Chainsaw help please

I tried the chain saw, but it just isn't big enough. It cuts through thin stuff easily but can't make any impact on thick stuff, and hasn't helped.



This is the stump in question. Thanks Kristen for the other thread, which was most interesting, and for the reference to a stump grinder. In fact I saw one in use only 2 or 3 days ago, for the first time in my life. However the essence of the stump grinder is that it grinds it flat. But I want to take a huge slice out vertically, and then cut it off horizontally at the bottom of the picture, which is a foot or more below ground level. It looks more but the ground slopes up towards the tree stump. I need to go below ground level to make foundations for the base. But I also want to dig down a bit to give some extra headroom.

The two nice clean circular stump cuts on the left were made using a chisel and mallet - but just those two cuts took about a day, and a lot of sweat! The wood is Beech, which I am told is very hard. I borrowed an axe this morning and have decided that it will have to do the job. You can see that I have started to hack, and have done some more since the picture. But its very hard work - I have been sweating like a pig. But at least an axe is capable of finishing the job - it just needs a bit of perseverance. :D

 

That is one nasty stump, Trouble with any cutting tool ( even an axe) is that cutting it low that your bound to come into contact with grit pockets in the stump/ rootball.

As a contractor its the sort of job Id be loasthed to risk my saw on on and would probably walk away from or charge the cost of a brand new chain onto the job and sharpen the chain every 5 mins!!!

 

Peter, I seem to remember you used to do some weight lifting.

I'm sure that over a period of time you could cause that stump some pretty serious damage with a decent axe.:D

And an axe is much easier to sharpen.

 

Paul, I am glad you said that. It has confirmed my reluctance to hire a larger chainsaw or ask anyone to do it. The roots are full of stones.

But as Pete says, with enough perseverance I have confidence that the root will ultimately give in and beg for mercy! And of course it is easy to sharpen an axe.

 

Whoever cut the tree down in the first place needs shooting. It doesn't look as if been killed.

It looks as if its been taken down recently and the fence is new.

Personally I dont think you have any option other than taking the fence down and bringing in a stump grinder.

Cutting off half of it will still need the other half to be killed otherwise you could find the suckers growing through on your side plus it will draw the moisture from the surrounding area.

If you are going to use an axe be careful. An axe plus tiredness and frustration equals accidents

 

Even if you took down the panel and ground the whole stump a standard hire grinder wouldnt grind out deep enough.

Youd need someone with a big grinder with more capacity:

http://www.earborist.com/Stump-Grinder_VERMEER-SC252-STUMP-GRINDER_3399.php

 

Hi Has Been. I think that the stump is dead. The little bits of greenery at the bottom don't come from the tree but from weeds and other plants.

That looks a tasty piece of equiptment Paul. But I don't think even that would do what I want. The stump spans two (and a bit) gardens. I want to remove a lot of my part without touching my neighbours bits (if you see what I mean). I don't just want to remove the top part of the stump, I want to remove all the roots to a depth of 12 to 18 inches below ground level. The reason is that I want to put in a base for a greenhouse.

I don't think there is any alternative to using an axe. The stump is so big that no hand saw makes an impression. At least with an axe I will be in control (possibly!). :D I was chatting to another neighbour, and he said that a coal face cutting machine would do the job and wouldn't mind the stones, but it might remove the neighbour's house at the same time. :D

 

A good axe will take that out Peter take some more soil from around it, I love them sort of challenges enjoy the excercise.

 

Well the stump has lost some weight in the last 24 hours. But then so have I. :D As you say Walnut, grit your teeth and treat it as a challenge.

 

If you get the chain in the earth it will blunt it in seconds.

Check that its actually sharp, you can sharpen the chain using a small round file (its possible to buy a kit).

To tension the chain lay the machine on the ground and grip the chain mid-bar and lift. The chain should move about 3-4mm, but not enough so you see the bottom of the guide links.

 

Thanks Iceni. Thats the sort of precise info I was looking for on the chain tension. But, actually I have given up on the chain saw as it too small for the job and there are too many stones. I have been using the axe, and it is slowly getting there.

 

Go for it Peter,:thumb: is that a pool of sweat in the foreground?:eek:

 

Its a mixture Walnut - Mud, sweat and tears :D