preparation for a retaining wall - best way to remove tree roots and rocks

[Fiona82]

Hi all 

Background - I am building a retaining wall that will be 1 metre back from the pool edge to stop the soil drifting down into the pool. between the wall and pool edge (above the pool pipes) i'll have road base, gravel and small steppers.     Unfortunately, previous owners had planted 3 trees in the garden bed and the roots have broken the pool pipes and make digging difficult. Plus the local soil is full of shale and larger rocks. It's taken 1 guy 15 hours to get to where we are in the pic. 

Question

what are the best tools & method  to remove a) roots   and b) rocks? 

I have a GMC pneumatic rotary hammer drill 850w - see the specs in pic - would that have the correct chuck allowance for a suitable bit and have enough torque?  what's the right bit to use with it?   also i'm not sure if it's reversible and can go slow enough - any advice there appreciated.   If that's not the right drill - can you suggest what would be ok please

regarding the tree stump that has to come out - how would you remove that?  as you can see in the pics - it's a tight space - axe, dynamite (joke!) just hard digging?  what's the most efficient way given the context. 

any help much appreciated thanks  specs of drilltree stump that needs removingpath of retaining wall back 1 m from pool 

[Noyade]

Hi @Fiona82 

"just hard digging?"

I think so - rather than trying a hammer drill. I believe you will get more force, cutting and prying power with traditional hand tools. In particular, Bunnings Mumme Pit Bar . It's reasonably light and if you sharpen the end - fantastic for cutting roots. But for prying, using bricks or blocks of wood as a fulcrum, use a thicker traditional crow bar - less likely to be bend than the Mumme.

A small axe will also be very useful.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers.

Traditional on the left, Mumme on the right.

[Fiona82]

thanks for the opinion - yes i can shlepp to bunnings to buy more tools that i'll use once or twice. 

I wonder if someone else could address my question about the drill 

thanks again

[Noyade]

Below is a GMC kit of drills and chisels that fit your drill.

How big are the rocks?

If you're thinking dynamite above - the chisels will be too small for the rocks you have?

Shlepp to Bunnings for a jack hammer. 😁

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Fiona82,

Whether your drill is capable depends on how hard the rock is. 850w rotary hammer drills are typically designed for chiselling and removing things like tiles. They are not designed to break up rocks. However, it could work to a certain extent. The types of bits for it are called SDS bits. For more heavy-duty work a demolition hammer would be the way to go.

For the tree stump, you'd probably be looking at trying to cut the major roots on it and then either levering or pulling it our with a hand puller.

Please let us know if you have further questions.

Mitchell