Grinder service users?

[woodbutcher44]

Due to things beyond my control I am unable to climb any longer.
However I still have to eat.
I want to know how many of you use a grinder service or refer a grider service on a regular account.
I have a small manual grinder, and am considerinng the purchas of a larger self propelled.
but due to the time Ive been down, funding is very tight and I need to be cautious with choices I make.
I know that the earning potient is greatly differ from a full service tree co to doing only stump grinding.
Thanks for your input

 

[ozzy42]

Due to things beyond my control I am unable to climb any longer.
However I still have to eat.
I want to know how many of you use a grinder service or refer a grider service on a regular account.
I have a small manual grinder, and am considerinng the purchas of a larger self propelled.
but due to the time Ive been down, funding is very tight and I need to be cautious with choices I make.
I know that the earning potient is greatly differ from a full service tree co to doing only stump grinding.
Thanks for your input

Sorry to hear you can no longer climb.
I'm down the highway,not too far from you .South florida has had so many people with grinders since all the storms a few years ago.
I have been trying to find a few co.s myself. Seems like everybody has their own,or rent a small one to do their stumps,or will let you do them if you want to work dirt cheap.
I used to do 15-20 stumps pr wk. Now I get 3-4 if i'm lucky.
What i do to hold on to stump work i do get now is offer total clean up ,and even sod replacement at fair cost.Some customers appreciate it a lot,Others don't care ,and only want rock bottom price. It's tough right now.
If you really want to get away from small mach. Look around for a used one with not too many hours. This would be a good time to buy .

Good luck to you


.

 

[TDunk]

Around here no-one has just a stump grinding business. But with the set-up i have, i'm able to do stumps that some grinder can't even think about touching and i got ALOT of work that way. I'm able to offer something that no-one else does. If your able to offer something that no-one else does, that would be your golden ticket, you just have to find out what that is.

 

[woodbutcher44]

I have seen several in the 2500 to 4000 range that are great deals alot of people are hurting aroun here.
I may just use the manual I have for a while if things are that slow. (hell all I got is time at the moment.
How far south are you?
And what is the rae per inch at ground level measurement at this time?
I know its just a base price to work from.
I've been out of the game over a year now and its a compleat diffrent world now.

 

[ozzy42]

I have seen several in the 2500 to 4000 range that are great deals alot of people are hurting aroun here.
I may just use the manual I have for a while if things are that slow. (hell all I got is time at the moment.
How far south are you?
And what is the rae per inch at ground level measurement at this time?
I know its just a base price to work from.
I've been out of the game over a year now and its a compleat diffrent world now.

I'm in manatee co
going rate is 3$ pr in +33-50% more to level off mulch pile.

 

[woodbutcher44]

There is an ad in the local paper selling a 252 for 7500 and will do removals for $2 per in. flat rate till it sells. what the hell if that is his rate no wonder he is selling.

 

[TDunk]

Around here the going rate is $2.50 and inch. and hualing away the shavings is extra, and top soil and hay is even more.

 

[mckeetree]

Not to rain on your parade and I know I have said this before but the making any money with a stump grinder days are gone. There are guys grinding stumps so cheap out there it would scare the bravest of men. It has become a necessary evil to own one if you are a full service tree company.

 

[John464]

why not hire a climber? or get a bucket truck and still be up in a tree. hire to a contract climber on the non bucket truck days.
Being in business it is important to adapt to any and all changes. Taking away services that your business has seen as profitable is not recommended.

 

[md_tree_dood]

If you buy a bigger machine don't get a carlton, I used one a few years back in it was terrible, especially as far as maintenance goes

 

[gr8scott72]

If you buy a bigger machine don't get a carlton, I used one a few years back in it was terrible, especially as far as maintenance goes

Love my Carlton.

I would say what you said about the Vermeer. The Vermeer SC60 I ran broke on the demo. lol (Only had 8 hours on the clock.)

 

[B-Edwards]

Around here no-one has just a stump grinding business. But with the set-up i have, i'm able to do stumps that some grinder can't even think about touching and i got ALOT of work that way. I'm able to offer something that no-one else does. If your able to offer something that no-one else does, that would be your golden ticket, you just have to find out what that is.

That would be good quality work around these parts. Actualy being able to do what you advertise you can. I just had leaves cleaned up around my home, my god I cant believe how sloppy of a job they did.This typical around here, carpenters have no clue , lawn guys rape a lawn with the zero turn mowers, block masons what a joke. I know it is different in alot of places but i cant see it being alot different. Call me picky?

 

[md_tree_dood]

In our area there is a guy who does nothing but stumps and I would imagine his business is done in difficulty and simple bulk.

 

[TDunk]

My biggest money makers around here are hunting camps. For trees and stumps. People seem to be making there hunting camps into summer homes. So alot of the trees and stumps around the camps have to go to make a yard. Damn good money.

 

[CentaurG2]

Not to rain on your parade and I know I have said this before but the making any money with a stump grinder days are gone. There are guys grinding stumps so cheap out there it would scare the bravest of men. It has become a necessary evil to own one if you are a full service tree company.

Very true! Unfortunately you usually end up throwing in the stump to sell the job and end up grinding for no profit. This is exactly why we have refused to get a grinder. We just refer customers to a fellow who grinds stumps but he also sells firewood and plows in the winter. I don’t think firewood or plowing would be a big seller in Florida. Only thing else I can think of is the dreaded lawn service but I bet the competition is fierce.

 

[HolmenTree]

Here is my worker throwing stump chips into our trailer.Sitting alongside the 252 in the back is our Morbark 2060D chipper. I charge $5 per diameter inch at ground level and we rake up and haul away all chips. That way we don't miss any surface roots or root flare horns. When the going is good we are making as much as $300 an hour. Stump sales is 50% of my business. When I first bought my 252 Vermeer 5 years ago, I had to educate my customers what a stump grinder is and what it does. Now I no longer advertise and word of mouth takes over. I let the advertising on my trailer do the advertising.
Willard.