Stump grinding

Danger_Ranger

Danger_Ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2008
Location
Star NC
Anyone here know much about stump grinders/stump grinding business. I just rented one and it was fairly easy to run after a little bit of time running it. I don't think there are too many people around my area that do it. And the ones that do it charge out the ass for it. I think it would be a good way to earn some cash and it isn't that hard to do. Clean up is the only hard labor about it that I've seen. I've already done a little online research and I've found they are pretty expensive for a good machine. Thanks for the info in advance.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
 
What's the rental rate? Maybe you can get started using a rental unit.
I had a big white oak and a few smaller stumps ground it was 300 iirc


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
josh m said:
What's the rental rate? Maybe you can get started using a rental unit.
I had a big white oak and a few smaller stumps ground it was 300 iirc


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
It costs us $200 for 24hr rental, 8hr run time. Plus ran 2 tanks of gas through it. It was a smaller Toro grinder with tracks.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
 
Around here it's hard to find a stump grinder that will show up. Every time we have needed one they will not call back or never show up after saying they will.
 
IMG_3309.JPG
I had a Vermeer sc252. It's a self propelled 27 hp unit with dual drive tires. It was slow, but it always worked and it was a small enough to fit in a 36" gate. I bought it for 4200, sold it for 4900 after using it for 8 months. It had about 1400 hours when I sold it, on a Kohler gas motor. It also had its own small Vermeer trailer that I could tow with my little Toyota pickup. I think the key is keeping sharp teeth on the machine all the time. Because if you're doing it as a side gig, you will get stump jobs at the most random times. And no one wants to change those teeth right before you head out to do the job. You'll need a silicon carbide grinding wheel to sharpen the carbide tips of the tooth. My Vermeer had 16 yellow jacket teeth which is pretty much the industry standard for Vermeer. Also, you'll need a bad ass chainsaw. I started with a stihl ms440 which did ok, but ended up with a husky 395xp to knock the stumps down. It's worth sacrificing a chain to flush cut the big stumps to ground level, once you dig out around it. I would offer to dispose of the chips for extra. I was grinding in downtown Charlotte and people were paying a premium to get rid of the shavings. I got some cheap cards made and would hand them out to tree guys even if they already had a stump guy, because eventually that stump guys machine would take a shit, or he would be busy, and you would get a call with them needing you in a pinch. If they quoted the job with stump removal, they aren't getting paid until you load up your grinder and head home. I got most of my business from a tree guy I didn't know, just by showing up at the drop of a hat. I think if you want to drum up your own business just knocking on doors on a Saturday morning, you really gotta do it CHEAP. Some people don't care about a stump in their yard, but some folks with road frontage and postage stamp sized front yards want every bit they can get. The guys I talk to that do stumps only, full time, all have multiple big diesel self propelled machines, which are big money. I sold my machine when I got a new job and didn't have a safe place to keep it. The money was good, and I enjoyed doing it. i would stay away from the pull behind grinders unless you have a small 4x4 or even a four wheeler to access remote areas with. You'll spend a good bit of time maintaining the machine, your saw, and getting to and from, so keep it in mind when you throw out a price. I've ground more than one stump that paid less than 15$ an hour by the time it was all said and done. Also, don't quote any jobs until you see the stump in person. People will send you pictures all the time asking how much, and it's surprising how a 120$ stump can turn into what would have been a $$$ job if you arent careful.
 
Like @ProbablyBroke said. Definitely check the job. Don’t commit or give a quote site unseen. Had a guy commit to a job for my brother in law. It was about six huge pine stumps. He rented some grinder that was way too small for the job. He was way in over his head. He tried asking for more money and ultimately had to bow out after several days of getting nowhere. Lost his ass between time, gas, and rental. Not to mention tarnishing his name a little.
 
Thanks guys, that's exactly what I was looking for. Any suggestions on machine brands? I may go check out a Vermeer tracked machine today. I really liked the maneuverability of the tracked machine we rented. But I'm not opposed to a wheeled machine if they are better and a better price for what you get.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
 
The big names are Vermeer, Carlton, and rayco. They are all very similar. The one I had a single rear wheel which wasn't ideal. They are manueverable on the concrete, but you try to steer them on the grass or uneven terrain, and you'll stay in a straight line. If you step up to a newer 35hp, you might be able to get hydraulic steering which would be nice. I've never run a tracked machine, but I imagine you would be able to scoot around and change angles quite easily, which would be a game changer. Personally, I would spend the extra money for more horsepower vs maneuverability.
 
I'm supposed to go check out a Vermeer tracked machine this week. I also found a decent deal on Craigslist but it's about 3 more grand than the track machine. But it also has 10 more hp. I really like the tracks but I don't wanna be kicking myself in the ass wishing I had more hp later on down the road. I'm undecided right now.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
 
Danger_Ranger said:
I'm supposed to go check out a Vermeer tracked machine this week. I also found a decent deal on Craigslist but it's about 3 more grand than the track machine. But it also has 10 more hp. I really like the tracks but I don't wanna be kicking myself in the ass wishing I had more hp later on down the road. I'm undecided right now.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Would tracks make the difference of being able to do a job or not, versus a little less hp only making it a little slower?
 
I ran one on the side for my buddy's tree business a couple days a week. He had a big tracked Carlton that was like playing w a big remote control destruction machine. That big machine made easy work of big narly stumps. It made good money too because I invoiced. I almost bought the stump grinding business then and kinda regret not doing it.
 
Yeah those big ones with the remotes are cool and will eat a stump in no time. But also a ton of money. From what I've seen online anyway.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
 
Danger_Ranger said:
Yeah those big ones with the remotes are cool and will eat a stump in no time. But also a ton of money. From what I've seen online anyway.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yeah. One of those things though. 31s are cool but some 38s, chromos, lockers and gears are better.

His machine could slide the track width in to squeeze through small gates. It was a 4 cylinder diesel. Thing sounded great in a cold morning loping while I walked around and established a plan of attach .

Problem w it was when some dumb ass would try to grind wrong it was strong enough to fuck up enough stuff to be expensive. I never harmed it though and other than changing a couple teeth at the shop every once in a while it was fine.

Wish I'd have bought the company now that I think about it more.
 
So I found one I'm 99% sure I'm gonna buy if I can get the funds. Quick question though. It weighs a little over 1,000 lbs. Will I be fine pulling it with my little regular cab Ford ranger 2.3 4banger. I have a Polaris ranger that I've pulled several times with it and it seemed to do fine. And also, does anyone have any stumps they want ground? I need some work if I get this thing lol.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
 
Danger_Ranger said:
So I found one I'm 99% sure I'm gonna buy if I can get the funds. Quick question though. It weighs a little over 1,000 lbs. Will I be fine pulling it with my little regular cab Ford ranger 2.3 4banger. I have a Polaris ranger that I've pulled several times with it and it seemed to do fine. And also, does anyone have any stumps they want ground? I need some work if I get this thing lol.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

It'll be fine, I've seen those Rangers pull way more shit than they should.
 
Danger_Ranger said:
So I found one I'm 99% sure I'm gonna buy if I can get the funds. Quick question though. It weighs a little over 1,000 lbs. Will I be fine pulling it with my little regular cab Ford ranger 2.3 4banger. I have a Polaris ranger that I've pulled several times with it and it seemed to do fine. And also, does anyone have any stumps they want ground? I need some work if I get this thing lol.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
manual trans no problem.....auto just leave it out of overdrive and let it eat.
 
Danger_Ranger said:
So I found one I'm 99% sure I'm gonna buy if I can get the funds. Quick question though. It weighs a little over 1,000 lbs. Will I be fine pulling it with my little regular cab Ford ranger 2.3 4banger.
Click to expand...
Clearly you are not Hispanic.
 
So I'm going to pick up my new to me stump grinder Tuesday. Now I'm in the market for a good strong saw to flush cut the stumps if they need it. I want something I can rely on when I need it to work. Which has me kinda leaning towards buying a brand new saw so I don't end up with somebody else's troubles. I'm not at all against buying used, just don't wanna get shafted. I've stopped and two dealers and both recommended the Stihl MS-362, which I think is the entry level pro series "big" saw. Any recommendations?

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
 
Danger_Ranger said:
So I'm going to pick up my new to me stump grinder Tuesday. Now I'm in the market for a good strong saw to flush cut the stumps if they need it. I want something I can rely on when I need it to work. Which has me kinda leaning towards buying a brand new saw so I don't end up with somebody else's troubles. I'm not at all against buying used, just don't wanna get shafted. I've stopped and two dealers and both recommended the Stihl MS-362, which I think is the entry level pro series "big" saw. Any recommendations?

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
For stump work , I'd personally go bigger ...most guys stump with a minimum of a ms660...cause first thing you know ,you gotta grind a 6 ft stump that needs cut lower ...I'd be looking 395xp ...and a couple of bars....and a bunch of chain...

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
 
Danger_Ranger said:
So I'm going to pick up my new to me stump grinder Tuesday. Now I'm in the market for a good strong saw to flush cut the stumps if they need it. I want something I can rely on when I need it to work. Which has me kinda leaning towards buying a brand new saw so I don't end up with somebody else's troubles. I'm not at all against buying used, just don't wanna get shafted. I've stopped and two dealers and both recommended the Stihl MS-362, which I think is the entry level pro series "big" saw. Any recommendations?

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
MS362 ain't enough saw for stumping. Minimum I'd recommend MS461 (or used 046/MS460). Personally I think the 461 with a 25" and 36" bar is the best all around saw for a 1 saw plan for now, and then once you make some good money with the grinder, find an MS880 or something. And Stihl or Husqvarna both make great saws, so pick whichever feels better in your hand.
 
Back
Top