Woods TSG50 stump grinder on a NH TC30

jack32008 · Apr 9, 2015

I have a 2003 NH TC30 and debating the purchase of a Woods TSG50 stump grinder or a dedicated grinder (Vermeer SC252) to clear 6+ acres of level, rock-free land on the Suwannee River. My local New Holland Dealer is recommending I have them install a single rear remote ($1050 parts + $300 labor) on my TC30 and the Woods TSG50 w/hydraulic controls ($3995). The dealer installed single remote kit seems kinda high to me when I can purchase a single remote kit for the TC30 for around $875 and install it myself.

All the info I have researched indicates I need TWO (2) hydraulic remotes added to my NH TC30 to operate the Woods TSG50 properly (one remote for cutting wheel UP/DOWN and one remote for swinging the cutting wheel LEFT/RIGHT). The dealer says they will install a single remote on the NH TC30 tractor and the hoses required to a DUAL control valve on the Woods TSG50 with TWO Control valves.

I can't wrap my head around how I will be able sit in the seat and operate the stump grinder if the DUAL manual controls are mounted back on the TSG50 instead of on my tractor. Does anyone have a similar setup and able to attach or send photos so I can SEE how the heck this setup will work? I also welcome any advice from anyone who has experienced either the Woods TSG50 (or not) or the Vermeer SC252. I'm not interested in hiring a grinder (last grinder I hired got 52 stumps out for me, and I have 600 more to go....), or rent as I like to buy my tools, not rent them.

Thanks,
Jack

jimmysisson · Apr 9, 2015

I advise you buy the dedicated Vermeer or = grinder and spare your tractor the wear. Take care of it, fix as needed, keep it clean. When you're done, sell it for what you paid, assuming a reasonable buy. You'll have less money in the project and fewer broken tractor parts.
Jim

jack32008 · Apr 9, 2015

Jim,

Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated!

Jack

Tompet · Apr 9, 2015

jimmysisson said:
I advise you buy the dedicated Vermeer or = grinder and spare your tractor the wear. Take care of it, fix as needed, keep it clean. When you're done, sell it for what you paid, assuming a reasonable buy. You'll have less money in the project and fewer broken tractor parts.
Jim

For that many stumps I agree with the above. Or look at on of the other equivalent dedicated brands like Carlton or Rayco.
I have the Woods TSG50 and it is ok but not for what you have in mind. If you do look at a tractor 3pt grinder look at Buamalight...they have a good website and communicate and answer questions pretty well.

I looked up the specs on your tractor and a larger tractor maybe with the larger sg100 or one of the other larger setups...but you get the idea. Go to the Baumalight site and watch the video of their regular and larger stump grinder.

Just curious what size/species of stumps are you eliminating? Hey, I like the closing line in your post about renting tools....for the most part I agree with that! Best of luck.

jack32008 · Apr 9, 2015

TOMPET (and others),
I should have included in my opening post that the stumps/trees I need to grind are 6-10", scrub oaks, cypress and a couple live oaks and dogwoods. Nothing is larger than 12".... My plan is to clear the brush and trees with my Skid Steer w/Wicked Root Grapple (and Stihl chainsaw), let the stumps set for 6-12 months, and come back and grind them.

I don't want to spend more than $5K on this endeavor and when it's over, sell it (Woods TSG50 or Vermeer SC252) to a neighbor or friend once all the clearing is complete. A dedicated stump grinder (Vermeer or Rayco) may be an easier sell after the work is completed, but I am still liking the Woods TSG50 especially since I already have a 30HP Diesel machine to 'get-er-done'. What say you?

Katahdin · Apr 9, 2015

The Woods TSG50 has optional valve kits (electric and/or manual) that divert the hydraulic flow coming from single rear remote between the two cylinders on the grinder.

In this thread I posted pics of some of the the electric kit parts I obtained from a used TSG50 purchase.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/308263-woods-tsg50-control-kit-help.html

DavesTractor · Apr 9, 2015

6-12" are pretty small, that Woods TSG50 would probably do pretty well. We sell them, I've used them. I find it sort of uncomfortable operating them from the seat as you have to twist around quite a bit. But on small stumps, they do a good job.

For my skid-steer I bought a used Cat SG16B skid steer mounted grinder. I really like it. It has swing and telescoping functions, you do the up/down with the tilt of your skid. Pretty fast and you can really see what you are doing. For me, that is comfortable. I am sure there are other skid steer mount grinders. If you can find one used, it would be easy to resell. Mine is on a standard flow Takeuchi TL130. I did a 60" redwood stump a couple weeks ago and enjoyed every minute of it. An amazing amount of chips. I did it for free for a friend and he had to wheelbarrow all the chips away. About 20 loads.

Tompet · Apr 9, 2015

Good info from Katahdin and Dave's Tractor. It didn't register until I read your post and saw Dave's reference to skid steer grinder that you also have a skid steer. Now that would be pretty nice with a grinder on the front. Are SS grinders' a lot more than the typical 3pt grinder? The telescoping function is what would be really nice.

There is a company called Miller that makes a 3pt with the telescoping function...nicest 3pt unit IMO, but pricey.
Anyway, Jack with the smaller stump sizes you described I think it would be a little more realistic with the Woods 3pt grinder than I first thought. Like Dave said...you will be looking over your shoulder for extended periods which can be a strain.

There are different ways you can plumb the grinder. I used the single power beyond line (? Sorry if I butcher proper terminology as it has been awhile) from my BH to basically a FEL single handle valve mounted to the grinder on the optional Woods "tower". I think at some point it would be better to switch that valve out with a dual handle valve for each function (swing & tilt) for finer control. But that thought, like a lot of things, is with better hindsight.

jack32008 · Apr 10, 2015

Dave/TOMPET,

I've spent a lot of time researching the skid steer grinders, but I only have 12 GPM hydraulic flow on my Daewoo DSL601. Not sure that will be enough flow to get any real 'power' to a grinder wheel/disk. I've spoken with Jerome at Everything Attachments where I purchased my Wicked Root Grapple, and he said a mini-steer setup could be adapted to my full-size skid steer, but I would be on the lower end of their recommended flow rates. Not sure I want to risk spending $4-5K to learn a lesson the hard way. I agree the skid steer mounted grinder would be more comfortable to operate, however my NH dealer says I should be able to operate a Woods TSG50 from the ground if I wanted to. Yeah, getting on/off the TC30 for each stump may be a pain in the rear, but would save my back and neck from constantly be turned in the seat grinding stumps.

So you can now see my dilemma....choices, choices and then more choices. I appreciate all the input and feedback!

Tompet · Apr 10, 2015

Standing next to the tractor sounds reasonable, but just doesn't feel like a good idea when you are off the tractor. If you have the time you'll just have to take a break from looking over your shoulder once in awhile! Was the Vermeer you mentioned a used unit you could get for under 5k?

Did you check out the videos on Buamalight site to see a 3pt grinder working? It might give you a frame of reference. I think there are one or two on youtube of the Woods SG you can also watch. The one thing is the larger the tractor the better they seem to work. One exception I saw on this site was a member built his own front mounted stump grinder for his Massey subcompact that ran off his mid pto, the video was impressive. That would be a good idea for some manufacturer, but that's another story.

I did a random search on SS grinders and the lowest gpm flow I saw was 14. So I think you are right on that might not be your best option. Maybe Dave's Tractor would give an opinion on real world SS flow experience.

You can go to the Woods website and download the owner's manual and you can see the options and parts available for powering the unit. I bought the optional tower, but bought aftermarket valve and hoses myself. I did wind up purchasing the flow restrictor fittings from Woods (2 @ a few bucks each), but I might even add an adjustable control to restrict flow even further. Again, the Baumalight site has a little info on that.

There was a thread on control options of a stump grinder recently, I will try to find and post the link. Member TSO had some good info. on options to control the grinder.

Well, after all of that I don't know if I helped any Jack, but I think the decision is how much more is the free wheeling stump grinder vs the 3pt.? The small size of the stumps you listed makes the 3pt. pretty workable...might take a little longer...but you can move from stump to stump quicker. I think you would be ok with it, just research control options.

p.s. Here is link I mentioned...specifics towards end of thread.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/184886-woods-stump-grinder.html