A powered stump grinder at the center front of a walk-behind machine is disclosed. The grinder machine has a front cutter head assembly pivotally connected to the walk-behind machine by a central pivot assembly connected to the center front part of the frame or body of the machine. The central pivot assembly includes a vertical pivot axle/axis, for lateral movement of the connected front cutter head assembly. Generally horizontal hydraulic cylinders, extending between a frame or body of the stump grinder and left and right lateral portions of the pivot assembly, pivot horizontally and extend and retract to control lateral movement of the connected front cutter head assembly by pivoting the pivot assembly, which in turn pivots the connected cutter arm, and hence, the cutter head assembly.

A stump grinder is configured to mount to a portable machine that operably supports the stump grinder during a stump grinding procedure. The stump grinder includes a cutting wheel that is rotatably driven during the stump grinding procedure. The cutting wheel has a cutting surface to grind the stump by moving the rotating cutting wheel across the stump. A wheel stabilizing assembly is disposed between the portable machine and the drive system for supporting the drive system and cutting wheel. The cutting wheel is held in a generally vertical orientation and movement of the cutting wheel is biased relative to the portable machine. Accordingly, forces applied against the cutting surface of the cutting wheel during the grinding procedure are limited by the biased movement.

A material reducing apparatus includes a reducing head that includes a rotary reducing component that carries a plurality of cutters. The reducing head includes a thrown object deflector positioned proximate the rotary reducing component. The thrown object deflector is configured to limit at least one of a distance and a direction that objects can be thrown by the rotary reducing component.

A manually operated stump grinder includes a turret system configured for substantially symmetric rotation by configuring the device such that the belt drive housing remains above and/or forward of the drive wheel during turret rotation.

The present disclosure provides a device and method that enable the efficient reduction of stumps. In one embodiment the stump removal methods and devices according to the present disclosure allow the operator to have a clear view of the work area during operation, and the ability to move the reduction device through a wide range of motion during operation. In one embodiment, the material reduction tool pivots relative to the chassis in the vertical plane about multiple pivot points. In some embodiments the device includes a retractable auxiliary control panel located at the end of the device opposite the material reduction tool. The control panel enables the operator to direct the movement of the device from the end of the device and thereby enable the device to maneuver through narrow spaces.

A tree stump grinding wheel assembly includes a rotor having a plurality of holders distributed about its cutting periphery. Each holder has a neck in which resides a socket adapted to receive the shank of an indexable tooth. A head is attached to one end of the shank and screw threads are formed in its other end. The head has a plurality of flats configured to sequentially register with a forward shoulder on the neck. A hermetic spring is operatively disposed on the shank between a rearward face of the socket and a retention nut. The hermetic spring is made of elastomeric material and has a tapered nose that self-seats in a countersink at the rearward opening of the socket. The hermetic spring has an accordion-like bellows section. The bellows section can have a central annular bulge.

A cutting wheel for use with a stump cutting apparatus. A plurality of tool holders are secured to the cutting wheel, and there are a plurality of apertures in each tool holder. Each aperture has a cutting tool or tooth mounted therein so that each tool holder supports more than one cutting tool or tooth. In some embodiments, the cutting wheel includes first and second sections. The first and second sections including a support member, with a tool holder attached to the support member. Each of the first and second sections having a notch therein, the respective notches cooperating to form a joint between the first and second sections.

A stump cutter bit for use with a stump cutting apparatus of the type utilizing a cutting wheel or drum rotated about a rotational axis wherein the cutting tool is attached to the cutting wheel or drum. The cutting tool supports the stump cutter bit. The cutting bit having a front face including a plurality of surfaces including an outer surface, an inner surface, and in intermediate surface located between the outer and inner surface.

A rotating disc assembly for use on a stump grinder includes a rotating disc defining a peripheral edge, a first side and a second side, and a central axis positioned through a central position of the rotating disc; a first cutting bit mechanically connected to a first position on the peripheral edge of the rotating disc; and a first shield assembly mechanically connected to a second position on the peripheral edge of the rotating disc in front of the first cutting bit, wherein the first shield assembly comprises a first footprint formed by a first portion extending a first radial distance from the central position and extending a first axial distance from at least the first side or the second side, wherein a footprint of the first cutting bit is at least partially shielded by the first footprint of the first portion of the first shield assembly.

A rotating disc assembly for use on a stump grinder that can include: a rotating disc member having a peripheral edge and defining a central axis and a radial direction; a bit securing sub-assembly comprising a bit holder member mechanically connected to the rotating disc member and having a first portion extending in a first direction, and a second portion extending from said first portion along a second direction that is not parallel to said first direction; a bit mechanically connected to the bit holder member by a fastening hardware; and a first portion of the peripheral edge extending a further distance in the radial direction than a second portion of the peripheral edge; wherein the bit and the bit securing sub-assembly are sized, shaped, located and/or connected so that the first bit is at least partially shielded by a footprint of the first portion of the peripheral edge.