Stump grinder versus German tank shells.

[matelot]

Don't try it on with me pal, I'm too long in the tooth to be belittled or intimidated by you.

 

I'm just making the point that there seems to be remarkable few deaths from left over ordinance from WW2.....

[Pinkfoot]

Customer asked me today after grinding out a big yew stump, if I could grind some lilac by a wall. Took it steady as this area of vineyards has lots of stone in the ground. Took the tops off just below the surface, went a bit deeper then hit was I thought was a metal pipe. Reversed the grinder to inspect, to find the "pipe" was a 75mm German tank shell from WW2. Saw the rifling bands and immediately clicked. The client asked what it was, then galloped off. Had another look at the ground and found another. They weren't fused but probably still had the explosive in the casing. Found out that when the Germans withdrew they destroyed the nearby ammo depot. Contacted the Gendarmerie who then got onto the bomb disposal team. The client's son had a metal detector which we run over the top of the disturbed earth, indicating something else down there. Took the first two to the bottom of the garden to wait the disposal team. The grinder teeth really battered the first one's casing which gave me pause for thought!

That was luck , you could have come a Cropper mate .[emoji12]

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Arbtalk mobile app

[petercb]

Rare for any to go up but when they do!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

WW2 bomb blast kills digger driver in Germany - BBC News

 

You only have to be unlucky once!

[Vespasian]

I've just done a cursory search on the net, and found a couple of example's of old ordnance that have killed people..

 

I also found some expert say that for the most part these old bombs are pretty harmless..

 

On the off chance you might end up with a live one, better to air on the side of caution...

 

I mean, I wouldn't expect anyone to pick em out the ground and start whacking them with a lump hammer to see which version they have...

 

If I found one, I wouldn't be terrified neither... well maybe a bit disconcerted..

[David Cropper]

That was luck , you could have come a Cropper mate .[emoji12]

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Arbtalk mobile app

I wondered when that was coming! Someone else said it when I fell down an old septic tank breaking 3 toes.

[wicklamulla]

I wondered when that was coming! Someone else said it when I fell down an old septic tank breaking 3 toes.

 

hope yer toes didn't go septic as a result!

[Pinkfoot]

You have to fall more than a foot to break three toes.

I know ,my humour stinks.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Arbtalk mobile app

[David Cropper]

You have to fall more than a foot to break three toes.

I know ,my humour stinks.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Arbtalk mobile app

Not as much as the septic tank!

[Pinkfoot]

My uncle used to do an enormous amount of metal detecting and would often bring back live .50 calibre rounds.

He once put one in a vice and hit the pin with a hammer and nail.

He only did it once.

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Arbtalk mobile app

[felixthelogchopper]

Now that's funny, PPE would provide a degree of protection but since the round is probably AP, designed to punch through several inches of steel, I am curious as to what PPE you think would be effective?

 

 

Armour plated jock strap?