Stump Grinders, Pro's and Con's

[Ozarkie01]

O.K. Guys,

Here's a post you haven't heard since........yesterday! The recent ice storm that hit the central part of the U.S. has given me good reason to get into the stump business. I know the economy is hurting but I'm an optimist and think things will turn around within a year. The area has been devastated and unfortunately a lot of people are going to need stump grinding. My budget is $20k to get started and I was wanting to get some professional opinions on what brand and model stump grinder to start out with. I'm leaning toward smaller units (36" width), self propelled. I've got a 1/2 ton pickup to pull it with. Any suggestions?

 

[lxt]

LOL....you dont think others who already own stump machines arent prepared for what you think you can capitalize on?

you will spend money for something many others already have!!, they will cut your price...every time!! you will be left with work no one wants....3ft diameter locust stumps!!!!

Yep...... another statistic who will be selling his used/used machine real cheap!!


why do newbees always want to start out with......"a bucket truck" a "Stumper" or the ever so popular lawn/landscape/roofer/deck builder...I can do it all & suck at doing it all business??? but hey.....I need $$$ & dont care if I screw the home owner or future Biz by not having insurance or proper insurance, so what if I do shoddy work!! just till the economy comes back around!!


LXT...................can you guys tell I hate newbee wanna start a business types?

 

[arborworks1]

Why do you bash people for trying to get ahead. He might already have a business and insurance to cover.

You know nothing about this guy and you bash the #### out of him.

I was thinking about the same thing(Stumps). Will you give me a hard time to.

Wait before you do I carry insurance, Am an accomplished climbing arborist and I have have run a business longer than I care to remember. That being said.

Stumps will be a last resort for most folks right now. Money is tight and that stump is not doing a damn thing. The tree through the roof or hanging over the parking area, or little timmys playzone is the importance. Skilled fallers and experienced climbers will excel at the conditions. Less experienced treemen need to proceed with caution, ice does funny things to trees and reactions will be instant.

 

[tomtrees58]

stumps here on L I are $3.00 and inch you wood not make it here tom trees:jawdrop:

 

[TDunk]

If your doing stumps as a side job for extra money, then ok. If your going to try and make a living on just doing stumps, i'd think twice, and real long. Around hear stumps go for about $2.50 and inch. You'd have to do ALOT of stumps everyday to put food on the table. Personally, i think everyone should try and "own and operate" a business once in there life. It puts a whole new perspective on things. Good luck to ya.

 

[Slvrmple72]

Really bad timing to consider getting into the stump grinding biz. Seriously! You would be better off selling firewood.

 

[ozzy42]

If your doing stumps as a side job for extra money, then ok. If your going to try and make a living on just doing stumps, i'd think twice, and real long. Around hear stumps go for about $2.50 and inch. You'd have to do ALOT of stumps everyday to put food on the table. Personally, i think everyone should try and "own and operate" a business once in there life. It puts a whole new perspective on things. Good luck to ya.

I agree. stump money is nice ,but to try to make a living from stumps alone is not going to work in todays ecomomy IMHO.
It is good side money though .
I wouldnt go in the hole for a 20k machine right now.
You could probably pick up a decent used one for 5or6k and maybe make a good chunk of it back from the storm damage.
Think about it this way,stumps are for the most part just an eye sore.
Large broken limbs,and fallen trees are hazards that must be dealt with right away when in residential areas.Stumps are not.Again they are mostly an eye sore,and therefore not high on priority list of things to do in hard times.
As far as being a newbie,everybody has to start some where.

Good luck,stay safe
Good luck,and stay safe.

 

[Ozarkie01]

Really bad timing to consider getting into the stump grinding biz. Seriously! You would be better off selling firewood.

Why do you bash people for trying to get ahead. He might already have a business and insurance to cover.

You know nothing about this guy and you bash the #### out of him.

I was thinking about the same thing(Stumps). Will you give me a hard time to.

Wait before you do I carry insurance, Am an accomplished climbing arborist and I have have run a business longer than I care to remember. That being said.

Stumps will be a last resort for most folks right now. Money is tight and that stump is not doing a damn thing. The tree through the roof or hanging over the parking area, or little timmys playzone is the importance. Skilled fallers and experienced climbers will excel at the conditions. Less experienced treemen need to proceed with caution, ice does funny things to trees and reactions will be instant.

I agree. stump money is nice ,but to try to make a living from stumps alone is not going to work in todays ecomomy IMHO.
It is good side money though .
I wouldnt go in the hole for a 20k machine right now.
You could probably pick up a decent used one for 5or6k and maybe make a good chunk of it back from the storm damage.
Think about it this way,stumps are for the most part just an eye sore.
Large broken limbs,and fallen trees are hazards that must be dealt with right away when in residential areas.Stumps are not.Again they are mostly an eye sore,and therefore not high on priority list of things to do in hard times.
As far as being a newbie,everybody has to start some where.

Good luck,stay safe
Good luck,and stay safe.

LOL....you dont think others who already own stump machines arent prepared for what you think you can capitalize on?

you will spend money for something many others already have!!, they will cut your price...every time!! you will be left with work no one wants....3ft diameter locust stumps!!!!

Yep...... another statistic who will be selling his used/used machine real cheap!!


why do newbees always want to start out with......"a bucket truck" a "Stumper" or the ever so popular lawn/landscape/roofer/deck builder...I can do it all & suck at doing it all business??? but hey.....I need $$$ & dont care if I screw the home owner or future Biz by not having insurance or proper insurance, so what if I do shoddy work!! just till the economy comes back around!!


LXT...................can you guys tell I hate newbee wanna start a business types?

I understand your frustration LXT, I knew I would get a post like yours just didn't think it would be the 1st one! Let me clarify a little. I'm helping my son out here who is about to be laid off (factory work). He's 27 and has done a lot of logging and is great with a chain saw. We live in an area of affluent retirees whose only hobbies are keeping their yards and property nice. There's one stump operator in the area, I know because he did a lot of work on my place for me and it took 3 weeks to get him to come out. This was a year ago! Now, the area is decimated. He knows enough about felling trees to know he doesn't want any part of it. Too dangerous and insurance too high. We are going to be licensed and insured for stump grinding and are hoping it will supplement his income. We're considering a new Carlton 4012 because of the 3 year warranty and there is a dealer/service center in the area. If things don't go as planned we're hoping that the warranty will be a good selling point to the next buyer. Any opinions on the Carlton 4012?

 

[Ozarkie01]

Why do you bash people for trying to get ahead. He might already have a business and insurance to cover.

You know nothing about this guy and you bash the #### out of him.

I was thinking about the same thing(Stumps). Will you give me a hard time to.

Wait before you do I carry insurance, Am an accomplished climbing arborist and I have have run a business longer than I care to remember. That being said.

Stumps will be a last resort for most folks right now. Money is tight and that stump is not doing a damn thing. The tree through the roof or hanging over the parking area, or little timmys playzone is the importance. Skilled fallers and experienced climbers will excel at the conditions. Less experienced treemen need to proceed with caution, ice does funny things to trees and reactions will be instant.

Thanks Arborworks1 but I can handle a little bashing, knew it was coming. I've lost many pine trees to this storm myself and my insurance covers $1000 for debris clean-up. Not enough to cover my damages but my question is won't those insured be more apt to have stumps removed from their properties if they have the insurance to cover it? There's going to be a lot of insurance claims for this kind of work. I'm I wrong here?

 

[Ozarkie01]

I agree. stump money is nice ,but to try to make a living from stumps alone is not going to work in todays ecomomy IMHO.
It is good side money though .
I wouldnt go in the hole for a 20k machine right now.
You could probably pick up a decent used one for 5or6k and maybe make a good chunk of it back from the storm damage.
Think about it this way,stumps are for the most part just an eye sore.
Large broken limbs,and fallen trees are hazards that must be dealt with right away when in residential areas.Stumps are not.Again they are mostly an eye sore,and therefore not high on priority list of things to do in hard times.
As far as being a newbie,everybody has to start some where.

Good luck,stay safe
Good luck,and stay safe.

The only reason I was considering a new one was because I figured I'd either be spending the money on repairs to a beat up rental unit or spending the money on some equipment that hopefully won't require a lot of repair work. I don't know a lot about stump grinders but I can imagine the abuse they take! You've got a good point though and we will certainly have to weigh both options. If you were just starting out wold you opt for the Carlton 4012 or the Vermeer SC 252 or 352? Thanks for your advice.

 

[TDunk]

Just stay away from the Duetz Diesel, I guess there's a problem with them. I have a Vermeer and has been a pretty good machine, can't say for the Carlton.

 

[Ozarkie01]

Just stay away from the Duetz Diesel, I guess there's a problem with them. I have a Vermeer and has been a pretty good machine, can't say for the Carlton.

Thanks TDunk, that's the kind of info I need!

 

[fishercat]

nothing wrong with deutz diesels.

got one on our rayco.never had a problem with it in 1000 hours.

i would look at Rayco as well.Carlton is a nice machine ut that main belt is pricey and you can't adjust it correctly without the proper tool.

the Rayco hydro drive is nice.

 

[Ozarkie01]

got one on our rayco.never had a problem with it in 1000 hours.

i would look at Rayco as well.Carlton is a nice machine ut that main belt is pricey and you can't adjust it correctly without the proper tool.

the Rayco hydro drive is nice.

Thanks, I like Rayco machines but don't think there is a service center nearby. The Carlton 4012 I'm thinking about getting has the Kubota engine on it. Great tractors but not sure about there small engines.

 

[TDunk]

The Kubota engines are good. And i should rephrase what i said about the Duetz Diesel. They are a good engine, BUT the engine will starve for oil if used over a 25% grade. Witch isn't very much, and the warrenty is void. There's a thread on the Duetz diesel in the Large Equipment forum. Might be worth looking into.

 

[ozzy42]

The only reason I was considering a new one was because I figured I'd either be spending the money on repairs to a beat up rental unit or spending the money on some equipment that hopefully won't require a lot of repair work. I don't know a lot about stump grinders but I can imagine the abuse they take! You've got a good point though and we will certainly have to weigh both options. If you were just starting out wold you opt for the Carlton 4012 or the Vermeer SC 252 or 352? Thanks for your advice.

I understand you not wanting to do a lot of repairs,but you will have to work on them ,new or used. You are correct to assume they get the crap beat out of them,and a lot of the things that require high maintenance are not covered by warranty;bearings,teeth,belts,filters,and fluid changes.
I would not buy from a rental place however.Too much abuse by HOs,and weekend warriors who dont know how to use them correctly.
As far as wich grinder,Ilike my lil sc252 w/auto sweep.They are a bit slow,but I love the portability of it,and the ease of use,and pretty easy to work on .
Think you can get one w/auto sweep,dual wheels,and 27hp kohlear for apr
13k.I have mine set up with a plow on the front.Have a pic of it on another thread.Pretty easy to make.

 

[Ozarkie01]

I understand you not wanting to do a lot of repairs,but you will have to work on them ,new or used. You are correct to assume they get the crap beat out of them,and a lot of the things that require high maintenance are not covered by warranty;bearings,teeth,belts,filters,and fluid changes.
I would not buy from a rental place however.Too much abuse by HOs,and weekend warriors who dont know how to use them correctly.
As far as wich grinder,Ilike my lil sc252 w/auto sweep.They are a bit slow,but I love the portability of it,and the ease of use,and pretty easy to work on .
Think you can get one w/auto sweep,dual wheels,and 27hp kohlear for apr
13k.I have mine set up with a plow on the front.Have a pic of it on another thread.Pretty easy to make.

Hi Ozzy, thanks for your comments. My son and I have taken your 1st post to heart and have decided to go with a good used machine. Looking at a Carlton 4012 with less than 150 hrs. on it and it's 1/3 the price of the new one we were looking at. Granted it's got the 27 hp Kohler instead of a Kubota diesel but i figure that engine has to be pretty good since most of the smaller machines have them. Besides i've been running an 18hp Kohler on my lawn mower for years and it's never given me any trouble. Is stability a problem on the SC 252 with that 1 wheel in the back? Seems like the 252 is one of the more popular machines out there.

 

[newb]

Ive got the Bandit. I have the 30(hp) Cat Diesel and wireless remote. I wouldnt by a grinder without either. The machine and motor take quite a beating, and the wireless is priceless. Pete

 

[ozzy42]

Hi Ozzy, thanks for your comments. My son and I have taken your 1st post to heart and have decided to go with a good used machine. Looking at a Carlton 4012 with less than 150 hrs. on it and it's 1/3 the price of the new one we were looking at. Granted it's got the 27 hp Kohler instead of a Kubota diesel but i figure that engine has to be pretty good since most of the smaller machines have them. Besides i've been running an 18hp Kohler on my lawn mower for years and it's never given me any trouble. Is stability a problem on the SC 252 with that 1 wheel in the back? Seems like the 252 is one of the more popular machines out there.

Yes they can be unstable with the single rear wheels,but is very good with the duals on.They come off,and it goes back to single wheels in 4-5min with 3/8 ratchet,and 9/16 socket if you must have the narrower width to get it thru tight spot.
Is that C 4012 like the vermeer252?If so it should be a good mach. for you.

Hard to beat low hour mach.if you get it at a decent price as grinders are just like anything else you buy,lose value the minute you buy it .May as well let somebody else take the hit for it.

Good luck with whatever one you go with.

 

[ozzy42]

Let us know what you get ozarkie.
some pics maybe?