Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hey, here is the deal, we have a few tree stumps(a year or so old) in the back. They range from about a foot to 18 inches thick. I want to know the cheapest(rental wise) and best way to get rid of them, and I need them out fast. I was thinking about digging down about 6 inches or so below ground level around the entire thing and just taking a chainsaw to it. If my neighbors didn't care I would just drill some holes, pour some gasoline, and let em burn but that isn't an option, at  least for one of them.

Basically, being 2 years before I leave for the USMC Reserves and then college, I want my final two Halloween displays to get onto TV(have been doing setups since I was about 5). This year I have more people(3-4) and more money, and I decided on making a ride. Anyway, we want the track down by May 1st, and since we are very crammed these tree stumps have to go. You can read more about what I have done, etc, at Halloweenforum.com, my username there is crazymjb.

Mike

if you're gonna use a chainsaw, make sure you borrow it from someone you don't like.  cutting roots with a chainsaw dulls the blade incredibly fast.  there is a lot of grit basically sucked into the roots - i expect you'll  need to sharpen it at least once during the process.  once you pay for a professional sharpening twice (once during your project and once before you return the chainsaw to your unsuspecting friend/neighbour), you're probably looking at a cost similar to a stump grinder.  maybe you can get a deal with this being the off-season and all...

the rotting ideas won't work, and i wouldn't count on burning to take it all out.  the only other thing can think of is a shovel and an axe.

good luck.

Having seen what happens when someone who knows what they are doing makes a little mistake I'd hold off on the ANFO "solution" you just might find yourself in a world of hurt.

If you are even resonably careful you can hand sharpen a chain while it is on the saw in a couple of minutes. If you do it at each gas up its only a quick touch up and the chain stays sharp unless you hit a rock or a lot of grit. If you borrow a saw make sure the chain is sharp and the tank is full before you give it back.

If you go here :  http://www.oregonchain.com/tech/manual_maint.htm  you can get all sorts of info on chainsaw chains.

Two other "ideas" occur to me:

1. Instead of digging 6" down add 6" of dirt ;
2. Try to incorporate the stumps into the presentation

cut close to the ground with a chainsaw then rent a stump grinder

Thanks. An axe could be used for the roots, but not for the stump. I assume whoever I borrow the chainsaw from will have an axe, so I will borrow one of those too. I was kidding about the ANFO, though it is tempting.

The stump needs to go. We will be putting a track down for a cart(it is going to be a ride through), and that stump is right in the way.

Mike

Got rid of one, granted a smaller one, by boring a series of large holes into it and then attacking it with a coarse sanding tool.   Got it below ground level rather quickly considering.

I was thinking maybe a router set up on a 2X4 frame around the stump and slowly lowering the router to get flush with the ground.

Not this one. We spent 2 hours today with a drill and a 10 pound metal stamoung tool to cut the smallest root.

My other friend did say he would let me borrow his chain saw.

Mike

Wow, I botched that.  I meant stamping tool, the ones meant for packing down dirt. This root was about 4 inches by 6 inches.

Mike

Try that stump out at home cheapo. It didn't work for me but I used diesel fuel instead of kerosene. I heard it does work well. *

Problem is, I need it out instantly, I cant wait for some chemicals to work their magic. I was thinking of just dousing it in gasoline and trying to burn it, but its a little close to the fence.

Mike