How Does a Stump Grinder Work?

If you're tired of navigating your lawn mower around one or more tree stumps in your landscape, you may want to invest in a stump grinder. It will simplify the process of removing stumps. Rather than leaving the stumps in your landscape, you can grind them to a pulp. Even if you've seen a stump grinder, though, you might be unfamiliar with their mechanics. To learn more about stump grinders and how they work, keep reading.

Overview of Stump Grinders

A stump grinder is a machine that lives up to its namesake by grinding stumps. They are available in a variety of styles. Regardless, all stump grinders feature a set of bladed wheels. You can position a stump grinder over a stump. As the bladed wheels spin, they'll grind up the stump so that you can easily remove it from the ground.

Stump Grinders vs Stump Removers: What's the Difference?

It's important to note that stump grinders aren't the same as stump removers. Stump grinders are designed specifically to grind up stumps. After using a stump grinder, you can either leave the wood pump in the ground, or you can remove it. Stump removers, on the other hand, are designed to remove stumps automatically without grinding them up.

Stump removers don't feature the same bladed wheels as stump grinders. Instead, they feature a shovel-like scooping head. To remove a stump, you can place the stump remover over it, followed by engaging the head. The head will drop down to the ground and scoop up the stump.

Tips on Choosing a Stump Grinder

While all stump grinders feature a set of bladed wheels, not all of them are the same. They are available in different styles. There are walk-behind stump grinders, for instance, that you can stand and walk behind. There are also seated stump grinders that resemble a forklift without the forks. Walk-behind stump grinders are cheaper, but they lack the power of their seated counterparts.

You should consider the size when choosing a stump grinder. A small stump grinder may suffice for equally small stumps. Tree stumps, however, aren't always small. Some of them are pretty big, and you may need a larger stump grinder to deal with them.

Keep in mind that you don't have to purchase a stump grinder. If you only have one or a few stumps in your landscape, you may want to rent one.