Scoring stumps when grinding

Leo182 · May 27, 2021

I just ordered a Woodland Mills WG24 stump grinder. I'll have a few months wait before it's here so to kill some time I was watching a few videos on it. On one video, I noticed the stump appeared to have been scored in maybe a cross hatch type pattern with a chainsaw. I have not seen this before so it got me thinking. Is there any benefit or drawback to this? I may be completely wrong, but in my mind it seems that it could chip off bigger chunks, making the job quicker. But then I figure if it really was beneficial others would have tried it and it would be more commonly seen. What's the real answer from any experienced operators?

oldballs · May 27, 2021

I'd say that scoring trunks without dulling the saw chain could only hurry up the grinding process, especially on a larger trunk. I can't think of any disadvantage.

Cheers,
Mike

4570Man · May 27, 2021

I wouldn’t do it. I’ve seen grinders break off the chunks and either launch them or jam up the grinder. Cut the stump as short as possible and start grinding.

bill9068 · May 27, 2021

Having owned a couple of stand alone stump grinders I always had the tree company cut as low as they could. The less stump exposed the better. Not familiar with the one you mentioned, what kind of teeth do you run on them?

Captain Dirty · May 27, 2021

Back in the 70's I recall seeing an ad for a chainsaw "stump grinder" consisting of a tripod from which a chainsaw was suspended on a chain. The operator grasped the saw in the conventional manner and proceeded to carve away at the stump. Although the saw was tethered by the chain, I suspect that safe control was problematic. Those were the days of big radius bar noses with high kickback potential. Once the stump was down to grade it must have been very easy to dull the chain by hitting rock, dirt, etc. further reducing efficacy.

bcp · May 27, 2021

I groove stumps with a chainsaw to speed decay. Maybe the one in the video was done before someone decided to use a grinder.

Bruce

Leo182 · May 27, 2021

bcp said:
I groove stumps with a chainsaw to speed decay. Maybe the one in the video was done before someone decided to use a grinder.

Bruce

Bcp, that makes sense. I wasn't even thinking about that. I got stuck on the idea that it was for grinding purposes and then couldn't figure out if it was a good idea or not. I kinda overlooked the obvious here.

pmsmechanic · May 27, 2021

bcp said:
I groove stumps with a chainsaw to speed decay. Maybe the one in the video was done before someone decided to use a grinder.

Bruce

I do the same thing but instead of a chain saw I use a skill saw with cheap carbide tipped blades. It takes about a year for cross hatched stumps to rot in our climate.

Diggin It · May 27, 2021

That was my question as I was scrolling down and reading. Was that done for the grinder operation or sometime in the past.

I've used a chainsaw, circular saw and drill with varying results. I'm thinking of trying a Forstner bit.