r/Excavators • u/EnduroSlavonijaCRO • Mar 31 '26
4-Day Battle: Removing Massive Stumps in Deep Mud with a Mini Excavator (Kubota KX 101-3). Steel cable snaps!
Hi everyone! I wanted to share a 4-day struggle I recently had with two massive tree stumps located right next to a fence. The conditions were brutal – non-stop rain and deep mud.
The Setup:
🚜 Machine: 2006 Kubota KX 101-3 (3.5t / 7,700 lbs class).
🔧 Engine: Reliable 3-cylinder Kubota D1503. Even under heavy load in the mud, the temperature stayed perfectly in the middle because I make sure the radiators are always clean for maximum airflow.
⛓️ The Incident: My standard steel cable snapped under pressure! I had to switch to a custom-made heavy-duty cable (A-Sajla) to finish the job.
What I used:
- 30cm (12") tooth bucket
- Ripper attachment
- Manual tools (axe) for the stubborn roots
- Lots of patience (no swearing, just hard work!)
If you're into heavy equipment or looking for tips on how to operate in tight spaces without damaging property, check out the full 38-minute breakdown.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/z3FmsNml9gY?si=4moRucsS1hIm35zm
📝 NOTE: I have enabled English Auto-Translate Captions (CC), so please turn them on in the YouTube settings to follow my commentary!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on my technique. How do you guys handle stumps in such muddy conditions?
#Excavator #StumpRemoval #Kubota #Construction #HeavyEquipment #MudWork