Cutting through metal?

[DBH]

Does anyone have a recommendation for how to get through metal in a gnarly stump? Are there any chains made for cutting through it? Classic city tree situation - Ailanthus that grew around a number of stakes/posts. All of the cables in this picture have been removed/fence smallerized to make the cut. You can't see the metal - but believe me... it's in there.

 

[Njdelaney]

Stihl makes a chain with carbide cutters that may be up to the task but do your own research. They're not cheap but you could obviously fold the cost into the bid. Here's a link:

https://m.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/saw-chains/rd3/

 

[DBH]

Stihl makes a chain with carbide cutters that may be up to the task but do your own research.

Awesome thank you for the lead.

 

[Tuebor]

N.B.: "This chain must be re-sharpened with a formed diamond grinding wheel."

 

[Boomslang]

Stump grinder?

 

[Reach]

Awesome thank you for the lead.

Don’t try that chain, it can handle dirty wood but not metal, metal or rock will just shatter the teeth, costing you a $250 chain. We learned that one the hard way a few years back. Sounded like a good idea…

 

[DBH]

Stump grinder?

That’s part of the plan but I’d rather burn a couple chains and get the stump lower for him to bring to grade.

Don’t try that chain, it can handle dirty wood but not metal, metal or rock will just shatter the teeth, costing you a $250 chain. We learned that one the hard way a few years back. Sounded like a good idea…

oh damn good save I was about to drop some $$ on that idea. I guess some people to cut through nails according to my saw shop.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Electric jack hammer to gnaw and chew it to bits.

This suggestion came up years ago as a solution for a concrete filled trunk.

 

[BooRad]

All of the above, jackhammer, long pry bars, wire cutter, stump grinding a bit. Mini skid or wedge/sledge to pop sections. Even get the sawzall out with some fresh blades. Always sucks, try to plan the $$ right.

We just hit some concrete in the middle of old oak.

 

[RopeShield]

grind thru with old chainsaw chain, usually find the metal in the tree is softer than the chainsaw chain

 

[Dan Cobb]

Have a concrete cutting company cut them down with a diamond wire saw.

Bust them up with a mini ex or skid steer equipped with a hydraulic hammer.

I realize these options are not part of the work you perform, being a wood cutter.

I'd like to see what an oxygen lance would do to a stump. Would probably catch the neighborhood on fire in this case.

 

[VenasNursery]

So if we hit stuff like metal ,concrete,Kitchen sink,etc
We stop
We will not destroy our equipment for any job

So if it was a Monday
It would be Fook yo stump Monday lol

During any bid I explain we’re not responsible for anything in the ground or tree

 

[climbingmonkey24]

Depending on where the metal is in the stump because obviously you don't have much depth, maybe consider carrying a chop saw like Fire Fighters use? I'm sure there are different blades with one that could handle metal. Don't know how applicable one of these would be for tree work though. Just a thought. I've been watching a lot of Chicago Fire lately.

 

[DBH]

Dang what a great list of options- thanks everyone. Also much appreciate the words of caution with estimating. It’s a fairly high pressure gig because the client is my wife!

I think I may try the jack hammer route.

I’ll post pictures of whatever happens…

 

[VenasNursery]

Dang what a great list of options- thanks everyone. Also much appreciate the words of caution with estimating. It’s a fairly high pressure gig because the client is my wife!

I think I may try the jack hammer route.

I’ll post pictures of whatever happens…

Now I wouldn’t say Fook your stump Monday to my wife lol

 

[dmonn]

It looks like the wire is probably copper. It's not like you're going to be sawing through steel. It would dull your chain, but not ruin it. Compared to the cost of renting a jackhammer, I'd just dull an old chain and spend 5 minutes resharpening it.

 

[Treezybreez]

With a wire fence situation, saw everything else first and then cut through the fence last, or throw a spent chain on. I've cut through plenty of wire fencing.

 

[colb]

grind thru with old chainsaw chain, usually find the metal in the tree is softer than the chainsaw chain

Exhibit A: my profile pic.

 

[ATH]

Dang what a great list of options- thanks everyone. Also much appreciate the words of caution with estimating. It’s a fairly high pressure gig because the client is my wife!

I think I may try the jack hammer route.

I’ll post pictures of whatever happens…

that changes EVERYTHING. The only option:
You need to buy a mini-ex (with a jackhammer attachment). But, that may not work by itself, so you better get a saw like @climbingmonkey24 posted.

"Or, you can just look at those ugly, smelly stumps until they decay on their own in a few decades"

 

[Fivepoints]

A splitting screw on an auger works well for this. We had a 34 dbh oak stump we found a metal post in last week. We took the screw splitter on our mini ex to it from the side. 5 minutes later we had it torn apart completely.