Stumpgrinder rate of return

[Ty Korrigan]

Hello, worthy of the Dull men's club, I just went through 3 years of figures for stump grinding.

€25k for a €5200 small pedestrian machine.

The stumps are 90% from our own removals and stump size is not a problem though fatigue is.

So the machine was paid for in it's first 9 months, running costs are slim, teeth, squirt of grease and 3 litres of SP98 per hour. The recoil starter lasts 25hours or so but most spares have a Chinesium alternative.

Still on original belts and bearings.

Aside from being onerous to push around, I find it difficult to justify a larger machine on the following points.

Insufficient hours per year.

Time to recuperate investment.

Costs of repairs/parts.

 

Self propelled would be a help tbh but here in France machines like the entry level Bandit ZT1844 or FSI D30 would take me 3 years turnover just to cover the initial purchase cost let alone running costs and labour.

 

So having rambled on there, my question is How much turnover would people consider is required to justify a larger machine?

 

No, in my area can't rent a larger grinder as and when and even if I could the price would make it unviable.

Example, the FSI B20 can be hired but it's a 90min round trip at €200 per day.

 

    Stuart

 

 

 

[Mick Dempsey]

I’m thinking of getting a much bigger grinder Stu. 55/65 hp.

Would you sub out stuff to me, if you put a few together?

Just musing atm.

 

[swinny]

I've always been stuck on this subject as grinders are expensive to purchase..... I'd be daft enough to grind that stump out with my old vermeer sc252 and it would do it no problem but its all about moving position and clearing the gear....

 

Like you say irrespective of brand 18k plus etc takes some earning back... I think some things have a price limit to me and I think 10k is enough to have in most (individual) equiptment to do a job sensibly.....

 

Good luck.... 

[swinny]

1 hour ago, Mick Dempsey said:

I’m thinking of getting a much bigger grinder Stu. 55/65 hp.

Would you sub out stuff to me, if you put a few together?

Just musing atm.

 

I would have though over there a machine that size would be the choice! lot bigger access I would think? tracked carlton 70 whatever it is etc

[Mick Dempsey]

Stumps are a funny business out here.

Many French have no idea what a stump grinder is, even after you explain and sell the work they expect some kind of extraction device to turn up.

[swinny]

i could do with a 35hp tracked grinder be a good upgrade for me.... saw a rayco rg35 a while ago but was put off with 35" wide but they are what they are....

 

what about them big old towable things? i take it big stumps are better access.... move it about with loader etc

[Mick Dempsey]

The Rayco is a good machine, I’ve nothing but praise for my wheeled one.

Those towable ones are pretty cheap, but used grinders are usually a bag of nails.

Edit.

That’s a good thought though.

Edited November 14, 2021 by Mick Dempsey

[swinny]

I cant help be a tinkerer...... and if something wouldnt get masses of use one of them big donkeys thats been gone through be a good cheap alternative to me.

 

Cant help but think new gear is top dollar at times only backed up with poor service (not everyone) big depreciation, and usually with something built in made to brake on purpose lol 

[josharb87]

Over how many machine hours did you earn your 25k? 

[Ty Korrigan]

4 minutes ago, josharb87 said:

Over how many machine hours did you earn your 25k? 

137hrs