It's important that when you use a stump grinder you make sure that it's not an old and obsolete model. For instance, if you're going to rent a stump grinder to remove a tree stump in your yard or garden, be sure you're renting it from someplace that has up-to-date equipment. Some very old models of stump grinders aren't even safe. They're easy to distinguish from safe, newer models because of the way the cutting wheel is positioned.

A stump grinder is equipped with a wheel that spins that's covered in teeth usually made of carbide steel. The wheel is usually set up vertically rather than horizontally. Rather than cut as it would if it were just a blade wheel, it grinds thanks to these heavy-duty teeth. On some old stump grinder models, the wheel is on the same side of the machine as the person standing and operating it.

It's important to realize that this is a piece of aggressive and heavy-duty equipment. Just like a chainsaw can be dangerous if used improperly and can injure you, a stump grinder used improperly can cause injury, too. Even the slightest contact with the wheel can cause a devastating wound. So when using a stump grinder you need to make sure it's a newer model that's designed for safety rather than an older one without modern safety features.

A homeowner will typically use a stump grinder that's small and hand-operated. These are walk-behind stump grinders with long frames and a handle. The engine sits in the center of the equipment and the cutting wheel is on the opposite side of the operator. The heavy-duty stump grinders that are the size of small vehicles are typically used by contractors and professionals. For a homeowner to purchase or rent one, it would be a walk-behind type. And most homeowners will rent because of the expense of purchasing the equipment which is has limited uses.

A stump grinder is used by moving it back and forth from side to side over the stump. This moves the cutting wheel from side to side and allows it to grind the stump in that direction. After one pass over the stump, the operator either pushes the stump grinder forward a bit and moves it back across or lowers the cutting wheel before going back. Anyone using a stump grinder should stop the device before changing direction such as turning it completely around and approaching from the other side of the stump. This can keep the grinder from operating out of control or coming out of the operator's hand, both of which can be very dangerous.

Someone looking to rent a stump grinder needs to be sure he or she is physically fit enough to operate it. Even though the walk-behind models are fairly small and compact, it still takes strength to hold them in place as they grind and to pivot them to move them back and forth across the stump. Someone without enough strength to do so could lose control of the stump grinder.

Photo Credits: eoshea

Originally posted 2010-04-04 03:31:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Green Construction, Tools and Equipment

Tags:

blade, carbide, chainsaw, heavy duty equipment, obsolete model, stump grinder, stump grinders, tree stump, wheel