Brush chippers and stump grinders are staples in a tree service’s equipment lineup. Many tree contractors are learning that, rather than paying landfill tipping fees, there’s also business opportunities by using a horizontal or tub grinder to process wood waste themselves to create value-added products like mulch or biofuels.
What should you consider when choosing a grinder for your tree care business? Selecting the right grinder screen configuration to handle the types of materials you’ll be grinding is a key consideration.
Today’s most commonly used grinder screens have round and square holes because they tend to produce a more uniform particle size. Round screens often work best with tub grinders and square screens with horizontal grinders. An easy way to remember this is tub grinders are round while horizontal grinders are closer to a square shape.
Other shapes can be incorporated in the screen design depending on the application, including diamond hole, grid, rectangular and hex. Wondering what might work best for your business needs? Your local dealer representative can help you choose which equipment will best suit your job conditions.
Keep in mind that screen selection can change depending on two major factors: the type of material being processed and the end-product specification.
Since each tree species is unique, each can produce a different end product. Even the moisture content of the raw wood being ground matters. For example, you could grind wood waste from the same location in the spring and again in the fall, but the final product may differ due to the moisture content and the amount of sap in the wood going through the grinder.
To help keep your grinder in working condition, proactively pay attention to screen maintenance. Inspect hammers and tips daily for wear and replace as needed. Also keep an eye on the spacing between the tips and the anvil. Over time, wear will cause the space to increase, which could cause material to pass through unprocessed and affect your cost of operation.
Also regularly inspect the space between the tips and the screen. The gap can increase over time due to wear, which could affect productivity.
For grinder screen selection and maintenance questions, your local dealer is probably your best resource. They know the equipment and the geography of the area where you work. Vermeer dealerships typically have recycling specialists on staff who have undergone specialized training and are experts in grinder applications.