Quarter Saw Stumps for Removal with Porta Power Hydraulic Ram Jack

[@Willy12927]

Stump removal has evolved from the time I went to visit my future wife some 55 years ago. Her Dad told me that he was going to remove some stumps and invited me to go to the hardware store with him where he purchased a quantity of dynamite, which he took and placed under a stump. When he lite the fuse, he yelled, " Run Like Hell" after which there was a loud explosion and a large stump laying up on the ground. Those were the days.

[@warthogA10]

My brother in law used his old station wagon to pull stumps 😂

[@Willy12927]

Doesn't surprise me. Those old sttion wagons were built like tanks.@@warthogA10

[@ronfox5519]

Since he bothered to warn you, I think we can assume you made a good impression on him.

[@joshuaimoe]

Let me save you 12 minutes and 31 seconds that I can't get back... the harbor freight hydraulic spreader did not work. He pulled them out with a backhoe attachment on a tractor. You're welcome.

[@larrywimpee609]

Thank you!

[@robfra7860]

I wish i read your comment earlyer. 12 minutes down the drain

[@Billy-burner]

Damn it. This is why I should always read comments first. God I miss the dislike button.

[@bradleyferguson2710]

I was 12 minutes and 31 seconds late on reading this.

[@acpote]

Thank you.

[@mariofilippi3539]

Thanks, really enjoyed your video.Dug out many stumps in my lifetime. I found using a Milwaukee reciprocating saw with a long Diablo pruning blade helps when cutting lateral roots to loosen it up. However some stumps have a taproot that's virtually impossible to cut. Glad you got that stump out finally.

[@reprintranch]

Yes, sir. Last spring I was certain I could take out a 24-inch diameter pine stump (freshly cut) with just a reciprocating saw, old pair of loppers and a trenching shovel. Ha ha, not quite. I dug down 5 feet and cut away every single root except the tap root. The tap root was darn near 24 inches and there was absolutely no safe way to cut through it while standing in the excavation, and no way to get at it from surface level. I finally decided to fill in the hole and let the stump rot for a couple of years. Once the wood softens a bit I’ll try busting up the top part with an ax, sledge and wedges.

[@pqworks9019]

I dug out a stump from an old dead tree last year and it was an absolute pain. I had to use a mattock to dig around it and I used an axe and a recip saw to break some of the big roots up, then my dad had to come in and break the rest of the stump up with a chainsaw. He had to sharpen the chain up so many times. Finishing that job was one of my greatest achievements haha. Great job!

[@brentharrell]

“You had a tractor with a backhoe this entire time?” -Lloyd Christmas

[@mrhemi1985]

Exactly 😂😂😂😂😂

[@budrice3333]

Hard hat and safety glasses are a must when you are demonstrating technical information to people who are looking to learn

[@Mia-xr5lm]

At least he didn't hav flip flops or Crocs on thank God... He should know better. Real men are smart as well as tough.

[@KylerKreates]

Ive never seen this way to remove a stump before and I love it

[@hunterroberts2260]

Great Video. I love when other folks try to tell you how to do something.

[@gorgeoutdoors]

That's the best comment on KZbin. Thanks for keeping it real. Thanks for watching.

[@canoe365]

I worked out a method: I leave at least 15 feet of tree attached to the stump for leverage, then dig a six inch deep trench around the base of the tree. I fill the trench with water and keep adding water for three days, I get the entire area soft and muddy. I then attach a chain to the top of what's left of the tree, fifteen feet up. I put another chain onto the base of a healthy tree at least 10-20 feet away, then use a winch or come-a-long to attach the two chains. I pull the stump tree over toward the healthy tree, which pulls roots up out of the ground on the far side of the tree. I use a pressure washer to wash dirt, rocks etc off the roots, then cut them with a chainsaw. If I have another healthy tree on the other side I pull the tree back that way and wash off then cut roots. If there's no way to pull it the second way I just keep going the first direction, it's more work but does pull the roots out where I can wash them off and cut.

[@free_at_last8141]

Gotta love those Harbor Freight backhoes.

[@garydevries5961]

I would try digging a circle around it with the backhoe. The Roots should be easier to break at 2-3 ft out. After that all that is left is usually the Taproot which can usually be toppled with the excavator.

[@PlumdogMilli0naire]

“You can’t do much with a 1/2” stroke” I beg to differ! One kid later 😅

[@kaybag698]

What a Guy just a genius at work! Made this so easy with this ingenious idea, I’ve got a rose bush & gonna try this idea out on it.

[@matthewrhoades5156]

You should considering using some kind of PPE when you fire up the chain saw.

[@Buddha-of8fk]

My buddy has been burning his stumps. We use the technique of breaking out a couple camp chairs and a cooler of ice cold beer. Sometimes we have a lot of help.

[@RobertThorne-pz8tq]

Neighbor and I got rid of two big ol pine stumps in two weekends by drilling holes starting fires and maybe locking throttle on the leaf blowers.

[@RobertThorne-pz8tq]

My bad, 3 cases of beer I believe

[@Buddha-of8fk]

@@RobertThorne-pz8tq It's a lot of work.

[@jeffreybell7015]

I found a trick that seems to help with this approach: Digging the dirt, rocks and the like is a lot of work and is tedious. What I tried is a really good power washer, 4,000 psi and 4.2 GPM. I used it to blast as much of the dirt and related stuff that ruins chains. Then I let it dry for a couple of days. After that I was able to cut the stump low enough so that my riding mower could go over it without issue. My chain lasted for 10 stumps, averaging 24" diameter. Without the power wash step, I had to sharpen the chain after a single stump. BTW, these were pine and fir trees.

[@alanratay4583]

If you’re digging anywhere don’t forget to get locates. That tree could have grown around a power line, a gas line, a water line, telephone, CATV.

[@tymz-r-achangin]

Cool video! In all of the tree stumps me and my dad has removed over the past 40 years, there's not one time that it didnt advantage us to leave the stump no less than 3 feet tall. That extra height is nice leverage when pulling it out with either farm equipment or come-alongs

[@williemanillie4974]

Those Harbor Freight backhoes work wonders!

[@starman6092]

The quarter method with a backhoe is a winning combination. Nice!

[@philwalden6166]

He did an excellent job explaining the quarter system. I did the exactly the same thing without paying a lot of money to rent a back hoe and messing up my yard.

[@sofjanmustopoh7232]

That is a lot of fun . Love the idea of keeping some of the junk chain. I’ll keep that in mind for my next project . Sharpened Junk chain for dirty work

[@randyjennings7507]

I've been cutting down trees and removing stumps for 20 years. That's first time I seen somebody try to use a hydraulic tool to spread the stump apart. Best way to remove tree stumps best to use a ripper attachment on an excavator or back of a tractor. Go all the way around the stump cut the roots deep and then pull it out.

[@vashon100]

I saw vs I seen

[@todydn]

I disagree tanerite is the best way because its the funnest

[@jorge31415927]

After seeing this, I am now 100% convinced that I just need to get a tree stump grinding service.

[@johnsmith-xr6qy]

Yeah, with the grain or across. You're just dividing and conquering the stump. That backhoe would not remove the whole stump at least not so easily. I think you're on to something. Keep old chains handy for dandy stumps! Thanks for the experiments.

[@wazowski6709]

I don't bother breaking my back anymore. I cut a bit below soil level, cover with thick layer of cardboard & mulch over the top, letting the rest turn into worm food.

[@15DurangoRT]

No stump grinder rentals in your area?

[@thetigerstripes]

I dug them out by hand - 37 total from 8” dia to 30” dia.😊 Dig a circular trench around the stump. When you hit a root radiating away from the stump, cut the root at the farthest point from the stump. I used a double-bit axe. Then cut the root at the side of the trench closest to the stump. Continue digging in a circle and cutting roots until all the remains is the main tap root. The stump will fall over in it’s side exposing to main root. Cut the main root, drill and install an eye-bolt into the stump and drag it out of the hole with whatever by attaching chain to the eye-bolt you installed. BTW - remove eye-bolt and save it for the next stump. Fill in the hole. Yes, it’s a lot of work. Yes it does a good job. No, nothing grows back later. This technique is not recommended for those who fear hard work. 😂 The vehicle I used for dragging the stumps out of-the hole was a 1980 Ford Galaxie station wagon w/ 460 CID and Holley 750 CFM 4 bbl.; dual exhaust + 4 degrees advance on cam. You will need something with torque, not revs.

[@PaulDanielson-x4u]

That's good dirt for sawin,great line I'm using it thank you.great video dude.

[@davejoseph5615]

I'd like to try the "rocket stove" approach where you make a bore cut from the top down and then another bore cut at the bottom for air and then get a fire going.

[@kennethbrown8723]

I think what we learned is to remove a stump, you best have a backhoe!😮

[@gerardjohnson2106]

I once bought a new L48-TLB. It was the finest machine I've ever owned. Awesomely versatile. I'd buy another one today if I could afford it. 😢

[@squirrellyacres]

It's a very interesting video showing how to do it manually. It's a good thing you had the backhoe

[@allkindsofoutdooractivities]

That was fun to watch! Thanks for sharing

[@FadeToBlack80]

Damn near every comment, telling this man, "how to do it properly" apparently missed the point of the video... He's demonstrating the QUARTER CUT method....

[@philwalden6166]

You are exactly correct, and he did an excellent job explaining the quarter system. I did the exactly the same thing without paying a lot of money to rent a back job and missing up my yard.

[@takenursht8701]

Tip is hot because the moment that blade touched dirt it dulled it. You cannot touch dirt at all with a chainsaw

[@Technoanima]

I still can't believe people still haven't figured out digging beneath the stump and some charcoal to create a Dakota fire hole to burn out a stump.

[@dirkdiggler2052]

Safety gear is not required with chainsaws and stumps.

[@jackofall2305]

Jesus you guys must be super fun to hang out with, you all cant tell this was just him messing around to make a video. Im sure hes dug out plenty of stumps in his life. And yeah speaking from a guy with a similar kubota backhoe the size of the hole needed to just straight dig those stumps out with that little breakout force would be huge

[@gorgeoutdoors]

Well spoken, thanks for watching.

[@kevinnobody3052]

You could use a porta power with a wedge end on it instead of pounding wedges.

[@shawnearly6786]

You look like a hard worker and know what your are doing. Get yourself some ear plugs please, trust me on this.

[@beaversstumpgrinding3352]

Thanks for the entertainment. Very amusing!

[@RonElam-c6g]

Interesting. Thanks. Shows the most important tool is determination.

[@ronaldpalmer451]

Porta powers come in various strengths and with various attachments ,I had a ten tonne one ,it was for using on cars ,but it was very handy for other things as well ,

[@goatrancher9kinder]

You had me interested until you brought in Big Bertha the Backhoe! Ha ha

[@rickhofsess84]

The most useful tools in the world: chainsaw, welder & backhoe.

[@DoingItCheap]

You are so right !!! I can't do much with a half inch stroke. 😎😜🤪😝

[@clutch5sp989]

It may only be 1/2" long, but it's THIS big around.

[@F-Bomb313]

As a teen, I got angry at a tree stump, took me 5 days, but I eventually got it out using a sawz all with huge blades, shovel, pick axe, axe, crowbar, and a jack......

[@AB-ot3bc]

With only a half inch stroke you won’t get far “THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID”😂

[@bambambundy6]

I've always drilled deep holes dumped used oil in and burned it, but I've never had one close to the house.

[@madcapsportsgarage9761]

The porter power tool you were using has a short stroke, but after you got it wide enough: you could put blocks in front of it to make it go wider.

[@Alanrayc1957]

On the head of that steel wedge grind of the flared parts where you have been hitting the wedge, I saw a piece splinter off a steel wedge one time and it struck him in the neck like a 22 bullet and lodged next to his jugular vein in his neck, very dangerous my friend

[@shrillcarder]

Been there myself!

[@lawman5511]

In about 1951 I watched my uncle eliminate a stump in his newly cleared field in West Virginia. Drilled a hole with a hand auger. Dropped a stick of dynamite in, packed it with wet clay. I got to turn the switch. WHEW,

[@JoelMahlman]

An uncle of mine did the same thing inside city limits in the mid 60s. Was really cool to see the stump jump. Cops showed up. He pulled out his license. He got 2 more jobs. 👍👍

[@tangowiskey4740]

Very nice study never observed the actual root ball of a tree in quarters . Thansk

[@Gruuvin1]

Awesome video for how to dull your chainsaw.

[@KarlH1980]

I have a question that is not a judgmental question, just a curious one. Why not cut it lower and burn it out? Time?

[@jumperstartful]

Wonder same thing??

[@JoeMalovich]

Thank you for the entertaining and insightful video. I wonder if there's a ram out there that has a long stroke, but two little fingers that stick off the side to spread things apart. You might also look at Hydraulic felling wedges.

[@davidbwa]

I've used porta power units that had more than 7/16 travel. but lacking that, you could use some metal plates as spacers. Spread, back off, insert plate, spread again, repeat.

[@larrywimpee609]

I typically cut straight across as low as I can. Then get the plunge cut it in quarters so I get the tap root too. Finish with sawzall to save the chain.

[@chrissparlin2971]

"With a half inch stroke, your not getting anywhere". I beg to differ, sir.... :)

[@russellsmith3825]

That's what she said

[@treeguyable]

Been cutting trees , making/ sharpening chains, 34 yrs. Had a Stihl 066, with a chain that had teeth ground down like that, man, it was sharp and fast. Had to take the depth guages way down, but, it cut good.

[@adamelliott2302]

So much good wood in those 1/4's!

[@JoeR203]

I saw a video where they used an old truck tire (on a rim) and put the tread side against the stump and pulled the chain that was around the stump, over the tire and hooked to a truck and they pulled it out effortlessly. And it wasn't a small stump.

[@bg147]

Well, you utilized intelligence and raw power. Most people just go with raw power. Very few use only intelligence.

[@chrissunde1104]

Why would you do this without eye protection?

[@Brett_Gill]

Next time use the toe jack attachments on the main ram. The one screws onto the ram body and the other slides on the shaft, each with a tab out the side to fit in a narrow space.

[@Magnusintro]

Stump grinder is undervalued. Blew through a good carbide chain and 2 hours. Hired a stump grinder. 15 minutes.

[@skiffintherift9179]

use some angle iron on both sides for the jack to push off of. reblock and add a few more shims

[@otisbledsoe8281]

0😅9 😊

[@chadrogers4635]

The best and easiest way is quarter it down to ground level and burn it like a Swedish torch. It will burn just about all of it and your won't have a big hole.

[@davidcox9115]

Best to give a call to the stumb grinder he'd be out of there in a few.

[@katz4248]

No matter what, its easy when you gave a backhoe.

[@rts3613]

This is the way to do it for most homeowners, quarter the stump and then use the backhoe hanging on the garage wall to pull it out. Lol In all seriousness, the quartering works great if you have a tractor, backhoe, skidsteer... and have room to get to it. If not, you're probably renting or hiring a stump grinder or burning if you can get away with it. I hate being a city slicker, the country boys have the best toys.

[@JR-o7d]

Use the long ram with the two right angled shoes, one on the end of the ram the other on the same end of the cylinder, you will produce much more force and have the full 8" stroke. I've had mine for close to 40 years and still finding new ways to adapt it.

[@JeremyKirklma]

The atom splitter screw log splitter on your tractors auger would wedge those stumps apart in seconds. With or without the chain saw cuts. I've done it!

[@rogernelson9029]

Dig around the stumps base, outward in a circumference of two to four feet and to a depth that exposes the roots. Using a reciprocating saw, sever the roots from the stump. Once the stump is free, you can either pull it out with a vehicle or other piece of equipment or cut it up in manageable pieces. Wedges are helpful in the latter approach. No chemicals, no extended wait periods, no ruining expensive chainsaw blades, and no above ground remnants. What rremains is just a hole in the ground created by a little hard work.

[@hermanfelderhof5305]

Yes I agree, that's pretty near the same way I do it too. There are no stump grinders within a day's drive from where I live so I have to do things myself. The easiest way I have found so far is to dig around the base of the stump and either break the radial roots with a crowbar or or cut them with a reciprocating saw depending on their size and then pull the tap root straight up. I get a chain around the base and then lift the tap root straight up with hi-lift jacks because that's the equipment I have. But quartering the stump is another idea that might be worth a try too, especially for big stumps. Thanks for the video Gorge. I really enjoyed watching it and learning. :)

[@TheArtOfHomeownership]

I did this but used snatch blocks to amplify the force.

[@sunriseboy4837]

Love your work, brother!

[@Patrick_Gray]

Hi, thanks for the video. Yesterday I cut the bottom out of a 55 gallon burning barrel/drum. Thought it might work for burning stumps or roots. Plan to try burning some roots on the surface where I park my camper, about 30 feet from the tree. Is there a way you can kill roots with out killing the tree? Thought about cutting the root and then dealing with the end away from the tree.

[@handimanjay6642]

If you’re not in a hurry, drill 3/4-1” bore holes near the base at an angle. Fill holes with epson salt, moisten the salt, try and keep it damp, cover with a heavy dark tarp. Depending on the wood it will break it down in 3 months to a year.

[@daltondunn7856]

This guy's shaking hands with danger using those wedges that have mushroomed that far...

[@dwhallon21]

I like rhe quartering, with rhe backhoe it really worked both ways. The hrsrualic didnt. Seem like it did mach

[@prebaned]

Destroyed chains and removed with backhoe. You're welcome.

[@sunnydays4966]

Number 2 since don't have track hole I would just cut it a few inches below grade put the dirt back watch weeds grow. And cut the lawn.

[@tommak6516]

I agree, plus cut a checker pattern on the top with the chainsaw before you cover it to help it rot.

[@b5maddog]

Fun to watch! Thanks! Reminds of a tooth I tried to wiggle out 🦷 😮

[@kaihui1965]

I bet you didn't quarter saw your tooth first

[@firstmkb]

@@kaihui1965you beat me to it!

[@tangledline]

Ughh man..I have to deal with one just like the 2nd stump you pulled. I have a Stihl 390 and ima put her to the test. I'm digging the safety Nazis down below. After you reach a certain age...Some of us pass the speed limit, drink liquor and actually shit in the woods...others..not so much. Thanks for the tips!

[@gorgeoutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed the video

[@shephusted2714]

lesson here is to get a big enough machine - properly sized equipment to the job at hand will end up saving you lots of time and aggravation

[@barrypickles6546]

It would be more interesting if you attempted it with a block and tackle and a tripod, a back hoe can just deconstruct the stump anyway. My tip is a 1 1/2 inch spade in a good drill and some charcoal.

[@jacobe1942]

yes many other ways to have tried to use the porta power first. especially with the retracting ram kit (which he may not have)

[@DC-ez8ts]

Cutting the stump into quarters with a chainsaw first and then using the backhoe to split the wood IS the way. And it can pick up the pieces too! I was wondering how he was going to carry all those hundreds of pounds of stump had he managed to split it with the HF tool.

[@robertorodriguez5226]

Put a big barrel around the stump then set it on fire. It will burn the stump to the ground. Slow but the least resource investment needed. I’ve done it and it works well. The fastest way is a stump grinder.

[@user-zq6pj5jo8j]

You put that stroke in the right spot, You can do a lot with a 1/2" stroke.

[@eightknots425]

Very well explained, Thanks

[@wadeb.5509]

Next video. Jimmy JJ Walker and Dy-no-mite. Works every time and you don't have anything to haul away.

[@julianreid8179]

always leave a stump long.. more leverage to pull with...

[@samball6019]

Not too fussed on the safety protection you were using while cutting the stump

[@robertippoliti5186]

why did'nt you use the backhoe in the first place?

[@Jamestfarrell]

Next time try a flat 6" X 6" X 1/8" thick steel plate on the end of that ram. Should prevent the ram from burying itself into that soft wood.

[@emiliolio1948]

El mejor y mas sencillo metodo que arrancar tocones. Basicamente dividir en 4 partes el tocón hace que este se debilite mucho Al dividir el tocon nos demuestra la devilidad del conjunto y hace que con muy pocas herramientas realice un gran trabajo que por otros metodos he podido ver que se requiren grandes maquinas..FELICIDADES

[@julianreid8179]

put shims betewwn the ram end and stump (steel plate)...

[@inhocsigno9151]

Quartering the high stump is a good idea. I would just dig the whole stump out with a backhoe and the diameter of the hole had to be HUGE! And the stump was so heavy I could not move it on my own. From a big tree. Took a few days to burn the stump. Knocked the dirt off it as it dried to expose the wood, and put sticks and small branches thru the open areas to get the fire to burn up thru. I would hose the stump down at night, and next morning it was till warm, dry, and ready to burn.

[@macgyver03ga]

When we were excavating for the foundation of my house, we had to remove a HUGE sweetgum tree that was right were the beginning of where our garage slab started. The tree was around 42” in diameter. The root ball went 6’ below grade. We ended up having to step the foundation stemwall there onto undisturbed soil. It went from 10’ deep at the basement wall footing, stepped up a few feet where the bottom of the rootball hole was, then stepped up again to the ~2’ deep footing for the garage stemwalls. Extra concrete cost 🙁. Then we had to backfill and compact that hole in lifts all the way back up to grade with a wacker nueson trench roller because the driveway was gonna sit on top of that. I didn’t want any future settlement.

[@gorgeoutdoors]

Stumps and boulders are always in the worst spots. Murphy's Law. Thanks for watching.

[@gallowaylights]

Yea! I need a bucket, forget the wedges. But cut in 4s is the bomb!

[@richardnwilson]

I file my chains that low all the time. As long as you get the depth gauge filed properly it works fine. Might as well get the most use out of your chain.