So you want to rent a stump grinder!?

What Are Tree Stump Grinders Used For?

Stump grinders are used to reduce tree stumps to an acceptable height. This way they do not damage or prevent lawn mowers from operation or inhibit the overall appearance of a landscape. Grinding a tree stump is the affordable alternative to having a stump completely uprooted from your lawn. It’s more convenient and affordable overall for the homeowner.

Stump Grinder Rental Costs

The average cost to rent a stump grinder can range anywhere from $100 to $400, depending on where you get it from, and the size of the unit you are looking for. Pricing you may find at a local home improvement store, as an example, might be:

• Home Depot: May charge per hour or per day, with around $100 minimum.
• Lowe's: charges around $100 minimum.

Most retail department stores rent the most basic of units. These are lawn mower style units that pivot on 2 wheels as the operator does all the work to swing and stabilize the unit as it cuts. These units are NOT efficient at really anything bigger than 6-12 inches. How do we know? Stump grinding is all we do!

Phrases we most often hear when choosing a stump grinder to rent:

• Rental stump grinders are often designed to handle rotten stumps or very small ones. If your stump is more than 12 inches in diameter, a rental won’t get the job done.
• Not our grinders! Our Grinders are MUCH better than what you can typically rent at a department store. We rent out our Vermeer SC30Tx’s. They are made to fit into tight spaces, are light and have tracks for lower lawn impact. They have enough power to handle all the stumps in the mid range on the size index chart.
• Rental stump grinders don’t grind very far below grade.
• Not our grinders! The Vermeer SC30Tx can reach a total depth of 13 inches below grade.
• That is more than enough room for healthy topsoil and new grass to thrive. You may have to move debris to reach the 13 inch depth depending on how big the stump is you are trying to remove but it is definitely doable.
• It could cost you more than you expect. Renting a large stump grinder with a trailer attached could cost more than hiring a pro.
• This is actually true, Since stump grinding is all we do, consider taking us up on a FREE estimate and compare the two options!
• If you don’t have the right safety equipment, you could put yourself at great risk of personal injury.
• This is most definitely true, Stump grinders are a wheel of destruction in a small package, if not respected, they can cause loss of limbs or in some cases, death. Operators utilizing our rental program MUST have PPE, Gloves, Hearing protection, and Steel toe or Safety toe boots while the unit is in operation. This is a requirement and is non-negotiable per our rental agreement.
• DIY stump grinding is very labor intensive and takes a long time to complete.
• Also True, without an effective method to grind, load, and dispose of debris it could take weeks to clean up a stump grinding project. Where there is a will there's a way, but yes, it can be very labor intensive indeed, not to mention you could end up with more of a mess than you expected (most cases) due to the amount of wood chips from the stump that you can’t see initially hiding below the surface. Stumps are like icebergs, 70-80% of the stump is below the surface!

Stump Grinder Specifications and Types

When determining the best way to grind down your stump, note there are two methods:

• Standard: this method involves removing four to 10 inches of the stump below grade so that you can install topsoil and seed over it.
• Advanced: this method involves removing 20 inches of the stump below grade so you can plant a new tree in its place.

Also pay attention to the specifications of the stump grinder. If you don’t know what these specifications mean or how they could apply to your situation, you should probably stick with hiring a professional stump grinder. Cutting capacity is the number one specification to keep in mind, as having the wrong one could potentially leave you stranded in the middle of a project. Stump grinder specifications to consider are:

• Cutter wheel
• Cutting capacity above ground
• Cutting capacity below ground
• Height
• Length
• Power source
• Weight
• Width

If you have the right gear, a few small stumps/bushes and time on your side, then renting a stump grinder may be for you! As a side note, if you are not familiar with stump grinding or the stump removal process the end result may not quite be what you envisioned. Take a moment and really consider weighing the benefits for and against stump grinder rental, the potential risks involved, and if it is a good fit for you. If not, then consider hiring a professional. We are here to help!

Professional Stump Grinding Costs

To save yourself some time and trouble, you can also hire a professional stump grinding service. It’s important to ask how the contractors will charge. Sometimes it’s by time -- whether that’s hours, days or weeks -- and other times it might be dependent on other factors. Knowing how the charges are calculated ahead of time will help inform you as to which professional to hire and how much you’ll pay. Below are some ways professional stump grinding services may charge, they include:

• By stump diameter: The average baseline price for GRIND ONLY can be anywhere from $3 to $5 per inch with a service minimum of $125. If you have five stumps with diameters of 10 inches each clean and clear meaning no rocks or other miscellaneous obstructions then, you’ll have 50 inches total to grind. Thus your total bill will be approx. $150 + Tax. Adding additional services like debris clean up and topsoil installation will increase costs respectively.
• By the hour: This option is usually offered for large acreages with many stumps. It requires heavy-duty stump grinders. This service rate isn’t typically available for suburban residences with just one or 2 stumps.
• By stump: This is how most small stump grinding services charge. The contractors will need to know how many stumps you need ground and charge accordingly depending on the list of services you are after or require.

The above pricing is just an example of the most basic ways to price and is not a reflection of our actual pricing. For Free Estimates please reach out to the PowerHouse team by filling out the contact form online or by calling (920)-257-9699.

How Our Stump Grinders Work

Our SC30TX stump grinding rental units are mounted on tracks with handles used for maneuvering the unit and adjusting the cutter head’s depth and swing. These units operate from the rear helping to alleviate the possibility of personal injury and to keep the operator as far away from the cutter head as possible while the unit is in operation. The stump grinder cutter head handle has a built-in pressure sensitive switch which keeps the operator's hands firmly at the operating station while the cutter head is in motion. Letting go of this handle will shut off the cutter head and will discontinue operation until hands are placed firmly back on the operation joystick. Underneath the front of the machine are the cutting teeth powered by a 25 hp Kohler engine. These teeth are what do all the cutting above and below the surface.

Stump grindings can be used as a surface mulch material for any of your landscaping projects or to aid in composting. Keep in mind however, that due to the nature of stump grinding debris this wood chip mix will not always be clean and may contain a lot of dirt. Mulching depths with stump grindings should never exceed an inch or so. For more information on mulching with stump grindings stop by our aftercare page.

Stump Grinder Rental Pricing

Exact pricing will be determined on a case by case basis. Price listed is absent of sales and use tax.

$225  Per Day

$1,125  Per Week (2 days Free with the weekend)

Your Deposit will be calculated at checkout. Credit Cards accepted. No Cash.

A valid Driver's License is required at pickup.

CLEAR  verification required using a valid Driver's License.

Call 920-257-9699 to schedule or book online at PowerHouseWI.com. Jobsite delivery and pick up is available upon request for an additional cost.

For more details, please call the number listed above.