Stump grinding advice, please.

[NebClimber]

I currently sub out all my stump grinding. I am thinking about removing the grindings and bringing in black soil myself, instead of paying the sub to do this portion of the work.

But first I have some questions:

1. Do I have to remove all the grindings from the hole before I backfill with topsoil? Or can I backfill with the stump grindings and then just apply black soil to the last few inches?

2. Better yet, can I just backfill with the grindings, take away the excess grindings, and walk away? What problems would this cause for the client in his attempt to re-establish grass in this spot?

Steven

 

[Stumped_4_Life]

You can Leave a little chip in the hole, but you want to get most of it out


Yes, you can backfill the grindings, But Grass will not grow the client has to Remove the grindings, and place soil and then seed.

Hope this helps you out Godbless.

 

[Menchhofer]

Here is how we do it.

Estimate to remove stump $125.00

Remove spoil pile (grindings) add $125.00

Transport, apply soil seed and straw add $145.00 Fuel surcharge added also if you do this in your area..usually 4%.

Let the customer decide how much they would like for you to do (or how much they wish to do).

90 percent or more of the grindings should be removed before the addition of topsoil. Small loader makes this an easy job.

 

[NebClimber]

Steve:

What happens if you don't remove 90% of the grindings before adding topsoil?

Steven

 

[Menchhofer]

The grass will not grow at all (as the case when the grindings are left on site) for several years or it will grow about an inch or so...look very good.....for a short time.... and die.

 

[Menchhofer]

Hope the bucket truck is still working out for you.

 

[Stump Man]

I have been stump grinding since 1965 and we never haul chips, just leave where they land. I found out I could make more money just grinding. Most people like to keep chips for mulch. I have lost only 2 jobs in all these years as I won't haul chips. I would tell them this up front before looking at job. good Luck

 

[NebClimber]

Steve:

Truck is working well. Took some time and some cash to get it up to speed, but that is how it goes.

When I get time I'll post a picture of my "new" grapple truck and a picture of the bucket truck (so you can visit an old friend).

Steven

 

[Menchhofer]

I will be looking forward to those pictures Steven...

 

[juststumps]

grinding will settle...you end up with a pot hole in the lawn... best to dig out, fill with dirt,, seed... i have had luck leaving a small mound, and laying sod ...

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I currently sub out all my stump grinding. I am thinking about removing the grindings and bringing in black soil myself, instead of paying the sub to do this portion of the work.

But first I have some questions:

1. Do I have to remove all the grindings from the hole before I backfill with topsoil? Or can I backfill with the stump grindings and then just apply black soil to the last few inches?

2. Better yet, can I just backfill with the grindings, take away the excess grindings, and walk away? What problems would this cause for the client in his attempt to re-establish grass in this spot?

Steven

The best way to do it is to sell the stump seperately and then have the removal/backfill as an addon/upsell item. Everyone I know does it as T&M. Most people are looking for value and are willing to remove the debris themselves.

Some people will do the little stums and keep a bag of blackdirt to fill them in and throw seed on just to make them look better in the bidding.

Many people have "boilerplate" language on thier bidsheets.

"cost of stumpgrinding does not include removal of debris. Debris will be pushed back into pit to reduce trip/fall hazard"

 

[treesurgeon]

most efficent overall

we remove most of the chips. but when there is mostly dirt mixed with the chips, we fill in the hole and topcoat the stump hole. works great and faster. sometimes we grind the stump, remove the wood chips, then regrind the ridge around the stump, and level. then topcoat with a little bit of topsoil. this works best on stumps that are mounded up.
why remove perfectly fine dirt when it could be left. i have very good luck doing it this way and i even drive by jobs we did years ago and the grass looks great.

 

[Climbing mike]

NEB, You mentioned that you have a grapple truck. If it has a clam grapple like mine I found the best way is to put some dirt in the truck first, either front or back half of the bed. Then after you grind the stump grapple the grindings out of the stum hole and then set the dirt in the hole. Before I hated removing grindings but now I can remove them in less time it takes to grind the stump.

Mike