Will an Alpine out perform a 27hp walk behind?
I really had to consider and think about your doubt, on the stumps I would generally use the alpine on I would say yes. That is hard to get to stumps generally less than 24 inches, and stumps that I cant get a kan du or trx to you generally wouldn’t get a walk behind machine to so alpine is the only choice.
When used correctly the alpine machine literally drags its self thru the stump with very little effort just as a chainsaw drags its self thru wood, but it takes a while to get good at using it.
Due to the size and weight of this grinder moving around sites is extremely quick, you do not need ramps, you do not need to worry about tipping when working on banks you normally do not need shields (I only use shields around pools & fish ponds).
If I had 20 6-10 inch stumps spread around garden alpine will win cuts fast easy to get around less clean up I would never consider a walk behind.
If I had 3 24-inch stumps I think alpine would still win on site time.
If I had 20 24-inch stumps in a row 27hp machine would likely win.
However if I had to I would still prefer to use the alpine as it is much easier to use it would not take that much longer the cleanup would still be less and I could continue to work without feeling worn-out. But lets face it if we had a choice we would all choose a big machine over either of these for this job.
Rollacosta you said you purchased the dosko for hard to get to stumps. As I do not know your environment I cannot really know whether you have purchased the best machine for you. What I do know is your machine has massive limitations compared to the alpine when it comes to hard to get to stumps. As most of my opposition own doskos I’m getting plenty of work from several of them doing stumps they can’t get to. I appreciate your issues with the alpine dealer we have similar issues with the dosko dealer here, it wouldn’t stop me buying a piece of equipment from him should there be a great commercial advantage in it. Unfortunately for you would need an ongoing relationship for teeth. Bearings belts & teeth bolts can all be sourced elsewhere & the powered serviced by any dealer should you need it. I hope this wasn’t you main consideration in choosing a dosko.
I would never set up a stump grinding business using a single machine be it self propelled, walk behind or alpine all are good all have limitations.
If I were a small tree business I would carry an alpine on brackets attached to a chipper, grind all suitable stumps while on site & sub out anything to big. The reason I would do this is it saves taking 2 vehicles or having to return to a site.
FEED BACK CONCERNS
It amazes me on forums the negative feed back given or implied buy people whom have not owned and operated equipment. I have owned & used doskos for 17 years before getting an alpine and would never go back. Of the walk behind machines I think dosko have the edge due to their low center of gravity & weight.
One of the main criteria I used in deciding to purchase machines is if you cannot buy them used why? It is very hard to buy a used alpine, kan du or trx.
Of the machines I own the Alpine gives me the best rate of return on investment & running costs.
For you guys over in Australia do not confuse the alpine with the original stump master as similar as these machines appear the performance difference may be massive as I have not used I cannot comment.
