Can You Remove Stumps With A Grapple? Kubota LX2610 Compact Tractor. 573. 4K

[@green-zone36]

Hey Gord, tree and tractor guy here. I haul a lot of brush on a 20 foot equipment trailer. I always put a chain or rope under the load of brush. Then pull the whole load out the back. It is quicker and safer for your neighbour's trailer. Most times I back into a tree and tie off and drive away. Then I take the tractor out and tidy up a few loads at once. As long as you take care to place some long branches on the bottom It will all come out at once.

[@dennisryan7487]

Dig out a big root on the back of the stump, cut a notch on the top of the stump. Wrap the chain around the root and run it up over the top of the stump and then connect it to the tractor. Works for me!

[@jeanvaljohn3921]

There are a couple of vids that show loader arms getting tweaked doing similar tasks with grapples.
You did a great job taking your time and using caution.
Many will learn from this.

[@hillhump1789]

Hi GP,
I was able to remove a couple of Beech stumps with my Workmaster 37, using a combination of a grapple, and a subsoiler on the 3 pt. The subsoiler did most of the work breaking the roots. The combination of the low range torque and the lift capabilities of the 3 point hitch seemed to work well. Again though, they are (small) tractors, not excavators or bulldozers. Great video by the way. Always a valuable lesson. Stay safe, and stay dry.
Peace.

[@markproulx1472]

What a tremendous video. It’s one thing to tell people that it’s not the right tool for the job, but the message really hits home with a demonstration. You have certainly prevented at least one person from damaging their machinery.

[@terryk3118]

Thanks for the good video. About 12 minutes in I was beginning to realize how beautiful those stumps were right where they are!

[@billlyttle8224]

Great effort Gord. When i saw the chain under the land plan i closed my eyes didn't want to see it damaged.
When i saw that you really didn't attempt to abuse it i knew you would go any further. Great idea to stop the task and try to figure out another way to get the stumps moved.

[@GPOutdoors]

:)) Thanks Bill! Have a great week out there!

[@BeginnerforBSeries]

Valiant effort Gord. I thought you were going to work some magic as I thought there was no way before watching the video.

[@xdude2x]

I recently purchased a stump grinder for my BX, over a 100 stumps later of varying sizes what a game changer. Thanks for the video

[@justindavis1546]

This video really shows off your strobe light. That thing is bright.

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL!

[@bendoucette5921]

Hello GP,
A big thank you to you and Ed for the hitch videos.
I ended up welding a receiver to the top of the bucket, and making a ball mount with a 14 inch drop.
A couple of magnetic flags , and I can easily grab the utility trailer without my wife guiding me.
All the best,
Ben

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Ben. Good stuff! Glad you're all hooked up :)) Have a great day out there

[@ernestkooistra1559]

Thank you, cheers!

[@nickg2366]

Goodworks Tractor, send this man a stump bucket!!!

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Good job today Gord, nice to have the extra brush to mulch up for around there. Great job sharing the grapple trying to uproot a grown tree. You sure explained it right and showed that you tried just to prove a point. I like the way you DON'T ABUSE your equipment, you do use them if it is doable and not destructive to the tools. Stay safe up there and you did show who has sense enough to be in out of the rain ;-) Catch you on the next one. Fred. Alright Carol and Kirsten you can stop laughing now......

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL! Morning Fred. So funny - It was threatening the rain for more than 2 days and I finally had to get out. I was kind of hoping I could beat it . :)) I am sure they will get a kick out of your comment this morning. Take care and have a good week my friend!

[@jolanni7]

Great video. Putting a rope under the brush before loading your trailer can save to some time unloading. Just cinch it up with a running bowline and pick the whole load load out without dropping any in one trip. love the grapple.

[@daveknight1154]

Yep, that's the reason I got a backhoe on the tractor. The grapple looks like a very useful tool for land leveling. cheers.

[@tomfillmore9710]

Good video bud those stumps are hard to come out even with and excavator thanks for sharing take care have a great night

[@GPOutdoors]

Cheers Tom!

[@dwayneloftice2326]

Great review, Gord. And some excellent maneuvering and use of the grapple.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks Dwayne!

[@skeets6060]

HEY GP,,, just a little thank you from the lower 48. Following along with your B I liked it and got one, and the grapple which I have been playing with since I got the old gal, but this morning I put it to work. Heavy storms last night put trees down across the drive way. And the "B" and the grapple proved their worth, so thanks for pointing me in that direction !!
Stay safe
Skeets

[@GPOutdoors]

Great to hear Skeets! Glad you had it covered. And it was probably kind of fun too. Thanks for hanging with me so long on the channel. I am very grateful. Cheers!

[@JelenOutDoors]

Excellent video, proofs is in the pudding. You did get a nice amount of brush in your trailer. I just did a 1/2 dozen loads in my larger dump trailer. Have about 30 more loads cut and ready to load. Have a great day.

[@richardjacques6370]

Great video and well explained

[@mikeheilman2560]

Very enjoyable video Gord. Take care, stay safe and enjoy your week.

[@groundcontrol2795]

I was certainly thinking this stump would be a better candidate for a stump bucket. Cut sway the or roots and the line would flip right over (unlike many other stumps that grow deeper).

[@TonysCoolTools]

GP great video, what I found is I can pull out a 6” pine roots and all but we have sandy soil. That being said I have a tough time with a live oak due to the deep root system. Oh well looks like you have to buy a excavator for you channel! Cheers …..

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL! I'd have to get a green one so it blends into the forest and Carol can't see it. :)) Have a great day Tony!

[@dancrimmins107]

Seems like if you could cut under it on 3-4 sides with a stump bucket, it might come out with a chain. It would be interesting to try on that size tree stump.

[@Shookmeister]

Great video Gord. It looks like might get to see another stump bucket video.

[@still_learning_stuff]

Great video and timely for me. I picked up my new grapple last week and have just started getting used to it. Nice to see how precise you can be with unloading a trailer. I have a long way to go.

[@GPOutdoors]

Congrats Paul! You'll do great with it - enjoy the new grapple!

[@profdave2861]

Great video, Gord, and you did a great job demonstrating that a grapple is not intended for that purpose. I have been able to use mine to dig out some small stumps when I didn’t have the backhoe with me, but as you noted, you need to be extremely careful that you don’t twist your loader arms. One thing I have found really helps to pull the stumps over is to cut the tree as high as safely possible (even higher than you did with those trees), and then tie your chain near the very top of the stump. Cutting a notch with the chainsaw will help keep the chain in place. That extra leverage (or moment-arm, in engineering terms) can really help topple the stumps out. Cheers!

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning and thanks Dave! That's a great point. I imagine your Grand L has a whole lot of pulling and pushing power. Hope you are getting up to the property alot now. Supposed to be a beautiful week. Take good care!

[@GPOutdoors]

Also Dave, if you have time or know the answer I have a question. A few of the good folks here in the comments mentioned that I should have used a tree strap and not a chain - reference being one gentleman mentioned a farmer died pulling with a chain, another noted that i might have had it come back and hit the rear window, etc. Is there a tension or force that builds up in the chain and if the chain lets go, it might come flying back at the tractor? We have pulled with chains a lot of times over the years and the odd time a chain gives way or when the object gives way, the chain will just fall to the ground immediately. It has never acted like a rope and come flying back, so to speak. It's heavy - it just falls to the ground. Thoughts good sir?

[@profdave2861]

@@GPOutdoors Hi Gord! Sorry I didn’t see your reply and question sooner. I’ll respond to you question on the chain first. The folks that are referring to flying chains are correct in that they can indeed snap back when they break. Most steel alloys used in chain links are “ductile” material (as opposed to brittle), essentially meaning that when under load (force, which causes “stress”), they have a degree of “elastic” stretch (called strain in engineering terminology). The stretch (strain) is typically linearly proportional to stress until the elastic limit is exceeded, which then causes “yielding”, or permanent deformation. When a chain fails under stress, all that elastic strain energy is instantly released and every link immediately snaps back to it’s original length. That’s what sometimes makes the chain fly back in some cases with significant force. The snap-back is influenced by a number of factors, beginning with where it breaks. The safest is having it break right at the tractor, assuming you are on/in the tractor and no one is in the line of fire at the far end of the chain. The further away from the tractor it breaks, the more links there are to suddenly pull it back. However, there are two other factors that typically make a chain safer than, for instance, a steel cable. Since a chain is not contiguous, that is, it’s made from a series of separate pieces, there is less likelihood that it will snap back uniformly. The second factor is that, depending on the grade of the chain, it will usually yield and “neck” down (thin out, like pulling a piece of putty). As the material yields and necks down, it can relieve much of the stress in the chain before it breaks, thus resulting in the drop situation that you have experienced. So, where it breaks, the material type, and how it fails, will all influence whether to what extent and which direction it snaps back. I’ve broken a couple of chains with my tractor, and in both cases, while they made a heck of a bang, they didn’t snap back enough to hit my tractor (and one failed right at the far end). There is always the chance it will, so you want to ensure you are hooked up low on your tractor - the drawbar is best. As a side note, one of the reasons every modern skidding winch has the heavy mesh guard and the very long clutch rope is that steel cables are horrendous for snapping back when they break - usually much worse than chains. For the record, straps can snap back and cause some serious damage too - depending on where they break and how much stress they are under. The key is to be aware and don’t be in the line of fire. Sorry for the long explanation!
And to your first reply, yes, the Grand L certainly has some good pull - somewhat more so than yours simply due to weight and traction. I wish I were getting up to the Highlands more frequently, but to this point, only a few trips to keep the grass from becoming hay. It’s been a busy early summer, and then Covid hit our family last week, which progressed to my better half and I this week. Staying put for now, some traveling coming up, and then I’ll be spending more time up there starting in late July. Cheers!

[@gusswenson7811]

Good evening GP..
Yup I didn’t think you would have success.. But At least you tried..
And it was FUN.. hahahah
Got to go watch Ed’s live stream..
Have a great week.
As always stay safe and always be kind..
Cheers

[@tombartlett7448]

I really Like my root rake style grapple.

[@gb1372]

Great video, thank you ! I like your Kubota !!!!

[@kipcudd7253]

I had a John deere 1025r with a backhoe and I removed a stump that size with that small 25 hp tractor. Backhoe was handy for a lot of projects, French drains, water lines, tree removal, getting my wife unstuck ha!

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL!

[@ASTANELAND]

Gord, another great 4K video. Close up detail is excellent. I have been using my HLA root rake grapple for removing juniper bushes and moving rocks here in Kawartha Lakes. I would attach my 12000 lb winch to the top of that stump with 4 or 5 pulleys resulting in more than 48000 lbs pull which usually pulls it over enough to start cutting the roots. You might also consider a 4” x 30’ snatch strap to get that stump moving when pulling with the tractor.

[@GPOutdoors]

Good day and thanks for the help Andrew. I don't have a lot of experience with them but Guy does for sure. Cheers!

[@cliffmolz8719]

Hello GP, hope all is well. I agree, your grapple's tines just don't appear to be strong enough. I know it sounds probably unusual, but I have found my 3301's front loader does very well regarding tree stump removal. I go around the tree like you did using the front end loader's bucket corners to snap the roots, having left about 4-5 feet on the trunk of the tree for leverage and begin pushing on it from the top with the front end loader. The pushing will reveal more roots to snap and I continue this routine for a short while until the tree finally fall over. Hope this gives you some ideas my friend! :-). Cheers

[@Starman.2112]

Another perfectly timed video!!! I took out an apple tree (weird apples that grow the size of large grapes which I have no idea why the previous owner would grow) and its stump is just about exactly the same size as the larger one you were working on. I tried my bucket and a chain with no luck and didn't even think to try my grapple. I'm eagerly awaiting to see how you end up pulling it out.

[@DIYMyWay]

Well Gord, you gave it your best shot. Great explanation as to why a grapple is not a good choice for stump removal. Next up, your stump bucket? Thanks for sharing!

[@bladerunner1458]

Thanks for the demo on limitations and information about grapples. I’ll probably have to get one in the future since I’m getting my sawmill in the next month.

[@DudeRanchDIY]

It was a good try Gord! I’ve definitely dug pulled out a bunch of stumps with my wicked grapple however none nearly as big as the one you tried to tackle in this video… I was going to be seriously impressed if you ended up getting that puppy out! Great video as always, looking forward to a future video where you do get it out!

[@watershedoverlook]

I wish I could say I was surprised, but I've encountered the same thing using my bucket. This is NOT an example of "right tool, right job"! Cheers Gord. 👍😎

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL! It sure isn't Chris - Hope you are keeping well!

[@markcole6475]

I would probably flip the top of the grapple down and pull back a lot of that sod and roots…….eventually the bigger roots would be exposed and then cut with a chain saw! You’d get it after awhile!

[@ctskidoo]

I've done several that way.

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

GP, you front strobe lights is working very well like on airports 😉👌👍 Great demo Sir ( backhoe, stub grinders ) are better for sure !!!! Go get dry GP 👍👍👌👌😉😉🍻🍻

[@GPOutdoors]

Funny thing Davey, is I pretty much only had to get out of the cab to move the cameras. :)) Otherwise I would have stayed dry - LOL!

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

@@GPOutdoors 🤣🤣 GP, do not even try to attempt to assimiled me to tractor cab collective that you are part of mon ami 🖖🤣👍 I will resist !!! 👍🤣Have a blessed week Sir Cheers !!!🤣🤣👍👍👌👌

[@GPOutdoors]

@@RCAFpolarexpress LOL!

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

@@GPOutdoors 🖖😇🍻

[@denisthebeau9175]

Great video Gord

[@andyrobinson339]

We all knew that wasn't going to work....the more important question is why do you want to remove the stump in the first place. Could you just cut it off flush to the ground and be done? Love your channel!

[@GPOutdoors]

Great question Andy. I would, but the ground is raised almost 16" on that corner - I need to bring it down to driveway grade - otherwise we are going to hit the higher grade with the front end turning that corner. So we will drop the height down to the driveway grade and remove the stumps. :) Cheers Andy

[@FunKHDaily89]

Wow, your video so great

[@raygobearsgo]

GP nice job!!!

[@TheHobbyShop1]

Welp, there you have it. Time for an excavator! 🤣 Great video as usual.

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL! Cheers THS!

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

🤣🤣 GP you did it again man,,, you publish your 14.52 min video about 15 min before Ed Live Stream Maaaan !!!! 🤣🤣👍👍😇😇👌👌🍻🍻

[@GPOutdoors]

LOl. Not on purpose Dave - honest -:))

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

@@GPOutdoors 🤔🤣👍👌Sir I'm not fully convinced at all 🤣👍👌 Cheers 🍻

[@danielrapoza8468]

Hi Gord, I'm not sure if it has been mentioned or not. About 8:00 minutes in and about 9:30 minutes it looks like you have a potential pinch point in your 3rd Function, Hydraulic hoses to the grapple.
Maybe they can be Bungee corded to the grille guard or loader frame to keep them inside the framework to better protect them.
Just trying to help. Thanks for sharing this video. I enjoy watching your videos.
Dan

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Dan - yes it is for sure. I usually use cable ties and tie them to the loader arm. I didn't have this issue with the B2601 but this loader has big pieces of steel there as you see, that weren't there on the B2601 loader. A bungey cord is a much better idea than the cable ties - thanks Dan!

[@shaunnemeth2491]

I learned a lesson the hard way. A “front end loader” is what the name implies. An excavator or backhoe is the right tool for the job. I broke my tractor in half trying to use the front end loader with bolt on tooth bar as an excavator.

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Shaun - so sorry to hear that. That was a tough lesson to learn for sure. Hope it's back together and working again for you. Have a good week out there!

[@thall6076]

awesome video friend!!! i been a subscriber since you started and always look forward to every video!!!!

[@GPOutdoors]

Good morning and thanks so much T - Cheers!

[@sstelmack]

I dig out stumps with my grapple all the time. I wouldn't try a stump that big. A stump over 6 inches really needs a stump bucket.

[@bay9876]

Pack up all the gear. War on stump left for another day.

[@GPOutdoors]

I'm bringing in the big guns Bay!

[@claudecayer7670]

It’s still a good instrument.. thanks for the video.. I’m thinking of Chang my BX2370 for either LX2610 or LX3310…
I still have some studies to do.. if you have any suggestions on which one I should get…. Please don’t be shy to tell me..
Thanks for your time..
Claude..

[@waynetharp]

Surprised to see you using a chain instead of a tug strap...There has been 2 different farmers in my county killed in the last 20 years. Tugging with chains...🙄
Put a beacon light on the stump and try it again in 2 years!👍

[@GPOutdoors]

Morning Wayne. Just curious - how did they get hurt? I do have a couple of straps but honestly didn't think to use anything but the chains.

[@waynetharp]

@@GPOutdoors The one 1/2 mile down the road was tearing down an old barn. He had chain wrapped around a corner post and was tugging with his tractor when the chain broke. It crashed thru the back glass of tractor cab and busted his head like a melon...I myself use chains frequently but was just surprised a safety conscious person like yourself would not be using better practices...There are some companies that make tug ropes that are much stronger then chain. I don't recall the name, but I remember when Bobby Goodson viewers finally convinced him to get some for pulling his stuck semis with skidders. Maybe you could showcase these types of products in a video. Thanks

[@rogerbelanger295]

Excellent safety comment Wayne.

[@nryeland]

Hey Gord, where did you attach the chain at the tractor end, to the draw bar? If so do you have a clevis or something similar attached to the drawbar? Thanks

[@68ray]

GP - I like your grapple more than any other that I’ve seen. What model is it?

[@jasonkosmal1125]

Hi Gord. I thought you had a stump bucket....

[@GPOutdoors]

I did for a summer but it was on loan. Of course, I was wishing I still had it now...:))

[@toddgeorge1569]

Have you considered a backhoe attachment??

[@MichaelSmith-os1pp]

Snatch block and it is out of the ground

[@aryehkasinetz5780]

Hi GP, what about the stump rake that you demonstrated on your channel about two summers ago, could you rent that out?

[@johnminke4542]

Hi Gord .....Didnt you have a stump bucket?

[@myscreamnbanshee]

Never, ever use a chain to pull something out. Always use a heavy duty strap! If the chain snaps. It will go right through the glass. And could potentially hit you in the head! A strap will not injure you. Safety first.

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks SBT! Appreciate the advice.

[@AndrewWarren-b7y]

Have you tried hauling the LX or B2601 with the Tacoma? If so how did it do?

[@GPOutdoors]

Hey Andrew. No I have never trailered them and I don't have a trailer but if I did, I would need trailer brakes for sure. Cheers!

[@gabbygonzaga552]

how many acres do you have?

[@wlsteffen]

The way not to use a friends nice aluminum trailer is on display in the film. I wouldn’t lend you mine!

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL. Hey, he was missing several lock pins on the rails - I had to bungee them down when I trailered it up here Wayne. :)) Cheers pal!

[@wlsteffen]

That explains a lot. Thank you Gordy for the explanation and setting me straight. Your video are always useful to any tractor guy!

[@janking2762]

Why do the stumps need removal? Can’t you just cut them level with the ground and be done?

[@GPOutdoors]

I need to clear and lower the grade as well. Thanks!

[@janking2762]

@@GPOutdoors of course. Thanks!

[@stevephillips1712]

sorry your trailer got a little banged up. but otherwise great video.

[@stevephillips1712]

opps maybe it didnt just a poor angle

[@randalmiddleton8068]

Gotta disagree with ya GP... I dug out a large hickory stump with my 2025R and AV20F grapple in four hours. All it takes is patients and time pending soil conditions.

[@brianlight3853]

You are going to get that wadded chain through your back window if you keep trying that stunt.

[@usaborn9894]

You can your just not using your tractor right you pull from the opposite direction of roots you cut

[@ronevans3663]

Don’t think that good idea cut it off low to ground. And leave it . They not good for taking stumps out.

[@hhazelhoff1363]

Don’t quit your day job

[@damianlaython8434]

Wrong machine for the job. Why does everyone think they’re dinky little overpriced tractors can do it all.. fuel, wear and tear.. bent parts
Two hours to do what a small backhoe could do in ten minutes. I guess you just get bored sometimes and want to play

[@ericcranston8158]

Very weak video...

[@swashington942]

Are you in Canada?

[@MannistoCay]

Hey Gord, I think you might need to dry out for a week or so lol. You were able to find more rocks though. 🚜👍🍻🪵

[@GPOutdoors]

LOL! Cheers Mark!

[@DudeRanchDIY]

It was a good try Gord! I’ve definitely dug pulled out a bunch of stumps with my wicked grapple however none nearly as big as the one you tried to tackle in this video… I was going to be seriously impressed if you ended up getting that puppy out! Great video as always, looking forward to a future video where you do get it out!

[@GPOutdoors]

Thanks DR! Hope you are keeping well!