You worked hard to remove that tree in the backyard; you don’t want to look out your window next spring and see that it has started to grow back. But, if you don’t go deep and get those roots out, that is the exact situation you can find yourself experiencing.
With the right tools and knowledge — for digging, grabbing, and removing all parts of that pesky stump — you can successfully DIY stump removal with your skid steer. Here are three of the most common landscaping attachments that help with these backyard projects and how you can plan your task to set yourself up for success.
Tools That Help With DIY Stump Removal
Three main skid steer attachments should be in your garage if you plan to remove a tree stump, bush, or similar greenery:
Skid Steer Grapples
Grapples are your ‘grabbing and shoving’ attachment. Their strong grip makes them an easy choice when transporting stumps and debris away from the workspace. The skid steer grapples also offer strength and power, which means they can knock over trees to start the removal process.
Skid Steer Rippers
Roots often present the biggest challenge for stump removal. Rippers can loosen and break up soil around the stump, making it significantly easier to remove the stump as a whole. This feature plays an especially large role in areas where the soil has a high rock content or is otherwise very hard to dig.
Skid Steer Tree Pullers
So now you have something to shove, grab, and dig, but you still need an attachment to yank those burdensome roots out of the ground. That is where your pullers come into play. The puller allows you to grab onto the item in question while using hydraulics to pull it out of the ground successfully.
Tips to Succeed With DIY Stump Removal
Now you have your appropriate tools and attachments, so you are almost ready to begin your tree and stump removal project. Here's how to get started.
Get the Lay of the Land
Start your stump removal by examining the space around the project.
First, investigate the soil you have around the tree. Knowing whether you will hit sand, clay, or rock is going to impact how (not) fun your project is. High clay content, for example, generally makes digging very difficult.
Consider the recent weather. Soil that is dry and packed will be harder to dig as well.
Learn about the type of tree. If you know whether this type of tree has roots that stay shallow or go deep, you can plan a more effective removal strategy. Climate can also impact tree and root behavior — drier areas typically cause trees to send roots deeper.
Equipment Prep
Bring the right tools and skid steer attachments to the job. This will make everything go more smoothly. Size matters here. Your biggest concern is ensuring your equipment can handle the job. Measure the size of the stump you want to remove and ensure your tree puller can grab it well.
Similarly, look at the weight limit and the capacity of your skid steer and its attachments. Compare this to your stump's likely size and weight to ensure your equipment can handle the job.
Safety Preparation
Safety must always be your top priority. Verifying that you have equipment suited for the size job you want to complete will go a long way in protecting you and your equipment. Using parts that cannot handle the weight or size of the stump safely can endanger human lives and risk serious damage to the machine itself.
Along a similar note, verify that your skid steer has been properly outfitted with a guard to protect the operator. Trees and tree stumps can easily fall in unintended directions. The guard will keep the tree from accidentally striking the operator.
Begin Your DIY Stump Removal Project
Clearing out tree stumps is not the easiest DIY project, but armed with the proper tools, you can get it done. Proper preparation, including acquiring the optimal tools, can help make this project a success.
If you want to learn more about finding the skid steer attachments that will help you with stump removal, contact us and explore our options at Prime Attach today. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you with your landscaping projects.
