Machine specifications can be a confusing landscape to navigate through. Oftentimes, there’s not a lot of explanation given with them. Unless you’ve run across the terms before, it’s likely you don’t know what they mean. To help you understand some of the more complicated specifications on Vermeer machines (and others), we’re going to break some of them down, starting with a complex stump cutter dimension.
When you’re trying to decide which stump cutter will get the job done most effectively, one of the key specifications to look at is how much it can cut. How big is the cutter wheel? What size of cutter wheel do I need? Knowing that can help you determine if the stump grinder will fit your jobsite needs.
Radial cutter wheel vs. straight-line cutter wheel
As you look at different cutter wheels, there are two ways you can measure their effectiveness.
First, there’s the radial cutter wheel dimension. This is usually described as the sweep arc. This is a measurement of the distance across that arc as the cutter wheel swings side-to-side. The distance is measured on the curved line the cutter wheel travels across.
Then, there’s the straight-line cutter wheel dimension. The straight line is measured from the farthest point of cut the boom swings to the left to the farthest point of cut the boom swings to the right. After that, a straight line between those two points is measured.
Why does it matter?
Good question. Picture a stump cutter in action removing a stump. It’s moving from right to left to cut it away. The overall sweep arc or radius of the stump cutter as it moves is the radial cutter wheel dimension. But the straight-line cutting dimension lets the operator know how much they can cut a stump without repositioning the machine.
“The straight-line cutting dimension shows you the amount of what you can actually grind,” said Cole Chesnut, Vermeer applications specialist. “So, with a straight-line measurement from one side to the other, the amount you see on Vermeer stump cutter specifications is the full amount you’ll be able to use on the jobsite before needing to reposition the machine if cutting a larger stump than that straight-line dimension.”
For example, the Vermeer SC70TX stump cutter has a cutter wheel straight-line dimension of 65 inches (165.1 cm). With that straight-line measurement, you can cut a stump the diameter of 65 total inches. If you were using the radial measurement, and assuming a 180-degree arc, it would be 102.1 inches (259.3 cm), but you wouldn’t be able to cut all 102.1 inches without repositioning the machine or readjusting where you started from.
“By utilizing the straight-line cutting dimension, you can reduce time repositioning the machine and maintain efficiency,” explained Chesnut. “All Vermeer stump cutters use this specification, so you can know exactly how your machine will operate in your day-to-day work and be confident in the unit’s ability to cut certain diameter stumps in one pass.”
For more information about Vermeer stump grinders, contact your local dealer today.
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications.
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