Thinking of getting into stump grinding

[edgarrian]

Id think if you were retired and didn't need the money then you could bid a job for what you think ur worth. Understand you have overhead (insurance, tractor, grinder, trailer, truck, fuel, maintenance) So it all adds up. If your looking to make a few extra dollars then so be it. Ill probably look into renting out my tiller for gardens and doing reseeding of grass in small areas. Such as if someone had a septic repair. I could reseed that.

 

[geteh]

With retirement only a couple of years away I am looking for something to do on a part time basis. I have been to arboristsite.com site and have read a number of threads over there. I am not a member so I could not post any questions.

Some say they can make some OK money doing it while others say it is a tough way to make a buck as you are always working on your equipment and someone is always willing to undercut you on price..

I was thinking about getting a used vermeer 252 or something along those lines. I have to do some more research on the machine. I would mainly market to homeowners, not interested in getting into land clearing.

I already have a truck, dump trailer, chain saw and of course a tractor. So those I would not have to purchase. I know I would have to figure in replacement cost down the road. I also have a nephew that is into landscaping and he said he could through me a few stumps when he gets them tree services Sunshine Coast, however he did say he does not get that many. I have moved and am now about an hour and a half north of the twin cities and a hour south of Duluth.

From what I have seen a used vermeer 252 goes from around $10,000 to $15,000. That would be a pretty good investment, but figure if it doesn't work out I could always sell it. As long I buy right I shouldn't be out to much money.

Just wondering if anyone here has tried it and how it worked out. I did find an old thread on here from 2008 but that member ended up not pursuing the idea.

I've tried searching the forum for information about stump grinders and either they haven't been discussed much or I couldn't find them so I'll ask. Does anyone have any experience with stump grinders? Brands, things to watch for, tips, tricks, etc......

Thanks,

 

[oosik]

I have no pine trees in my yard. So... no real need for any type of stump grinder. I did have my 80 acres selectively logged about twenty years ago. Since that time - almost 100% of the stumps have been dug out by some animal. I'm guessing its the coyotes or badgers. Looking for some smaller animal that has made a nest under the old stumps.

Whatever - Mother Nature and the "locals" are resolving the stump situation.

 

[fc1]

I've tried searching the forum for information about stump grinders and either they haven't been discussed much or I couldn't find them so I'll ask. Does anyone have any experience with stump grinders? Brands, things to watch for, tips, tricks, etc......

Thanks,

I got good results searching for 'grinder' in 'titles only'.

 

[Williy]

What I have encountered is the company that removes the tree recommends a stump grinder to the people or they have relation
that come in and remove stump and include that in the price of
tree removal

willy

 

[ultrarunner]

I would think you would have to do stump grinding as a sideline to another business.
You need something to pay the insurance,, stump grinding alone would be hard pressed to pay the insurance.
If your other business was paying the insurance,, you could add stump grinding.

You do not want to be the guy that hits a power line,, or a gas line,,, without insurance!!

The only time I have caused damage is stump grinding.

First time there was a buried 2 inch galvanized abandoned water pipe.

It destroyed a few teeth on the grinder but I had insurance.

The 2nd time I took out the back window if my truck... a rock shot out like a rocket and boom and the truck was in the street.

I would think insurance a must.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'm not sure there's any easy money for self employment schemes, but given the equipment, maybe consider bush hogging, trail maintenance, and food plot prep? There should be a market in your neck of the wood. Tractor, tiller, disc, drag, rough cut mower. It will be tough on equipment. Landowners will say there are no stumps or obstacles out there, but there are some around here that do it profitably.

 

[RjCorazza]

I'm not sure there's any easy money for self employment schemes, but given the equipment, maybe consider bush hogging, trail maintenance, and food plot prep? There should be a market in your neck of the wood. Tractor, tiller, disc, drag, rough cut mower. It will be tough on equipment. Landowners will say there are no stumps or obstacles out there, but there are some around here that do it profitably.

Funny about what landowners say... They ALL say there's nothing out (or under) there. I tightly wrapped copper tubing around my grinder on a job last year. No damage, but extremely time consuming to cut out.

 

[YanmarGuy]

I have a Baumalight 1P24 for years 4-5? Lost count. Works good on 25hp Yanmar. Higher HP probably better. It grinds little stumps pretty quick, but I have done several 6 ft across. You have to be careful and not push it. One wrong move and you could tear PTO up. It does throw chips everywhere. I’ve done stumps for folks but, most people don’t care about a big ugly stump in their yard. I bought it to do 14 stumps in my yard and now offer the service separately or when doing tree removals.