Renting or Buying A Stump Grinder

Some people just like to do the work themselves, and that is just fine.  The only question is really rent? Or buy?  The renting option makes sense if it’s just a one-time job. If you’re regularly performing yard work that involves cutting down trees and removing stumps, it’s worth your while to buy a stump grinder instead.

We recommend doing some number-crunching and determining if you will have enough jobs to pay for the stump grinder you want.  All you need to do is calculate the costs of time, rental costs, and fuel to determine if the cost of buying a stump-grinder is better than renting a stump-grinder.

Things to Consider when Buying a Stump Grinder

When renting a stump grinder, you don’t have to be as concerned about the available features; you just need something that will get the job done. If you’re going to buy this type of machine though, you’re going to want to make sure that it’s right for you. A few of the things to consider include:

1. Horsepower – More horsepower means getting the work done faster and you can tackle bigger jobs.

2. Size – The bigger the grinder is, the less maneuverability you have. You should look for a stump grinder that has a relatively slim profile. This will also make it easy for you to reach into tight places as well as help to keep fatigue at bay.

3. Cutter Disk – Ideally, the cutter disk should be made out of carbide. Its teeth should be extremely sharp and show no signs of wear. Keep in mind that this component is sometimes called the cutter wheel.

4. Depth – At the absolute minimum, your tree stump grinder should grind down to a depth of 20 inches below grade. That way, your yard won’t be riddled with lumps and bumps.

5. Weight – If your stump grinder is too heavy, you’ll never want to use it. Try to get one that has a lightweight design. Otherwise, you should plan on how you will transport a heavyweight stump grinder.

Now, if you do not feel comfortable or simply don’t have the proper tools to perform a stump burning, we are happy to do any of this work for you.

Also, if you have multiple trees to remove or just don’t have the time to do it, we are here for you. We can handle all of your tree removal needs and maintenance in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) and even West Richland. We look forward to being your preferred tree removal service provider.