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What to look for in a new system and how to care for it
An important part of stump cutter productivity is having an effective cutting system, says Mark Rieckhoff, environmental segment manager for Vermeer Corporation. How do you know when your cutting system needs maintenance or replacement? According to Rieckhoff, if you notice a definite drop in performance and efficiency, as well as an increase in vibration, it’s a good sign that the stump cutter teeth are dull. “You can have the most powerful stump cutter on the market, but an inefficient cutting system will reduce productivity,” says Rieckhoff. “Well-maintained teeth and pockets will help lead to more stumps cut per day.”
Selecting the right cutting system is an important decision. Rieckhoff encourages customers, when evaluating cutting systems, to look at overall cost, ease of service and maintenance and the ability to maintain a sharp, efficient edge on the teeth. “Over the past several years, there has been an industry trend toward improving cutting system maintenance features and reducing the time required to replace the cutting system,” says Rieckhoff.
Rieckhoff suggests purchasing a cutting system where the tooth tip extends outward to protect the side of the pocket. “This feature enables better utilization of horsepower by limiting pocket rubbing against the stump — rubbing can result in power loss and vibration,” says Rieckhoff. “It also helps reduce side, top and front pocket wear and extend the pocket life.”
He also encourages contractors to look for teeth that can be easily indexed and still provide a good cutting edge. When the tooth is rotated, the opposite edge should provide an almost new cutting surface for extended tooth life. Once you’ve selected a new cutting system, extending its life requires daily inspection and knowledge of the ground conditions in your area.
Areas with rocky soil conditions will tend to damage the teeth and pockets, while sandy soil will accelerate wear on the cutting system. In these cases, monitor and replace the teeth and pockets for efficient operation. These simple steps will help extend the life of the tooth, increase productivity and help to decrease the overall cost to the customer.
Used Equipment