Stump grinders ARB11 

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What is a stump grinder?

Stump grinders can be the size of a lawn mower or as large as a truck. Most accomplish their task by means of a high-speed disk with teeth that grinds the stump and roots into small chips.

A typical stump grinder incorporates a cutter wheel with fixed carbide teeth. The cutter wheel movements are controlled by hydraulic cylinders to push the cutter head laterally through the stump and to raise and lower it.

What does the training course include?

• Have a basic understanding of the industry, the dangers of working in the industry and their responsibilities as an operator
• Have a working knowledge of the manufacturer’s handbook for the particular machine to be used
• Be able to locate and identify the major components of the machine and explain their functions
• Be able to locate and identify key controls and explain their functions
• Set up exclusion zone
• Conduct all pre-operational checks in accordance with manufacturers and legislative requirements
• Select suitable type of machine relative to the work being undertaken
• Identify and maintain PPE appropriate for stump grinder use
• Prepare the stump grinder for use
• Conduct all necessary safety and efficiently
• Environmental considerations
• Storage and transport of stump grinder
• Disposal of cut materials
• Carry out all end of shift and shut down procedures

Venue and equipment requirements:

• Suitable and safe area to operate equipment
• Sufficient stumps to grind
• Suitable and safe area to complete paperwork
• Suitable welfare facilities
• Stump grinder
• Operators’ manual
• Risk assessment completed

PPE Requirements:

• Suitable head protection
• Suitable eye protection
• Suitable hearing protection
• Suitable work clothes including wet weather
• Gloves
• Suitable work boots including steel toe protection
• High Viz

HSE further information:

• Mobile stump grinders AFAG606
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/afag606.pdf
• Avoiding danger from underground services HSG47 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg47.pdf
• PUWER Regulation

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l22.pdf

Theory assessment:

• 20 multiple choice questions
• 5 written questions
• 4 marks per question
• 80% pass mark required

Practical assessment criteria:

• Pre use and operational checks
• Demonstrate knowledge of controls including emergency stop procedure
• Demonstrate safe and efficient use of machines
• End of use checks

On-site training courses delivered:

Southwest – Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Avon, Somerset, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire

Southeast – Oxfordshire, Kent, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex

Midlands – Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Shropshire

East Anglia – Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk

Aylesbury, Banbury, Basingstoke, Bath, Bedford, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Coventry, Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Hungerford, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Northampton, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Reading, Salisbury, Southampton, Stroud, Swindon, Taunton, Warwick, Winchester, Witney, Worcester, Yeovil