Saw for stump grinders

[Brushwacker]

I'd carry a couple saws or more grinding stumps. !st choice, 55 to 60 cc with a 3/8" 16" bar and 80cc + with a 24" bar + a long bar 32" +. For me that would be an 034 and an ms 660, which I find more durable then most when it comes to reliability and ease to maintain. You could run the same 24" on the 034 - 036 in a pinch. No need to run a bigger bar then needed to work efficiently stump grinding. I'd rather expose less chain to the elements that dull it and then if you do its much easier to sharpen and cheaper to replace. 3 or 4 saws isn't to many if you have room to carry them safely. I like matching chainsaw size to the size of what I am cutting.

 

[La taupe]

I use a 560 xp, there's no need to do it one go, you can cut sections then cut down.

 

[NCgrinder]

I carry a Stihl 440 w/26" bar... Because I have a small machine ( Vermeer 252) , I usually pass on anything over 44"-46"s up (unless they cant get a tow-behind to the stump..)... Most of the stuff I end up chainsawing is usually way less than that... and I charge heavily for that service because theres usually dirt,embedded rocks,wire,nails that wipe out a chain...

 

[the grinder]

I just finished up a rite of way contract were I had to do a lot of stumping. In the swap areas we could not grind and had to cut the stumps flush with the ground. In the beginning it was very frustrating I would cut 1 or 2 stumps and have to sharpen. I started really paying attention and found that. If you cut the stump in a way that pulls the dirt and debree away and not through the middle of the stump the teeth wount have to fight it. Also take a broom and brush the stump before cutting. Because when it rains dirt can splash up a couple feet or more. I like to use a bar and chain that's about 2/3 the stump size so it doen't reach all the way through and pull dirt from the other side. Also finish your cut on the dirtiest side so you don't pull the dirt through the stump. On really nasty stumps I will plunge cut into the middle and then cut out taking it 1/3rd at a time My stumping saws are 460 with 18" bar, 562xp with 20", modded 365 with big bore kit with 24" and 36" bar. After doing these techniques I was able to cut 15 to 20 stumps before sharpening. Also sharpen your chain as soon as it starts slowing down don't wait till its smoking hot. Hope this helps