Though you can grind out a tree stump in any season, it’s best to postpone it when the temperature starts to soar. Stump grinding is challenging enough, but hot weather makes it even more so. Here are the reasons why.
Very Hot Weather Overheats the Machine
Even on a cold day, a stump grinder generates a great deal of heat as it works. When you work the machine on a hot summer day, it’s very easy for it to overheat. You can tell if the stump grinder is overheating because it will slow down, send out smoke and make weird noises. In addition, it may be hard to turn, become very hot to the touch and may start leaking. An overheated engine can even catch fire. If this happens, the machine needs to be turned off and allowed to cool down.
Stump Grinding Overheats the Operator
Stump grinding is, to say the least, labor-intensive. As the machine uses whirring razor-sharp teeth to cut through heavy wood, it’s also dangerous. Operators need to be strong and in control of the stump grinder at all times. They must also wear protective equipment, no matter how hot it is outside. Being overwhelmed by heat makes a hazardous situation even more hazardous. Operators need to take frequent breaks and must stop and rest at the very first signs of heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion signs include:
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle cramps
- A pulse that’s fast but weak
- Feeling faint or dizzy
- A headache
The Ground Is Too Dry
Some experts say that a dry ground around the stump is good when it comes to grinding it out. This is because muddy ground can cause the stump grinder to bog down. However, stump grinding on hot, dry days kicks up a great deal of dust, pebbles, chipped wood and other debris. This debris can fly into the eyes, noses, mouths, hair, skin and respiratory tracts even of onlookers. Professionals sometimes use a garden hose to keep this flying debris manageable.
It May Start a Fire If the Stump’s Being Burnt
Some property owners try to get rid of their stumps by grinding and burning them, which is a bad idea. It’s an especially bad idea on a very hot and dry day. The problem is that the stump may still be smoldering, and embers thrown out by the grinder can start a wildfire.
For More Information on Stump Grinding in Summer, Call the Experts
Stump grinding is an intense procedure that ideally should be done by professionals and really shouldn’t be done when temperatures are high. If you do need stump grinding services in Charleston, SC, get in touch with our professionals at Charleston Stump Stompers.
