A should I buy it question (222)

[Hoosier]

I need a larger stumper than my magnum for traditional stumps on flat ground that range from 24 to 32 inches across. I can do a 24" with my magnum, but it does take a few calories if ya know what I mean. I am thinking a larger machine would help me take more jobs with less fatigue on my old body..

Anyway, I found a Vermeer 222 at a rental yard, the owner said he is going to sell it because the renters can flip it over to easy and he has already replaced the motor once with a big Honda.

I could look at adding a dual wheel kit or even building a fixed outrigger system that pins in place to catch it next time.

The guy only wants $2300 and it runs pretty good, I may rent it and give it a try but is sounds like a good deal. Granted it looks a bit ruff, but he mentioned the belts were upgraded to a non-stock serpentine design, I don't know if thats a good thing?

Should I buy it, thats pretty cheap and for me to get a better machine would cost 3 times that much.

 

[gr8scott72]

I need a larger stumper than my magnum for traditional stumps on flat ground that range from 24 to 32 inches across. I can do a 24" with my magnum, but it does take a few calories if ya know what I mean. I am thinking a larger machine would help me take more jobs with less fatigue on my old body..

Anyway, I found a Vermeer 222 at a rental yard, the owner said he is going to sell it because the renters can flip it over to easy and he has already replaced the motor once with a big Honda.

I could look at adding a dual wheel kit or even building a fixed outrigger system that pins in place to catch it next time.

The guy only wants $2300 and it runs pretty good, I may rent it and give it a try but is sounds like a good deal. Granted it looks a bit ruff, but he mentioned the belts were upgraded to a non-stock serpentine design, I don't know if thats a good thing?

Should I buy it, thats pretty cheap and for me to get a better machine would cost 3 times that much.

If you're going to get that size machine, that sounds like a great deal since you know the guy. Just be warned, rental machines are generally warn out hunks of junk. Even if engines or other major things have been replaces, the little stuff will start to fall apart too. I had to replace the keypin on the drive shaft of my Rayco 1625 as it was COMPLETELY warn out. Stuff like that, that you don't really think about. The list of small things that I had to replace grew pretty long in just a few months.

BUT, $2300, you almost can't go wrong. Try it out first before you buy it just to see how you like it.

Dual wheels, imo, are a must on a machine like that.

 

[Hoosier]

If you're going to get that size machine, that sounds like a great deal since you know the guy. Just be warned, rental machines are generally warn out hunks of junk. Even if engines or other major things have been replaces, the little stuff will start to fall apart too. I had to replace the keypin on the drive shaft of my Rayco 1625 as it was COMPLETELY warn out. Stuff like that, that you don't really think about. The list of small things that I had to replace grew pretty long in just a few months.

BUT, $2300, you almost can't go wrong. Try it out first before you buy it just to see how you like it.

Dual wheels, imo, are a must on a machine like that.

Thanks for the comments, I am sitting here trying to come to a decision.

This unit is a single wheel, can I add a second set? I really dont care about gates or acces since I still have the Alpine, I just want a machine for those 90 degree days that only require joystick maniplulation instead of manual labor LOL.

Can I still get parts for this old of a machine, I would think so?

 

[Hoosier]

One concern I do have is that thing only has a 18hp Honda motor...Hmmm..


But, the belts have been updated with new pullys, I guess it was a vermeer upgrade kit?

 

[arbor pro]

One concern I do have is that thing only has a 18hp Honda motor...Hmmm..


But, the belts have been updated with new pullys, I guess it was a vermeer upgrade kit?

18hp - I dunno. Some days, I think 25hp on my 252 isn't nearly enough. I wouln't worry too much about dual wheels. They're nice for traction and for keeping the machine from falling down into the stump hole but, they also detract from the machine's biggest selling point - the ability to fit through a 36" gate and maneuver into tight spots. As long as you think about what you're doing, duals aren't necessary. That said - I'm always going through gates and into tight spots so duals just wouldn't work for me. If you don't forsee needing to take them off, I guess it would be a good idea to have them.

I'd definitely be trying that 222 out first and then go rent a 252 the next day and compare the two. If you don't see much of a difference between the two, then buy the 222. If there's a notable difference, then you'll understand why the 222 is only $2300.

 

[gr8scott72]

18hp - I dunno. Some days, I think 25hp on my 252 isn't nearly enough. I wouln't worry too much about dual wheels. They're nice for traction and for keeping the machine from falling down into the stump hole but, they also detract from the machine's biggest selling point - the ability to fit through a 36" gate and maneuver into tight spots. As long as you think about what you're doing, duals aren't necessary. That said - I'm always going through gates and into tight spots so duals just wouldn't work for me. If you don't forsee needing to take them off, I guess it would be a good idea to have them.

I'd definitely be trying that 222 out first and then go rent a 252 the next day and compare the two. If you don't see much of a difference between the two, then buy the 222. If there's a notable difference, then you'll understand why the 222 is only $2300.

Agreed, 18 hp is pretty weak. My Rayco had a 25 and when it died, (right after I got it) I replaced it with a 27 hp.

Which head is that on your Alpine? I just got one with the Husky head. I've only used it a couple of times but that 3120 power head is a beast.

 

[arbor pro]

What kind of teeth are on that 222? with that small of an engine, I would suggest staying with a small cutting head - either the standard tooth or a very small (500 or 700 series) greentooth. I doubt it would have the power to pull a bigger tooth. Keep that in mind if comparing different machines too. The size of machine is only half of the equipment setup. The type and sharpness of tooth is the other half of the equation.

 

[Bigstumps]

18HP is going to be weak, but for that money you can't go wrong. I wouldn't put much $$$ into it, I'd run it, decide if you like that style machine then unload it on Ebay for a profit and buy one with the bigger engine.

When I went from a 27HP Kohler to the 33 Kubota I gained a ton of torque and the cutting speed almost doubled.

 

[gr8scott72]

18HP is going to be weak, but for that money you can't go wrong. I wouldn't put much $$$ into it, I'd run it, decide if you like that style machine then unload it on Ebay for a profit and buy one with the bigger engine.

When I went from a 27HP Kohler to the 33 Kubota I gained a ton of torque and the cutting speed almost doubled.

Yup, hp numbers are one thing, torque is another. Torque is what gets rid of the stumps quicker. I know it's not a fair comparison but my 60 hp Carlton 7015 trx cuts at least 4 times as fast as my 27 hp Rayco 1625 did.

 

[Hoosier]

Thanks for the tips. I will most likley buy it. My motivation is to get a grinder that takes less work to run than my Alpine. When it is 100 degrees outside having a machine that can do the work for me will help. And I currently have a problem with tennis elbow and I need to keep working, so this may be a stop gap.

Around here a 32" stump is considered big, and I dont mind spending the time needed to get it done, I just want to be able to feel my arms when I am done.

I really dig my Alpine, but I just cant see beating myself up for a 24"+ stump on flat ground?

Thanks again.

 

[Hoosier]

Which head is that on your Alpine? I just got one with the Husky head. I've only used it a couple of times but that 3120 power head is a beast.

I went with the SOLO, it was about $800 less than the Husky if I recall, I was told it would not make as much power, but to be honest I cant see the need for more power for what I actually do with it. I have used it for all of my stumps for 2 years now, but I dont cut big trees (and I can make big shrubs my #####.)

 

[gr8scott72]

I went with the SOLO, it was about $800 less than the Husky if I recall, I was told it would not make as much power, but to be honest I cant see the need for more power for what I actually do with it. I have used it for all of my stumps for 2 years now, but I dont cut big trees (and I can make big shrubs my #####.)

I just got a former dealer's demo unit (barely used and never sold) with the husky head, wheels, extra wheel guard, 3 sets of teeth, tools, manuals, etc for $2,500.

I've only used it a couple of times as I have the Carlton 7015 but when the Alpine is needed, it is great and makes a bunch of money.

 

[Hoosier]

That was a great deal. FWIW I did not know Kieth had any dealers in the USA? Have you talked to Alpine directly yet?

 

[juststumps]

That was a great deal. FWIW I did not know Kieth had any dealers in the USA? Have you talked to Alpine directly yet?[/QUOh

how long did it take you to grind the stump in the photo ??? and how deep do you grind ?? run across a few stumps that are really hard to get to...

 

[gr8scott72]

That was a great deal. FWIW I did not know Kieth had any dealers in the USA? Have you talked to Alpine directly yet?

I don't know when but at some point he had a dealer network but apparently when sales got slow he cancelled all his dealers and went back to selling direct.

I had a long talk with Keith before I bought mine. He is very convincing. I'm just glad I was able to find one for $2,500 instead of the $4,500 or so straight from Keith.

 

[gr8scott72]

how long did it take you to grind the stump in
the photo ??? and how deep do you grind ?? run across a few stumps that are really hard to get to...

People that have not used or seen the Alpine work will not believe this, but the Alpine will grind very close in speed to what my Rayco 1625 Super Jr (27 hp) would although it's not as easy of a job as Keith would make you believe.

 

[gr8scott72]

how long did it take you to grind the stump in the photo ??? and how deep do you grind ?? run across a few stumps that are really hard to get to...

Juststumps, if you are serious about the Alpine, I can put you in touch with the guy I bought mine from. He still has one more to sell.

 

[Hoosier]

how long did it take you to grind the stump in the photo ??? and how deep do you grind ?? run across a few stumps that are really hard to get to...

Since you are in NJ I will speak honestly (I tell Indy guys not to bother LOL)

That stump (if you can make it out) was about 12" across and it was a dogwood or redbud and it really only takes about 5-10 minutes of solid grinding. If I up-sell the job I can obliterate a stump that size. I had a pine that was closer to 20" and I spent a bit more time on it, but it was ready for a re-plant in the same hole.

Check this video, it is realistic.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cD9urOi4oJc

(We cant embed here?)

I really think I could outrun a larger stumper for a stump under 20" around if we both count unload time and reposition time, but I don't think I could grind for more than 30 minutes at a time, it takes work to run these. Chasing roots is a joke with this, no time flat, just do them last to finish off the tooth edge before the next sharpen or the trash can.

Hillsides and up on terraced ledges is no problem. I have done steep banks to grind out shrub stumps in places you dont want loose soil from digging due to wash outs and erosion.

I could see grinding down on a pond edge or even the backside of a dam being no big deal.

 

[gr8scott72]

Check this video, it is realistic.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cD9urOi4oJc

Is that you on youtube?

 

[Hoosier]

Is that you on youtube?

No, but that video prety much sold me on the AM,and after grinding a buncha stumps that size with it I can tell you that it is dead on.