Stump Grinders

A stump grinder spins a heavy cutting wheel fitted with carbide teeth to chew a stump into chips. It throws wood, rock and dirt, strikes buried objects, and can run over a worker's foot or lock up and jerk the machine. Distance, guards and awareness keep operators and bystanders safe.

• Tree Service Crews
• Landscapers
• Equipment Renters
• Homeowners

Types

• Walk-behind grinders with a swing arm and cutter wheel, often wheeled or tracked.
• Tracked and riding grinders for large stumps.
• Skid steer and tractor attachments. See Skid Steers.
• Stump cutters on small, rented units. See Landscaping & Tree Work.

Main hazards

• Flying chips, rocks and metal thrown at high speed. Eye injuries and impacts are common.
• Contact with the cutting wheel, either from the operator's feet or from tripping near the wheel.
• Buried utilities: gas, electric, water and irrigation lines run near trees. Hitting one can cause explosions, shock and outages. Call 811 before grinding. See Utility Strikes.
• Loss of control: the machine can kick, swing or lunge when the wheel catches. Slopes can cause tipping.
• Noise: over 100 dB at the operator. See Noise.
• Vibration, dust and fuel fumes.
• Hot teeth, belts and exhaust that burn.
• Maintenance injuries when changing sharp, hot teeth.

Safe operation

• Read the manual and get trained. Check guards, shields, the deadman/safety handle and tooth condition before starting. Replace missing or loose teeth.
• Wear safety glasses plus a face shield, hearing protection, long pants, steel-toe boots, gloves and a dust mask or respirator in dusty conditions. See Eye & Face Protection.
• Keep bystanders back at the distance the manufacturer specifies (often 25 feet or more) and mark the area. Never grind with people or pets close.
• Walk the site: remove rocks and debris, mark utilities, irrigation heads, wires, fences and curbs, and check for metal such as nails or wire in the stump.
• Position the machine on level ground where possible, with the wheel off the ground when starting. Sweep the wheel side to side in shallow passes and lower gradually, not plunging in.
• Stay behind the machine, out of the cutting path. Keep your feet away from the wheel and the drive tracks. Know where the stop control is.
• Stop the engine and wait for the wheel to stop before clearing jams, adjusting or leaving the machine. Disconnect the spark plug or lock out before changing teeth. See Group Lockout.
• Refuel with the engine off and cool. Fill the hole afterward to prevent trips.

Stump grinder checklist

• 811 was called and utilities, wires and hazards are marked
• Guards, shields and the stop control work; teeth are secure
• I wear eye, face, hearing and foot protection
• Bystanders are kept at the manufacturer's distance
• I stop the wheel and lock out before service

Last updated: October 8, 2026