Secondary screening for stump grinding

[stumpgo]

Neither of the two current threads on chip containment mention this.

As I work mainly in tight packed urban settings with plenty of stone and typically loads of other hazards I find that I rarely grind a stump without the use of some secondary screening. In the certain knowledge that stone or stone fragments etc can exit the machine in virtually any direction, sometimes at awesome velocity.

A couple of units of this type or similar can be carried on the grinder and set up in about the time it takes to inspect the stump zone.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CONTRACTOR-MO...VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247
Further, I carry more extreme screening (for roadside use, protecting specific breakables etc.)

I work a different business model to most of you in that I am essentially a contractors contractor and charge a flat hourly rate for all related activities, including travel; risk assessment; set up; changing cutters (& even a 10 minute break every 2 hours!). Thus setting up screening changes from being a chore to one of my most profitable activities - time but near zero cost.

I do not remove debris from site; if its a part of the job spec. then it is up to the landscapers/tree firm to arrange. Like most of you I reckon I loose virtually no contracts by taking this stance.
If debris is to be removed then turning up, by arrangement, before the tree gang has tidied up and left site is by far the best option. - make the mess; then leave!

Finally a comment on sucking up chips. I do work for one golf club that uses a tractor powered/mounted vacuum that exits into a high lift tipping box arrangement. It is extremely efficient at handling clean chippings. But is not suitable for material containing damp soil, which tends to coat and bung up the pipework etc.

 

[arbor pro]

Anyone here in the states using debris screens when you grind stumps? If so, what kind is it, who did you buy it from, how much did it cost and, most importantly, what are the good and bad points of the screen.

I usually just carry along a piece of plywood or some other screen material but am curious about screens made specifically for this purpose.

 

[gr8scott72]

Anyone here in the states using debris screens when you grind stumps? If so, what kind is it, who did you buy it from, how much did it cost and, most importantly, what are the good and bad points of the screen.

I usually just carry along a piece of plywood or some other screen material but am curious about screens made specifically for this purpose.

I have a piece of plywood that is cut into 2 4x4 sections and hinged together.

 

[bombdude]

I have a piece of plywood that is cut into 2 4x4 sections and hinged together.

Same here. I cut up a sheet of plywood into 4 2'x4' pieces. Hinged them together & cut out some carry handles. Makes 2 screens. I use them if I get close to something.

 

[Plyscamp]

I decided years ago that plywood was a PITA. We use a system similar to the modular unit that we make ourselves. For each screen we use 3ea. 1.5" diameter wooden poles 6 foot long and 12 feet of the mesh screen they use on Greenhouses. All the materials are readily available at Home Depot. To assist staking the poles in the ground we buy 1/2" Lag Bolts 16 inches long. Drill the poles on one end and thread in the lag bolts, cut off the head on the lag bolt then sharpen the end of the bolt on a grinder.

Once the poles are made attach the screen on each end to the poles. We use a combination of glue and screws. For the center pole drive a nail or shooter screw at the top of the pole horizontally. This allows the center pole to be placed anywhere within the 12 foot span, as you mearly hook the nail in the mesh anywhere along the span. Makes it real easy to set up angles and corners.

Nice thing about these screens unlike plywood is they are light weight, strong and roll up to about 8 inches in diameter but still stand a full 6 foot tall when in use. I work out of a 6' X 10' enclosed trailer and plywood is not a viable option for me. I have a simple rack on the inside roof that holds 3 of these screens.

Down side is heat from mufflers will melt the mesh if you get to close and don't snag them with the grinder teeth.

 

[stevieb]

I dont think you can ever take the risk not to use a screen. I was once working at a school grinding a stump approx 100ft away from any danger. I shot a good 2" dia pebble the whole stretch of the hard standing playing field. Also had many occations even with screens that a good size stone has just had the right angle to fly over. Those ebay screens look pricy compared to what you can make your self.

 

[stumpgo]

...."Those ebay screens look pricy compared to what you can make your self...."

Agreed, especially as 2-3 units would be best. But that's what they cost & they do offer some advantages over what can easily be made at home. - the narrow panels with sliding hinges allow a stable set up in otherwise tricky situations; eg steps.

My other mainstay is an evolution of the standard 5 pole wind-break. Firstly, the option to slot it into a a hinged steel A frame. Thus once set up it up can all be moved around as a unit.
And then there is the material. Mesh offers very real benefits when its a bit windy. I've settled on a heavy duty rubberised close mesh, commonly seen as top sheets on skips etc. These I get made up by a local custom sheet maker for about £40.

 

[stevieb]

I used to use the camping/beach wind break when I started up. 6/mtrs total. Worked great when you were on soft ground but failed on hard standing. Screen protection is an old debate. Trying to find a good fast method. On some jobs I can spend more time screening then actual grinding. I currently use the orange road side barriers on which I then use plastic tarps with spring clamps to give me my arrangement. This works great. But they take up space and take time. Have you actually purchased the ebay screens? if so are they really worth the money?

 

[stumpgo]

"...Have you actually purchased the ebay screens? if so are they really worth the money?

I have one, not from ebay, that I've had about a year.

The quality is adequate, but not great. Thinking of buying a second one, basically because they are so convenient. They can hang off the machine for travel, then just picked up and placed; almost instant.

 

[stevieb]

How do they free stand. I can see them supporting themselves when angled but in windy conditions and also on uneven ground can you adjust the individual hight.

 

[dave k]

I have 5 sets of those guards, 3 of the first red frame type and 2 of the yellow ones. The yellow type have a much better mesh covering. As a rule I carry two sets and three small sand bags to hold them steady in windy conditions. Apart from the saftey they provide they also keep the chippings in a small area so aid clean up ! When working in very high risk areas i.e motoryways,railway etc I use the anti climb fencing 6' high by about 10' long and drape the green mesh net as used on scaffold over the fence panels.

In UK Fletcher-Stewart do the modular guards at about £130 and I think I saw them on Sherril's web page ? They are so easy to use and I find they take a fair bit of abuse

 

[stevieb]

Thanks for that tip Dave. They have a depot just up the road from me.

 

[stumpgo]

Good to hear that the yellow panels have improved meshing. That probably means its time to buy another one. (This system entered the market at about £240!)

The hinges/clips are quite cunning. As well as letting the panels slide up and down relative to each other there is also a degree of movement that allows them to tilt relative to each other. In effect the screen will tend to follow a contour when placed, then stay there.
(That said, these hinges/clips weaken their grip with use; then can fall off. - Experience says they can take half an hour to find when this happens. A better option is to loosely attach them on one side with cable ties from the outset.)

Wind, especially the gusty sort, is a problem for which there is no perfect solution. It would be quite easy to fit removable spikes, I believe they are also a purchase option. More often than not I find skewering a panel to the ground with a fork works pretty well.

Like Dave I use modified Harris tempory fencing for serious screening, for which I carry 3 of the large rubber support blocks. These blocks can be used to hold lesser screening in place in pretty much any conditions.

 

[treemandan]

I saw a guy take out the rear window of his pickup with a tow behind but I have groung tons of stumps in front of windows without a problem. I do bring plywood these days.

 

[Creeker]

I made up four screen frames. 6FT x 4FT. Used 1 1/4" sq. section steel, out of a 20ft length you make one screen, (little waste).
Cut 2 x 6Ft and 2 x 4FT pieces. Weld up into rectangle with the horizontal 6FT pieces about 1 1/2" from the ends of the 4FT pieces, this helped when fixing mesh. Found some white sun shade mesh in the shed and sewed it on using cord. Light enoungh to carry two at a time. Place them in front of grinder in a V and fix by placing a U shaped piece of 5/16" steel rod made from about 8" of the rod. The U rod ends go in the top of the 1 1/4" frame at the point you have in front of you, say the bottom of the V. They cost me about Au$22. each and can be transported by putting of the trailer floor and parking the grinder on top. Should have worked out how to sew on single thickness of shade cloth though as the fine dirt and chips tend to deposit between the layers. Easy enough to shake/kick out. Two are all I have completed at this stage and seem to be adequate on my jobs. Orange mesh would be better from an OH&S viewpoint. You don't have to push anything into the ground and the 6FT length on either side of the V seems to make them quite secure. If anyone needs to find out more from my clear as mud description then get back to me.

 

[Oly's Stump]

I use the screening alot more now then I use too. I traded in my 2002 Rayco RG50 last week for a 2008 RG50 Super. I noticed the super with the larger wheel spits out more debris out the front. I purchased the expensive commercially made screening some years ago. The cross supports broke out right away on the thing so I cut them off. I bought three of the heavy bases they offer and the screening works good now.

 

[Gunsmoke]

I used construction fence/ snow fence (the orange kind). 4 pieces of elec. conduit and to create a sharp piece to stick in the ground I used a elec fence post and cut it in to 4 sections and welded them in to the bottom of the conduit. It has worked well... I also use my alturna mats at times to lean in front of windows I feel are at danger.

 

[bushinspector]

Hey Gunsmoke, anyway to post some pics of your set up???

 

[BC WetCoast]

Couple of 4x6 sheets of 1/8" plywood. I hold them up with pickfork, shovel or pick stuck in the ground. Simple, fast and highly adaptable to the situation.

 

[Hoosier]

I need some of these that are store bought. I do most of my work in high end residential neighborhoods with pools or hadite instead of mulch and I must start keeping the chips contained. I want a fancy one, where do I get one? I cannot seem to find anything on Ebay or the www?