Stump grinder

[greenhornet2]

Hello. I am just starting out and collecting some equipment. I have a woodland wills 3 point grinder I use for my tractor. It works OK. It's fast for the small stuff but very tough on my body twisting around looking backwards all the time. Also tough on larger and harder stumps like oak hard to bring it below grade so I've had my eye out for a self propelled grinder. I've seen a couple vermeer 252s pop up for 6-10k but they seemed pretty beat and price seemed high. As I understand it vermeer is lower on the totem pole for grinders. Recently 2 carlton sp4012s popped up. One a 2012 I think asking 15k 29hp diesel 3k hours. Another eight next to where I work asking 10k 2014 2300 hours with new 27hp vanguard engine with 275 hours on it. I looked at that one, ran good everything works teeth are yellow jacket and seem worn but new belt. Suggestions? Used market seems really high? Or are those normal prices. I'm in NE connecticut. My budget was like $8k

 

[Jonathon Masters]

Stump grinders take extreme abuse so be thorough on inspection. Pulleys and shafts are major wear points, teeth are a consumable item that will always have to be replaced so not a major selling point. Everything is high right now. Our local dealer has absolutely no new machines in stock and is paying top dollar for used.