Stump ginder questions

[flushcut]

Stumps in that size range are a money maker if you have the power. I have a 65hp stumper and can grind 24” in about seven to ten minutes. Some times it takes longer to unload and drive the machine over to the stump.
For my business I never really considered stumping a money maker as it is being a complete tree service. My OCD and control issues demand I see the job to absolute completion. A stumper can make holes for new trees as well as finishing them off. Very YinYang if you will.

 

[TINYHULK]

There are many tree companies in my area. A lot don’t have a stump grinder. There is such a high volume of tree work in my area that there are guys that entered the trade and got out of it just to finance a stump grinder. Most of them own 2-3 grinders little front end loaders and new trucks. They seem to do pretty good for themselves grinding and cleaning up all the other tree companies messes. Sometimes I think I would make more money financing a stump grinder than I would being a climber

 

[SkwerI]

Matt, if your stump grinder is running 3-4 hours per day it's making you a boatload of money. Actually any high dollar piece of equipment like that should make you a lot of money as long as it is running. But if your stump grinder only runs 1-2 hour per week, and your other equipment is idle while you are running the stump grinder, then it doesn't make much financial sense.

Similar to the medical field, general practitioners make good money but specialists make great money. The more you specialize, the more you can make- as long as you are able to stay busy. The stump guys I know make great money but they are grinding all day every day. Replacing their grinders with new units every 5-6 years, and replacing their trucks just about as often is just part of the overhead. I know my one regular stump guy ran about 1000 miles per week or more on average.

 

[Altissimus]

No Grinder here and no desire for one ... if the stump is located with any kind of access for , say a small or medium excavator or backhoe it usually is more cost effective and always more comprehensive getting the entire root wad out. One business here uses a "free" grind as incentive to get the job (PS the grind isn't really free).

 

[greengreer]

We don't do too many stumps here, usually more wooded and less manicured lawns.

Renting was expensive and made scheduling a pain. Tried to have the guys go run around and grind a few days a year. Never seemed to be profitable.

Bought one of the branch manager grinders for the dingo. Got it blown up and put an efi Kohler in it so maybe have 5-6k invested. Cut the skid steer plate off and welded mini skid plate on as well.
Pros: fits in the bed of a pickup or can fit it in the trailer with dingo and bmg. Great for one stump or a few small ones, no extra truck or driver. Decent power for a small machine.
cons: basically impossible to see what you're doing, have to feel your way thru. If there's obstacles then really need a guy watching for you. Heavy for the dingo but way more manageable now that the adapter is eliminated (shaved about 150lbs off and puts it 6" closer)

It's not perfect but for our situation it works really well. If we ground stumps every week I'd get something with a diesel and tracks.

I wish I could sub grinding but haven't found a legit grinding business so far.

 

[SeanKroll]

Seems there is a critical angle for oil supply on 38 specials.

A dangling needle and a degrees- sticker should be standard, or other such simple and cheap clinometer.

Someone, maybe Dave, blew his up back when, IIRC.