Need advice on removing broken stump grinderteeth

[stumpy06]

I've been grinding stumps for 4 years using a Vermeer SC352 using the original Pro series teeth set up. I recently took inventory of all my old pockets that still have the old tooth stem stuck in the pocket canal. Of my 38 total (threaded and unthreaded) pockets, 21 of them are still in good, usable condition. Given the cost of new pockets I have attempted to remove that stem by putting in a vice and pounding away with a hammer and chisel. Of the 21 I was only able to salvage 4 by removing that broken piece. Simply couldn't free the other ones. Talked to Vermeer mechanic and he said that this is how they do it. What am I doing wrong or can anyone suggest some other way in salvaging these pockets? Was going to try heat next. Any comments/ suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pdqdl]

I'm not familiar with the pockets on a vermeer, so take this advice with a grain of salt.

I haven't yet found a chunk of steel that can't be removed with a cutting torch. Cut the center out of the shank you are removing, then watch it pound out easily. If all else fails, cool it all off, set the pocket in a position that allows you to cut the remaining steel away from the pocket while the pocket is being cooled with water.

It's not necessary to cool the pocket while doing the cutting, it just reduces the chance of cutting into the pocket when you may lack experience.

Loose too much time on this project and new pockets will be cheap by comparison.

 

[treemandan]

Air chisel. That'll pretty much fix anything

 

[lone wolf]

die grinder cut a relief line straight down the middle then hit it with a hammer.

 

[trost66]

Hammer and a chiesel is the way we get ours out

 

[Bearcreek]

Throw the whole thing in the scrap pile and go with Rayco super teeth. You can buy remanufactured ones for $8 and then you can get those retipped later for about $4.60 each.

 

[stumpy06]

Thanks everyone.

trost66, what kind of chisel?

 

[lone wolf]

Thanks everyone.

trost66, what kind of chisel?

did you try the die grinder yet?

 

[stumpy06]

Lone Wolf,

I have not. I don't have one and was hoping for some advice that would allow me to do it with minimal investment.

 

[trost66]

We just use small regular chisel and put it in a vise. They usually come out pretty easy.

 

[pdqdl]

Start a charcoal fire, fan it nice and hot for 10 minutes with your troublesome pockets/teeth. I recommend a small electric fan set on low. You might also consider one of the charcoal starters that look like a small chimney. Put your pockets on at the top, and it will cook them very nicely.

Take them out, lock the pocket in a vise, bang the tooth out with a hammer. Yes. You will need a big pair of pliers.

This will do two things:

1. It will heat up the metals and increase the clearance between the two chunks of metal.
2. Residual organic materials that have been impregnated into the air gaps will be burned out, allowing easier removal.

 

[arbor pro]

Throw the whole thing in the scrap pile and go with Rayco super teeth. You can buy remanufactured ones for $8 and then you can get those retipped later for about $4.60 each.

My suggestion was to go with greenteeth. Not worth the hassle to continue working with the old vermeer teeth. Greenteeth will make you WAY more productive and the time saved in rotating/switching out teeth will give you more time to grind stumps. The few hundred you'll spend in switching over will pay for itself in no time at all in time savings. There's just no comparison at all to the vermeer pro teeth. Way better in so many ways.

 

[lone wolf]

if you cant do it send it to me i will help you p.m. me if you need.