Anyone have a MechMaxx 3-pt stump grinder?

[shooterdon]

Did you pull the 2 pivot lock pins? I've only done a few myself, but it seems to me the pivot kind of controls the size of the bite. If you're taking too much, the forward force overcomes the weight of the unit and it tilts up and 'automatically' take a shallower bite. Am I wrong? Is there another purpose for this pivot point?

I stalled once with the pivot pins removed. It is not fool proof. But I work slower now and have not had it happen again.

 

[IXLR8]

I finally finished my BH work, removed the BH and installed the stump grinder. I had a heck of a job getting the PTO shaft onto the grinder shaft. Followed suggestions and recommendations here and finally got it on. I hope to never have to take it off again.
I found that none of the teeth were tightened to spec, that was fun getting them torqued to 160 ft-lbs.
- Does anybody have any suggestions to get the outside teeth torqued to spec? That silly 6" wrench they give you is a joke!!
- What is the preferred method to set the slip clutch to work properly? I loosened it to break it free but wasn't sure the best method to tighten it... except for just trial and error until it doesn't slip.
TIA

 

[JJT]

I finally finished my BH work, removed the BH and installed the stump grinder. I had a heck of a job getting the PTO shaft onto the grinder shaft. Followed suggestions and recommendations here and finally got it on. I hope to never have to take it off again.
I found that none of the teeth were tightened to spec, that was fun getting them torqued to 160 ft-lbs.
- Does anybody have any suggestions to get the outside teeth torqued to spec? That silly 6" wrench they give you is a joke!!
- What is the preferred method to set the slip clutch to work properly? I loosened it to break it free but wasn't sure the best method to tighten it... except for just trial and error until it doesn't slip.
TIA

I lucked out, the pto slipped on the stump grinder shaft with no issues.

I double checked the torque on my teeth with a 2 foot cheater bar on a large breaker bar, all where tight. I double checked them after grinding a few stumps and they have remained tight.

As for the slip clutch, I set mine with a caliper. I started at 25 pto horses and it slipped too easily. I then set it up for the 30 pto horses that I have and I've only slipped it once when I bogged it down getting too aggressive on a large hardwood stump.

I've done at least 20 stumps with no stump grinder issues. The only issue I have is using the rear mounted implement for more than an hour sitting sideways watching the grinder do its job. It sucks to get old....

 

[John_Mc]

I found that none of the teeth were tightened to spec, that was fun getting them torqued to 160 ft-lbs.
- Does anybody have any suggestions to get the outside teeth torqued to spec? That silly 6" wrench they give you is a joke!!

You're not using a torque wrench to set it? I would assume the 6" wrench is just to get them on and snugged up a bit.

 

[IXLR8]

You're not using a torque wrench to set it? I would assume the 6" wrench is just to get them on and snugged up a bit.

I used a torque wrench for all cutters except the 4 on the outside edge, can't get my torque wrench/socket in there.

 

[Runner]

You're not using a torque wrench to set it? I would assume the 6" wrench is just to get them on and snugged up a bit.

The wrench they include with the grinder is made to be an extension for your torque wrench for the teeth that you can't get a socket on. Not meant to be used by itself.

 

[IXLR8]

The wrench they include with the grinder is made to be an extension for your torque wrench for the teeth that you can't get a socket on. Not meant to be used by itself.

I read that in the instructions, but I have no idea how to attach/use that little wrench with my torque wrench.

 

[eolesen]

Thanks for this thread. I've got some 30 stumps and my brother in law just down the road has 50. We had considered renting a walk behind for a week, but this might be a better option, and we would definitely be a lot less rushed...

I have a Kubota L4701DT with a gear shift transmission. It sounds like in Turtle 1, this has worked for some of you? That's my only concern. He has a MX7080 also with a gear and shuttle shift.

 

[Runner]

I read that in the instructions, but I have no idea how to attach/use that little wrench with my torque wrench.

You just install the adapter on your torque wrench at a 90 degree angle (so as not to affect the amount of torque) and put the other end on the nut like any box-end wrench. You only need to use it on the nuts that can't be accessed by a regular socket.

 

[IXLR8]

You just install the adapter on your torque wrench at a 90 degree angle (so as not to affect the amount of torque) and put the other end on the nut like any box-end wrench. You only need to use it on the nuts that can't be accessed by a regular socket.

What is this adapter you are talking about and how does it install on my torque wrench?

 

[Runner]

What is this adapter you are talking about and how does it install on my torque wrench?

In the instructions for my Woodland Mills unit (same as the MechMaxx) they call the "wrench" a "torque adapter".

 

[JJT]

Thanks for this thread. I've got some 30 stumps and my brother in law just down the road has 50. We had considered renting a walk behind for a week, but this might be a better option, and we would definitely be a lot less rushed...

I have a Kubota L4701DT with a gear shift transmission. It sounds like in Turtle 1, this has worked for some of you? That's my only concern. He has a MX7080 also with a gear and shuttle shift.

I don't think you'll be happy using this stump grinder with a geared tractor. You'll be riding the clutch alot. I have HST. I ease into the stump, stop and let it grind for a few seconds until no chips are being thrown, then pull forward an inch or two and stop, let it grind, and repeat........

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I don't think you'll be happy using this stump grinder with a geared tractor. You'll be riding the clutch alot. I have HST. I ease into the stump, stop and let it grind for a few seconds until no chips are being thrown, then pull forward an inch or two and stop, let it grind, and repeat........

My geared tractor has "creep" gears, I don't stop or do any clutch slipping while grinding at all.

I chose the right gear to begin with that gives the slow speed I need and drive right through with the grinder grinding. It works just great and gets the job done just fine, no whiner tranny needed.

I do think a gear drive tractor should have creep gears for grinding stumps though...

SR

 

[eolesen]

Checking this morning.It looks like I can do 4 inches a second in the lowest gear. That might be a little too fast for this tool.

 

[shooterdon]

Checking this morning.It looks like I can do 4 inches a second in the lowest gear. That might be a little too fast for this tool.

IMO, that is too fast a speed

 

[skid mark]

Checking this morning.It looks like I can do 4 inches a second in the lowest gear. That might be a little too fast for this tool.

This stump grinder might be a good option for gear drive tractors that don't have a sufficiently low creep gear.

 

[shooterdon]

This stump grinder might be a good option for gear drive tractors that don't have a sufficiently low creep gear.

I wish I had bought that one but could not justify paying double the price.

It may not work well with a lot of the smaller tractors as it needs 35HP. I have 32 HP at the PTO and think it would be fine.

 

[eolesen]

It also requires a rear remote, which my particular tractor doesn't offer as standard, so add another $1000 to the cost.

It would be cheaper to replace the clutch plate several times over...

 

[Sawyer Rob]

It would be cheaper to replace the clutch plate several times over...

Apparently, you have never priced replacing the clutch on your tractor.

SR

 

[IXLR8]

Finally got my MM grinder assembled and adjusted. I couldn't figure out how to 'attach' the 24mm adapter to my torque wrench, so I just put a 2' long pipe on the adapter and tightened the nut to my best 'guesstimate' torque value. I set the slip clutch to the 30hp setting. If I engage the PTO at 1/2 PTO rpm, then it slips according to my marks. But if I engage at idle, it does not slip. Okay, time to grind some stumps. I had a 3' dia about 10" high pine stump to practice on.
This thing is a beast and I am not running it at full PTO speed. I need to practice some more to get proficient. After spending 45 min grinding on this stump and accidentally taking some cuts deeper than I should have. The clutch was not warm at all so I am going to assume it was not slipping.
I find the PTO shaft to be located exactly blocking where I want to see. I have a backup camera that I am going to see if I can mount it where it will give me a better view of what is going on.