The Basics on Stump Removal Machines

And what is the best stump grinder model for your farm or property?

When it comes to removing tree stumps, stump grinders are an excellent tool for quickly cleaning up your property. 

For many landowners with access to a tractor, a PTO-driven stump grinder is another tool in their property maintenance arsenal, but how do they work and what is the best model for your land's needs?

Let's get into the basics of stump grinders and discuss it.

What is stump grinding?

Stump grinding is the process of removing a stump by removing a small amount of material at a time. Equipped with a cutter wheel that has tungsten carbide teeth with sharp cutting edges, the grinder is pulled back and forth through the stump, taking down the height until it's burrowed underground to remove not just the stump, but the roots too.

PTO stump grinding is effective because:

• • The sharp tungsten carbide teeth cut through wood easily

  • The high-speed grinding wheel is controlled by your tractor's horsepower

  • The added stability of being attached to your tractor

PTO stump grinders are a popular way of stump grinding because they connect directly to your tractor and are powered by your tractor's horsepower. Simply drive your tractor forward so the stump grinder is drawn through the stump and you can easily clean up your property within minutes.

What are other methods of stump removal?

While stump grinders are a popular and proven method of stump removal, there are other methods for getting rid of stumps, but they each have their issues. There are chemical stump removers which speed up the degradation process, making them easier to mulch and tear up. Some people burn their stumps, but this can be a safety hazard as the fire can spread along the roots and cause an underground fire, which can be very hard to detect and put out.

The safest method for removing tree stumps is to use a stump grinder.

What are the best stump grinders for my tractor?

When it comes to factoring in cost, size and features, here are a few models of PTO stump grinder that are recommended by landowners:

The Woodland Mills WG24

The WG24 is an excellent entry level stump grinder that can make quick work of the stumps on your property. Attaching to your tractor's 3-point hitch to make it easy to transport, it's also easy to maintain with replaceable tungsten carbide teeth. This machine can turn any stump on your property into a satisfying pile of wood chips.

The WG24 features:

• • 24" diameter grinding flywheel

  • 34 tungsten carbide teeth

  • 6" maximum grinding depth

  • PTO HP range of 15 - 45 HP

The Woodland Mills WG28 PRO

The WG28 PRO is a great machine designed to quickly eliminate stumps, and has premium features not seen on base model stump grinders. It features a Patent Pending Shock Absorption System that applies even pressure, prevents kickback, and includes a draw speed indicator to help set the optimal working range for tractor speed. It also has a Go/No Go Visual Indicator to easily check your grinding angle and chain-equipped chip deflectors for easier cleanup. When it comes to removing tree stumps from your property, the WG28 PRO offers a great bang for your buck.

The WG28 PRO features:

• • 28" diameter grinding flywheel

  • 44 tungsten carbide teeth

  • 8.5" maximum grinding depth

  • PTO HP range of 35-80 HP

This efficient machine can be great for individual landowners or small landscaping companies that utilize a tractor for property maintenance, letting you profit and make money off your stump grinder. Each pass utilizes the maximum shearing force to turn even tough stumps into wood chips, meaning you can easily clear a whole field of stumps with ease.

To sum it up, the best stump grinder is...

A model that can quickly turn stumps on your property into a satisfying hole that can be easily filled to clean up the landscape. Models like the WG24 and WG28 PRO can easily eliminate stumps across tour property. For larger tractors at an affordable price, you could also go with the WG28, which features a 28" diameter grinding flywheel. It has all the core features of the WG28 PRO and cuts out the extras to make a streamlined, affordable package. You could also do the WG24 PRO, for smaller tractor owners that want those improved features.

Look into machines that can attach to your tractor and make the most of your engine's horsepower. Keep in mind your budget to see what additional features, like chain-equipped chip deflectors or a larger grinding wheel, you can afford. Look at trusted brands like Woodland Mills that have proven popular with landowners all over the world.