Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire stump grinding

I need to rent a stump grinder to take out about a dozen stumps, none bigger than 10 to 12" wide. The local rental place has a Toro STX-26. Does anyone know how long it takes to remove a 10 to 12" stump with one of those? I need to figure out how much time to allow for the job.

How tall are the stumps?

That may have some bearing.

As well as what kind of tree.

I have never done one myself, but I have had it done (and watched) many times. With that size machine, a half hour per stump should be adequate.

If you can move some grindings as you go, it would help make sure you get below the dirt line. That has been my biggest issue with contractors. They want to quit too soon.

donsm70

I have never done one myself, but I have had it done (and watched) many times. With that size machine, a half hour per stump should be adequate.

If you can move some grindings as you go, it would help make sure you get below the dirt line. That has been my biggest issue with contractors. They want to quit too soon.

donsm70

A good chainsaw can save you a lot of time.

And knowing how to use it.

you're going to be better off with a Rayco or Vermeer stump grinder. I'm not convinced the Toro has enough ass to do the job.

Rented a large Vermeer a few years back, 5 minutes per 24 inch stump...the machine was incredible.

I assumed he knew the secret was to use a sawing motion as he run it.

yep. horsepower is a really big factor. had a contractor for the local utility grind some stumps for me back in the spring. they were in and out and gone. three crabapple stumps didn't even exercise the machine. but one is impressed when power is brought to bear.

When it comes to stumps the key is to keep the chain out of the f'n dirt. Unless you're going to dig down and blast the stump free of dirt with a pressure washer, a chainsaw might not save you much time and can ruin chains in short order.

I wouldn't use my chainsaw on these. 2 of them are Russian Olive. That stuff is made of titanium once its dried. The rest are mostly fruit trees of various types. They can get pretty hard.
There might be better machines than the Toro but that's what's available to rent here.

Do yourself a favor. Cut the trees off at about 4ft. Rent a cat or a tractor and bump the stumps out of the ground and have them hauled off or you burn. You can thank me later.

I'll take the less than ideal Toro over digging by hand and using an axe to cut the root ball, been there done that. Sounds like roughly a full days work with the toro for a dozen stumps.

Most of these are in my orchard where old fruit trees have been removed. The stumps are mostly under 6" high. I need to get them down so I can' mow over them. A couple, though, are in my lawn and I want them gone. I need to rent the grinder for those so I'll do them all while I have it.

Depends if the blades are sharp. Had a guy do some for me 40-50, oops need s few more rented a grinder, geez a Pete

I could have scrubbed harder with my toothbrush

Took it back within an hour, gimme my money back pls

Cut them off as low as you can, get the most power grinder you can.

You can't fool with those stumps with a chain saw. Dirt and rocks will destroy a chainsaw chain in short order.
What you need to do is to cut the stump off as close to the ground as possible. Clean all dirt and rocks away from that trunk prior to cutting!
You should be able to cut the stump 2 inches above the ground, maybe 4 inches.

I rented a stump grinder ten years ago, don't know what kind it was but it was great. I ground 8 locust stumps, about 12 inches each, and it just ate them up and turned into sawdust. I ground them 4 inches below ground level. Took about 15 minutes for one stump.
Also did some pine and oak stumps. Great machine wish I could tell you what make and model.

Is there a minimum time you can rent it for? What is your drive time? I ground up a 12 incher in about 20 minutes a few years ago.

I would consider it well worth the price of a saw chain to get the stumps cut off at the ground before grind8ng.

I cut black locust all the time for fence posts. Not many things get harder than an old dry locust post. I always have a couple of nearly used up chains reserved for rough duty. I resharpen as needed, and throw em away when the teeth start breaking off in the hard wood.