Time for a Stump Grinder????

[shillo]

3 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

You're joking, you have to be!

don't shoot the messenger! He might have been comparing the 25s to the larger fsi grinder i guess

[Will Heal]

I just contract blokes in - its easier and customer pays , k

Agree, sub it out. Add a bit on top and it's effortless profit. Sub all mine out now. Mind you I hate grinding

[Joe Newton]

Take a look at the little FSI grinder.  Its well priced and would eat up those fairly comfortably

I've used 1, want to look at the b22 (believe is the one I used) it's a pedestrian machine but it's cracking the working body moves independently of the chassis so no busting a gut moving the whole machine.

I've done practically no stump grinding, but I've used this grinder a couple of times. I wouldn't want to take out a bit tree with it but it was surprisingly capable, without much effort. Fairly easy 2 man lift as well for steps etc.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Arbtalk mobile app

[Spruce Pirate]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I'll have a look at the FSI, place up in Dunfermline is listed as a dealer for them.

 

Access for this job is good, no restrictions on space, nice and flat so can cut stumps nice and low.  Might still be easier to sub in a bigger machine.

 

I'll update the thread with what we do if we get the job.

[marne]

12 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Thing is, the concept of grinding stumps just below ground level sounds simple, but.... grinding stumps from the top down is much harder than grinding them sideways, or at least at 45 degrees, it's just the way the wood "comes away" also species is important.

 

Ash is less of pleasure to grind than say oak.

 

in conclusion, your "budget grinder" will cost you more than subbing it out.

Mick nailed it. 

Grinding to ground level is tricky especially shaping a flat, mower friendly surface, with no surrounding incline. 

 

In addition, no matter how well the pedestrian grinder is made, I never would want to grind 80 stumps with it, except they're 5".

 

And btw, ash is imho one of the worst things to grind. 

[Graham]

As mentioned before; it's far easier to grind the stumps out deep.  If you try and skim the tops to just below ground level your machine will be bucking,  jumping and shaking itself to pieces esp with ash.

[Stumpy Grinder]

That many small ash will take a long time with a small machine, and just grinding the tops off is actually harder than taking the lot out! Technique of grinding stumps is the key to success! Think of it like planning a plank of wood. Planing the side of the plank is easy as you are going along the grain, and even then it is generally easier in one direction than the other. However, planning the end grain or the plank is VERY difficult as you are cutting across the grain! To do a stump effectively, you need to come in from the side and effectively go right down through the root plate cutting along the grain. As you pass through the centre, the grain then begins to slope away from you and you will be cutting cross grain again. It is then more efficient to go around the other side and start again.

The job you describe would probably take you a whole day with a small machine and it would be hard work! The same job would take me maybe an hour or two with a decent machine and I'd probably charge you less than a day of your wages! You get your day back and you aren't aching for the rest of the week! You also don't need to pay out thousands for a machine which you then have to store and you may never effectively make your money back on.

Clearly I have a biased opinion, but that is the harsh reality of stump grinding and why specialists like myself are able to exist. Hire one and see how you get on before you commit to buying one. I can pretty much guarantee it will hurt your body and your pocket compared to subbing it out! Regards,

SG

[Stumpy Grinder]

Just re-read your original post - 82 ash stumps is a lot! I don't think you would even do that with a small machine without dying! That would take a good while even with a bigger machine!

SG

[Spruce Pirate]

10 hours ago, Stumpy Grinder said:

That many small ash will take a long time with a small machine, and just grinding the tops off is actually harder than taking the lot out! Technique of grinding stumps is the key to success! Think of it like planning a plank of wood. Planing the side of the plank is easy as you are going along the grain, and even then it is generally easier in one direction than the other. However, planning the end grain or the plank is VERY difficult as you are cutting across the grain! To do a stump effectively, you need to come in from the side and effectively go right down through the root plate cutting along the grain. As you pass through the centre, the grain then begins to slope away from you and you will be cutting cross grain again. It is then more efficient to go around the other side and start again.

The job you describe would probably take you a whole day with a small machine and it would be hard work! The same job would take me maybe an hour or two with a decent machine and I'd probably charge you less than a day of your wages! You get your day back and you aren't aching for the rest of the week! You also don't need to pay out thousands for a machine which you then have to store and you may never effectively make your money back on.

Clearly I have a biased opinion, but that is the harsh reality of stump grinding and why specialists like myself are able to exist. Hire one and see how you get on before you commit to buying one. I can pretty much guarantee it will hurt your body and your pocket compared to subbing it out! Regards,

SG

Had a look at your website, unfortunately you're in Suffolk which is about 7 or 8 hours away or, frankly I'd quite happily take you up on this.

 

I am leaning more and more to subbing it out.  If anyone fancies giving me a price for it please drop me a PM. 

[htb]

Stephan on here?