The phrases “easy” and “stump removal” were never spotted in the same paragraph until stump grinders were invented.
Before stump grinders, getting rid of a tree stump was a terrible mess. Property owners usually had three options. One, dig the entire stump out and extract the root ball with the help of chainsaws and other heavy-lifting machinery. Two, drill large holes into the stump and pour products inside that can speed up the decomposition process. Three, burn the old tree stump.
None of these methods were easy or quick. Luckily, stump grinders changed all of that. These days you can easily and quickly get rid of any tree stump no matter how tough the wood is or how big the stump is.
Professional grinders also developed other strategies that ease the stump removal process even more. Here are some of the best tips from professional grinders.
- Use a Suitable Stump Grinder
Stump grinders vary in size and they can have all sorts of features. It is important to use a suitable grinder for every tree removal project.
Small grinders can be more practical for tight-access areas or for areas with lots of underground structures that might get caught in the grinding process.
A big grinder can be more practical for large tree stumps since it will speed up the process a lot.
It is also best to have an extremely powerful stump grinder on hand when you are dealing with hardwood tree species. If the stump grinder motor isn’t powerful enough, the grinder will have a tough time chipping away at the wood and can start to overheat.
- Prepare the Work Area
Stump grinders are powerful machines that can send metal fragments projecting at astonishing speeds. To eliminate the risk of a large piece of metal or debris flying through the air, the area must first be prepared.
First, the work site needs to be cleared of all obstacles including debris, trash, waste, rocks, and rubble.
In most cases, it is best to create a barrier around the tree stump. This will keep bystanders and surrounding structures protected while using the machine.
Next, you will need to prepare the stump. All stones and rocks should be cleared away so they won’t damage the grinder blades. In many cases, a bit of soil around the tree stump is cleared away. This allows the grinder to reach down deeper into the earth so more of the root ball can be shredded away and so the blades won’t have to dig into the earth.
- Keep Other Tools on Hand
The stump grinder will do most of the hard work but there are always some manual tasks that will need to be taken care of. It is best to take along a shovel, chainsaw, rake and hose. The chainsaw might come in handy for cutting away large chunks of trees. The shovel and rake will be useful when it is time to clear away all of the shredded wood pieces and for levelling the area after grinding away the stump.
- Wear Protective Gear
The grinding team should always wear protective clothing. Stump grinders are dangerous and wearing protective clothing can prevent injuries. It is best to wear full-length clothing, safety goggles, ear muffs, a dust mask, and gloves while working.
Easy Stump Removal in Geelong
If you want to quickly and easily get rid of old tree stumps standing around in your yard then there is no better company to call than Pete Stump Grinding. We use elite stump grinders that can quickly cut through even the toughest of wood and our team is highly skilled at clearing away old stumps.