First grinder

[cordwood]

Looking for a bit of advice on stump grinders.

Where I live there are no nearby hire shops for grinders and no one has one locally that could even sub out the work to. I'm wondering what suggestions you guys have for a small grinder, probably second hand, to get and use for my own work and to hire out myself and machine to other tree/ landscape firms.

I think that it is potentially a good idea but could do with some tips/suggestions from other folk who have gone down this route. I'm not planning to do this full time but just as a extra service that I could provide. I have not used a grinder much but would appreciate some suggestions.

[Hodge]

Sounds like a plan, problem is with small 13hp grinders you can be limited to the size of stumps you can efficiently handle, the Rayco RG13 is a good machine or the new FSI. If you can afford it look at a Bandit HB20, without doubt they are the best pedestrian grinder on the market.

[Gray git]

I started with a rg13 which I tackled some fairly big stumps with and then hired in bigger if needed (selling it soon) it's not been out since getting a hb20 which is far ahead in what it can do but also a lump more money.

The little predator is quite good and quite aggressive for its size and easy to transport.

[cordwood]

Thanks for that. I've read a lot of the old posts on here but just ended up confused! As it's going to be a new venture I'm unsure of investing big bucks until I see if there will be enough demand to make it viable.

What are the best type of cutting head or is that just personal preference?

[Peter]

You can do a lot of grinding with a small machine but it can be tedious.

 

I've got the little predator, if your buying new I would look at that and the fsi, as they both have a swivel which is much easier than the old style grinders with a single wheel brake and you have to slew the whole machine.

 

If your budget dictates secondhand, then get a little rayco rg13 or similar, and make some money with it, then upgrade to a better machine.

 

Cutting system doesn't really matter as long as you keep it sharp, low hp machines will really suffer with dull teeth.

[hamdogg]

A rayco rg20 is a good machine (little heavy lol) but should find one for not too much money

[Ian Clarke]

Don't forget a cat scanner to help locate cables so you can avoid them. I have used the hb 20 and rg13 and currently have a Husqvarna sg13 the hb is the best but most expensive. Keeping the teeth sharp and spares with you. With finger teeth they can be sharpened with a diamond disc on a small angle grinder if you get a battery powered one you could sharpen teeth and have spares with you.

[leswold]

Re the scanner. Last week I managed to grind thru a catv cable which was routed diagonally across the garden no more than 6" below surface & right beside the stump I was grinding. Would a scanner have seen this? Customer was sympathetic & still offered a £20 tip despite being without phone/pc etc for 4 days.

[kev7937]

Re the scanner. Last week I managed to grind thru a catv cable which was routed diagonally across the garden no more than 6" below surface & right beside the stump I was grinding. Would a scanner have seen this? Customer was sympathetic & still offered a £20 tip despite being without phone/pc etc for 4 days.

 

 

Yep, they pick up any cable with electricity running through it, they also have a setting for detecting radio signals in a cble that isnt live.

 

No good for gas or water though.

[Ian Clarke]

My thought was reduce the risks as much as practicable.