Professional contractors typically quote around $150 per stump for grinding, and you'd still have wood chips everywhere, and roots left underground. But would you have saved money if you had your own machine? Can a mini excavator really remove stumps, or is this too good to be true?
The answer: yes, but with limits. Digging out stumps with a mini excavator works exceptionally well, as long as you know what to do. The process takes 5-30 minutes per stump once you know the technique, and we’ve got it right here for you!
Can Mini Excavators Remove Stumps?
Mini excavators between 1.5 and 6 tons (3,000 and 12,000 lbs) typically have enough digging, cutting, and lifting force to be able to remove small to medium stumps. In fact, not only is removing stumps possible with a mini excavator, but using a mini excavator is much more efficient than traditional methods:
- A mini excavator provides 2,585-3,260 lbf digging force, enough to break through compacted soil and remove stumps
- The hydraulic precision allows you to work around roots systematically
- With 360-degree rotation, you can access all sides without repositioning
- A mini excavator pulls the entire stump and root ball out
- No grinding residue left behind
- Holes ready for immediate planting or filling
How Mini Excavators Pull Out Stumps
The stump removal process with a mini excavator combines three mechanical actions working together, and requires the use of a mini excavator bucket and (usually) a ripper tooth attachment. Here’s how it works:
The excavator bucket removes soil around the stump in a 3-foot diameter trench, 2-3 feet deep, revealing the primary anchor roots - typically 4-6 major roots extending horizontally from the stump base.
Then, the excavator bucket edge, ripper tooth attachment, or chainsaw cuts these anchor roots. Major roots 6+ inches thick hold the stump in place. Once severed, the stump loses structural support and becomes mobile.
Finally, the bucket slides under the loosened stump and applies upward pressure through boom curl and lift actions.
The excavator's 2,585-2,923 lbf digging force overcomes remaining resistance, pulling the root ball free. Root systems extend 2-3 times the trunk diameter, but 80% of structural roots concentrate within 6-8 feet of the stump.
How to Determine Whether a Mini Excavator Can Remove a Stump
There are four factors to carefully evaluate in order to determine whether a mini excavator can remove any stump: the type/species of the tree, the diameter of the stump, soil conditions around the stump, and the amount of working space available around the stump.
1. Check The Stump Diameter and Tree Species
Some tree stumps are naturally harder to dig out and remove than others: it all depends on the species of the tree.
Softwoods like pine and cedar are easier to remove
Hardwoods like oak and maple are tougher to remove: their tap roots typically go deeper, and they have a firmer grip on the soil.
- 1-2 ton excavators: stumps up to 12 inches in diameter
- 3-4 ton excavators: stumps 12-18 inches in diameter
- 5-6 ton excavators: stumps 18-24 inches in diameter
- Softwoods (pine, cedar): easier removal, shallower roots
- Hardwoods (oak, maple): tougher removal, deeper tap roots
Soil conditions:
- Sandy/loamy soil: easier digging, roots release cleanly
- Clay soil: harder digging, roots bind tightly
- Rocky soil: requires a ripper attachment, slower progress
- Wet/saturated soil: roots are easier to extract, but messier work
Space and access requirements:
- Mini excavator width: 37-43 inches (fits standard gates)
- Working clearance needed: 15-foot radius around stump
- Overhead clearance: 10 feet minimum for boom operation
- Ground stability: level surface, not steep slopes
Step-by-Step: How to Dig Up Stumps with a Mini Excavator
1. Score around the stump
Position the excavator 8-10 feet from the stump on stable, level ground. Dig a trench 3 feet in diameter around the stump, working 2-3 feet deep. Start wide and work closer to avoid damaging the bucket on hidden roots.
2. Cut major roots
Once the trench exposes the root system, identify the 4-6 primary anchor roots. Use the bucket edge to cut roots under 6 inches thick. For larger roots, switch to a ripper tooth attachment or use a chainsaw.
3. Rock and pry the stump loose
Slide the bucket under the stump at various angles, applying upward pressure through the boom curl. Rock the stump back and forth to break remaining root connections. Work systematically around all sides.
4. Lift it out
With the stump loosened, position the bucket underneath and lift slowly. Never lift stumps high in the air - keep them low to maintain machine stability.
5. Fill the hole
Remove any remaining large roots and debris. Backfill with the excavated soil and compact it in layers to prevent settling. Add fresh topsoil if planning to plant in this location.
Mini Excavator Attachments for Stump Removal
The right attachments dramatically increase stump removal capability:
- Standard bucket - Handles trenching around stumps and cutting smaller roots under 4 inches thick. Provides leverage for loosening stumps but struggles with large roots and rocky soil.
- Tooth bucket/digging bucket - Features reinforced teeth along the cutting edge for penetrating tough soil and breaking through medium roots. Increases digging force by approximately 15-20% compared to standard buckets.
- Ripper tooth - Single-point attachment designed specifically for root cutting. The narrow profile concentrates all digging force into one point, maximizing penetration through 8+ inch roots.
- Hydraulic thumb - Mounts opposite the bucket to create a clamping action. Grips stumps securely during extraction, prevents drops, and allows precise placement. Reduces removal time by approximately 40-50%.
- Grapple - Heavy-duty clamping attachment for hauling extracted stumps and moving large debris. Opens to 36-48 inches for grabbing multiple logs.
Tips for Safe and Efficient Stump Removal
1. Always dig wider than the stump
Trenches should extend 1.5 times the stump diameter. This provides working room and reveals the complete root structure.
2. Use a thumb for control
Hydraulic thumbs transform challenging extractions into controlled operations. The alternative - repeatedly repositioning with just a bucket - wastes significant time.
3. Watch for buried utilities
Call 811 at least 48 hours before starting work. Utility marking services identify gas lines, electrical cables, water pipes, and fiber optic cables for free. Hitting a utility line causes catastrophic safety risks and repair costs exceeding $10,000.
4. Stabilize the excavator properly
Work from level ground whenever possible. On slopes, position perpendicular to tracks fully extended for maximum stability. Avoid lifting heavy loads with the boom fully extended. Keep extracted stumps low during transport.
AHM Mini Excavators for Stump Removal
AHM AX-12B - $4,999.99
The AX-12B handles small to medium stump removal with a 69-inch digging depth and 2,585 lbf digging force. At 2,138 pounds operating weight and 37-inch width, it accesses backyards through standard gates while delivering power for stumps up to 10-12 inches in diameter. The 13.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine provides exceptional fuel efficiency at 0.26 gal/h - approximately $2-3 for a full day of work.
Conclusion
Can a mini excavator remove stumps? Absolutely, within specific limits. Mini excavators between 1.5-6 tons efficiently remove stumps up to 12-24 inches in diameter, depending on machine size and soil conditions.
The process takes 5-30 minutes per stump - drastically faster than manual removal and cleaner than stump grinding.
Attachments can transform your machine’s capability - a hydraulic thumb reduces removal time by 40-50%. Ripper teeth cut through 8+ inch roots that stop standard buckets. Safety requires calling 811 before digging, wearing proper protective equipment, and maintaining machine stability during lifting operations. Do all this, and you’ll be good to go!
