Getting to the big grinders..

[Valleystump]

Hello all.

I started my stump business last spring and was surprised at the demand and volume of work I got part-time.
I ended up doing about 12.5K from spring to fall (without much advertising) and ended up purchasing a Carlton SP2000 to run instead of the Apine all the time. I did keep the Alpine for those odd ones..

My question is this - How did you guys running big grinders ever get to that point ? How long did it take? Did you take a certain % of each job towards equipment upgrading or what ?
Very interested in this as I find the SP2000 a great machine but very limiting towards the sizes of stumps I can handle without killing myself by end of day. I'd love to get to a 7015 someday but it seems SO FAR away.

Thanks in advance ..

ValleyStump

 

[BC WetCoast]

I've only run the stumpers that were owned by the company, but to answer your question, you have to look at your own business model. Some guys are going to invest the money and buy a big machine immediately. How they get the money will depend on their circumstances (previous savings, friends, relatives/ bank).

When you determine your charge our hourly rate, one of the things to calculate an amount for replacements (also called depreciation). Take the cost of a new machine and divide it by the number of hours left in your current machine.

Some advice I can give. Unlike others who charge by the inch, I would suggest you determine/estimate the time it will take you to do the job, including travel and cleanup and then apply your predetermined hourly rate. This will give you a price to quote for the stump.

Also look at the stump before you give a price quote to the customer, or you can get burned by poor access (gates, retaining walls, steps, garden gnomes).

Many stumping guys on this board price their stumps by the diameter inch, remember that the area of the stump squares as the diameter increases (high school math stump surface area = pi * radius^2). So the diameter of stump A is twice that of stump B, but the surface area (and subsequent volume) is 4x.

 

[dblack]

@BC WetCoast is totally right about looking at the stump before the estimate. Can't count the number of times someone who calls has "a few stumps" and they are on a 60 % grade or within inches of a propane tank. I don't see how anyone gives estimates over the phone...there are just too many factors

 

[Matt81]

@BC WetCoast is totally right about looking at the stump before the estimate. Can't count the number of times someone who calls has "a few stumps" and they are on a 60 % grade or within inches of a propane tank. I don't see how anyone gives estimates over the phone...there are just too many factors

Unfortunately i have had a few sketchy ones like that myself

 

[2treeornot2tree]

I had a rayco 1625a sjr that I bought a couple years ago. Seem like I was getting tons of large stumps that took forever to grind. I took a chance about a year ago and upgraded to a used carlton sp8018 trx machine. It cost me $700 a month for the loan payment. So for me that's two or three stump jobs a month. I have yet not had a month that I didn't make enough money with it to make the payment. With my old grinder a 24" popular stump would have taken me about a hour, hour and a half to grind. I can now grind that stump in 15-20 minutes. My new grinder saves me tons of time. A couple months ago I ground 30 24"-36" diameter stumps in 3.5 hours. Job paid $900.

I try to get $300 a hour for my grinder.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[Valleystump]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

As for an hourly rate .. I've got a $100 minimum for first 1/2hour. After the minimum I usually charge $100 an hour.. so 1.5 hrs = $150
With that said I find myself not thinking of the hourly rates and just going with a number I feel is fair for both parties but still allows me to make money.
(My total payments for there month = $400.00)

I feel as though if I always went hourly I may not make as much money because I can do a 30" stump with my SP2000 (and sharp teeth) in about 30-40 mins and charge $175-$200 with no clean up.
I guess its just a judgement call on some occasions!

I'd love to get to a used 7015 in the next few years. Found one on craigslist with 600 original hrs for $22K.. DAMNIT !

 

[Afmedstubben]

100 $ for the first 1/2 hour + 100 for the next hour (1.5 hour) = 150 $ ???

Buy a mid size machine, Vermeer 252, Rayco 1625, Carlton 4012 they are a lot cheaper compared to a 7015, and wont wear you out like the SP2000, and after making some money with it, trade it in for a bigger machine.

I charge by inch (8-12, 12-16, 16-20.......), and in the 11 years i have been grinding stumps, there has only been a couple of times i was unhappy with the days result




I

 

[buckeyebasser23]

I have an RG50 , I try to get 150/hr. My payment is 200 bucks a month. My next machine will be 4x4 unit. This is my first machine but I had a good starting with my business since my dad owns a tree service (I work there) but didn't have a grinder and he just gave away all the stumps, so I went and put some $ down and financed the rest. Best move Ive made. I say if youre busy then go get one and try to get in with tree co.'s that don't have a grinder. Maybe give them a cut of the $ and its a win win.

 

[Oak Savanna]

With my old grinder a 24" popular stump would have taken me about a hour, hour and a half to grind. I can now grind that stump in 15-20 minutes. My new grinder saves me tons of time. A couple months ago I ground 30 24"-36" diameter stumps in 3.5 hours. Job paid $900.


Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

So you can grind a 24" stump in 15-20 min and you did 30 24"-36" stumps in 3.5 hours?!