HELPFUL INFORMATION To Stump Grinding

As an itinerant stump grinder for these past dozen years, I've experienced various stump removal scenarios. I haven't written this with the intention to impress, nor has it been written because the "be all to end all stump grinding method". I felt there to become a need for a written description of what I really do, amongst the plethora of visual and pictorial information on the market. Perhaps this humble piece will inspire other stump grinders to create an effort making use of their written descriptions of how they grind away stumps making use of their machinery. If this collective information, was compiled and indexed, it may prove to be a valued written source of reference for several future stump grinders. I'm fortunate to be able to draw upon my own unique mix of experiences (not necessarily connected with this subject), complemented having an ability to put this into writing --- although how it is interpreted, remains to be observed. This is the detailed description of how I remove a tree stump with a professional stump grinding machine.

You will see deviations from this main topic, also describing my reasons, methodology, and events which led to today's action taken. Unlike a lot of my stump grinding peers who have relied upon YouTube videos to show stump grinding, nobody has yet---as far when i am aware--- written a definitive procedural description on the salient points of the operation, for placement in the wild domain. It is understood there are many other views with a great many other variations in procedure, reflected by variations of equipment types. My intention of basing my procedural description with a modified Carlton 2300 stump grinder, would be to keep it simple, without all of the "great features" of modern stump grinding machines. However, this old (1997) model has been updated with a Lombardini diesel engine to provide it performance approaching modern machines. I have added a number of my own "bells and whistles" by means of various gauges that i feel are important to gain a general knowledge of machine performance. Further, old fashioned finger type cutter teeth are used. This is a personal preference predicated on cost alone. I also recognise the OEM improvements made to modern stump grinders, and don't intend for these writings to decrease those improvements in virtually any conceivable way. Again I re-emphasise the application of a vintage model Carlton 2300 would be to keep it simple regardless of the below listed changes to the machine. My wish, and hope is that some of this will spark additional thoughts and improvements to increased safety, and productivity in a potentially hazardous operation. Stump grinding is inherently a hazardous operation to people, pets, and property. The scope of this procedural description assumes a knowledge of all necessary safety equipment, and can only make occasional reference to such equipment within the context of my operational method and procedure. I will begin with a list of modifications designed to this old Carlton 2300 including reasons:

brackets for securing a 2.5 mtr. horizontal, flood light mast at the machine's top, and along its length. When working any distance from base, It isn't inexpensive to complete employment on a second return to site if it is possible to perform within one journey. Winter evenings at the solstice within England, begins at about 16:00. Working a few extra hours at night, will make a considerable cost benefits. This prompted installation of a flood light attachment. to the device.
pivoted brackets mounted in place of mud guards for securing rubber screens suspended from steel arms.  https://stumpgrindinggloucestershire.co.uk/best-stump-grinding-gloucestershire/  of stump grinders may now provide these screens. None were available at the time, therefore i made them up. After experiencing a broken window, due to stones being projected diagonally from the cutter wheel, such a screening provision became very immediate. I never operate without my mud guard mounted screens.
pivoted bracket assembly for securing a vertical mast of a three meter parasol used for all lengthy stump grinding jobs---rain or shine. A cushty stump grinder, is really a productive stump grinder.
bracket for securing an effective oil pressure gauge---not an idiot light! Modern stump grinders have automatic switches to shut down the engine when oil pressure is lost. If this machine had one--I would still install an oil pressure gauge. An idiot light will not sense a decrease in oil pressure as once the engine warms up from cold, or when a possible leak might occur. Further, it can indicate approximate engine temperature once experience is gained with normal pressure/temperature comparisons.
bracket for securing an engine oil temperature gauge. This is a temporary installation because the oil dip stick had to be substituted with a sensor bulb immersed in the sump oil to get accurate data. With a clear cool air intake, my engine was running at 90 C. That's quite hot and proves the idea how important it is to keep cool air passages and air intakes clear and clean. I have nearly 4000 run hours on my diesel engine with NO black or white exhaust smoke!
bracket securing hydraulic oil temperature gauge. That is also an ongoing temporary installation while data is collected and can become more accurately referenced against the pressure gauge. A permanent installation with a combination oil level and temperature indicator will undoubtedly be installed at a later date.
A sheet metal screen separating the operator from hydraulic hoses was installed just behind the hydraulics control levers. Most modern models have enclosures for hydraulic hosing, and must meet CE certification.
welded angle, supports for cutter wheel's hinged (guard) shroud. When this guard is down in its operational position, it nestles between two welded angles giving it lateral support. The addition of these angled supports was found to be necessary when the guard makes contact with a portion of uncut stump which remained beyond the swing limit of the cutter wheel.
brackets to secure a permanent electric winch above steering wheels. A twelve volt winch has been recognised being an essential on-board equipment. Occasions have required a winch to aid machine manoeuvrability, to fix a static position on a slope where driving the machine's own stake in to the ground is impossible. and to extract the device from difficult terrain.
installation of lockable key operated emergency stop switch. CE compliance requires this switch.
installation of a fixed means to secure the cutter wheel's hinged shroud in the down or operational position. CE compliance requires this.
central point greasing hub located within a cutout on the machine's decking. Armored, sheathed, flexibile, hydraulic grade pipe, is connected to four underside (difficult to attain) grease nipples
fine mesh insect screen installed over engine cooling intake fan opening, complemented with a steel grid support fixed within air intake shroud. This eliminated the need to frequently remove th engine's cool air ducting to the finned cylinders, for cleaning away debris caught between cylinder cooling fins. This is a frequent and essential task to prevent "hot spots" also to maintain efficient engine cooling for this type of hot running air cooled engine. A water cooled engine has distinct advantages for operating in such a dirty environment.
A thick neoprene gasket placed under the chain drive cover. This gasket is a good improvement with keeping out contamination, and extending chain life. ( Modern stump grinders have hydraulic motor hub drives for every wheel. Chain breakage was always a risk, with the possibility of a runaway machine. That can't happen with hydraulic motors at the drive wheels.)
complete sheet metal encasement of 'V' belt drive. Required for CE compliance.
Improved fixing/support bracket for shallow screen located directly behind cutter wheel. This bracket was manufactured in one little bit of steel stretching the length of the rubber screen. It provides additional screen support, and is quicker /easier to remove for screen replacement due to wear.
heavy duty spiral banding was wrapped around all exposed hydraulic hoses. A CE requirement to protect the operator from the hydraulic hose burst
Installing thermocouples to the bearings for determining their average normal running temperature also to indicate excessive bearing play yet to be installed.
Transporting A Stump Grinder:

There are two ways of getting your stumpgriner later on to a niche site; either by loading it onto a trailer, onto a truck, or into a van. I opt for VW medium wheel base, high top, turbo-diesel, panel van for the following reasons, and a description of the way the stump grinder is stowed:

VW vans represent dependability for me. I'm onto my third change of van (all purchased second hand) and have never really had a failure that wasn't my fault.
the trailer option seemed to be hassle, with access down narrow driveways, turning radii too narrow, and significant amounts of unnecessary monoeuvreing
I dont have a large enough secure garage, which may require outside storage for the stump grinder and trailer rendering it subject to theft.
my van is focused on storing the stump grinder where It stays onboard.
I do all of my servicing and repairs with the stumpgrinder onboard. I carry all necessary tooling to execute minor field repairs e.g. changing a drive chain to the drive axle, or wedge belts for the cutter drive.
the stump grinder and tools are secure in the van with the vans additional security, eg. immobiliser, alarm, wheel clamp, and extra door and frame strengthening which has already prevented someone attempting to lever the bottom of the trunk doors upwards so that they can gain access.
I keep a couple of steel ramps stowed onboard. They are also useful for gaining access in gardens with steps, or at an increased level.
a steel wire cable is installed between opposite anchor points close to the steel bulkhead separating driver from loadbay. At the cable's centre is fixed a steel ring, by which the stump grinder's stake enters, when the machine is stowed. This cable has two purposes. First use is when uploading the grinder. By extending its tongue to reach the steel ring fixed at the centre of the wire cable, then passing the machine's stake through the steel ring, allows the machine to pull itself into position when retracting the tongue. This entry method is recommended over reliance on the grinders wheel traction that is minimised on wet days, and also because its wheels must climb over, and on top of screening stored on the vans floor. Second use is as a secure fixing point as the van is in transit.
within the trunk of the loadbay, is really a steel saddle fixed to the ground. ( appears like an ugly double "TT" ) It really is bolted through the van's floor, and through square plates pulling against the chassis underside. The machine's cutter wheel nestles between two verticle plates. A pin passes through both verticle plates and a cutter wheel bolt hole, where the tertiary pockets use to be fixed. ( they didn't do any work, so use was manufactured from their intended bolt holes )
the machine is firmly stowed using this method. Indeed, it stayed in place, with my van on its side in a drainage ditch! ( the ultimate test )
Downloading the Stump Grinder By The Numbers

open rear doors, unsecure ramps from their stowed position, slid out ramps, and fix them to door sill with pins
open sliding side door, start the stump grinders engine, retract tongue slightly to pull against steel cable thus allowing release of tension on cutter wheel stowage pin, because of its removal, and raise the cutter wheel from its floor saddle.
engage axle drive or "free wheel" valve, reverse machine slightly, just enough to permit release of tension on steel cable allowing extraction of machine's "T" stake from the steel ring fixed to the cable.
pin the machine's stake to its normal stowed position, and drive stump grinder down the ramps.
Determining Safe Access

after stopping the grinders engine (remove key), do a "walk-through" along the machine's intended path to the stumps. Depending on machine's width (owing to extension dual wheels fitted) determine an easy unobstructed access.