A Guide To Stump Grinding

· 9 min read
A Guide To Stump Grinding

As an itinerant stump maker for these earlier dozen years, We have experienced the variety of stump removal scenarios. I haven't written this specific in order to impress, neither experience it been created as being the "be almost all to end all stump grinding method". My partner and i felt there to be a dependence on some sort of written description involving what I do, amongst the wide variety of visual and pictorial information away there. Perhaps this particular humble piece can inspire other stump grinders to create a great effort with their own written descriptions of how they smash away stumps together with their machinery. If this collective information, had been compiled and indexed, it may demonstrate to be the valued written cause of reference for just about all future stump grinders. We are fortunate in order to be able in order to bring up my very own unique mixture of encounters (not necessarily attached with this subject), complemented with the ability to put this particular into writing --- although how that is interpreted, continues to be to be viewed. This is the detailed description associated with how I remove a tree stump with a qualified stump grinding machine.

There will end up being deviations out of this key topic, also conveying my reasons, method, and events which usually led to the current action taken. In contrast to many of my personal stump grinding colleagues who may have relied after YouTube videos to demonstrate stump grinding, nobody has yet---as far as I actually is aware--- created a definitive step-by-step description on the particular salient parts of this particular operation, for location in the open domain. It is usually understood there are numerous various other views with many various other variations in procedure, reflected by different versions of equipment sorts. My intention associated with basing my step-by-step description with some sort of modified Carlton 2300 stump grinder, is definitely to keep it easy, without all the "bells and whistles" regarding modern stump mincing machines. However, this particular old (1997) type has been current with a Lombardini diesel engine engine to give it performance approaching modern machines. We have added several my own "bells and whistles" within the form regarding various gauges which usually I feel happen to be important to obtain a understanding of machine performance. Further more, old fashioned hand type cutter teeth are used. This will be a personal preference based on cost alone. I in addition recognise the ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING improvements made to modern stump grinders, and do certainly not intend for these writings to decrease these improvements in different imaginable way. Again I actually re-emphasise the application of the old model Carlton 2300 is to keep it simple inside spite of the particular below listed becomes the machine. The wish, and wish is the fact some associated with this will ignite additional thoughts plus improvements to elevated safety, and efficiency in a potentially hazardous operation. Stump grinding is inherently a hazardous procedure to people, pets, and even property. The opportunity of this procedural explanation assumes a knowledge with all required safety equipment, and will only make occasional reference in order to such equipment in the context involving my operational method and procedure. I actually will begin together with a listing of modifications produced to this outdated Carlton 2300 which includes reasons:

brackets intended for securing a two. 5 mtr. lateral, flood light mast at the machine's top, and along its length. If working any mileage away from base, It’s not cost efficient to complete a job on a 2nd go back to site if it is achievable to complete within just one journey. Winter months evenings at the particular solstice throughout England, begins around 18: 00. Your several extra hours within the dark, can make a considerable cost savings. This caused installation of the flood light accessory. to the machine.
pivoted brackets mounted inside place of mud guards for protecting rubber screens revoked from steel biceps and triceps. Some manufacturers involving stump grinders might now provide these screens. None have been available at the time, and so i produced them up. After experiencing a broken window, as a result of gems being projected diagonally from the cutter wheel, such the screening provision grew to be very immediate. We never operate with out my mud guard mounted screens.
pivoted bracket assembly for securing a straight mast of the three meter quitasol used for all lengthy stump grinding jobs---rain or shine. A comfortable stump grinder, is a productive stump grinder.
bracket for acquiring a proper petrol pressure gauge---not an idiot light! Most modern stump grinders include automatic switches to shut down the motor when oil stress is lost. When this machine got one--I would nevertheless install an oil pressure gauge. A great idiot light will not sense a reduction in oil pressure since when the engine warms up through cold, or if a possible flow may occur. Even more, it can indicate approximate engine temp once experience is usually gained with normal pressure/temperature comparisons.
bracket for securing the motor engine oil temperature judge. This was a new temporary installation since the oil plunge stick had to be able to be substituted using a sensor lamp immersed in the particular sump oil in order to gain accurate information. With an obvious cool air absorption, my engine had been running at 80 C. That is definitely quite hot and even proves the purpose exactly how important it is to keep great air passages and air intakes clear and clean. We have nearly 4001 run hours on my diesel engine with NO black or white exhaust smoke!
bracket securing hydraulic oil temperature gauge.  https://stumpgrindinghampshire.co.uk/best-tree-stump-grinding-hampshire/  is also an existing temporary installation when data is collected and can be more precisely referenced against the pressure gauge. A permanent set up with a combination oil level plus temperature indicator will be installed at a new later date.
A sheet metal screen separating the agent from hydraulic hoses was installed simply behind the hydraulics control levers. Most modern models have enclosures for hydraulic hosing, and must meet CE certification.
welded angle, supports regarding cutter wheel's hinged (guard) shroud. When this guard is usually down in the operational position, it nestles between a couple of welded angles offering it lateral support. The addition associated with these angled helps was found to be necessary if the guard makes contact with the portion of uncut stump which always been beyond the swing action limit from the second hand cutter wheel.
brackets to secure a long term electric winch previously mentioned steering wheels. Some sort of twelve volt winch have been recognised as an essential on-board equipment. Occasions possess required a cabestan to assist machine manoeuvrability, to resolve a static position on the slope in which driving the machine's own stake directly into the ground is impossible. also to draw out the machine through difficult terrain.
installation of lockable key operated emergency stop switch. CE compliance calls for this switch.
installing of a fixed method to secure typically the cutter wheel's hinged shroud inside the downward or operational place. CE compliance needs this.
central point greasing hub situated within a cutout on the machine's decking. Armored, sheathed, flexibile, hydraulic quality pipe, is linked to four underside (difficult to reach) grease nipples
okay mesh insect screen installed over engine cooling intake enthusiast opening, complemented with a steel grid support fixed within just air intake shroud. This eliminated the necessity to frequently remove a engine's cool surroundings ducting to the finned cylinders, with regard to cleaning away dust caught between cyndrical tube cooling fins. This particular was a regular and essential process to prevent "hot spots" and to be able to maintain efficient motor cooling for such a hot running air cooled powerplant. A water cooled engine has distinct advantages for operating in such an unclean environment.
A deep neoprene gasket put beneath the chain drive cover. This kind of gasket is some sort of great improvement together with keeping out toxic contamination, and extending sequence life. ( Modern stump grinders have got hydraulic motor link drives for each and every wheel. Chain damage was always a risk, with the particular possibility of a runaway machine. That will can't happen together with hydraulic motors on the drive wheels. )
complete sheet metal encasement of 'V' belt drive. Needed for CE complying.
Improved fixing/support mount for shallow monitor located directly driving cutter wheel. This particular bracket was performed found in one piece regarding steel stretching the particular length of the rubber screen. It gives you additional screen help, and is faster /easier to take out for screen alternative due to wear.
heavy duty spin out of control banding was wrapped around all subjected hydraulic hoses. A CE requirement in order to protect the user from a hydraulic hose burst
Installing of thermocouples to the particular bearings for deciding on their average standard running temperature and even to indicate excessive bearing play but to be mounted.

Transporting A Stump Grinder:

There are really 2 different ways of getting your stumpgriner down the road in order to a site; either by loading this onto a trailer, onto a 52 pick up, or into a van. I chose a VW medium steering wheel base, high best, turbo-diesel, panel lorrie for the following reasons, and some sort of description of exactly how the stump mill is stowed:

VOLKS WAGEN vans represent dependability for me. I am onto my 3rd change of van (all purchased second hand) and include never had a new breakdown that has not been my fault.
the trailer option appeared to be hassle, with access lower narrow driveways, converting radii too limit, and a lot of unnecessary monoeuvreing


I do not have a great enough lock way up garage, which may demand outside storage for the stump grinder and trailer making it subject to robbery.
my van is usually focused on storing the particular stump grinder where It stays onboard.
I do all involving my servicing and even repairs with the stumpgrinder onboard. I hold all necessary pedaling to perform minimal field repairs elizabeth. g. changing a new drive chain for the drive axle, or even wedge belts to the cutter drive.
the particular stump grinder in addition to tools are protected in the van using the vans additional security, eg. sculpter, alarm, wheel grip, and extra door in addition to frame strengthening which has already avoided someone looking to switch the base with the rear doors in excess in an test to gain gain access to.
I keep a set of steel ramps stowed onboard. These will be also useful regarding gaining access in gardens with steps, or at the higher level.
a metal wire cable will be installed between opposing anchor points next to the steel bulkhead separating driver coming from loadbay. At the cable's centre will be fixed a metal ring, through which in turn the stump grinder's stake enters, whenever the machine will be stowed. This wire has two reasons. First use is definitely when uploading the particular grinder. By stretching its tongue to be able to reach the steel ring fixed in the centre from the wire cable, well then passing the machine's stake through typically the steel ring, enables the device to move itself into placement when retracting typically the tongue. This access method is preferred over reliance around the grinders wheel traction force which is minimised on wet days, and also because the wheels must ascend over, and in top of verification stored for the vehicles floor. Second make use of is as a new secure fixing point as the van will be in transit.
within the rear of the loadbay, is some sort of steel saddle set to the ground. ( looks like a good upside down twin "TT" ) It is bolted through the van's floors, and through rectangular plates pulling from the chassis underside. The machine's cutter tire nestles between 2 verticle plates. A new pin passes through both verticle dishes and an used vinyl cutter wheel bolt opening, where tertiary budgets use for be set. ( they don't go work, therefore use was made of their designed bolt holes )
the machine is usually firmly stowed applying this method. Indeed, it stayed in position, with my truck on its side in a draining ditch! ( the particular ultimate test )

Downloading the Stump Grinder From the Quantities

open rear doors, unsecure ramps by their stowed location, slid out ramps, and fix all of them to door sill with pins
open up sliding side doorway, start the stump grinders engine, withdraw tongue slightly to pull against material cable thus permitting release of stress on cutter wheel stowage pin, intended for its removal, in addition to raise the cutter wheel away coming from its floor seat.
engage axle generate or "free wheel" valve, reverse piece of equipment slightly, just enough to be able to allow release of tension on steel cable allowing extraction of machine's "T" stake from typically the steel ring set to the wire.
pin the machine's stake to the normal stowed place, and drive stump grinder throughout the ramps.

Determining Safe Access

after stopping the grinders engine (remove key), do a "walk-through" along the machine's intended route in order to the stumps. Depending on machine's thickness (owing to extendable dual wheels fitted) determine a fairly easy clear access.

This report isn't finished however, and is susceptible to additions and alterations. I feel generally there is nevertheless , more than enough content to mull over and pass comment on.