Stump grinder having an automatic depth control system
An automatic depth controlled cutting assembly for a stump grinder includes a cutting assembly operatively attached to a stump grinder for engaging and grinding a stump, an actuating assembly to actuate movement of the cutting assembly relative to the stump, and an automatic depth control system cooperating with the actuating assembly to automatically control a depth of the cutting assembly relative to the stump.
1. A method of automatically controlling the depth of a cutting assembly for a stump grinder, said method comprising the steps of:
engaging a stump with the cutting assembly;
advancing the cutting assembly across the stump;
activating a controller to incrementally move the cutting assembly in the vertical direction for a predetermined length of travel;
re-engaging the stump with the cutting assembly; and
wherein each incremental adjustment is in response to an operator input.
2. A method of automatically controlling the depth of a cutting assembly for a stump grinder, said method comprising the steps of:
engaging a stump with the cutting assembly;
advancing the cutting assembly across the stump in a lateral direction;
activating a controller to automatically move the cutting assembly in the vertical direction for a predetermined length of travel; and
re-engaging the stump with the cutting assembly;
wherein said step of activating a controller further includes regulating a duration of a signal sent from the controller to a predetermined time that corresponds to a predetermined length of travel of vertical movement of the cutting assembly.
3. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of adjusting an automatic depth control selector to one of a plurality of pre-set depths to regulate the vertical movement of the cutting assembly to a predetermined length of travel prior to said step of activating.
4. A method of automatically controlling the depth of a cutting assembly for a stump grinder, said method comprising the steps of:
providing an automatic depth controlled cutting assembly for a stump grinder comprising:
a cutting assembly operatively attached to a stump grinder for engaging and grinding a stump;
an actuating assembly to actuate movement of said cutting assembly relative to the stump; and
an automatic depth control system cooperating with said actuating assembly to incrementally and automatically control a depth of said cutting assembly relative to the stump;
engaging a stump with the cutting assembly;
advancing the cutting assembly across the stump in a lateral direction;
activating a controller to incrementally and automatically move the cutting assembly in the vertical direction for a predetermined length of travel;
re-engaging the stump with the cutting assembly; and
whereby grinding of the stump is effectuated by incrementally adjusting the cutting assembly by the predetermined length of travel, wherein each incremental adjustment in response to a single operator input.
5. A method of automatically controlling the depth of a cutting assembly for a stump grinder, said method comprising the steps of:
providing an automatic depth controlled cutting assembly for a grinder comprising:
a cutting assembly operatively attached to a stump grinder for engaging and grinding a stump;
an actuating assembly to actuate movement of said cutting assembly relative to the stump; and
an automatic depth control system cooperating with said actuating assembly to automatically control a depth of said cutting assembly relative to the stump;
engaging a stump with the cutting assembly;
advancing the cutting assembly across the stump in a lateral direction;
activating a controller to automatically move the cutting assembly in the vertical direction for a predetermined length of travel;
re-engaging the stump with the cutting assembly; and
wherein said step of activating a controller further includes regulating a duration of a signal sent from the controller to a predetermined time that corresponds to a predetermined length of travel of vertical movement of the cutting assembly.
6. A method as set forth in claim 4 further including the step of adjusting an automatic depth control selector to one of a plurality of pre-set depths to regulate the vertical movement of the cutting assembly to a predetermined length of travel prior to said step of activating.
7. A method of automatically controlling the depth of a cutting assembly for a stump grinder, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a stump grinder comprising:
a frame;
a cutting assembly operatively supported by said frame;
an actuating assembly operatively connected to said frame and said cutting assembly, said actuating assembly adapted to direct movement of said cutting assembly relative to a stump; and
an automatic depth control system operatively connected to said actuating assembly to automatically control a depth of said cutting assembly relative to the stump;
engaging a stump with the cutting assembly;
advancing the cutting assembly across the stump in a lateral direction;
activating a controller to automatically and incrementally move the cutting assembly in the vertical direction for a predetermined length of travel; and
repeatedly alternating between re-engaging the stump with the cutting assembly and repeatedly re-activating the controller, to incrementally adjust the cutting assembly to a final depth via a plurality of incremental adjustments to the cutting assembly, each adjustment being initiated by an operator.