Looking to set up Stump Grinding Business

[dougharding]

Hi All.

 

Im looking into setting up at Stump Grinding Business, I have seen a thew feeds on hear about stump grinding (eg: pricing etc ) but the information i'm looking to find out is below.

 

To set set up a grinding business what equipment would be advised to purchase ie : Vermeer , predator , truck and trailer etc

 

What paperwork docs are required ie: insurance and what cover, and licences.

 

And finally can this be run as solely a grinding business or would I still have to keep my foot in the door with tree and arb work.

 

Any help or info would be appreciated.

[Ty Korrigan]

Hello Chap,

I take it you already in the arb world then?

If so, I would consider buying a grinder big enough to do all domestic stumps which for us are the earners and keep on working in arb doing your stumps on the side.

I don't have a great deal of experience with grinders other than our own but I can tell you that ours makes a healthy coin.

A means of taking away the arisings is important as well as offering to re-instate the zone to grass by importing top soil.

I offer a complete service which is often more welcomed than one that leaves a gurt pile of chips.

Regards and best of luck

Ty

[martwizz]

Funnily enough, I am going through this thought process myself!

 

Although I haven't started up yet, I would recommend you do thorough research into stump grinding providers in your area. Who is on the net, who replies to emails, who is in the yellow pages, what kind of grinders do they have? This should give you a good idea of what your competition is likely to be like when you start, and what opportunities there are to exploit in terms of advertising.

 

I will be watching this thread closely, might give me some ideas too

[Dean Lofthouse]

All the above but don't give up your day job.

 

It will take quite a few years to gain enough of a customer data base/ contract work / recommendations to be self sufficient.

 

Personally I would set up as a side line and not try to rely on it for income

[Paul Jenks]

Depending on your available cash outlay, consider getting a secondhand one. Having said that you'll either have to be good at mechanics or have a good mate who is. If you're buying a new one, make sure it'll go through a standard 900mm gate, preferably with a bit to spare. I'd also recommend getting it as local as possible. You need to be able to get it fixed quickly, efficiently and under warranty where applicable. If it's your only machine, if it's out of action it's not earning and actually costing you money. If the supplier has other machines see if they do a cheap rental whilst yours is in being fixed.

[martwizz]

To answer your questions, as i understand it

 

Hi All.

 

Im looking into setting up at Stump Grinding Business, I have seen a thew feeds on hear about stump grinding (eg: pricing etc ) but the information i'm looking to find out is below.

 

To set set up a grinding business what equipment would be advised to purchase ie : Vermeer , predator , truck and trailer etc

Find out how often access is restricted, you may need a pedestrian sized grinder.

 

Truck and trailer is probably a good idea.

 

Vermeer have been around ages but may be a little dated compared to modern bandit/carlton machines. Still, a reliable 2nd hand machine may do well.

 

Larger Predators look cool but i read a lot of people having problems with belts and maintenance

 

What paperwork docs are required ie: insurance and what cover, and licences.

 

Public liability insurance is a good idea but not essential

 

Personal injury insurance is a good idea

 

NPTC in stump grinding and CS30 for chainsaw cross cut would be a good idea

 

And finally can this be run as solely a grinding business or would I still have to keep my foot in the door with tree and arb work.

Personally im going to continue working, put 1 day aside a week for grinding (and if not, advertising), and do quotes at weekends and evenings. If work permits, i will expand the operation to cover more and more of the week.

 

I wouldn't jump in both feet first and commit all your time to it in case the demand isn't there!

Any help or info would be appreciated.

[grumpydavesmith]

No offence but if ur asking basic questions like this then I don't think ur ready!

Anyway personally I'd have 2 grinders big Vermeer n little pedestrian. Get in touch with as many companies as u can and offer ur service!

DONT be too cheap IME one bad stump can destroy a set of teeth be prepared!! Repairs can be expensive! Our grinder has prob eaten 3 k of repairs in 6 months!!

 

 

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[Ty Korrigan]

I'm at Nantes airport waiting for my flight.

 

I paid about £7k for my Bandit HB20

I turn over pro-rata £350 per day minimum with smaller jobs often closer £480

What I mean is that smaller jobs pay far better per hour.

It uses maybe 4.2 litres per hour.

A set of teeth costs 80euros and can last from 8 to 24 hours.

It turned over it's own cost within 50 hours.

Still on original cutter wheel.

About to replace pockets for second time.

Just done belts after 3 years.

It will do anysize stump but hates slopes.

You can drive it into the back of a Renault Kangoo van.

What's not to like!

Ty

Edited October 13, 2013 by Ty Korrigan

[Hodge]

I have just upgraded to a Bandit HB 20, it is a fantastic machine and will grind any size stump quickly and efficiently for the size of the machine.

 

 

Sent from outer space

[Stumpystu]

This may help. I've been in the arb trade since leaving school about 26 years a go. Since about 2003 I haven't picked up a chainsaw, having chosen to specialise in stump grinding only, working in the main for arb and hort businesses. It's changed a lot since I started though, the machinery and the competition. I have more competition in the area now compared to when I started and there are more tree surgeons with grinders (though I do get a great deal of my work from these boys). The investment is quite big too, I run 3 machines from the small in order to access the terraced house awkward access garden, up to the site clearance and big stump machine. Some mechanical knowledge/ability will be pretty useful, keeping up with the maintenance takes some doing too, grinders look tough, but they are easy broken and belts, bearings and other parts are priced like they're gold plated. Also, having had several machines, despite all the promises from the dealers, the warranties aren't worth the paper they're supposedly written on, you're on your own when something goes wrong. Do your research in your area before you jump into it.

 

Alternatively, be Mr 25% like most of those that employ me ,-)

http://Www.southernstumpremoval.co.uk

 

 

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