4 Tips For Your First Time Grinding A Tree Stump
Posted on: 29 August 2018
Once you fell a tree, you're left with an even harder job: getting rid of the tree stump. Although some people prefer to bury the stump and let it rot away on its own, there is a faster solution if you don't feel like waiting for years. You can rent a stump grinder from a local appliance rental company! Grinding a tree stump down is not easy, but you can ace it on the first attempt if you follow the tips below.
1. Clear everything away from the stump, first.
There is nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of grinding a tree stump and having the grinder get caught on a rock or some other debris near the stump. Not only can this send the rock flying, causing injuries, but it can also dull the grinder, causing it to take longer to grind out the remainder of the stump. Take your time to clear anything and everything away from the sides of the tree stump before you begin grinding.
2. Cut the stump the ground with a chainsaw.
It's really tough to use the stump grinder on a stump that is too far above the ground. So, use a chainsaw to cut the stump as close to the ground as possible before you go in with the grinder. Try to get the stump as level as possible. (If you do not have a chainsaw, most rental companies that rent stump grinders provide them, too.)
3. Start with the grinder wheel above the stump.
If you start with the wheel directly on the stump, you risk kicking up a lot of debris, which could injure you. Instead, place the grinder wheel an inch or two above the stump, and then turn it on. With the grinder running, lower it onto the stump, pushing it down until you have ground the stump to a level of about four inches below the ground surface. Then, turn the grinder off, pick it up, and do the same thing again and again until the entire stump is ground to the same level.
4. Wear protective gear and clothing.
Even the most experienced professionals sometimes send wood chips and debris flying with the grinder. Wear gloves, goggles, and long pants to protect yourself from these hazards. Always have someone else present when you are grinding a stump, just in case there is an accident.
For more information, contact a company like Absolute Tree and Stump Inc.
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