Spring Clean-Up Q&A: Using a Winch Hoist for Tree Stump Removal

As you’re getting ready to start your spring clean-up projects, it’s important to take your tools into consideration. One question we get often is: “Is it safe to use winch hoist or puller to remove a tree stump?” The answer to this question is two-fold: yes and no.

There’s a lot of debate about whether it’s safe and effective to use a winch hoist or puller to remove a tree stump. Safety becomes a major factor because it’s impossible to know how heavy the tree stump is before you attempt to remove it. Some engineers argue that this can lead to overloading, potentially causing catastrophic damage to the user and the hoist itself. While this may be true for manual pullers on the market today, it is not the case for Lug-All Come Along Ratchet Winch Hoists.

Purchasing a hoist with the appropriate capacity is, indeed, critical to your application. And, it is true that you can’t know the weight of the tree stump until you’ve removed it. However, Lug-All hoists include protection to warn the operator in the event of an overload, and each Lug-All hoist is built with a 4:1 safety factor. It’s important to note that manual pullers do not require any specific safety factor what-so-ever.

Manual pullers can be used in certain applications, but they’re not built for hoisting and can become defective if used improperly. Manual pullers are designed to winch, meaning they are capable of pulling dead weight over a horizontal surface. But, if the application is restricted, the operator won’t be able to safely pull heavy loads using a manual puller. Most pullers on the market today are designed using stamped steel plating, whereas Lug-All hoists are designed with an aluminum alloy frame for long-time use and safety. Because Lug-All hoists are designed with a 4:1 safety factor, it is permissible to use them for applications showing resistance, like tree stump removal.

All Lug-All web strap hoists include a stress link, which breaks when the hoist is loaded beyond its rated capacity. They’re easy and inexpensive to replace, meaning that your hoist stays intact when overloaded. Lug-All cable hoists are equipped with a reversible handle that bends on overload for additional protection, effectively maintaining the integrity of the hoist in use. This doesn’t mean it’s EVER a good idea to overload your hoist intentionally. Some common sense is involved when deciding which capacity hoist to use with the tree stump you are trying to remove. But, if it is accidentally overloaded, the stress link will break or the handle will bend, effectively warning the user to stop using the hoist.

All Lug-All hoists can be used for hoisting and winching, making them a safe and flexible tool for spring clean-up and tree stump removal. As spring approaches, consider what your application requires. Whether it’s removing tree stumps, pulling rocks, or lifting heavy objects, a Lug-All hoist will get the job done safely and effectively.