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  1. Eatonpcat Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2011
    2,061 posts
    Eaton Township, Ohio
    It appears some tree roots busted my sump discharge pipe and I'm having a rough time getting through the roots to repair the pipe. Don't make fun of me, But I did dull the chain on my saw (As I figured would happen, just not so quickly) in about 1 minute and almost cooked my Sawzall. What is the best way to remove these roots?? Wife won't let me use dynamite!;) Thanks for any help, I know the answer is to dig around the root and cut it out, but I'm hoping for a shortcut!!

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    #1

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  2. Scotty Overkill firewood hoarder

    joined: Sep 24, 2011
    7,152 posts
    central PA
    unfortunately, your best bet is probably a keen axe and some strong back muscles! I had the same problem a while back involving a pine AND an ash stump in the backyard. I wanted them gone, and was too cheap to rent a stump grinder. My buddy has a stump grinder that attaches to his skid steer but that would have ripped the chit out of my yard, so I did it the old fashioned way.

    Maybe you could look into renting a ditch witch from a local rental place?
    Eatonpcat likes this.
  3. JustWood Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 14, 2007
    3,190 posts
    Arrow Bridge,NY
    Dig out around the roots and pressure wash them. Then cut with chainsaw.
    Eatonpcat likes this.
  4. Swedishchef Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 17, 2010
    1,454 posts
    Quebec, Canada
    Use a concrete saw? You can rent them here with diamond tipped blades for $25 for half a day. If diamonds can't cut em, I am "stumped"
    Eatonpcat likes this.
  5. heat seeker Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 25, 2011
    1,680 posts
    Northern CT
    Reroute the pipe. Dig where it's easier, if longer.
  6. fossil Super Moderator

    joined: Sep 30, 2007
    9,263 posts
    Bend, Oregon
    Air strike.
  7. EatenByLimestone Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 12, 2006
    4,114 posts
    Rent a power auger from the local equipment rental and run it down the discharge pipe. They have special bits made to chew through roots. Then go back and hack at it with a maddock or an axe you don't care about.

    Matt
    Eatonpcat likes this.
  8. Eatonpcat Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2011
    2,061 posts
    Eaton Township, Ohio

    When are you available to do the fly over??

    Guess I will go the stump grinder route...Thanks for the advice guys!!
  9. fossil Super Moderator

    joined: Sep 30, 2007
    9,263 posts
    Bend, Oregon
    Sorry, they took away my keys to the airplane when I retired. :(
    Eatonpcat likes this.
  10. Pallet Pete Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 27, 2011
    3,207 posts
    Ovid MI
    Hook a chain around it and very very slowly pull it up then cut it off above ground. I had to do that last year and it worked well.

    Pete
  11. MasterMech Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 2, 2011
    4,972 posts
    Hudson Valley NY
    Carbide chain for the saw?
  12. Eatonpcat Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2011
    2,061 posts
    Eaton Township, Ohio
    Good plan, but I can't get there with my truck. I could get the Rhino in there, but I don't think it has enough power to yank it out! Thanks
  13. Eatonpcat Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2011
    2,061 posts
    Eaton Township, Ohio
    Didn't know they made these, I will look into it. Thanks,
  14. Ehouse Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 22, 2011
    508 posts
    Upstate NY

    I assume you're talking about a demo type saw with a circular blade. You can also rent chainsaw type concrete saws, last time I checked, Home Depot had them.
    Eatonpcat likes this.
  15. maple1 Minister of Fire

    joined: Sep 15, 2011
    2,014 posts
    Nova Scotia
    That was going to be my suggestion. Don't know your yard layout though. That looks like a lot of work your into - and roots grow in weird ways. You could have the same problem in a couple years.
    Eatonpcat likes this.
  16. Eatonpcat Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2011
    2,061 posts
    Eaton Township, Ohio
    I could reroute the discharge, but that would be a job for the warmer months. I agree that the same problem could arise in the future and will put some thought into a permanent solution. The wife will never/ever win AGAIN with the line "that is a cute little stream that runs through this property, Let's buy it!! Thanks for the thoughts Maple1
  17. Hogwildz Minister of Fire

    old fashioned way, take an ax and wack away and hack that sucker out!
    Eatonpcat likes this.
  18. Eatonpcat Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2011
    2,061 posts
    Eaton Township, Ohio
    That would be like a fight to the death...Just hope my fat ass wins this one!;)
  19. ironpony Minister of Fire

    joined: Jan 22, 2010
    1,405 posts
    mid-ohio
    trac-hoe make the whole thing disappear
  20. Freeheat Feeling the Heat

    joined: Feb 1, 2010
    481 posts
    West of Cleveland
    Hey i have a junker electric chainsaw you can use works well on that stuff
  21. Jags Super Moderator

    joined: Aug 2, 2006
    11,499 posts
    Northern Illinois
    Rent a trencher and go around that tree. I would avoid the root job, cuz you will just be doing it again in a few years.

    And you can rent a trencher for about the same bucks as a carbide chain.
    Adios Pantalones and Eatonpcat like this.
  22. Ehouse Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 22, 2011
    508 posts
    Upstate NY
    Cut down the tree and render it for firewood. Pop out the stump with a backhoe or excavator.
    Eatonpcat likes this.
  23. Eatonpcat Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2011
    2,061 posts
    Eaton Township, Ohio
    es332...Very nice offer...Thank You, the members on this site never cease to amaze me (great folks)! I won't take you up on your offer because I am sure I would ruin your go to sacrificial saw.

    Where are you located West of Cleveland??

    Thanks again for the generous offer!!
  24. Freeheat Feeling the Heat

    joined: Feb 1, 2010
    481 posts
    West of Cleveland
    Elyria at Chestnut ridge
  25. Eatonpcat Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 24, 2011
    2,061 posts
    Eaton Township, Ohio
    That's right down the Road from me!!

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