How to Build a Tree Stump Puller

By Home & Garden Last updated Tuesday, June/04/2024

Weaken and Expose the Stump

1). Trim the stump with the chain saw. Cut off the top of the stump so that only about one foot still sticks out of the ground. Do not cut the stump all the way down to the ground or you will not have anything to attach to when pulling.
2). Place the 1-inch bit in the drill. Drill several deep holes into the stump from the top. Open the container of ammonium sulfamate and, following the amounts recommended in the instructions, pour the liquid into the holes. Allow the ammonium sulfamate to penetrate the stump and roots for at least two weeks; this will weaken the structure of the stump and make it easier to pull.
3). Dig a wide, circular trench around the perimeter of the stump. Dig at least 9 inches away from the stump and one foot down into the ground. For large stumps, dig farther away and deeper.
4). Dig into the earth under the stump with the landscape bar or grub hoe. If using the landscape bar, walk around the stump, plunging the bar at an angle into the earth that is attached to the stump. If using the grub hoe, walk around the trench and swing the blade into the trench on the opposite side of where you are standing. The blade should enter the earth around the stump near the bottom of the trench. Continue using this method to remove as much dirt as possible from underneath the stump and to sever as many roots as possible.
5). Look for roots that were too large to cut through with the landscape bar or the grub hoe. Cut these roots by chopping through them with the axe.

1). Park the vehicle with the winch on level ground near the stump; pull the emergency brake. Pull the winch chain out and wrap it around the base of the stump. Clip the chain to itself to make it secure.
2). Fill the trench with water from the hose. The water will facilitate pulling the stump, because it will weaken the soil surrounding the roots.
3). Turn on the vehicle and start slowly retracting the winch chain. If the winch stops or stalls, turn off the motor. Look for any large roots and cut these with the axe. Turn on the winch and start retracting again until the stump is pulled.