Stumped

The trees were already cut down by the previous owner of the property. The tree stumps were growing new sprouts which I cut down with the backhoe and a machete.So, next -- remove the stump. Easier said than done.

First I dug all the way around the stump making a pit with the stump in the middle. After this, I used the backhoe bucket to pop the first stump loose. Then I used the the loader bucket to lift the stump out of the ground.

Now for the next stump . . . I dug out around the stump on all sides - nothing. So I dug deeper on all sides - still nothing.

I eventually used an axe to cut the large roots off the top of the stump. This allowed me to get the backhoe blade in closer to the stump to dig out the heavy clay which was holding the stump like concrete. Finally, after more digging and some rocking the stump with the backhoe, it breaks free. Again, I used the loader bucket to lift the stump out of the hole.

Now to fill in the holes.