Abstract: A rotary tree cutter attachment for a tractor includes a cutting assembly having a circular blade with a serrated outer edge, and a motor for rotatably driving the blade. A frame assembly for the tree cutter includes a first portion attached to the tractor frame, and a second portion extending perpendicular to the first portion and providing an offset mounting location outside a wheel path of the tractor. A pivot arm is pivotally connected to the offset mounting location for rotation about an axis transverse to the tractor's direction of travel. The pivot arm supports the cutting assembly and is movable about the transverse axis between a lowered position in which the cutting edge of the circular blade is generally horizontal and at ground level for cutting, and a raised position in which the cutting edge of the circular blade is elevated above ground level for traveling.

Abstract: A stump-grinding apparatus includes a block having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is adjacent to a side -of the wheel between the center of wheel and the peripheral edge. The outer surface defines both a groove and a first aperture in the groove. A tooth is received into the groove. The tooth has a first end and a second end spaced from the first end. The second end defines a second aperture that can align with the first aperture. A fastener extends through the first and second aperture to fasten the tooth to the block.

Abstract: A stump grinding apparatus of the type adapted to be mounted in a frame on the end of a boom is described. The apparatus comprises a grinding wheel mounted between hubs keyed to a shaft that is connected though belts and gears to a source of motive power, such as a diesel engine. A pair of non-adjustable roller bearings are used to provide relative movement of the shaft and grinding wheel in the frame. The apparatus includes means for providing lubrication between relatively moving parts so that the life of the bearings and other component parts can exceed 5000 hours of use without failure. The shaft assembly includes dimensional tolerances that protect the moving parts from the ingress of dirt and other debris. The materials of construction are selected to also enhance trouble-free operation.

Abstract: A stump cutting tool for use with a stump cutting apparatus having a rotatable cutting wheel or drum having at least one cutting tool mounted to the wheel or drum. The cutting tool includes a tool holder or pocket used to secure a separate cutting tooth. The pocket or tool holder includes the least one bore extending therethrough for use in securing the cutting tool to the cutting wheel or drum.

Abstract: A stump cutter includes a rotary drum, holders mounted on the drum, and cutting bits mounted in respective bores of each holder for rotation relative thereto. Each cutting bit includes a shank having a pocket formed in a front end thereof in which the cutting tip is brazed, wherein an outer lip of the shank tightly grips an outer side surface of the cutting tip with a thermal shrink fit. The cutting tip includes a circular cutting edge formed by the intersection between portions of the front surface and side surface of the cutting tip, which surface portions intersect at a ninety degree angle. The front surface of the cutting tip includes raised radial ribs spaced circumferentially therearound for inducing rotation of the cutting bit during a cutting operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that lifts, secures, splits and/or crushes tree stumps or other materials, particularly wooden materials and other materials that may be present at an excavation site. The apparatus is characterized in part by a two pivot point design. A first pivot point allows for the pivotable operation of an engaging unit which grabs and lifts the tree stump. The engaging unit further acts a durable and secure support member for the tree stump during the splitting and crushing process. The second pivot point allows for the pivotable operation of a cutting device which facilitates splitting and crushing of the stumps.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a stump grinding wheel that provides a user of a stump grinder with visual access through the wheel. The wheel comprises first and second opposing surfaces joined by a common edge. The edge is shaped in the form of a polygon and includes several intermittently spaced apart gaps positioned between successively positioned extensions that protrude radially outwardly from the first and second surfaces. The wheel further comprises a first, conventional, centrally positioned hole formed through the first and second surfaces for coupling the wheel to a motor; a second set of holes for permitting cutting teeth to be mounted to the wheel; and a third set of holes formed through the first and second surfaces and positioned between the first hole and second set of holes. The third set of holes provides an additional window through which a user may visually inspect a stump while it is being machined.

Abstract: A stump removal tool for boring around a stump at ground level. The stump removal tool includes an elongate member having a first end, a second end and outer peripheral wall extending between the first and second ends. The elongate member has a generally circular cross-section taken transversely to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member. A connecting portion is attached to and extends away from the first end of the elongate member. The connecting portion is removably coupled to a power tool. A plurality of teeth is attached to an outer surface of the peripheral wall. The teeth are spaced from each other and are positioned in a pattern extending from the first end to the second end. The elongate member is attached to the power tool and rotated such that the teeth may be used for boring through a stump.

Abstract: A stump grinding device includes a wheel having an outer peripheral edge in which a plurality of recesses are formed. Disposed in each recess is a plurality of cutting units each including a block affixed to a floor of the recess, and a bit mounted in the block. Each bit includes a hard tip disposed at a front end thereof. The bits of some of the peripheral cutting units are rotatable relative to their respective blocks, with the hard tips thereof being generally pointed. The bits of others of the peripheral cutting units are non-rotatable to their respective blocks, with the hard tips thereof forming elongated cutting edges. The peripheral cutting units are spaced from leading and trailing ends of the respective recesses to provide spaces for the passage of cuttings.

Abstract: A stump grinding wheel includes a wheel member having a plurality of receiving brackets. Each receiving bracket includes a cutting tool channel. A cutting tool is received in each of cutting tool channel. Each cutting tool includes an elongated shaft having a base end and a distal end, and a cutting tip at the distal end. A stop is defined on the elongated shaft between the base end and the distal end and is configured so that it permits gauging of the distance between each receiving bracket and a respective cutting tip.

Abstract: A hydraulic rotary grinder for attachment to construction machinery such as an excavator, consisting of a rotating drum having a hollow core and a plurality of attached replaceable grinding tips. A hydraulic motor rotates the drum, and is secured within the hollow core and activated by the hydraulic system of the construction machinery. A planetary gearbox is associated with the hydraulic motor to provide speed changes. At least one weight within the hollow core provides shock absorption and additional mass to the rotating drum. A heat-absorbing liquid within the hollow core absorbs heat from the grinding operation and a seal prevents the heat-absorbing liquid from leaking out of the drum. A number of water nozzles may be mounted on the apparatus for dust suppression. A second hydraulic motor may be provided for increased torque and grinding capacity.

Abstract: A disc cutter is rotatably mounted on a self-contained power unit which is detachably mounted on lift arms of a hydraulic excavator for locating the disc cutter at a position on the opposite side of a stump from the excavator and providing curling movement of the rotating disc cutter through the stump towards the excavator in the line of sight of the operator for discharging the debris away from the operator.

Abstract: The stump grinder has a rotating cutting wheel that is mounted onto an arm for raising and lowering movement and is driven by a hydraulic motor. The arm is capable of being moved about a generally upright axis to control the rate of laterally feed of the cutting wheel. The actuator movement is controlled as a function of the pressure to the hydraulic motor driving the cutting wheel so that as the pressure increases, the rate of feeding movement laterally of the cutting wheel is reduced. The rate of movement is controlled in both directions of swinging of the post about an upright axis, by utilizing variable opening or proportional flow pilot operated valves on the lines to the actuator for controlling the swing. As pressure to the motor increases the variable outlet or proportional pilot operated valve connected to the pressurized end of the swing actuator opens a greater amount diverts a portion of the hydraulic fluid flow to drain to slow movement of the swing actuator.

Abstract: A stump grinding tool includes a rotary cutting wheel having a pair of side surfaces and an outer peripheral surface. Cutting assemblies are mounted on the cutting wheel, each cutting assembly including first and second pockets disposed on respective side surfaces of the wheel. Each pocket includes a leading through-hole and a trailing through-hole aligned with respective leading end trailing through-holes of the other pocket for receiving a pair of cutting teeth. Each tooth extends through aligned through-holes of the pocket and cutting wheel in mutually opposite directions, wherein cutting elements of the teeth are disposed adjacent respective ones of the side surfaces. Each tooth is fixed by a nut threaded thereon such that each tooth and associated nut functions to clamp both of the first and second pockets against the respective side-surfaces of the cutting wheel.

Abstract: An improved stump grinding machine includes a frame structure having an engine mounted thereon. A boom has a proximal end and distal end and is pivotally mounted to the frame structure at its proximal end. A grinding wheel is rotatably mounted to the distal end of the boom. A power train arrangement transmits power from the engine to the grinding wheel. The power train arrangement includes an idler shaft rotatably mounted on the frame structure. The boom is pivotally mounted to the frame structure independently of the idler shaft.

Abstract: A mulching unit for a mulching apparatus includes at least one cutting assembly having a rotatable support element and at least one cutting element releasably mounted and movable or rotatable with respect to the support element. With this structure, it is possible to easily replace cutting elements without also replacing the corresponding support structure as well. In addition, the mulching unit may include a tubular assembly including inner and outer tube members connected using bracing members. A plurality of support elements of associated cutting assemblies may be fixedly attached to an outer surface of the outer tube member. This structure has improved resistance to impact with obstacles during the mulching operation that would otherwise cause misalignment.

Abstract: A stump grinder including a frame, a drive shaft, a gearbox, a rotatable shaft, a grinding drum, and a shroud cover. The frame extends longitudinally and supports at its free end a transversely mounted rotatable shaft upon which is mounted a grinding drum. One end of the rotatable shaft is rotatably mounted in the frame, and the other end of the rotatable shaft is rotatably connected to a gearbox. The gearbox is driven by the drive shaft which is configured for coupling to the power take off shaft of a conventional tractor. The opposite end of the frame includes a plurality of fastening means for securely fastening the frame to the tractor. The grinding drum is designed so that its upper circumference rotates away from the tractor and thus away from the operator so that any loose debris is thrust outwardly from the operator. Grinding drum power is achieved through the tractor itself. The shroud covering covers the upper portion of the grinding drum in the interests of operator safety.

Abstract: A stump chipper for at least partially removing a stump and the like from the ground, by means of chipping, comprises a subframe that can be positioned on the ground and that supports a movable arm at the end of which a chipping wheel is mounted such that it is rotatable about its axis. The chipping wheel is also rotatable with respect to the arm about an axis of rotation oriented transversely to the axis of the chipping wheel.