Herder SCT-410H stump grinder review.

[nickc]

Been running the Herder now since May and reached 170hrs on the clock. Only issue in that time has been a alternator belt failure which I have put down to faulty part as been monitor since and no issues.

 

Machine has been super reliable.

 

I was worried that dropping down HP (45-32) that I would see a drop in my turnover as it was never going to cut as fast as the bigger machine. In fact turnover has remained the same and apart from the larger jobs where it can take slightly longer I have noticed little or no difference.

 

Where I have seen a change is in the amount of fuel I am going through. Way less perhaps as much as 30%. I am recording fuel usage as I do with all machines and longer I run the machine the more accurate I can be on these figures.

 

The remote was the hardest thing to get use to - it was way more sensitive that the older switched remote I was use to. I am now very happy with the remote. Allows me to be more delicate when working near fences and walls. Can almost touch the object before I need to stop.

 

Access has improved now do as much as 85% of work with this machine. I also have a rayco 25hp walk behind. Dosnt get much work as herder gets into most places. These 2 machines do all my work. Havnt missed the really narrow access jobs (below 29inch) was lucky if they were 1% of my work and not sure they every really made that much money.

 

In summary - really happy with my choice of machine. Great build quality. Turnover unaffected by change, but profits way up.[emoji3]

 

 

[Steve Bullman]

Who is the dealer for these then?

[nickc]

Who is the dealer for these then?

Dow Mus-Max speak to Colin

http://www.woodfuelmachinery.co.uk/

[Stumpy Grinder]

When you say profits are way up, you surely haven't covered the initial purchase cost of this machine or anywhere near it as yet? I'd be interested to know:

1. How much did it cost?

2. Based on what you've made and spent on running costs in 170 hours, how many hours will it take to cover the initial purchase cost?

I'm very interested in a new machine, but it just seems like a horrendous amount of outlay to make back alongside daily running costs.

SG

[nickc]

When you say profits are way up, you surely haven't covered the initial purchase cost of this machine or anywhere near it as yet? I'd be interested to know:
1. How much did it cost?
2. Based on what you've made and spent on running costs in 170 hours, how many hours will it take to cover the initial purchase cost?
I'm very interested in a new machine, but it just seems like a horrendous amount of outlay to make back alongside daily running costs.
SG

I am sure Dow Mus-Max can provide current prices.

With regards to profits. I will have covered my costs of ownership & running costs within months not years I keep machines 2 years from new. I know what it cost me and expect a certain amount of return on selling it. It’s simple accountancy - if I making more than it costs me then I am in profit whether that’s over the life time, annually or monthly. As I only do stumps and nothing else it’s simple. If i was doing all kinds of tree work may be little more difficult to calculate. Often see 2nd hand grinders for sale with low hours and wonder how they ever made enough to cover purchase costs never mind operating costs. To be honest I have even calculated costs per hour to run a machine -you would be surprised at some of the figures, but this is my business data and private.

I believe that all machinery should make you profit- if it can’t then it is sold. I am not a charity.

I keep data on all sorts of information regarding my business. In a previous career I worked for a financial institution and one of my job was analysing accounts and producing reports Makes me a bit of a nerd when it comes to record keeping and looking at figures.

[Stumpy Grinder]

5 hours ago, nickc said:

 

 

 

 

I am sure Dow Mus-Max can provide current prices.

With regards to profits. I will have covered my costs of ownership & running costs within months not years I keep machines 2 years from new. I know what it cost me and expect a certain amount of return on selling it. It’s simple accountancy - if I making more than it costs me then I am in profit whether that’s over the life time, annually or monthly. As I only do stumps and nothing else it’s simple. If i was doing all kinds of tree work may be little more difficult to calculate. Often see 2nd hand grinders for sale with low hours and wonder how they ever made enough to cover purchase costs never mind operating costs. To be honest I have even calculated costs per hour to run a machine -you would be surprised at some of the figures, but this is my business data and private.

I believe that all machinery should make you profit- if it can’t then it is sold. I am not a charity.

I keep data on all sorts of information regarding my business. In a previous career I worked for a financial institution and one of my job was analysing accounts and producing reports Makes me a bit of a nerd when it comes to record keeping and looking at figures.

 

 

Nick,

Sorry to be nosey and I fully respect that your business figures are private, but I'm struggling to understand how a new machine such as this can ever be cost effective given the hours of use that you state?

You've had the machine for about 4 months and clocked up only 170 hours which equates to 42.5hr/month = 510hr/yr.

You say that the machine will pay for itself in months and earn you a viable living?

I'm guessing this machine would cost about £40,000 new?

Even over a whole year, £40,000 divided by 510 equates to over £78/hr. But that's just to cover the cost of the machine alone and doesn't include running costs, maintenance, new teeth, vehicle costs, personal income or tax! I appreciate that a used machine such as this will have a good resale value after 2 years, but probably only about 50% of initial value? That still means you need to make about £39/hr of machine running before you can even begin to think about all your other costs or making any money?

The last used machine I bought paid for itself in less than 2 weeks and continues to earn the same money. I would clearly love to buy a new machine, but I just can't justify the cost.

What am I missing here as I'm genuinely intrigued?

SG

 

[nickc]

Nick,
Sorry to be nosey and I fully respect that your business figures are private, but I'm struggling to understand how a new machine such as this can ever be cost effective given the hours of use that you state?
You've had the machine for about 4 months and clocked up only 170 hours which equates to 42.5hr/month = 510hr/yr.
You say that the machine will pay for itself in months and earn you a viable living?
I'm guessing this machine would cost about £40,000 new?
Even over a whole year, £40,000 divided by 510 equates to over £78/hr. But that's just to cover the cost of the machine alone and doesn't include running costs, maintenance, new teeth, vehicle costs, personal income or tax! I appreciate that a used machine such as this will have a good resale value after 2 years, but probably only about 50% of initial value? That still means you need to make about £39/hr of machine running before you can even begin to think about all your other costs or making any money?
The last used machine I bought paid for itself in less than 2 weeks and continues to earn the same money. I would clearly love to buy a new machine, but I just can't justify the cost.
What am I missing here as I'm genuinely intrigued?
SG
 

I am struggling to explain this on a public forum without giving too much private information. Basically my total costs are now less than 40% of my turnover each year. I have been doing stumps for close to 15 years and have amassed a lot of regular clients. I don’t really advertise and I don’t struggle to find work. I do work in an area with quite a bit of wealth.

Also experience has shown me that running costs increase as the machine ages. I have always avoided buying 2nd hand machines as the price of spares, downtime etc can make them more expensive to run than a new machine.

I admit that the cost of machinery has been something I have struggled with for many years. Prices have spiralled over the years. If I was starting out now then I don’t think the figures stand up. The investment that you need to lay down for the amount of potential return is shocking.

[Stumpy Grinder]

Yeah I get that and will delve no further!

I am fortunate enough to be able to service, maintain and repair my own machinery even on site usually which saves a lot of 'down-time' and ultimately cost which undoubtedly increases with machine age.

Reading between the lines, I suspect we may even share similar circumstances, but that you've been doing it a bit longer than I have. It  would be interesting to have a chat one day.

Regards,

SG

[nickc]

Yeah I get that and will delve no further!
I am fortunate enough to be able to service, maintain and repair my own machinery even on site usually which saves a lot of 'down-time' and ultimately cost which undoubtedly increases with machine age.
Reading between the lines, I suspect we may even share similar circumstances, but that you've been doing it a bit longer than I have. It  would be interesting to have a chat one day.
Regards,
SG

Always happy to chat[emoji106]

[nickc]

Been a year since I purchased the Herder and thought I would update you all on life with a Herder.

We have now completed 454 hours (nearly 20% up on previous years) and to date the only issue was a failed fan belt earlier on in my ownership. I have worked the machine hard in every environment- large stumps, small stumps, site clearance & back garden. And no other issues which I find really hard to believe. I always expect something with previous machines and justified it in my head as normal as these machines work hard. The increased hours are in line with an increase in turnover. Running costs are down - which has resulted in more profit.

Tracks were a concern - but I soon got use to them and whenever wet condition I drop a board or two. Not a issue in reality.

Fuel costs are down considerably. It is very efficient. Enough that I can notice the difference on a daily basis.

I am going through a similar amount of teeth - which is what you would expect.

The work I do is mostly in garden and this gets in most places as access 31inch. Don’t really see this as issue less than 20% of my work is with smaller machine and usually it’s not a width issue, but a tight turn and/or steps. Really surprised how it climbs slopes and works on angles others would topple over on. Don’t do any work where access below 29inch - affects less than 1 job a month - not enough to justify a smaller machine.

Is the the lower Horsepower an issue - No. In fact I now wonder why dealers push horsepower so much. Obviously if you only do big site clearance I do understand, but how much difference does it make in most back gardens? Do the increased cost of ownership/running cost etc makes most garden stumps less profitable? Not sure of answers to these questions, but Herder has certainly made me think more about it.

Would I have another - yes definitely. In fact I had planned to renew after 2 years. With the improved reliability I am considering moving this to 3 years.


Nick