Stump removal Backhoe or Dozer?

Thanks

Mark

1. Stumps of the size you're mentioning will take a large hoe. There will be a considerable amount of roots to sever. Figure the amount of ground to be dug up to sever the roots as 3x minimum the diameter of your stump.

2. Once you get the root ball/stump rolled out of ground, no matter how much you stab at the root ball a prodigious amount of dirt will still cling to the ball. At this time of year the stump and clinging dirt will be laden with moisture. Can you say 'heavier than a dead preacher'?

3. Now you've got a huge stump out of the ground. What are you going to do with it? Like I said, it will be heavy and unlikely can be lifted unless you have a large track hoe. With a large track hoe (heavy) rigged with the stump (heavier) you'll trash your yard moving it big time. More mess to clean up. You can 'roll' the stump to its destination with a strong TLB, but you'll leave a path of destruction. If you use a TLB, the outriggers will leave plenty of mess, too. Burning the stump(s) will have to wait at least two years for it to dry out (BTDT!) If the stumps/roots are punky or rotted they can be burned earlier than that.

4. Now you've got to fill in the hole after the stump and roots are out. More work and $$$.

5. Rooting out a stump with a dozer will leave even more of a mess than a track hoe. Then you'll have to shove the stump to its destination. More mess.

Call a stump grinding outfit. They can grind the stumps/roots to well below grade. The only thing you'll have left is wood chips and pulverized dirt. This is easier to deal with by far than going through the ordeal of digging out stumps.

Another option is chemical. Call your county agent. I think common saltpeter (dumped into bored holes in the stump) is used to drastically accelerate the stump rot to where it can be removed after about a year rather easily. Call your agent. I imagine salpeter is hard to come by now.

If, on the other hand, you need an excuse to obtain a new toy(s) then go for it