Stump pulling - what to look out for

[JHZR2]

Well, actually concrete-bound post pulling.

In my truck, in 4Lo. Did the job well, but yanked hard on some of them, to the point where tires spun a little on some, front end lifted up a bit due to the force, etc.

Nothing extreme, never slammed or yanked, just light, progressive pressure.

But still, lots of going in and out of 4lo, lots of pulling essentially stationary (truck is AT, filled with Dex VI), etc.

What should I look out for as signs of damage and what should I do to help protect the drivetrain given the work I just put on it?

Thanks!

 

[spasm3]

get a large rim or tire, attach the chain around the base of the post and over the top of the rim/mostly deflated tire. You might need a friend to hold the tire upright until you take out the slack in the chain. This helps lift the post up and out of the hole.

 

[JHZR2]

I meant mechanically on my truck, but great tip, thanks!

 

[bluestream]

Dynamite works well. Save your truck for other uses...

 

[Texan4Life]

this would be more like tractor/heavy equipment work. but obviously I guess that isn't available.

if it were my truck.. i would only do a slow steady pull once the line it tight. no snatching what so ever that's what breaks stuff.

other than that the wheels should lose traction before anything is remotely close to being damaged.

my .02

 

[Whizbanger]

My advise, find a forum dedicated to your make of truck and ask you question there. Here you may get generic type advise, whereas on a make specific forum, you could get info more pertinent to your truck. Since your running Dex, I'm assuming GM? Try gmfullsize dot com or gm-trucks dot com (my fav).

 

[JHZR2]

Yeah, its a 98 S10 ZR2. I just pulled out these things low and slow, very gently, no real throttle at all, dont think I took the engine over 1500 RPM. Generally stuff just came along and out.

Still I figure it always makes sense to ask...

I live on a small suburban lot, no tractors or such equipment around.

 

[Bill in Utah]

I use a strap (no chains as they do give any and do not help the drive train) and pull in reverse in 4 lo. Last week had to take out about 4 trees that had/were dieing. Works like a charm. Hard part is lifting the stumps into the back and taking them out to the dump.

Since you did not yank I'd say you are okay. Its the on/off snapping that hurts things. But I've not done it on a automatic truck (I've only owned 2 autos in my life and they were 2wd) so I'm sorta lost on if anything on the auto could have been hurt. Doubt it though.

Take care, Bill

 

[JHZR2]

Thanks, yeah the AT is the least of my worries as Id assume the TC would just slip as it is supposed to... and since I have Dex VI in there, should be shear stable.

I'd be more worried about a clutch since Id guess you have to ride it in order to do this, and wouldn't that be a lot of extra wear on it?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Nope, just let it out and out comes the stump. I water around the stumps a few days before and they come out pretty easy. The roots snap and wola heavy stump is out.

Straps are the only way to go IMO.

The 4 trees I had to do I was worried about the lawn I had to pull from. Not even a spin of the tires. A little impression left but thats okay.

Take care, Bill

 

[JHZR2]

Wow! these concrete posts werent that easy, I had to give some light throttle...

I was afraid about straps stretching and snapping. Oh well, guess I should hae gone that route instead.

Hope I didnt do too bad using chain.

 

[The_Eric]

What you did amounts to nearly nothing. Trucks of all makes and models go through much worse every day and come back for more.

The only thing I'd be concerned of would be shock loads and since you said that you were careful not to induce them, don't put another moment's thought into it...

EDIT: Just saw your comment on straps. Don't worry about them either. As long as you don't cut or abrade them, all but the cheapest are stronger than a chain of average diameter (5/16" or 3/8") and average grade - gr40 or gr70.

 

[hattaresguy]

Not a great idea, great way to find a weak part in your drive train.

My truck sits on the street, my favorite method to remove stumps is an excavator.

 

[The_Jeff]

You are good. I know a couple of jerks who drive on dry pavement in 4wd with the transfer case locked and the driveshafts, u-joints, axles and everything else sound awful. The tires scrub to shed the load. This is worse than but similar to your experience.

Good on you for using 4-low. Your trans will be fine. If you have tow/haul mode or manual 1st you could use either to raise the line pressure, but it still shouldn't be a big deal if you didn't.

I pulled some shrubs, roots and all, with my F150 stick shift in 4 low, with the 300-6. Got the tires chirping, cab hopping, etc. Was an awesome day.

 

[meep]

heck. I've done this with every car I've owned, including a fwd accord. wouldn't worry about it.

 

[rslifkin]

I'd say the biggest thing is making sure you have enough cooling for the transmission. Other than that, you should run out of traction before doing damage to anything else.

 

[Vikas]

You are talking about real stump pulling! I thought you were talking about gear ratios and metaphorical "stump pullers"

Just couple of days, I realized that on my Maxima the 1st is real "stump puller"; it is even lower than the reverse. I was teaching my son how to drive manual and we realized that at same rpm (i.e. idle) it goes faster in reverse than in first. Even though I have owned this car now almost for 12 years, I had never realized that until my son pointed it to me.

- Vikas