Do you have a large property with tons of trees on it? It can be both a blessing and a curse.
Yes, you will have beautiful, lush, green trees to dot your property, giving you relaxing views of nature anytime you look outside your window. Having mature trees can also increase your property value, making it more likely to sell your house faster.
But sometimes trees can be a nuisance. If a tree is growing too close to your home, it could pose a threat and you should consider tree removal. This will keep your house safe in the event of a big storm.
Other trees that need to be removed are those that might be dead and ugly, or that are producing fruit that is attracting critters to your property. But when removing an old tree, you’ll also need to remove the stump, which takes special equipment. Keep reading to learn how to buy a stump grinder so you can finish the job the right way.
Why You Need a Stump Grinder
When it comes to cutting down smaller trees, most homeowners are going to forgo hiring a tree removal service and try doing it themselves. If the tree poses little threat to crushing your home, it’s likely a safe enough tree to try cutting down yourself.
All you’ll need is a chain saw, or even a handsaw if the tree isn’t too big. You can start by cutting away from the larger branches before cutting the trunk and knocking it over.
You might think its job well done until you look down and realize there’s still a stump. Many people try digging around it to try pulling it up before realizing that even small trees have extensive root systems in place.
These roots are designed to keep the tree from moving or being lifted out of the ground in severe weather. So if a storm can’t uproot a tree, neither can you.
That’s where a stump grinder comes in handy. This piece of tree removal machinery is the last step before finally ridding your property of a tree.
After all, you wouldn’t want to leave a stump next to your house, would you? Not only will it be ugly, but it could also be a safety hazard. Using a stump grinder is the only way to remove a stump, making it look like there was never even a tree there before.
How Do Stump Grinders Work?
So how do stump grinders work? They work by literally grinding away at the wood of the stump until it has dissolved into wood shavings, which you can out and disposed of.
Stump grinders contain large, rotating blades that will chop up the stump bit by bit until there’s no stump left. This allows the operator to hold the grinder, guiding it over the entire stump, getting deeper and deeper. Once you’ve demolished the stump and roots, you can toss the wood shavings in a yard waste bin or use them for compost.
Once you remove the wood chips, you’ll still be left with a big hole. You can fill it with soil, dirt, plants, or a layer of wood chips to decompose.
How to Buy a Stump Grinder for Tree Removal
If you have a handful of trees you are looking to remove, buying machinery makes more sense than renting. Plus, if you run a lawn care company, they can become business tools as you offer your clients a new service.
There are different types of grinders you can buy. You can choose a smaller, lighter, handheld operated grinder. With this type, you hold the handlebar, moving it back and forth over the stump manually. These are cheaper and easier to get started with, especially with smaller stumps.
There are also track grinders, which allow you to stand behind the machine and operate it with controls. These are often much larger, more expensive, but get the job done much quicker.
With a track grinder, it’s much larger and heavier, meaning you are going to need a trailer in order to haul it around. If you have lots of stumps or larger stumps, it’s the better option.
But if you only have a few smaller stumps, a handheld grinder will do just fine.
Most professionals opt for Fecon stump grinders, due to reliability and functionality. If you’d like to handle stumps like the pros, you can check out the stump grinders here.
How to Use a Stump Grinder
Ready to skip the tree removal company and take care of a tree and stump yourself? After cutting down the tree, here’s what to do.
First, you want to cut down the stump as low as possible, just above the ground. Using a chain saw to do this will save you a ton of time when you start grinding.
Once the stump has been cut low, ensure all pets and children are inside and away from the work zone. Wear heavy-duty work gloves and safety goggles. Also, wear thick, loose clothing to protect your skin from flying wood chips.
As you start grinding your stump, just take it slow. Don’t apply too much force to try grinding faster. Move the grinder back and forth over the stump, letting the blades and gravity take care of all the work for you.
Depending on how old the stump is, the job might go fast or go really slow. If the stump has been there for a while, then the wood has already begun to decompose, will be softer, and will grind much quicker.
However, if you cut down the tree yesterday, the stump will be hard and it’s going to take longer. Just be patient.
DIY Done Right
Tree removal is a job that you can do yourself if you have the right tools and some basic knowledge of the process. You don’t need to spend many hundreds of dollars hiring a service provider each time you want to improve your hard.
Just pick up your own grinder and take care of the job yourself. It provides much more satisfaction, anyway.
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