Stump Grinder Buying Guide
Once a tree has been felled, there remains a problem that can become a real obstacle: the remaining tree stump. Tree stumps can grow back into trees if left unaddressed, which, if you cut that tree down, is probably not what you want. So how do you get rid of tree stumps on your property or worksite? The answer is that you use a stump grinder to chip it away into dust.
Upstate Equipment in Lockport is your New York State stump grinder dealer, serving Amherst and Buffalo. Here’s what you should think about when shopping for a stump grinder.
What Are Stump Grinders?
As noted above, a stump grinder is a power tool that is used to remove tree stumps by grinding and chipping away at them with a toothed cutting wheel. Small bits of wood are shaved off with each pass and the stump is soon whittled down to sawdust and the chips of wood can be used for mulch.
Why Do You Need To Remove Stumps?
If you cut down a tree and leave the stump, it may eventually decompose, but it may also try to sprout shoots and regrow. A rotting stump is even less attractive than a fresh one, too, and it can take a really long time to disintegrate. Using a stump grinder to whittle down an offending stump until you’ve ground into the topsoil will let you cover up what’s left, ensuring that neither tree nor fungus can grow on what’s left.
What Wheel Size Do I Need?
One aspect of buying a stump grinder is determining the correct size of cutting wheel for your purposes. The biggest wheel possible is not necessarily going to provide you with the deepest cut below grade. How the safety guard on the wheel is designed will impact this, as well as the angle of the unit on its axle and the distance between the axle and the cutting wheel’s mounting point. A below-grade cutting depth may range between 9” and 18”.
Meanwhile, the grinder’s above-grade cutting depth may be anywhere from 10” to 24”. This measurement refers to how tall the stump can rise above the ground surface if you want to use a stump grinder on it. Anything taller will require the use of a chainsaw to cut it down.
We hope this guide proves useful to you as you shop for the right stump grinder. When you’re ready to check out some machinery in person, stop by our Lockport, NY, dealership to view our current stock of new and used stump grinders for sale. Talk to our staff if you’d like assistance with financing. Upstate Equipment proudly serves the greater Buffalo metropolitan area as well as the city of Amherst, NY.