Can an Excavator Remove Stumps?

Excavators are some of the most commonly used tools in the landscaping industry. With numerous attachments and applications, it’s easy to see why people use them to dig ponds, remove debris, clear land, and more. That being said, are you able to use one to get tree stumps out of the way?

An excavator can remove stumps if you dig a trench around the stump, cut away the roots, and push it out with the excavator. You can either remove the stump by lifting it with the scoop or pushing it out. Both methods require a top-notch excavator if you’re dealing with stumps wider than 16 inches.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info about using an excavator to remove stumps:

• Whether or not you can use your excavator to remove tree stumps
• How to get the job done efficiently
• Common problems and how to avoid them

Are Excavators Able to Remove Stumps?

Not only can an excavator efficiently remove stumps, but it’s one of the best tools to do so. Excavators are used to remove tree stumps on a plethora of job sites, making them a top choice for landscaping companies and private homeowners. If you want to rent or buy an excavator, make sure that it’s strong enough to get it done.

Here’s a list of some considerations to make before you start the project:

• Figure out how big the stump is. The Forestry Forum points out how important it is that you get the proper equipment. To know how big of an excavator you’ll need, you have to measure the size of the stump. Once you’re able to determine its dimensions, you can calculate how much the stump weighs.

• Determine the type of soil that you’ll be working with. Sand is typically considered the easiest soil to work with, while clay can make things a bit iffy. Dirt and mud are the middle ground, both of which happen to be the most common types of soil for tree stumps to grow.

• Make sure there’s enough space for you to move the excavator and dig a trench. Most tree stumps require quite a bit of room to dig a trench. The entire root system has to be removed, which means you’ll need to start digging with a shovel, excavator, or a tractor with a backhoe.

• Weigh your options between hiring a pro or doing it yourself. Although it might seem tempting to get everything done by yourself, there’s a bit of insurance that comes with hiring experts. For example, they have to pay for anything that goes wrong, whereas you’ll have to deal with the expenses if you make an error on your own.

As you can see, there are a few necessary precautions to take before you get started. Once you have everything as it should be, it’s time to begin the removal process.

If you want to know how to remove a tree stump, follow the step-by-step instructions in the next section.

How to Remove a Tree Stump With an Excavator

Now that you know everything there is about the preparation process, it’s time to get going. Clear everything out of the way, including bushes, gardening tools, and so on. Preferably, the stump shouldn’t be any taller than two to three feet; Otherwise, you’ll have to cut more of it down to get it to the right size.

Note: If you want a video tutorial on the process below, review this simple guide from Heavy Metal Learning on YouTube:

Without further ado, here’s how to remove a stump with an excavator:

1. Dig a trench around the stump. Most experts recommend that you should dig a trench that’s about 3 feet wide on all sides and 8 feet deep. Pull away any loose roots to make it easier on yourself when you start removing the stump. Furthermore, now is the time to determine if the stump was bigger than you thought.
2. Locate the roots and start pushing the tree stump away from them. There are bound to be roots on all sides of the stumps, but whichever side has the least or thinnest roots will give way easier. Use the excavator to push the stump in the direction of those roots to remove it from the ground.
3. Scoop part of the stump and move it away from the hole. This step is crucial because you have to get the right angle for the stop to wedge out of the hole. Even if you’ve stripped away all of the roots, you’re not out of the problem zone yet. Start rolling the stump several feet away from the hole so you can proceed to step 4.
4. Fill the whole with bark, grounded bits of the stump, sand, or clay. There are all sorts of materials that you can use to fill a hole from a stump. However, refilling the hole with the soil that you removed won’t be enough. It’ll be too loose, causing sinkholes and uneven ground. Grind down the stump, fill the hole with wood chips, and top it off with dense, compact soil.
5. Flatten the ground evenly. Once you have the hole filled, it’s important that you flatten the ground. Roll over it with the excavator or pat it down with a shovel. Add some herbicide for the next few weeks or months to prevent seedlings from sprouting. If you notice any sprouts, remove them as soon as possible.

Common Mistakes & Tips

Getting a stump out of the ground with an excavator is fairly simple, but there’s room for error. If you want to prevent all sorts of headaches and mishaps, then this section will be perfect for you.

Let’s review some of the most common mistakes and suggestions to correct them below.

Don’t Forget to Target the Roots

Many beginners often forget that the roots are more important than the stump. You might be inclined to think that you should focus all of your attention on the stump, but don’t forget to break the roots and loosen the soil beforehand. Don’t make the mistake of breaking off the roots and leaving them to sprout again.

Never Use Loose Soil to Fill the Spot

Perhaps the most common rookie mistake is to use the same soil that was removed for the trench to refill the area. While it makes an excellent topper, you’ll need some more compact to prevent sinkholes. Consider using wood chips, bark, and other parts of the stump to account for the missing space.

I wrote an article about the question if you can backfill in the rain. Here are also a lot of valuable information about what materials to use to fill the spot properly. You can check it out here.

Go Slow and Steady

If you rush the process, you could risk breaking the roots too early, sinking the soil, or breaking the stump. As you’ll notice in the aforementioned video, it’s a good idea to take it slow and repeat the push-pull movements as many times as needed. On that note, make sure that the stump is far enough away, so it doesn’t fall back in when you’re filling the hole.

Conclusion

Excavators are some of the best machines to use when you’re trying to remove a tree stump. They have the power, accuracy, and attachments to get the job done in a timely, efficient manner.

Here’s a quick recap of the post:

• Measure the dimensions and weight of the stump before you try to remove it.
• Consider doing it yourself versus hiring a professional team.
• Loosen the surrounding soil and roots before you push the whole stump out of the hole.
• Always refill the hole with wood bits or parks to prevent sinkholes.