Thinking about stump grinding....

[Bryan LaPrad]

hey guys! i cant believe i didnt find this site sooner, from what i have had the chance to look at it appears there is a lot of information here! i have been in the tree industry for about 3.5 years now (which i know is nothing!), have taken a couple arbormaster classes, intend on taking a couple more and i really enjoy the field. the reason i am writing tonight is to get some info on stump grinding...i was thinking about possibly buying a grinder and sub-contracting for my boss and also working on my own a little bit...i have no experience in grinding although i feel that i could pick it up fairly quick. i guess what i am looking for is some information on different types of machines and also some info on insurance...what would be required? thanks!

 

[Bryan LaPrad]

nobody has any input? come on...anything will be helpful!

 

[bruce6670]

Sounds like a good idea. Why doesn't your boss already do it for himself though ?

 

[beowulf343]

Stump grinding isn't my thing, but around here everyone and his brother has a "stump grinding business." The pennysaver averages about three stump grinding ads a page. And those are just the ones who can afford to advertise.

 

[meatwagon45]

A buddy of mine is doing the same thing. A few years ago, he and his brother rented a grinder and did a few stumps in their own yards. A neighbor asked them to do a couple and ended up paying for the rental. The neighbor told some friends and they got calls without advertising or even being in business within a few days. They rented another machine, did the stumps and had a nice down payment on a new grinder. At the same time, a guy in town went out on his own and started his own tree service. My friends were contracted to do all the stump work at their convienience. They both work 9-5 jobs and do stumps at night and on weekends.

Seeing how they started out, I would recomend renting a machine to do a few stumps. That way, you see if you want to make the investment and if you do, the rental makes some cash for the down payment. If you dont want to do it, return the machine and you are out and clear. Also, you can learn what you are doing with the rental before screwing up your own machine.

 

[Bryan LaPrad]

im not sure why my boss doesnt do it himself...hes trying to grow the business in other aspects...he bought a bucket truck earlier this year and hes hoping within the next couples to buy a crane. hes the one that actually gave me the idea. he said that instead of giving a name of someone else that he would just refer the customer to me, this way its kind of "in house" still, gets me more money, keeps me busy (which is a good thing), and its something i can do on my own. i just dont know anything about them. im sure they are pretty basic to run. i can run our bucket truck, mowers, backhoes, etc. and i can work on them too. any brand preferences? i see the vermeer 252 is a popular mid sized model. any other ones?

 

[bruce6670]

I have a Carlton 2400-4 that I like better than the 252. I think you could do well if you can get the work to keep busy. Just don't work too cheap.

 

[bruce6670]

Seeing how they started out, I would recomend renting a machine to do a few stumps. That way, you see if you want to make the investment and if you do, the rental makes some cash for the down payment. If you dont want to do it, return the machine and you are out and clear. Also, you can learn what you are doing with the rental before screwing up your own machine.

That's good advice.

 

[pdaniel13]

Bryan,

I have been considering starting stump grinding myself. As meatwagon45 stated of his friend, I too have rented smaller stump grinders on several occasions. You might want to consider doing the same. I actually joined this site hoping to get some feedback about different stump grinders. I am considering a Rayco 1635 Super Jr or a Carlton SP4012. Both are similar to the Vermeer SC252. Based on my review of the literature and specifications, I think the Carlton is the best machine; however, it is more expensive. I believe the Rayco would be second. I am leaning towards the Rayco for the price/utility ratio.

I would really like some input from users of these machines, preferably those that have used more than one of the three.

 

[Bryan LaPrad]

the renting is a great idea. like it was said, this way i dont buy a machine and break it or beat it up learning. i wouldnt mind paying a little extra for a machine that will last longer, work easier, and is durable. if this does go through i would take care of it (not that you guys dont or wouldnt).

 

[bruce6670]

Get the biggest self propelled grinder you can afford. The 25 hp machines are ok ,but they are slower.

 

[Bryan LaPrad]

does anyone have any recommendations for dealers in the new england area? im from connecticut, about 25 minutes east of hartford. i dont really have a brand preference, im just looking for a dependable machine. whats a good price for a used one? i know it varies on hours and how old it is.

 

[bruce6670]

My manual for my Carlton shows a dealer in Connecticut called Cummins Metropower. 1-860-529-7474. My manual is 10 years old though.

 

[Bryan LaPrad]

great! thanks.

 

[meatwagon45]

There is a Vermeer dealer on Rt 8 south of Waterbury. I can't remember what town but they are right next to the off ramp. I think it is in Seymour. Take a ride down, you can't miss it

 

[Bryan LaPrad]

thanks! thats cool. i may have to go down there and talk to them and check out some models.

 

[tree md]

im not sure why my boss doesnt do it himself...hes trying to grow the business in other aspects...he bought a bucket truck earlier this year and hes hoping within the next couples to buy a crane. hes the one that actually gave me the idea. he said that instead of giving a name of someone else that he would just refer the customer to me, this way its kind of "in house" still, gets me more money, keeps me busy (which is a good thing), and its something i can do on my own. i just dont know anything about them. im sure they are pretty basic to run. i can run our bucket truck, mowers, backhoes, etc. and i can work on them too. any brand preferences? i see the vermeer 252 is a popular mid sized model. any other ones?

Your boss prolly doesn't want to mess with the stumps. I know I don't like to. There is money to be made with them if you don't mind doing it. I personally hate grinding stumps.

For the past two years I have been using a sub to do my stumps. He called me on the phone one day and just asked me if I had some stumps for him to grind. Didn't know him from Adam's house cat. I told him sure, meet me at this address and I'll put you to work. Saw that he had a nice 252, was clean cut and did a good job so I haven't touched a stump in two years. That being said, he had to get out of it this year. He wasn't making enough money to support his family.

I have to grind about 15 stumps myself next week... Well, my groundy does anyway... But I hate getting bogged down with stumps. Instead of starting another large job Monday I have to spend a day on stumps.

 

[ctrees4$]

Theres not much money to be made stump grinding.You will sink thousands of dollars in a machine that will constantly need teeth sharpend or replaced.Breathing the dust and tracking it inside your truck is priceless.There is a reason your boss is not grinding stumps, he just aint sayin:monkey:

 

[Farnorth49]

Grinding

I operate a walk behind model that works well here in Alaska. The trees in this area are not nearly as big as the states because of the climate difference. The machine can be a bear to operate but it helps keep me in shape and the walk behind is a fraction of the cost. Even though I do this business on the side the machine paid for itself this summer. I charge hourly which seems to work best for me and the customer. I carry 2m in liability insurance but have not had to use it.:greenchainsaw:

 

[dgclark]

stump grinder

hey guys! i cant believe i didnt find this site sooner, from what i have had the chance to look at it appears there is a lot of information here! i have been in the tree industry for about 3.5 years now (which i know is nothing!), have taken a couple arbormaster classes, intend on taking a couple more and i really enjoy the field. the reason i am writing tonight is to get some info on stump grinding...i was thinking about possibly buying a grinder and sub-contracting for my boss and also working on my own a little bit...i have no experience in grinding although i feel that i could pick it up fairly quick. i guess what i am looking for is some information on different types of machines and also some info on insurance...what would be required? thanks!

I own a Vermeer 352, and I highly recommend it. Actually I have two of them and am considering selling one of them