Safety is no accident. Operating a stump cutter safely is not a one-time training exercise- it is a mindset and commitment to continuous adherence and improvement that requires a level of respect, education, and responsibility that should not be taken lightly. By following all safety and maintenance procedures, you can expect years of safe, reliable service from your Rayco stump cutter. Read on to educate yourself on just some of the necessary safety precautions you should be taking every time you operate your Rayco stump cutter. Remember, safety begins with you!
Personal Safety
This article is not intended to be a complete guide to safely operating your stump cutter and is not a substitute for the operator’s manual material. Therefore, it is essential to read and familiarize yourself with your Rayco stump cutter operator’s manual in its entirety. If you do not have one, contact Rayco, and we will be happy to provide you with one free of charge.
Before anything else, ensure that you and everyone on the job are wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Clothing should be close-fitting but not restrictive in movement. Avoid wearing any jewelry or long, dangling, and untucked clothing that could present a safety hazard. Long hair should also be pulled back. ANSI Z89.1 head protection, ANSI Z87.1 eye protection, and ear protection must be worn while operating the stump cutter, as well as steel-toed boots and work gloves. In addition, operators should wear reflective clothing for greater visibility if using the stump cutter in the roadway, evening, or after sundown.
Routine Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance is the key to keeping your Rayco stump cutter performing at its best, and it is equally as essential to perform all maintenance safely. Completing a full walk-around inspection before running your stump cutter daily will ensure that it runs smoothly and safely. A few examples of your daily inspection should include checking the cutting boom cylinders and linkage for damage, removing any chip or residue buildup in or around the engine, inspecting the tires and rims, and more. In addition, other examples of daily maintenance include checking the engine oil level, performing a brake test, checking the cutter wheel teeth and hardware, and lubricating the jackshaft bearings, boom pivots, and cutting wheel, as well as the cutter wheel bearings. It is also important to check and adjust the tension of the Cutting Wheel PolyChain ® every ten hours of run time. Always make sure the machine is shut down before checking the tension. Then, using a belt gauge, check the PolyChain ® tension by depressing it at the center of the span. A weekly check of the emergency stop lanyard should also be performed to ensure that the clutch is properly engaged and adjusted.
For the complete checklist of walk-around inspection and maintenance tasks, refer to the Maintenance section of your operator’s manual to see daily, weekly, monthly, and even yearly routine maintenance checks you should be performing on your stump cutter.