For more than 30 years, Arbor Age magazine has been covering new and innovative products, services, technology and research vital to tree care companies, municipal arborists and utility right-of-way maintenance companies
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28 Arbor Age / April 2014 www.arborage.com EQUIPMENT FOCUS EQUIPMENT FOCUS B y D a r r i n C l i n e The aged, dying tree has been cut down; the branches and leaves have been cleared away and processed in the brush chipper. How- ever, one signifi cant portion of the tree remains to be removed in order to complete the job: the stump. In order to effi ciently and completely remove the stump and maintain the landscape aesthetic, a stump cutter should be used. Stump cutters are suited to tackle any type of tree and any size stump. Depending on the machine size, the stump cutter can grind stumps as high as 31 inches above the ground. Nonetheless, much like any piece of tree care equipment, a stump cutter that is not regularly maintained will experience less-effi cient performance and lead to additional time on a jobsite. Failing to operate the stump cutter appropriately and follow a consistent maintenance regimen can limit the effectiveness of a stump cutter. Before putting a stump cutter to work at a jobsite, it is important to inspect the environment and remove any materials that may dam- age the cutter wheel during the stump removal. Look around before you engage Before engaging the stump cutter, operators should be aware of foreign objects around the stump. "If you hit something like barbed wire, it can get tangled up in the cutter wheel. Other objects like stones or fence posts can damage cutter wheel teeth," said Mike Rector, tree care solutions specialist for Vermeer. These issues can also arise when working in challenging soil. As the stump cutter works closer and closer to the ground, it may contact rocky soil. Thus, operators should not only try their best to remove any obstructions in the ground, but also work very slowly and meticulously. Even with advanced technologies and improved automation of today's stump cutters, there are still a number of areas to check regu- larly on a stump cutter to ensure that everything is in working order. First, always review and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for periodic maintenance. "Two of the biggest wear items on a stump cutter are the teeth and pockets on the wheel," said Rector. "I recommend daily inspec- tions of these to make sure they aren't too worn down. If the teeth reach that point, you can rotate to the other side. Pockets should be inspected for wear, and can also be rotated to the other side of the wheel to increase their life." The engine should also be monitored daily to help operators be more confi dent in their cutters. Checking fl uid levels before using the machine that day and familiarizing oneself with the power out- put of the stump cutter are also important. Be sure to follow the manual for a checklist. "There could be changes in the sound from the engine if it is losing power or something is not working correctly," said Rector. "A difference in the amount of time it takes to remove a stump or the feeling of less power to the cutter wheel can be indicative of Common Areas of Stump Cutter Neglect How to keep these workhorse units in top condition