Stump Grinders

[climber1423]

This weekend I am going to a Vermeer dealer to check out some used stumpers. I think they are 252s'. I was wondering what I should look for or should be cautious about. I guess the good and bad.

Thanks Dan

 

[climber1423]

Anyone???

 

[howel07264]

This weekend I am going to a Vermeer dealer to check out some used stumpers. I think they are 252s'. I was wondering what I should look for or should be cautious about. I guess the good and bad.

Thanks Dan

dan, check engine for smoke or knock,check condition of all bearings,engine and final drive belts, service records a plus. my best rec. is to buy a solid diesel, not a gaser. if your going to be working it every day. small stumps a 252 is fine. with the big ones you never have enough power. also you might want to try tree trader.com or ebay to give you some idea what the machines are bringing. good luck. regan

 

[SilentElk]

I love 99% vermeer equipment but nothing makes go crazier than using a small vermeer. Not sure how the newest ones are, last couple years, but they are slow! Try a Carlton them Calton's are fast and I would daresay twice as fast at the small vermeer. Bigger vermeer's are good just them dinking little 3 wheeled ones suck.

 

[climber1423]

The stumpers that were going to buy at used gaser. We would get a deisel but ever thing we have is gas and it wont get used everyday. At the most 2-3 times a week. And Vermeer is the closest dealer to us. But thx for the help and any other info will help.

Thx Dan

 

[dogdad]

I have a new Vermeer 352 diesel. Works great. I wouldn't want a 252 as I think they have to little power for the larger stumps. Just my 2c's w.

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

Stump grinders IMO are a machine best 'NOT bought secondhand......If i was on a limited budget i'd rather buy a new rg20hd [rayco self propelled walk behind]than a second hand vermeer 252..

 

[treepres1]

carlton 2700

we have a 2004 carlton 2700 grinder 4 sale with a remote, 27hp. Has 140 hrs nice machine. asking 9200.ONLY SELLING BECAUSE WE BOUGHT 2 NEW 7015 TRACK MACHINES.

 

[climber1423]

Treepres do you have pictures of the stumper?

 

[treepres1]

carlton 2700 pics

here is a pic .

 

[Freakingstang]

I used to build the Rayco Stump cutters when I worked at the factory. I also worked in the repair dept. and saw lots of damage. I would recommend a used one that has had documented maintence. These things get the snot beat out of them, and most users don't seem to care that they shelled out 10-30K on them.

What kind of stump grinder do you want? A walk behind? A smaller pusher type (kinda like a rototiller) They will wear you out just getting to the stump, a tow behind, a self propelled, a track machine? There are a ton of machines out there. If it is a belt drive system, check all the belts good. These need constant adjustment, where a hyd drive is a little better for adjustment. The main cutter drive belt (normally a gates poly chain belt) will stretch some, but not like the engine to jackshaft V belt. Hydraulic motors that get slammed into gear at full throttle are worn very quickly and costly to replace. This is just a start of things to think about. I'm sure some of the everyday users have a little more insight on the problems assosiated with certain units. Good luck

Steve

 

[Pollock777]

I would check the bearings the ones were everything piviots on. Start grinder and raise the wheel. Shut the grinder off and raise the wheel up and down see how much play is in the bearings.My Vermeer Deal in South Jersey got me on the second used grinder I bought I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM VERMEER. I'm not saying Vermeer is a bad company. But some of there salesman leave alot to be desired.So I learned the hard way.:bang: And now I have a brand new CARLTON 27 H.P. self propelled.) And (unless I really get screwed) will ONLY buy CARLTONS.

 

[climber1423]

Ya Im not to crazy about vermeer but they are the closest to use. And carlton looks more heavy duty then vermeer. But Ill see what happens. I think I will be going this week end because my grandmother passed on saturday

Thx Dan

 

[stumpy66]

test ride em, there are good and bad, the same as recomendations..try em if you can.....all are good and all have bad....sorry about your grand mother.....

 

[Rocko]

the 252 is a rock solid machine,but are very slow,I would not suggest one unless you have a lot of patience.

 

[TreeJunkie]

I chose the 252 for a couple reasons. I'm familiar w/ it and it's maintenance. It's size is appropriate for 80% of the stumps we do. And most importantly vermeers repair and customer service rocks!! And the local Bandit/Rayco dealer's service sucks a big fat one.

Nothing wrong w/ a 252 when you routinely grind 10-28" stumps. Now if i was regularly grind much larger then i could see going big. But not here, not for my bus....just can't justify a 30-40k machine sitting around that much..

 

[John464]

Had a 252 and like most have mentioned its OK for the smaller stumps. Put that sucker on a big maple and its a dog. I use to reach my hand in by the motor and take a finger to the governer to make her rev up a bit more. Not only was it slow, I use to chew up belts on the belt drive all the time and she would squell. Constantly had to keep adjusting/replacing the belts. The fully belt driven 252 is not the way to go if you are going to be grinding stumps any larger than 35" routinely.

Traded up to a 352 and really like enjoy its productivity for a self propelled, fit between a 36" gate w/ outside tires removed, stumper.

I have never used a Rayco or Carlton. Their prices turned me off.

 

[climber1423]

Thx for the info. Has anyone have their 252 roll on them before because I heard they like to do that on hills? And I like the 352 because of the two wheels in the back. It sorta' looks like the rayco's and carlton's. But overall I think that the carltons look like a tank and there price looks like one too! But thx guys
Dan

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

Had a 252 and like most have mentioned its OK for the smaller stumps. Put that sucker on a big maple and its a dog. I use to reach my hand in by the motor and take a finger to the governer to make her rev up a bit more. Not only was it slow, I use to chew up belts on the belt drive all the time and she would squell. Constantly had to keep adjusting/replacing the belts.

I ran a 252 for 500 hours never replaced the belts ever,tightend them up a few times though 4 times max...Stumpgrinders need to be used with a carefully to get best out of them...I did large and small stumps with my 252, had they been making them now with a diesel engine i'd most probably have bought one instead of my 352..

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

Had a 252 and like most have mentioned its OK for the smaller stumps. Put that sucker on a big maple and its a dog. I use to reach my hand in by the motor and take a finger to the governer to make her rev up a bit more. Not only was it slow, I use to chew up belts on the belt drive all the time and she would squell. Constantly had to keep adjusting/replacing the belts.

I ran a 252 for 500 hours never replaced the belts ever,tightend them up a few times though 4 times max...Stumpgrinders need to be used carefully to get best out of them...I did large and small stumps with my 252, had they been making them now with a diesel engine i'd most probably have bought one instead of my 352..

Obviously it's horses for courses if you do land clearing then a 252 is not the best machine,I think for domestic work a 252 is hard to beat.