Thinking of getting into stump grinding

[brokenknee]

With retirement only a couple of years away I am looking for something to do on a part time basis. I have been to arboristsite.com site and have read a number of threads over there. I am not a member so I could not post any questions.

Some say they can make some OK money doing it while others say it is a tough way to make a buck as you are always working on your equipment and someone is always willing to undercut you on price..

I was thinking about getting a used vermeer 252 or something along those lines. I have to do some more research on the machine. I would mainly market to homeowners, not interested in getting into land clearing.

I already have a truck, dump trailer, chain saw and of course a tractor. So those I would not have to purchase. I know I would have to figure in replacement cost down the road. I also have a nephew that is into landscaping and he said he could through me a few stumps when he gets them, however he did say he does not get that many. I have moved and am now about an hour and a half north of the twin cities and a hour south of Duluth.

From what I have seen a used vermeer 252 goes from around $10,000 to $15,000. That would be a pretty good investment, but figure if it doesn't work out I could always sell it. As long I buy right I shouldn't be out to much money.

Just wondering if anyone here has tried it and how it worked out. I did find an old thread on here from 2008 but that member ended up not pursuing the idea.

 

[bspeedy]

I've no experience at owning the business of grinding stumps, but it seems like guys that do that are a dime a dozen around here. 100 bucks per stump. Takes 20 minutes or so to grind it. 20 minutes travel time between jobs. With the price of fuel, parts for the stump grinder, miles and wear and tear on your truck, and your initial investment - I don't see how that turns out to be a money maker.

 

[LD1]

For the cost of having a stump ground, and the market in my area, I know it wouldn't be a cost effective venture in my area. Your area may be different.

Around here, it's usually around $10 per inch of stump. IE: a 12" tree removed....would cost $120 to grind stump. A 28" tree, $280 to grind stump.

But around here, if one removed a tree it is usually either

1. To clear a building lot to build a house. Excavators and other heavy equipment onsite so do problem with the stump.

2. Home owner removed a tree and just leaves the stump or flush cuts and don't worry.

3. Hire tree removal from a company that ALSO includes stump removal.

Little to no business around here, IMO, for a stand alone stump grinding service. Now if you were properly insured, had a bucket truck and chipper, and offered complete tree, brush, and stump removal....there might be a market. But it's competitive.

 

[Rara Avis]

For the cost of having a stump ground, and the market in my area, I know it wouldn't be a cost effective venture in my area. Your area may be different.

Around here, it's usually around $10 per inch of stump. IE: a 12" tree removed....would cost $120 to grind stump. A 28" tree, $280 to grind stump.

But around here, if one removed a tree it is usually either

1. To clear a building lot to build a house. Excavators and other heavy equipment onsite so do problem with the stump.

2. Home owner removed a tree and just leaves the stump or flush cuts and don't worry.

3. Hire tree removal from a company that ALSO includes stump removal.

Little to no business around here, IMO, for a stand alone stump grinding service. Now if you were properly insured, had a bucket truck and chipper, and offered complete tree, brush, and stump removal....there might be a market. But it's competitive.

Yep...that sums up most of the country...tree removal outfits offers to remove the stump for a price...varies by size of tree and the number of trees removed during the current job...

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

My buddy and I rented one of these.
And had it for 3 or 4 days (8 machine hours), I ground 12 or 15 small stumps on my property, he ground 5 or 6 on his, a buddy of his ground 10+ stumps then I ground a few larger stumps for a few other people, the extra stumps I ground paid for 1/3 of the rental.

I really liked that machine, no idea what one costs. I would enjoy playing with one if I was retired, just standing and joystick work, light raking after.

Idk if you would get rich but it would pay for itself and would be something todo.

 

[coobie]

Had 7 stumps removed from our place last year pretty much medium size stumps guy charged $200 bucks I felt bad and paid him $250.IMHO not a money maker.

 

[TheMan419]

We got quoted $65 to grind the stump if they are also taking down tree. Stump is over 12 inches diameter.

 

[CADplans]

I would think you would have to do stump grinding as a sideline to another business.
You need something to pay the insurance,, stump grinding alone would be hard pressed to pay the insurance.
If your other business was paying the insurance,, you could add stump grinding.

You do not want to be the guy that hits a power line,, or a gas line,,, without insurance!!

 

[sandman2234]

We had woodborers mowing thru the woods here, so I had all the pines on my property cut, before I lost them. Me cutting my trees basically stopped the borers from moving tree to tree.
Anyway, I had a bunch in the front yard, and the tree cutter told me he could get the stumps ground as part of me allowing my next door neighbor's trees to come across my property. It cost him $10 a stump, for about 30 in the front yard. So the grinder made almost nothing after fuel, payments and wear on the carbide tips (which aren't cheap)...
As mentioned, great supplement, not going to support itself.
David from jax

 

[AGRIMAN]

I'm no stump grinding expert, but I will tell you that there are two guys around here that have been doing it for 30+ years and all they do is grind stumps. I won't say they have gotten rich, but they seem to have made a nice living with it.

As you said, you already have most of what you wil need. 10 to 15k is not a big investment for starting a new business. I would give it some more though, maybe talk to some more people and if you still feel comfortable go for it. If it doesn't work out as planned, sale the grinder and more on to something else.

There no shame in trying.