There are many reasons why people cut down trees. They could be a nuisance, dead, or simply unwanted. However, whenever you cut a tree down you are always left with the stump. Tree stumps can be a real eyesore as well and are difficult to remove without the right equipment.
Many arborists, landscapers and tree surgeons tend to just leave the stumps behind after they have completed their work. But by using stump grinders, you can easily remove ugly stumps from your landscaping projects with ease.
Although stump grinders are effective in removing these stumps, they can be dangerous to operate. However, our guide will help you safely use stump grinders and use them to remove unwanted stumps. We will go over how to keep safe whilst using a stump grinder as well as how to efficiently remove stumps with them. We will also guide you through how to sharpen your stump grinder to keep it fully maintained, helping you to cut costs.
How to keep safe whilst using a stump grinder
It is very important to protect yourself while using a stump grinder. You need to be prepared and have the right safety equipment that could prevent you from serious injury. The teeth on a stump grinder are of course very sharp and move at very high speeds, so it’s important to have the right safety equipment and PPE to keep you from getting hurt, such as:
- Gloves
- Safety Goggles
- Ear Plugs
- Chainsaw Safety Trousers
- Steel-toed shoes
- If you wish a mask to prevent swallowing sawdust.
What are stump grinders?
So what are stump grinders and what do they do? Well as you might expect stump grinders remove the stumps from cut-down trees. They work very differently from chainsaws and other cutting power tools, as instead of cutting the stump they grind it down.
Stump grinders work by chipping away at the stump and grinding it down into tiny wood chippings. Not only do stump grinders grind the stump down but they also grind down the roots, completely removing the rest of the tree material.
Stump grinders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the size of the job, the stump as well as the roots. But what is the correct way to maintain and use a stump grinder safely?
How do you properly use a stump grinder?
Now we know what stump grinding is and what stump grinders do. It’s time to go through the process of turning an ugly stump into a pile of wood chippings for your landscaping project. Through our guide, we will show you the safe and proper way to use a stump grinder.
Prepare your stump grinder
Preparation is key to beginning stump grinding safely. The first thing you need to do is put on all of your safety gear before you start.
Now you have all of your safety gear on. It’s time to start preparing your stump grinder. Dig a small trench next to the stump so that you can collect your chippings, keeping the area tidy. It also allows you to remove any rocks or stones that could potentially ruin and chip your stump grinder teeth.
Now you have your safety gear on and your trench dug, just make sure there isn’t anything important near the roots like pipes or electrical wires. Your preparation is complete, so It’s time to start grinding.
Measure the depth of your grind
Measuring how deep to grind your stump will help save you time and from chipping away more wood than you necessarily need to. You should start by making sure the stump has been cut so that it is as close as possible to the ground.
The stump should be about 10 inches from the ground as you will most likely ground about 3 inches every time you cut into the stump.
Get your stump grinder in position
Now we have covered how to prepare your grinder and how to measure out the stump before cutting, it’s time to properly position your stump grinder.
Move your stump grinder next to the stump. Then you will need to slightly adjust your handlebars so that they are the appropriate height that is comfortable and gives you the most control over the stump grinder. It should be about waist height so adjust accordingly.
Next, you want to set your brake then raise the stump grinder so that the blade is over the stump. Make sure there isn’t anything in the way whilst you do this. Now you can start the engine. If you have a large stump grinder this may require two people to operate it safely. Set the throttle to fully open and you are ready to start grinding the stump.
Start grinding the stump
The worst mistake you can make while stump grinding is trying to put too much pressure on the blade as you grind the stump down. Let the weight of the machine do the work for you as it grinds down on the stump, so it runs more efficiently and doesn’t damage the blade. Pivot on the stump moving it back and forth as the grinder work grinds down the material. Once you have ground down 5 inches, reset the break then continue to grind the stump and roots down.
How to sharpen your stump grinder
Knowing how to fully maintain your stump grinder and keep it sharp is essential for maintaining your grinder at its optimum performance. Below is our guide to stump grinder sharpening and maintenance and how to do it safely.
Remove your spark plug
The first step to sharpening your stump grinder is to remove the spark plug. This will prevent the stump grinder from accidentally turning on and causing you serious bodily harm. Therefore, you can safely work on your stump grinder teeth.
Prepare your workspace
Now you have removed all the teeth from the blade it is time to set up your workspace. Your workplace must be completely clear of any flammable liquids or materials so that any sparks from the teeth do not ignite.
The metal and green wheel
Set your metal grinding wheel to a 12-degree angle on your workbench. Turn the grinder on and set your stump grinder tooth in place. Then start to grind to the shank of the tooth. Periodically remove it from the grinder and pop it in some cool water to stop it from overheating and damaging the teeth. If it gets too hot it can ruin your stump grinder teeth and warp them out of shape.
Once you have finished using the metal wheel to grind the shank of the tooth, you will then need to move to the green wheel. It is impregnated with diamonds to ensure an easy cut and grind. Set it to a 90-degree angle and grind the tooth by moving it back and forth on the wheel whilst removing it periodically to cool it down in cold water.
Repeat this process with each stump grinder tooth until the whole set is sharpened.
Clean down your stump grinder
Now you have sharpened your stump grinder teeth. Clear down your workstation by using compressed air to remove shards and metal left from grinding. Give them a coating of oil and add them back onto the grinder.
Where to get stump grinder parts
If you are struggling to find high-performance stump grinding parts and accessories, look no further, as we have you covered. Rotatech supplies the best cost-effective stump grinding parts on the market, including durable stump grinder teeth, pockets and bolts. Explore our full range of stump grinding parts below:
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