Stefan Palokangas

In Sweden it's done for Tall and Gran, or scottish pine and spruce, the hardwood trees is great for wet areas to keep. or for a frost protection for the ones getting kept and taken away in second thinning.

I’ve done tree thinning in Sweden—first, second, and third cuts to give the best trees room to grow strong and fast. Seems like it’s not a big thing in Scotland, though. Wondering why—too much wind knocking them over, or just more into clear-felling here?

Well no music, no gossip, turn the mind on to work, do toilet in the morning, don't come and tell me you forgot this and that, I had a employee but due to disagreement i ended up with community service. I work alone now and will never get a employee again. Learned grass cutting and litter picking, new skills to my name.

Just to let folks know if you have issues with Kohler Ch980 the Carb model. I got alot of parts thats collecting dust in my garage. I had engine issues and i ordered all parts new, pistons everything really. In the end i ended up buying a new engine due to the block was cracked. Got the Efi model now so not sure they will be of any use for me anymore.

The seat to the valve might have came loose, same happend to mine. if thats what it is, open it up put the seat back in and tap around it to make it staying. did you get it resolved ?

Started out in our own forest in Sweden chainsaw and a John Deere tractor from age of 12 i went up in the forest alone and came back with a load of wood, most the times i sold it in 3m lengths, sometimes i cut and splitted it and sold it that way, every weekend or after school sometimes. then at age 20 started working with tree felling around powerlines for a good number of years. and now at age 50 i'm stump grinding, done that for 11 years or so. and think thats what i will continue doing till i can't do it anymore.

Oi, you lot—Svat and Stefan in the same room? Nah, mate—Svat’s the shadow I left in Sweden

I stopped shagging years ago wont bother me

ha ha, well it's true in most cases. stick to the trees and get me a banana while up there

grinding stumps since you were swinging from mummy’s branch. Easy, you say? Tell that to the gas pipe I hit at 100mm—fumes choking, sparks flying, me laughing like a nutter while you’d have wet your harness. Started arb at 12 in Sweden, our forest, not some posh tree biz with daddy’s cash. Oil-rig welder turned stump king—I’ve tipped rigs and ditched weddings for this ‘simple’ game. Buy your toy grinder, you rope-tugging twit—let’s see you last a day before you’re crying for your saw. Stick to climbing, ya smug sod—I’m the psycho who owns this turf!

Stefan here—Arbtalk since 2014, grinding stumps out of Darvel, Scotland. Oil-rig welder turned stump lord, and I’ve got a bone to pick. Tree surgeons—tree monkeys swinging in your fancy harnesses—why the bloody hell are you lot messing with stump grinders? Machinery’s for the big boys, not you branch-hugging climbers. I’ve tipped my rig, laughed through gas leaks, ground ‘til the sparks flew—years of this shite, and I own it. You lot? Stick to saws and ropes—leave the grinding to pros who don’t monkey about. Climbed a tree lately? Good—stay up there and stop mucking with my game. Rant over—prove me wrong, you soft sods, or sod off back to the canopy!

i been thinking to upgrade to a bigger machine a few times, 90 procent of the jobs are narrow access, was i ever to get something bigger i think it would be a tractor with a grinder on it where i could use the tractor for other things to, but i'm getting older to and don't want to complicate things. Bought a pressure washer after seeing a youtube video spent daft money on it and now the passion isn't there for it, so just sits in my garage. The grinding is the best can do 2 days a week and still doing ok money wise. No stress just fun

I couldn't belive it when it happend to me, but it was just the once never happend again after that.

Was a while ago, yes doing fine grinding away enjoying it even more now then i did when i started. There is something truly special about stump grinding. Hope you are well

Stefan here, Arbtalk since 2014—grinding stumps out of Darvel, Scotland, and I’ve got a rookie gem. Been quiet a while, but dug up this beauty: first year, perfect day, me being a total numpty—tipped the grinder clean over. Photo’s the wreck—I was green, stupid, and damn lucky it didn’t flatten me. Only once, learned sharpish, rock-solid since. Who’s got a tip-over tale to match? Cheers to the madness—let’s hear your daft moments!

Been quiet here a while—back at it with this monster today. Big stump, bigger mess, but she’s dust now. Years grinding these out, still love watching the chips fly. Proper beast of a job!"

Nice setup

Cant remember think it was around 1600 hours on the engine, but to be honest i took off the flywheel the wrong way and created a crack on engine, and that resulted in oil leak and then a broken engine, the head bearings is around 2 a year, and belts the same... I would like to redo it to two bearings instead of one.

Thank you for your kind words

Predator 38RX: A Decade of Dependable Stump Grinding - The Ultimate Narrow Access Machine Ten years ago, I invested in a Predator 38RX stump grinder, and it's been a workhorse ever since. This machine has proven itself time and again, tackling everything from backyard stumps to large commercial projects. Pros: Power and Performance: The 38 horsepower engine delivers ample power to grind through even the toughest stumps with ease. I've never felt it was underpowered for the job. Unmatched Maneuverability: The 38RX's compact size and tracked design are a game-changer. It fits through virtually any gate and navigates tight spaces with ease. I'd estimate it can access 95% of the jobs I encounter, eliminating the need for backbreaking manual labor or expensive crane rentals. Ease of Use: The controls are intuitive and the radio remote operation provides excellent visibility and safety. It's a user-friendly machine even for those new to stump grinding. Durability: The 38RX has held up remarkably well over the years, even withstanding an engine issue that was entirely my fault. It's built to last and withstand the rigors of daily use. Versatility: This machine can handle a wide range of stump sizes and types, making it suitable for various projects. Excellent Customer Support: When I needed an engine replacement due to my own mistake trying to remove the flywheel, Predator Power went above and beyond. They not only shipped me a new EFI engine within days but also provided invaluable assistance with the installation. This level of support is truly exceptional and is a testament to their commitment to their customers. Quick and Reliable Spare Parts Delivery: I'm also incredibly grateful for the quick delivery of spare parts whenever I've needed them. In this business, downtime can be costly, and Predator Power's efficient parts service has kept me up and running without major interruptions. Having that reliable supply chain is crucial when choosing a stump grinder, and it's something I truly appreciate about Predator Power. Cons: Maintenance: Like any piece of equipment, regular maintenance is required to keep it running smoothly. Parts can be somewhat expensive. Overall: The Predator 38RX has been a fantastic investment for my business. It's a reliable, powerful, and incredibly maneuverable machine that has allowed me to take on jobs that would be impossible with larger stump grinders. Its ability to access tight spaces has significantly expanded my customer base and profitability. Even when I encountered an issue due to my own error, Predator Power's outstanding customer service and quick parts delivery turned it into a positive experience. If you're in the market for a durable, capable, and highly accessible stump grinder backed by a company that truly cares about its customers, the Predator 38RX is the clear choice. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars I hope this will help for someone starting out in Stump Grinding i know when i started out it wasn't easy to pick a machine. Did alot of mistakes in the beginning that broke a bit here and there, but after learning how to grind i never had issues.

Hello everyone I got spare parts for a Kohler ch980 for sale A while ago i had issues with a oil leak on my stump grinder, and a charging issue. I bought new pistons, new stator, all the sealings, breather kit, voltage regulator, and the ignition coils, took the engine out of the grinder and was going to just change every part in it. Just to find the engine casing had cracked, i belive it cracked a little 2 years ago with me removing the flywheel in the wrong way, bended it out instead of pulling. so with that scenario unfolding i had to order a brand new engine. but now i sit here with a almost complete engine in bits, i would like 500 pounds it all, this comes with 2 starter motors. I thought perhaps someone here would have use of it.

Just a longshot, to see if anyone here selling a Ch980 or ch1000 Kohler engine ? I need to replace the one i got in the grinder.

The collective wisdom in this forum is truly remarkable. Thank you once again for taking the time to contribute to the discussion.

It's mostly the stumps up against walls where they haven't been able to use the digger.

No i don't work any 200 hours at all, far from it. ha ha