t get deep enough, it won’t burn effectively.

The best way to ensure this is by drilling holes at the top of the tree stump and around the sides using a power drill. The drill can also be used to drill holes all over the exposed roots.

Kerosene or diesel: These can’t necessarily be considered as “tools” but if they help get the job done, then why not?

These inflammable liquids are meant to be poured into the holes that have been drilled around the stump and its roots. It will take time for them to completely soak the stump, maybe a day or two.

You can add some more kerosene/diesel the next day just to be sure.

Matches or lighter: After the stump has been soaked with the inflammable liquids, you will need to set it on fire. This is where a box of matches or a lighter will come in.

You will pick out a match-stick, spark it, and drop it in the holes you have drilled. With a lighter, you have to move your hand closer to the stump and spark it to produce a flame.

Remember to contact your local fire service department to be sure you are not breaking any laws regarding starting fires.

5. Grinding Method

The grinding method of tree stump removal is one of the fastest means. A tree stump grinder is a tool you will need for this.

They are powerful tools that come in different shapes and sizes. The size and number of the tree stump(s) you are dealing with will determine the size and capacity of tree stump grinder you will need.

There are four main types of tree stump grinders. These include –

  • Hand-guided tree stump grinder
  • Self-propelled tree stump grinder
  • Walk-behind tree stump grinder
  • Mounted tree stump grinders (these are mounted on tractors)

Even as tree stump grinders come in different variations, they still have similar features. They all have sharp, powerful blades and a cutting disc that grind stumps down to their roots.

You can buy a tree stump grinder or rent one from a home maintenance store.

6. Excavation Method

This is similar to the digging method, only on a larger scale. To effectively remove large tree stumps in large spaces, you will need a more powerful tool than a shovel.

A backhoe is an ideal tool for this.

They are high-powered excavation machines that consist of a digging bucket at the end of a two-part articulated arm.

Backhoes are very similar to tractors, but they have loader buckets in the front and a digging bucket at the back.

Backhoes can tackle very large tree stumps, as they are huge and powerful machines. They can remain stable while digging up the stumps, thanks to their hydraulic outriggers and stabilizers.

Backhoes also have legs that can be lowered down for better stability while excavating.

Conclusion

The nature of the stump you want to remove will determine the type of tools you will need for the job.

I trust this article on stump removal tools has been helpful.

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