Are you looking to remove an old tree stump? Maybe it’s hindering your landscaping or gardening work? If that’s the case, then chances are you’ve thought about stump removal, and wondered how deep a stump grinder can go.
You probably want the whole thing gone, all the way down to the deepest root, but do you really need to go that deep? When looking into getting a stump removed with a grinder, you need to think about what you’re placing where the stump was. Are you going to lay down some lawn, or put a garden bed in, or even plant a new tree? This article will help you with your stump grinder questions and steer you in the right direction.
Why should you remove an old tree stump?
If you’re looking at your garden and see an old stump sitting there, then that is reason enough to remove it.
Maybe you need some more convincing? Well, old stumps can get in the way of any lawn mowing or gardening work you may want to do. They are also a safety hazard as stumps are prone to tripping people over.
You’ll definitely need to remove the entire stump if you’re looking to plant a new tree in a similar spot. The new tree needs room to spread out its roots, and if an old root system is already in place, it will hinder the growth and health of a new tree.
Looking to sell, or even rent your property? Most property owners would remove old stumps, as they can be an eyesore, a safety hazard, and can potentially lower the market value of the property.
How do stump grinders work?
The stump grinder has a vertical rotating wheel with teeth designed to chew away stumps, turning them into wood chips. Stump grinders are a pretty simple machine in theory, but do require someone who has been trained to operate them safely as there is a large spinning cutter wheel after all.
Anyone looking to operate a stump grinder should be trained in its operation. They should also wear protective clothing, like protective safety glasses, a helmet, gloves, ear muffs, long pants and shirt, and steel cap boots. This is done to ensure any debris doesn’t cause harm to the person operating the machine. Stump grinders create wood chips that can fly through the air and loose debris in the ground, like nails, bricks, rocks and tools, may get caught in the wheel and flicked into the air.
So, how deep?
Stump grinders go pretty deep as it turns out. To understand how deep a stump grinder can go, you need to know that there are different kinds of grinders with different purposes.Â
The smaller-sized stump cutters such as the SC292 and SC362 can grind to a depth of 38 cm, which is an ample enough depth to remove a small to medium-sized old tree stump in your garden. This is perfect for those who are looking to turf over the spot.
Larger models, such as the SC852, can grind down to 63.5cm. This will ensure the entire root system of medium to large stumps is completely removed. This is perfect for those who are looking to plant a new tree in the same area as the old stump.
There’s more to grinders than depth
Well, so now you know how deep a stump grinder can go, but do you understand the advantages of one grinder over another?
As we mentioned before, how deep you want to grind depends on what you want to do. Smaller and more portable grinders are perfect for getting into tight residential areas, and still provide ample room to remove stumps, all without damaging the surrounding property.
Some properties have some pretty difficult terrain for almost any kind of vehicle. The SC852 has a four-wheel-drive system perfect for traversing difficult ground surfaces.
The SC40TX has some great features, designed to make it more manoeuvrable and controllable. There is a standing platform on the SC40TX which allows its operator to ride on the machine and get the job done in a timely fashion, all whilst keeping it precise. Also, the SC40TX has counter-rotating tracks, which means it’s able to turn on the spot, allowing for high manoeuvrability and adjustability for any kind of job site.
Looking for a stump grinder?
Have you decided to remove that stump and know what to replace it with? Get in contact with us at Vermeer WA & NT, as we have a wide range of grinders available, including all the ones mentioned in this article. Browse through our product range on our tree care equipment. We also offer a range of services, from renting to purchasing equipment. Get in touch with our team to learn more. Call us on (08) 9479 4994.
