[nazali]

I'm trying to get rid of some tree roots in order to flatten some ground, end game is I want to do "something" either a small thin slab of concrete so I can drive over it to park side by side,
If you can see the root, just wanna cut that out, may even try some decorative shingle stones not sure yet, any ideas on

1> what blade for the angle grinder I need
2> if I dig a little (not too deep) can I pour in some shingle
3> or pour in a small amount of concrete ?
4> or even some hot tarmac ?

Any thoughts , CANT go in to deep due to the tree roots, just wanna get the main one I can see

thanks

pics to follow in a few minutes

[nazali]

as is

[2000cs]

Not sure how far back you’re intending to go, or what is under the surface but I’d start with a shovel (sharpen it with a file or grinder), and loppers. A pick-axe also could be useful, again sharpen it before using.

[chassis]

What is the objection to digging deep? What if there is another root of a similar side immediately beneath the one you can see?

Tools for the job include sharp shovel, mattock large and small, axe and hatchet. I have seen this movie many times.

Think of pulling a yarn out of a sweater.

Go deep and get rid of ‘em all.

Dig deep and pour concrete or lay a base of packed crushed stone onto which you place paving stones.


Do not install hot tarmac or asphalt or macadam.

[nazali]

txs, I actually managed to use a pick axe quite successfully, to clear the area I did to,
but it keeps getting stuck on some roots, so I need to cut them with a grinder, I'd hesitate to go down to far because of the tree roots

[nazali]

great advise thanks, I don't wanna go to deep due to roots, the tree belongs to the city/municipality and can't be removed or damaged,"without permission" and permission was denied, SOME houses trees mysteriously die and they dig them out. In theory the city will charge you something like 6-10k to replant. LOL

I just want something I can drive over so I can park side by side, doesnt need to be too fancy,

but all ideas accepted, txs on the reply regarding the tarmac !

Originally Posted by chassis

What is the objection to digging deep? What if there is another root of a similar side immediately beneath the one you can see?

Tools for the job include sharp shovel, mattock large and small, axe and hatchet. I have seen this movie many times.

Think of pulling a yarn out of a sweater.

Go deep and get rid of ‘em all.

Dig deep and pour concrete or lay a base of packed crushed stone onto which you place paving stones.


Do not install hot tarmac or asphalt or macadam.

[chassis]

Regarding the grinder, what tool do you have in mind? Pic or link? I don't follow the thinking behind the grinder.

Use a sawzall or reciprocating saw. Or an axe. Or a hatchet. Or a sharp shovel. Or a mattock.

[bayarea328xit]

It looks like someone has been driving over the area you are trying to "fix" -- what's the problem with continuing that particular practice?

[nazali]

txs, to answer the two previous questions in one.

SO the area where the tree is, was a big mound, I desp. needed to get some space to park side by side, so just prior to winter late late spring, I worked out how much soll I would need to remove in order to drive over that area,

SO I used a pick axe, a fork and a shovel couple of other tools I had around to remove as much as I could. I also had a tamp, so I pounded the area as well,

I couldnt take too much, as the area seemed to have a lot of thick roots, including the ones you saw, and didnt really have the tools.

I also have a health condition, so digging made me very tired and actually is a bit dangerous for me, so I left it.

YES, I have been driving over the area, but really wanna finish it off seeing as it's getting warmer.

I thought an angle grinder would work to get through some of thoes roots, I've used an angle before, so was going to get a cheap one, and I can always use it for other projects.

I have a lopper, but it wasnt working on some of thoes big thick roots,

I was thinking of going a bit closer to the tree tree trunk to give me some more room

HTH

[nazali]

Originally Posted by bayarea328xit

It looks like someone has been driving over the area you are trying to "fix" -- what's the problem with continuing that particular practice?

(I want to finish it off)
I'm thinking some sharp bright white stones/shingle

[nazali]

I had to look up Mattock, my OH actually had one in the garage,

I was thinking, it's easier to use it to use like a saw to cut that big root you see, I mean after I have at it with an axe

I actually need a pointy shovel

I think the main problem is having the right tools and knowing how to use them effectively.

Originally Posted by chassis

Regarding the grinder, what tool do you have in mind? Pic or link? I don't follow the thinking behind the grinder.

Use a sawzall or reciprocating saw. Or an axe. Or a hatchet. Or a sharp shovel. Or a mattock.

[nazali]

something like this I wanna get 40 bucks or so

[nazali]

ok looked up sawzall and recip. saw
these aren't what I generally use, I'd more likly use an angle grinder especially with the car and possibly other projects
thoes big roots I could not break with a shovel or axe
I tried

Originally Posted by chassis

Regarding the grinder, what tool do you have in mind? Pic or link? I don't follow the thinking behind the grinder.

Use a sawzall or reciprocating saw. Or an axe. Or a hatchet. Or a sharp shovel. Or a mattock.

[DETRoadster]

Grinders grind. Saws cut. You wouldn't try to use a saw to do grinding would you? Get the right tool for the job. A reciprocating saw will make quick work of that. If you dont want to buy one, go rent it from your local tool rental shop. Slap on a blade like this and you'll be done in no time: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07KXD5K...SX5N7Y8RX2EFVY

If you're dead set on using an angle grinder you can get a chain saw type blade for it like this: https://www.harborfreight.com/3-12-i...xoCXYcQAvD_BwE

But I'd really caution against it for 3 reasons:

1) Its dangerous as fuck. You dont strike me as the kind of person that's super handy or skilled around equipment so I'd be really nervous about you setting off with this.
2) It'll dull quickly if it hits the dirt.
3) your little angle grinder you want to use is a 4" grinder. You can only make a cut as deep as the blade when measures from the outer teeth of the blade in to the arbor (the hole in the center). On a 4" angle grinder that's maybe 1-3/4". In other words you can only make a cut 1-3/4" deep with that grinder. That's barely enough to cut through anything.

Get the sawzall.

[M5Rick]

These are dangerous tools, angle grinders and other such implements can 'kick back' if you cut at the wrong angle.

[chassis]

Forget the angle grinder. It’s the wrong tool for the job.

Axe
Hatchet
Reciprocating saw / sawzall
Mattock
Sharp shovel

I have seen the movie many times.

Forget the angle grinder.

[nazali]

OK great, that's great advise, makes sense
txs

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

Grinders grind. Saws cut. You wouldn't try to use a saw to do grinding would you? Get the right tool for the job. A reciprocating saw will make quick work of that. If you dont want to buy one, go rent it from your local tool rental shop. Slap on a blade like this and you'll be done in no time: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07KXD5K...SX5N7Y8RX2EFVY

If you're dead set on using an angle grinder you can get a chain saw type blade for it like this: https://www.harborfreight.com/3-12-i...xoCXYcQAvD_BwE

But I'd really caution against it for 3 reasons:

1) Its dangerous as fuck. You dont strike me as the kind of person that's super handy or skilled around equipment so I'd be really nervous about you setting off with this.
2) It'll dull quickly if it hits the dirt.
3) your little angle grinder you want to use is a 4" grinder. You can only make a cut as deep as the blade when measures from the outer teeth of the blade in to the arbor (the hole in the center). On a 4" angle grinder that's maybe 1-3/4". In other words you can only make a cut 1-3/4" deep with that grinder. That's barely enough to cut through anything.

Get the sawzall.

[nazali]

txs duly noted

Originally Posted by M5Rick

These are dangerous tools, angle grinders and other such implements can 'kick back' if you cut at the wrong angle.

[nazali]

haha, LOL, many txs all, for the fantastic advise, which is WHY I ASKED here in the first place, I guess fixing cars and fixing landscape are 2 different disciplines

Got it, ditch the grinder....

Axe
Hatchet
Reciprocating saw / sawzall
Mattock
Sharp shovel

[nazali]

Actually I don't have an axe... mebe I'll pick one up and have at it,

well at least I can always use it for dismembering bodies if the need arose... LOL
ooops did I say that out aloud

[nazali]

Think one of the first replies I got advised against it

Originally Posted by Kenfandic

Hot tarmac

[TheVazha]

No angle grinder. Even though it's one of my favorite tools. Thing is a beast, but as mentioned, dangerous and the wrong tool.

Get a sawzall and throw a Diablo pruning or wood blade on it. Don't get a long blade, get a shorter one. If you hit something woth it it'll bent to shit.

As long as you know for sure you don't have any plumbing (ie sprinklers), you can sink the blade into the ground at a 45 degree angle and effectively cut whatever border you want. These blades will cut through roots like butter. Just go slow and be patient.