Stump Grinders, Pro's and Con's

[lxt]

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 did not bash him personally!! I bashed newbees....I know what he tells us on here & guess what? he is a newbee!!

You were thinking about stumps too!!! good for you & might be good as a supplement to what you currently do in tree work, most want to do stumps cause they can keep their Azz on the ground & play with hydraulic sticks all day!!

Sorry, but for those of you who are a weekend fire wood cudder & work at the car dealership 9-5 & think!!!!! Im gonna start a tree biz or I can run a stumper(less effort) then you are idiots!!

and this arborworks is the problem!!! people with no exp. getting insurance to go out & do work they`ve never been (professionally) trained for, you think thats good? I think thats why my rates go up every year, I think thats why the TCIA mag shows the serious injury/fatality stats, I think thats why Home owners are bitter toward legitimate contractors cause the untrained newbee doesnt know what the hell he`s doing.

Any body who comes here and asks about "how do I bid this", "is this a good time", "whats a good saw" etc....etc... has no business running a Tree care business or susidiary business to tree care!!!

everyone wants to make the big bucks & many dont know what they`re doing which gives the rest of us the "black Eye" M.D.Vaden was talking about

And yes I dislike you newbee types....you dont know how to bid, you dont do quality work & when the going gets tuff you just enter someone elses trade to screw it up!!!


LXT.................

 

[Ozarkie01]

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

I bid on and won the Carlton 4012 w/27 hp Kohler that I was talking about earlier. 2006 model with 121 hrs, sandvik cutter wheel, fully hydraulic. Looks brand new and was never a rental unit. The owner (tree service biz) picked it up as a bank repo but biz is slow in his area now so he's letting it go. I got it for $8k which I believe was a fair price for this machine. I'm sure some will say yes and more will say no but it fit my budget and needs for now.

If things don't work out I figure I can always get a good offer for it from lxt!

 

[ozzy42]

I just looked up your model on their web page.I was not real familiar with that model. It seems to be a decent mach.Does it have hydralic steering,and the dual wheel kit?

 

[ozarktreeman]

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?

:agree2: ehhh,little harsh but I kinda agree with you.Have my share of those here.

 

[ozarktreeman]

I did not bash him personally!! I bashed newbees....I know what he tells us on here & guess what? he is a newbee!!

You were thinking about stumps too!!! good for you & might be good as a supplement to what you currently do in tree work, most want to do stumps cause they can keep their Azz on the ground & play with hydraulic sticks all day!!

Sorry, but for those of you who are a weekend fire wood cudder & work at the car dealership 9-5 & think!!!!! Im gonna start a tree biz or I can run a stumper(less effort) then you are idiots!!

and this arborworks is the problem!!! people with no exp. getting insurance to go out & do work they`ve never been (professionally) trained for, you think thats good? I think thats why my rates go up every year, I think thats why the TCIA mag shows the serious injury/fatality stats, I think thats why Home owners are bitter toward legitimate contractors cause the untrained newbee doesnt know what the hell he`s doing.

Any body who comes here and asks about "how do I bid this", "is this a good time", "whats a good saw" etc....etc... has no business running a Tree care business or susidiary business to tree care!!!

everyone wants to make the big bucks & many dont know what they`re doing which gives the rest of us the "black Eye" M.D.Vaden was talking about

And yes I dislike you newbee types....you dont know how to bid, you dont do quality work & when the going gets tuff you just enter someone elses trade to screw it up!!!


LXT.................

:agree2:
not kizzin azz!but 2fer2!


and saves me alot of hunt and peckin.

 

[Ozarkie01]

I just looked up your model on their web page.I was not real familiar with that model. It seems to be a decent mach.Does it have hydralic steering,and the dual wheel kit?

Yes, it's got both so it should be pretty easy to get around the tight spots.

 

[fishercat]

i think you read too much.

I did not bash him personally!! I bashed newbees....I know what he tells us on here & guess what? he is a newbee!!

You were thinking about stumps too!!! good for you & might be good as a supplement to what you currently do in tree work, most want to do stumps cause they can keep their Azz on the ground & play with hydraulic sticks all day!!

Sorry, but for those of you who are a weekend fire wood cudder & work at the car dealership 9-5 & think!!!!! Im gonna start a tree biz or I can run a stumper(less effort) then you are idiots!!

and this arborworks is the problem!!! people with no exp. getting insurance to go out & do work they`ve never been (professionally) trained for, you think thats good? I think thats why my rates go up every year, I think thats why the TCIA mag shows the serious injury/fatality stats, I think thats why Home owners are bitter toward legitimate contractors cause the untrained newbee doesnt know what the hell he`s doing.

Any body who comes here and asks about "how do I bid this", "is this a good time", "whats a good saw" etc....etc... has no business running a Tree care business or susidiary business to tree care!!!

everyone wants to make the big bucks & many dont know what they`re doing which gives the rest of us the "black Eye" M.D.Vaden was talking about

And yes I dislike you newbee types....you dont know how to bid, you dont do quality work & when the going gets tuff you just enter someone elses trade to screw it up!!!


LXT.................

try and relax.this is supposed to be a free country.don't get the damn government into screwing things up anymore than they already are.

stump grinding isn't rocket science and anyone with an IQ higher than a cops can do it.i'd rather more folks did it.i hate doing it and sub it out whenever i can.we all have to start somewhere and good luck trying to find someone to train you.i offered to pay top dollar for climbing lessons and no one would bother.i learned it myself and never looked back.

 

[md_tree_dood]

A few things for you to consider if you want to get into the business from my experience, and I'm not going to tell you NOT to do it.

1) There is only one guy in our area who specializes in stumps, we suggest him to clients when the stump is in a really tough spot to get to, ie, down steps, on top of a retaining wall. If you're going to specialize in stumps be willing to do the jobs that tree companies don't want to get involved in.

2) Get an account with the utility operation in your area, you'll run into gas lines, electrical lines, tel-comm lines, etc, and if you have an account they'll get to your request alot sooner than if you don't have a contractor account.

3) I'm not a fan of Carltons. I used to use one and had alot of problems with the drive belt although the one I used didn't have the ability to sense engine rpm and disengage the clutch whenever heavy strain was put on the cutter wheel. Most likely for the price you're looking to spend, your machine won't have this feature either. I also had problems with the remote and had alot of problems with cold starting in the winter. The vermeer I use now, doesn't have these issues. BTW, the drive belts were extremely expensive if you blow one out being too aggressive when grinding a stump.

 

[Ozarkie01]

A few things for you to consider if you want to get into the business from my experience, and I'm not going to tell you NOT to do it.

1) There is only one guy in our area who specializes in stumps, we suggest him to clients when the stump is in a really tough spot to get to, ie, down steps, on top of a retaining wall. If you're going to specialize in stumps be willing to do the jobs that tree companies don't want to get involved in.

2) Get an account with the utility operation in your area, you'll run into gas lines, electrical lines, tel-comm lines, etc, and if you have an account they'll get to your request alot sooner than if you don't have a contractor account.

3) I'm not a fan of Carltons. I used to use one and had alot of problems with the drive belt although the one I used didn't have the ability to sense engine rpm and disengage the clutch whenever heavy strain was put on the cutter wheel. Most likely for the price you're looking to spend, your machine won't have this feature either. I also had problems with the remote and had alot of problems with cold starting in the winter. The vermeer I use now, doesn't have these issues. BTW, the drive belts were extremely expensive if you blow one out being too aggressive when grinding a stump.

Thanks for the heads up on the drive belt, will be taking it nice and easy during the learning curve. Which model Vermeer are you using?

 

[Ozarkie01]

A few things for you to consider if you want to get into the business from my experience, and I'm not going to tell you NOT to do it.

1) There is only one guy in our area who specializes in stumps, we suggest him to clients when the stump is in a really tough spot to get to, ie, down steps, on top of a retaining wall. If you're going to specialize in stumps be willing to do the jobs that tree companies don't want to get involved in.

2) Get an account with the utility operation in your area, you'll run into gas lines, electrical lines, tel-comm lines, etc, and if you have an account they'll get to your request alot sooner than if you don't have a contractor account.

3) I'm not a fan of Carltons. I used to use one and had alot of problems with the drive belt although the one I used didn't have the ability to sense engine rpm and disengage the clutch whenever heavy strain was put on the cutter wheel. Most likely for the price you're looking to spend, your machine won't have this feature either. I also had problems with the remote and had alot of problems with cold starting in the winter. The vermeer I use now, doesn't have these issues. BTW, the drive belts were extremely expensive if you blow one out being too aggressive when grinding a stump.

Great advice on hooking up with a utility co. in the area. They are snowed under right now because of the ice storm! My own power line has been down for 2 weeks and probably stay that way for another 2 weeks what they say. Trees down everywhere!

 

[Gunsmoke]

I currently own a 7015 Carlton ( 60 hp Duetz, fits thru 36" gate, wireless)and love the machine. It's the second Carlton I've owned and have had NO PROBLEM w/ either. I use to sell Bandits and while I sold them I owned a Carlton. Rayco's headquarters are 30 miles from my house and I wouldn't own one.

As far as being a newbee, the rest of these guys forget they also were new @ one time. My first biz was owning a semi then I moved on to stumps. I was new @ both and did well w/ both. Sold the truck so I could be home more. I have always kept my prices med. to high and I was busy till Christmas this year. I never bid by the inch... works better to bid by the job/hr. but this takes time to learn. Buy with in your means... remember; pay cash for your machine & good luck!

 

[pmoudy]

Hey where are you at sounds like anound Mtn. Home if you are there are more stump grinders than you think and you will not make just grinding stumps in this area not trying to bash just telling like it is. It's tough on just grinding unless you can get hooked up with a lot of tree guys.

 

[Ozarkie01]

Hey where are you at sounds like anound Mtn. Home if you are there are more stump grinders than you think and you will not make just grinding stumps in this area not trying to bash just telling like it is. It's tough on just grinding unless you can get hooked up with a lot of tree guys.

Yeah, we're in the Mt. Home area. Didn't think there were that many grinders in that area. Took us a long time to get anyone to answer my calls when I needed some stumps removed about a year ago. Aside from that, in this economy competition is going to be fierce, whatever you decide to get into. Having good contacts, good advertising, good equipment and sufficient funding will get us started. A good attitude and work ethic will hopefully keeps things going. Wish us luck! Of course, unless your in the grinding business too! Maybe see you around?

 

[fishercat]

we have a Rayco Super RG50

nothing but teeth,grease,filters and fluid in 1000 hours.

that belt on the Carlton is like $600 plus labor to adjust it.that's nuts.i still like them,don't get me wrong.they make a nice machine.i think i will try the Grind Zero next.

 

[pmoudy]

.Hey i sent you a pm

 

[bombdude]

Hope you the best of luck Ozarkie. I was in your shoes 2 years ago. Not prompted by an act of nature, but was looking for a supplement biz to transition into retirement. I'm one of those low IQ cops (thank you Mr. Fishercat).

Started from scratch, borrowed money, (avoiding that in the future) bought a machine & took off. I have no regrets. I live in a highly saturated area. Lotta beer money grinders around here & most tree services have their own machine, or have a grinder set up as a sub. But a couple have picked me up b/c of my backyard machine, a 352. Most of my business is from word of mouth. I run ads in a couple of local papers. They pay for themselves, not much more. Considerin' a radio spot, but that's a big jump.

A couple things you mentioned & that I've learned:
My liability insurance is in the same classification as tree service, so it's still expensive. Since I'm a one man show, I save on workman's comp, tho'.

Also, I've heard that most insurance doesn't pay for the stump grinding as it's considered cosmetic. I leave them an invoice just in case.

Good work ethic is key. Leave it better than you found it. I carry a big blower & clean up my mess. If the stump is in a flower bed, I'll rake & blow the chips into a neat pile within the flower bed just so it "looks better". I'll rake the pile into a nicer looking mound in the yard. I get a lot of comments on this. And always tell them that you'll come back & fix a missed spot if they find it after removing the shavings.

Professionalism is also important. I wear nice work attire, recently adding my logo to my work shirts. I don't meet customers unshaven, lookin' sloppy, etc.
I don't want them to feel uncomfortable having me at their home.

Don't get discouraged. My first bid, the customer reacted like I was crazy. 3 big stumps (one 11' dia), concrete & wire grown into them, etc. I bid $700. He said, "I can get it done for $150." I didn't bite. Just thanked him & went on, feelin' kinda low. Next bid, got the job, & he actually paid me $50 over b/c he was happy with my work.

I ain't making a killing, but so far I'm accomplishing what I've set out to do.
Good luck

 

[Ozarkie01]

Hope you the best of luck Ozarkie. I was in your shoes 2 years ago. Not prompted by an act of nature, but was looking for a supplement biz to transition into retirement. I'm one of those low IQ cops (thank you Mr. Fishercat).

Started from scratch, borrowed money, (avoiding that in the future) bought a machine & took off. I have no regrets. I live in a highly saturated area. Lotta beer money grinders around here & most tree services have their own machine, or have a grinder set up as a sub. But a couple have picked me up b/c of my backyard machine, a 352. Most of my business is from word of mouth. I run ads in a couple of local papers. They pay for themselves, not much more. Considerin' a radio spot, but that's a big jump.

A couple things you mentioned & that I've learned:
My liability insurance is in the same classification as tree service, so it's still expensive. Since I'm a one man show, I save on workman's comp, tho'.

Also, I've heard that most insurance doesn't pay for the stump grinding as it's considered cosmetic. I leave them an invoice just in case.

Good work ethic is key. Leave it better than you found it. I carry a big blower & clean up my mess. If the stump is in a flower bed, I'll rake & blow the chips into a neat pile within the flower bed just so it "looks better". I'll rake the pile into a nicer looking mound in the yard. I get a lot of comments on this. And always tell them that you'll come back & fix a missed spot if they find it after removing the shavings.

Professionalism is also important. I wear nice work attire, recently adding my logo to my work shirts. I don't meet customers unshaven, lookin' sloppy, etc.
I don't want them to feel uncomfortable having me at their home.

Don't get discouraged. My first bid, the customer reacted like I was crazy. 3 big stumps (one 11' dia), concrete & wire grown into them, etc. I bid $700. He said, "I can get it done for $150." I didn't bite. Just thanked him & went on, feelin' kinda low. Next bid, got the job, & he actually paid me $50 over b/c he was happy with my work.

I ain't making a killing, but so far I'm accomplishing what I've set out to do.
Good luck

Bombdude, thanks for taking the time to write your encouraging post, it came at a good time! Seems that the naysayers are coming out of the woodwork (with few exceptions). We know this isn't going to be the answer to everything but it can help. My son, who'll be doing the hands on, is currently going through "lay-off syndrome" and having some down moments. With me being overseas at the moment it's hard for me to keep him focused and pumped up but we're on the phone all the time. He's a hard worker and takes a lot of pride in his work. Your post will certainly help keep him focused and I thank you for that. Between guiding on the river and grinding a few stumps here and there, he'll be o.k. Thanks again for the good advice and best of luck to you as well!