So, I need another stumper...

[Hoosier]

Can $4000 get me anything worth a dam? I use my beloved Alpine for most things but I want a joystick self propelled unit for stumps that are over 30" across (Hey, I am gettin older).

I ended up missing out on a local deal, I thought the motor was under sized for the unit in question and waited to long to decide...

Any tips or opinions on what I should look for? Or does anyone have one near Indiana that they wana sell me?

 

[TreeBot]

If you are patient you can get a decent one for that much. I guess alot has to do with the guy that had it before you and how well he took care of it. I bought my 252 from Wayne (ropensaddle) and have had great luck with it. The motor doesn't have too many more stumps in it but I knew that going in, other than that it works great.

Be ready to spend money to keep it going, even much newer ones break down and need expensive repairs.

 

[TDunk]

Ones with blown motors, needs hyd. hoses, leaks oil etc. etc. etc. are your best bet. You can pick up a tag-a-long stumper for a little bit less.

 

[arbor pro]

since you already have a portable stumper for back yard or small stumps, I guess I'd recommend an older 'tried but true' tow behind - something like my vermeer 665a.

I run a vermeer sc252 self-propelled grinder for the back yard and small stumps and use the 665a for everything else. It's a beast at ripping out those big stumps and I picked mine up for dirt cheap. I see them advertised on ebay and in the tree equipment magazine for around $5k.

The 665a comes with either a 65hp wisconsin gas or a 65hp deutz diesel. Mine is the diesel and is extremely thrifty on fuel and pretty low maintenance to operate. I also like the fact that I can tow it with as small of vehicle as a 4.3 v6 suv - no huge truck needed.

There are other similar machines out there made by carlton and rayco. Your $4k will get you close. If you can stretch that to $5-6k, you will have no problem finding a good older tow-behind machine. I would suggest running something other than the stock manufacturer teeth - do a few serches on grinder teeth on this site for more info.

Good luck.

 

[Hoosier]

I have looked at the tow behind units, but to be honest around here we do not have many "Large" stumps. I would say that a 36" beech or maple would be about the biggest I would get called on and I would think a 252 would handle that (?).
I did walk away from a few stumps that were closer to 5 feet across at the ground, but one of them was outa reach for a truck/trailer unit anyway, most of my work is neighborhoods with privacy fences.

I may end up looking for a used tricycle 222/250 or comparable Rayco etc..

 

[hornett224]

i have the HUsqvarna (bluebird) SG-13.

with Greenteeth i think it's pretty impressive for what it is.

 

[gr8scott72]

with Greenteeth i think it's pretty impressive for what it is.

Is that a walk-behind? If so, I'd pass. The Alpine will work better. Get a bigger one.

 

[Hoosier]

Is that a walk-behind? If so, I'd pass. The Alpine will work better. Get a bigger one.

O yeah, the Alpine can cut super fast, I am not looking to replace it with anything small. For my second stumper I want to get at least a 20-25 hp, if I can get more HP I will. I just gota get something I can run for a few hours straight when it is 100 degrees outside and I got a stump thats 30" + across.

 

[hornett224]

i would have to see an Alpine cut.

Is that a walk-behind? If so, I'd pass. The Alpine will work better. Get a bigger one.

i don't see that happening around here.i'll keep the walkbehind.i can get it a lot of places i cannot get the Super RG50.if it's a smaller stump it's easier and faster to just take the Husqvarna. the key to the Husqvarna/Bluebird is the green teeth.the original teeth were garbage.same with the Rayco super teeth.pure crap.went green teeth and never looked back.

 

[Hoosier]

Shoot, I aint gona knock it. I still get comments about my wee lil Magnum, the local guys seem to think it's a joke LOL (I let em) If you gota RG-50 then you have all the bases covered. Thats really my plan, get a bigger to go with the smaller, but Im a cheap broke bastard and need to do it with less money.

 

[andrewspens]

Hey Hoosier

What powerhead is on your Alpine?

 

[andrewspens]

Just pay no attention to me

I forgot that I asked you which motor was on your Alpine. Is it holding up well?

 

[Hoosier]

I forgot that I asked you which motor was on your Alpine. Is it holding up well?

I went with the SOLO, it rocks. I am sure the Husky makes more power, but I dont know if it would be worth the $800 or so difference to get it. This head costs 1/2 of the Husky, so I figure if I ever roast it I will just get another one, and I am still money ahead.

I just wish the SOLO had a compression release.

 

[gr8scott72]

I went with the SOLO, it rocks. I am sure the Husky makes more power, but I dont know if it would be worth the $800 or so difference to get it. This head costs 1/2 of the Husky, so I figure if I ever roast it I will just get another one, and I am still money ahead.

I just wish the SOLO had a compression release.

I found my Alpine WITH the husky head for $2,500. It was a demo unit a former dealer had.

I can barely start the 3120 without the decomp valve (once) if I've eaten my Weaties that morning and I'm a big guy. (6'4" and 260 lbs)

I still say you sould keep saving and get something in the $8,000 range. You can even find a little bit older carlton self-propelled (4400-4) in that range if you look long enuf. As you probably know, I sold my Rayco 1625 (27 hp) and bought "Babe" the 7015 trx. There isn't a day EVER that I miss my Rayco.

 

[custom8726]

CARLTON 2500 self propelled and its in your 4k range used. I own one and think its a great machine for what it is. for everything else I got the big Rayco/duetz.

 

[Hoosier]

CARLTON 2500 self propelled and its in your 4k range used. I own one and think its a great machine for what it is. for everything else I got the big Rayco/duetz.

I'm in. If you find one anywhere even remotely near Indy let me know.