Chip containment on tracked stump grinders

[arbor pro]

So, I have both a vermeer 252 grinder for hard-to-access stumps and an older vermeer 665a tow behind that works great on the larger easy-to-access stumps.

I'm toying with the idea of selling both and getting a larger self-propelled unit (track or wheeled, 50hp+) so that I can be more efficient and carry the unit along with my mini skid behind my dump truck for ease of cleanup. I also want only one machine to maintain.

One of the reasons I really like my 665a is because I can grind a huge stump without having to re-setup a number of times as I would with my 252. This makes cleanup easier as the chips are contained within one large pile and I don't have to rake the entire area around the stump hole - just one side of it.

I'm concerned that, if I go this route, I'm going to have to re-setup a number of times with a larger self-propelled unit and have to do a lot of extra raking because the chip containment area is going to be a fraction of that of my 665a. Is that a valid concern? Do the chips pile up in front of the grinder causing you to have to move over to an empty area of the yard?

I realize that some of you refuse to do cleanup so, obviously, this question is for those that do... gr8scott - wondering what your thoughts are with your new carlton? Do you still have to move around as much as you did with your 1625jr?

I find that, if I'm grinding a 60" stump with my 252, I'll have to attack the stump from 4-6 different angles because the chips build up so fast under and in front of it. It's a pain when it comes to cleanup because then I have a huge area of chips spread out around the stump hole in all directions. The same stump ground with my 665a results in one nice big pile. Will the result with a larger tracked or wheeled self-propelled grinder be the same as the 252?

Thanks.

 

[ropensaddle]

Ever try laying down a sheet of plywood for the grindings to be
slid away?

 

[arbor pro]

Ever try laying down a sheet of plywood for the grindings to be
slid away?

I use a mini skid steer to do the heavy cleanup so plywood would just get in the way of or get busted up by the loader. It's the extra raking (5-10 minutes per stump) that concerns me. Multiply that extra 5-10 minutes of cleanup x 5 stumps and you're talking an extra 30 minutes to an hour of cleanup.

My primary concern is that over the course of a week and grinding numerous stumps, switching to a larger self-propelled unit vs staying with my tow behind 665a could tack on several hours of extra time to the cleanup process while the grinding time might stay about the same.

Common sense tells me that a newer 65hp self-propelled grinder will likely grind faster than my older 665a tow behind; however, since I do a lot of cleanup, I also need to consider how to best contain the grindings so as to make the cleanup process as quick as possible.

To put things in perspective, the chip containment capacity on a vermeer 60tx is 23 cu ft, while the comparable 602 tow behind model has a capacity of 49 cu ft. Stepping up to the 60tx or a comparable machine would give me almost 3 times more chip containment capacity over that of my sc252 (7.7 cu ft); however, it would be about 1/2 the capacity as that of my 665a. It's the compromise that concerns me - better efficiency in grinding but probably more work in cleanup.

It sure would be nice to have just one machine to maintain. Question is - if you have to clean up the stumps as well as grind them, what's the best grinder to minimize the mess while ripping a stump out quickly...?

 

[jason2078]

Try This

If you do keep the sc252, try laying down a tarp in front of the stump where your going to start grinding and drive machine up on tarp, grind the stump, and then fold up grindings in tarp and dump them, works pretty slick on small stumps (ie anything you can handle picking up by your self) and catches 90 percent of grindings before they ever reach the grass. I do this most often on rich peoples manicured grass.

 

[gr8scott72]

I use a mini skid steer to do the heavy cleanup so plywood would just get in the way of or get busted up by the loader. It's the extra raking (5-10 minutes per stump) that concerns me. Multiply that extra 5-10 minutes of cleanup x 5 stumps and you're talking an extra 30 minutes to an hour of cleanup.

My primary concern is that over the course of a week and grinding numerous stumps, switching to a larger self-propelled unit vs staying with my tow behind 665a could tack on several hours of extra time to the cleanup process while the grinding time might stay about the same.

Common sense tells me that a newer 65hp self-propelled grinder will likely grind faster than my older 665a tow behind; however, since I do a lot of cleanup, I also need to consider how to best contain the grindings so as to make the cleanup process as quick as possible.

To put things in perspective, the chip containment capacity on a vermeer 60tx is 23 cu ft, while the comparable 602 tow behind model has a capacity of 49 cu ft. Stepping up to the 60tx or a comparable machine would give me almost 3 times more chip containment capacity over that of my sc252 (7.7 cu ft); however, it would be about 1/2 the capacity as that of my 665a. It's the compromise that concerns me - better efficiency in grinding but probably more work in cleanup.

It sure would be nice to have just one machine to maintain. Question is - if you have to clean up the stumps as well as grind them, what's the best grinder to minimize the mess while ripping a stump out quickly...?

This was actually one of the reasons I bought the Carlton 7015 instead of the Vermeer 60TX. The Carlton's capacity is 38 cu ft (vs the Vermeer's 23)and all but the largest of stumps I don't need to move any chips out of the way to grind the whole thing. I've found that with the larger capacity and the sandvik wheel, the chip pile is contained quite nicely and even if you don't do cleanup, you can just drive over the stump hole and the chips under the machine just fill the hole in.

 

[custom8726]

If you have a local dealer set up a demo and run a couple machines yourself that will give you hands on experience nothing beats that as oppinions will vary from user to user. I really like the newer Carlton self propelled units myself.

 

[gr8scott72]

If you have a local dealer set up a demo and run a couple machines yourself that will give you hands on experience nothing beats that as oppinions will vary from user to user. I really like the newer Carlton self propelled units myself.

The Vermeer 60TX that I demoed broke on the demo. lol (18 hours on machine)

 

[custom8726]

The Vermeer 60TX that I demoed broke on the demo. lol (18 hours on machine)

Thats not very inspiring, lol..

 

[gr8scott72]

Two other specs where big factors when I was looking at one.

The ground speed on the Carlton is twice as fast as the Vermeer. This is a BIG advantage. You can get to stumps on a job quick that are spread out all over the yard. I've even found myself just driving the machine down the neighborhood a couple of houses away instead of loading it up on the trailer.

The outside chip guards on the Vermeer have to be removed everytime before being able to go through a 36" gate. On the Carlton, all you have to do is hit a button on the remote to sqeeze the tracks in.

 

[gr8scott72]

Thats not very inspiring, lol..

They do have good local support here for the Vermeer and that was really the only plus for the Vermeer. (There is no Carlton dealership here.)

 

[custom8726]

They do have good local support here for the Vermeer and that was really the only plus for the Vermeer. (There is no Carlton dealership here.)

I am lucky in that respect our carlton and vermeer dealer are about 10 min from each other. They each have there pro's and con's.

 

[howel07264]

What do you charge to haul away chips??

So, I have both a vermeer 252 grinder for hard-to-access stumps and an older vermeer 665a tow behind that works great on the larger easy-to-access stumps.

I'm toying with the idea of selling both and getting a larger self-propelled unit (track or wheeled, 50hp+) so that I can be more efficient and carry the unit along with my mini skid behind my dump truck for ease of cleanup. I also want only one machine to maintain.

One of the reasons I really like my 665a is because I can grind a huge stump without having to re-setup a number of times as I would with my 252. This makes cleanup easier as the chips are contained within one large pile and I don't have to rake the entire area around the stump hole - just one side of it.

I'm concerned that, if I go this route, I'm going to have to re-setup a number of times with a larger self-propelled unit and have to do a lot of extra raking because the chip containment area is going to be a fraction of that of my 665a. Is that a valid concern? Do the chips pile up in front of the grinder causing you to have to move over to an empty area of the yard?

I realize that some of you refuse to do cleanup so, obviously, this question is for those that do... gr8scott - wondering what your thoughts are with your new carlton? Do you still have to move around as much as you did with your 1625jr?

I find that, if I'm grinding a 60" stump with my 252, I'll have to attack the stump from 4-6 different angles because the chips build up so fast under and in front of it. It's a pain when it comes to cleanup because then I have a huge area of chips spread out around the stump hole in all directions. The same stump ground with my 665a results in one nice big pile. Will the result with a larger tracked or wheeled self-propelled grinder be the same as the 252?

Thanks.

I have been grinding stumps for many years and a cant remember ever losing a job because i wouldn't clean and haul chips. Just curious about what you charge to clean and haul. I average about $250 per run hour grinding. i dont think i could make that doing cleanup. I tell the customer they can hire a local teen for $10 an hour a lot cheaper than they can hire me.

 

[Curbside]

Two other specs where big factors when I was looking at one.

The ground speed on the Carlton is twice as fast as the Vermeer. This is a BIG advantage. You can get to stumps on a job quick that are spread out all over the yard. I've even found myself just driving the machine down the neighborhood a couple of houses away instead of loading it up on the trailer.

The outside chip guards on the Vermeer have to be removed everytime before being able to go through a 36" gate. On the Carlton, all you have to do is hit a button on the remote to sqeeze the tracks in.

I run a 60TX. I have been very happy with it but I have never tried a Carlton. I wish the track speed was faster as well I'm sure if I did some tinkering I probably could pick up the speed. The chip guards suck on the Vermeer and I rebuilt them and now they can stay on permantely and be narrowed in seconds.

The one thing I do like over other grinders that I have seen is that it is a direct drive unit. You do not have the big pulley wheel down at the cutter wheel. This is real handy especially when going deep.

As far as chip containment when I have to do a cleanup I grind the stump only untill the containment area is filled then I back out and quickly clean up the wood shavings which are easy since there is no or very little mud mixed into the chips. Once the stump is boweled out and the clean chips are hauled away then I do a full grind through the mud and roots and what is left of the stump. This way I clean up about 90% of the chips but then I back fill with the dirt and debris. Nothing worse then shoveling wood chips mixed with mud keep them seperate and it makes it much easier.

 

[ropensaddle]

I am high on the clean up and some customers just want it done
and my best customers don't want anyone else at their residence.
I find more and more that these types are my target customers.
I always remember to blow the walks.window ledges etc. This means
a lot to customers and takes little time and will get the phone ringing.
I don't clean up many stumps but always blow the outlying areas and
if I do clean up you can eat there. I used to laugh when I would see
a hack getting done with a job driving off roof covered in leaves and
sawdust because I knew they would not be calling him next time

 

[BC WetCoast]

I have been grinding stumps for many years and a cant remember ever losing a job because i wouldn't clean and haul chips. Just curious about what you charge to clean and haul. I average about $250 per run hour grinding. i dont think i could make that doing cleanup. I tell the customer they can hire a local teen for $10 an hour a lot cheaper than they can hire me.

You will make whatever rate you want doing cleanup. Just give the customer the price and they decide whether to accept.

We bid the same rate whether grinding or cleanup, although most stumps are bid and not hourly. Usually give a price to grind/leave mulch and a second price to haul mulch. Then the customer can make the decision.

I don't know how much you use the $/run hour, but I don't think it as meaningful a metric as effective $/manhour. You have to account for travel and set up time.

 

[BC WetCoast]

So, I have both a vermeer 252 grinder for hard-to-access stumps and an older vermeer 665a tow behind that works great on the larger easy-to-access stumps.

I'm toying with the idea of selling both and getting a larger self-propelled unit (track or wheeled, 50hp+) so that I can be more efficient and carry the unit along with my mini skid behind my dump truck for ease of cleanup. I also want only one machine to maintain.

One of the reasons I really like my 665a is because I can grind a huge stump without having to re-setup a number of times as I would with my 252. This makes cleanup easier as the chips are contained within one large pile and I don't have to rake the entire area around the stump hole - just one side of it.

I'm concerned that, if I go this route, I'm going to have to re-setup a number of times with a larger self-propelled unit and have to do a lot of extra raking because the chip containment area is going to be a fraction of that of my 665a. Is that a valid concern? Do the chips pile up in front of the grinder causing you to have to move over to an empty area of the yard?

I realize that some of you refuse to do cleanup so, obviously, this question is for those that do... gr8scott - wondering what your thoughts are with your new carlton? Do you still have to move around as much as you did with your 1625jr?

I find that, if I'm grinding a 60" stump with my 252, I'll have to attack the stump from 4-6 different angles because the chips build up so fast under and in front of it. It's a pain when it comes to cleanup because then I have a huge area of chips spread out around the stump hole in all directions. The same stump ground with my 665a results in one nice big pile. Will the result with a larger tracked or wheeled self-propelled grinder be the same as the 252?

Thanks.

How do you contain the side spray of chips? On my machine (Bandit 2100), I get chips flying 90 degrees from the wheel for 20'. I end up having to rake the whole yard anyway. Not that raking is that big a deal

Also I find with my machine, I have to dig chips out of the hole, because if there is a significant amount of chips in the hole, it causes the machine to bog down. So I end up with a couple of piles anyways.

 

[ropensaddle]

What we need and here another million dollar idea that will be
used someday by someone I have had a few that should have been patented ,a vacuum that works underneath and forces into the chute and into the back of your pickup all in the same machine. For what they ask on these machines it should already be there now!

 

[gr8scott72]

How do you contain the side spray of chips? On my machine (Bandit 2100), I get chips flying 90 degrees from the wheel for 20'. I end up having to rake the whole yard anyway. Not that raking is that big a deal

Also I find with my machine, I have to dig chips out of the hole, because if there is a significant amount of chips in the hole, it causes the machine to bog down. So I end up with a couple of piles anyways.

What teeth do you have on your bandit? The sandvik teeth throw very few chips sideways out of the cutter head. I had Greenteeth on my Rayco 1625 and it would throw tons of chips all over the yard.

 

[Bigstumps]

I am running the Sandvik on my small grinder. It throws very few chips to the side. I still don't do clean up but the pile is much neater with the Sandvik when I get done.

I too intend to replace my tow behind with a Carlton track once business comes up - seems to be a little slow right now. Hurricane season is coming!

 

[Oly's Stump]

I agree...The Sandvik Wheel is much better on keeping the chips contained under the machine.