Threw together a stump grinder

[jwmorris]

Converted a rope pull 8hp Briggs over to electric start, used the handle off an old rototiller, cutter off of a horizontal mill, front tires of a dead riding mower and some other stuff to make a stump grinder.

The tounge is held on/removes with a single lynch pin.

 

[xzcVAbc5]

Looks basically like my Vermeer except the business end isn't quite as long. The only problem that would really cause is that it the machine would be angled diwn in the hole more. The handles will get higher too.

Make sure you have a brake for one of those wheels so you have something to pivot the machine on when you cut.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Looks very practical and cost effective. Looking forward to hearing how it works out.

 

[farm boy00]

Converted a rope pull 8hp Briggs over to electric start, used the handle off an old rototiller, cutter off of a horizontal mill, front tires of a dead riding mower and some other stuff to make a stump grinder.

The tounge is held on/removes with a single lynch pin.

How does it drive??? The garden tractor transmission???

 

[woodlandfarms]

with my build the hardest part was the cutting wheel. Did you buy yours or make it? I have seen a guy on Ebay seling premade wheels

 

[jwmorris]

The brake is on the left wheel, operated by the lever on the left side, it over center locks the wheel when you have it where you want it. The only drive is on the horizontal mill cutter and that is just a belt. The idea is to push it over the stump, lock the one wheel and pivot it side to side around the one wheel (like a bunch of others work).

The cutter does have a 2" diameter hole with a 1/2" key way so I did have to machine and broach an adapter for it to fit on a 1" shaft with 1/4" key way.

Brake is on right in this photo.

 

[farm boy00]

The brake is on the left wheel, operated by the lever on the left side, it over center locks the wheel when you have it where you want it. The only drive is on the horizontal mill cutter and that is just a belt. The idea is to push it over the stump, lock the one wheel and pivot it side to side around the one wheel (like a bunch of others work).

The cutter does have a 2" diameter hole with a 1/2" key way so I did have to machine and broach an adapter for it to fit on a 1" shaft with 1/4" key way.

Brake is on right in this photo.

So you pull it close with a tractor then push it by hand and then lock the brakes. Neat, simple, and easy

 

[jwmorris]

Yes, the hitch is only to move it from one location to another, so I don't have to load it onto something to move it around the property.

 

[farm boy00]

Yes, the hitch is only to move it from one location to another, so I don't have to load it onto something to move it around the property.

I really like it. Though i don't need one. Simple easy and could tow with anything really

 

[skylarkguy]

Very nice. I have a number of small to med stumps that need grinding if you need a demo site...

 

[jwmorris]

Well took it down to the farm yesterday and got rid of 3 different stumps. Would have drove around and hit a few more but decided to wait until it's less than 100 degrees outside.

Looks like a winner though. If I had it to do over I would have offset the cutter to one side so it would be easier to see "the work" vs looking around to see what your doing.

 

[Sodo]

I like that item. I've been adding ATV towbars to things too. Heres my trencher. I found it really easy to tip over towing it,,,,,. I've been adding simple bolt-thread swivels to all my ATV towed implements ( to protect the hitches & towbars ).

 

[woodlandfarms]

JW, where did you get the cutting wheel?

 

[jwmorris]

Part of a lot I bought at an auction, it's a cutter that was used on some old Sunstrand horizontal mills.

Horizontal Mill Cutters | eBay

 

[woodlandfarms]

huh wah huh? That is brilliant. How big is your cutting wheel in diameter?

 

[milligjg]

I'd be happy to try it out for you. I have about 25 stumps that need to go bye bye!

 

[downsizingnow48]

I predict a mysterious surge in ebay milling cutter sales.

 

[Sodo]

Looks like a winner though. If I had it to do over I would have offset the cutter to one side so it would be easier to see "the work" vs looking around to see what your doing.

Yes it does. :thumbsup: Why not modify it to move the cutter over? Did you make the brake components?

At a nearby tool sharpening company I saw a bunch of those cutters on the shelf, from $25-$75. I was thinking of using them for a debarker for the sawmill. Bigger ones were more, but I was suprised they were not expensive. Will have to go look again.

 

[jwmorris]

Too much work to change it now and it's not too bad for just a few stumps at a time.

The brake was one I had left over from building some reels to lower geothermal tubing into holes, it's really just a band brake for a go kart , just moved the shifter that was on the old tiller handle over to the side and added a spring so it could over center and lock the brake on, once you were in position.

The cutter is 9.5" in diameter and has a kerf of 1.5", 18 teeth.

 

[Sodo]

What size SQ tubes did you use for the towbar 'socket'?