Stump grinding creates a usable mulch and a chance to recreate the place where the stump was. Most frequently, the stump is in the ground. But sometimes, it has already been dug up. A stump already out of the ground can only be decreased to a point where the stumpgrinder will just pick it up and hurl it. But by that point in time, the stump remainder is so small that one man can roll it into a wheelbarrow.
Most stump grinders can grind just about any stump. But the incorrect machine for the job will create property damage or just take an undue amount of time to complete the project. The largest stump grinders must be towed by a truck. They are very fast and powerful, but only useful if a truck can be driven up to the stump. There are stump grinding attachments for excavators, skid-steers and other tractors. But tractors require alot of room to work.
Comparatively small and agile is the portable stump grinding machine. instead of renting a helicopter, a portable machine can easily access a back yard through a three foot gate. Portable machines leave very little evidence of their passing through existing gardens and lawns. A portable machine is the potential for finesse, but only if the operator is experienced and thoughtful.
Most older portable models were equipped with tiny, under powered engines. More recently, portable stump grinders ordinarily come furnished with diesel engines that put out plenty of torque and power. There are many models out there with 50 horsepower and more. That is more than enough to take on a large stump.
Stump grinding machines all have a cutter wheel that spins at the end of a boom. Most teeth have a carbide cutter connected to a tool steel shank. Cups and bolts are used to fit the cutters to the cutter wheel.
Hydraulics power the boom and are controlled by the operator. First the stump grinder is driven to the stump. Then the cutter wheel is actuated. The spinning cutter wheel sweeps across the top, outer edge of the stump. When the operator sees that the cutter wheel has accomplished this first pass, he lowers it a few inches. The operator then sweeps the cutter wheel across the stump again.
This sweeping and lowering routine continues. The stump continues to be reduced to wood chips. Ultimately the cutter wheel arrives at the objective depth. Now the operator raises it up and sweeps it all the way to one edge. The operator drives the machine forward a little. The machine is now in position for the sweeping and lowering to continue. Once again, when the target depth is reached, the operator will advance the machine a few more inches and continue sweeping and lowering.
Ultimately the stump grinder reaches the target depth of the very last cut and the work is done. I often clean up the work site a little with some raking and a hand-held blower. And that wraps up another job.
I like to know why the client wants stump grinding service What are their plans once the stump is gone? There are many possibilities. Common responses are they want to plant grass, a new tree or start a gardening area. Once I know the clients motive for Stump Grinding, I can approach the project in a way that ensures their ultimate goal for that area will be accomplished.
Often, the customer wants to plant grass when the stump is gone. Frequently there will be a mound around the stump. This creates alot of added time and effort. The stump and mound must be thoroughly ground. But that is not enough. Our objective depth for lawn repair is 8″ below the grade. So the stump and root ball will require alot of grinding to eliminate any evidence of the stump that was.
The wood chips should be used to mulch beds, build a compost pile or hauled away. Topsoil can then be packed down into the hole. Now the vicinity is ready for grass seed or sod. The end result is a lawn repair that blends with the surrounding grade. Further, the grass repair will not scorch in the hot months because there is a decent foundation of topsoil. In the end, the client is happy that there is no mound or evidence of the tree and stump that used to be there.
Stump Grinding Seattle, WA Before
Stump Grinding Seattle, WA During...
Stump Grinding Seattle, Washington After Lawn Repair
Sno-King Stump Grinding, a local Stump Grinding Service Provider serving Seattle, Washington and surrounding areas. Our website is at http://stumpgrinding1.com.
This article on Stump Grinding Seattle, WA – Lawn repair is a little goofy. I must have wrote it on one of those all-nighters in the office.
