Which stump grinder is the right fit for you?

Are you looking to get into the stump-grinding business? It often can be a daunting task to determine which grinder is the best fit for your stump grinding operation. There are a variety of factors to consider when purchasing a machine so you can be outfitted to run an efficient and profitable business. This section will highlight the main items to consider when purchasing a stump grinder for your business. The two major types of undercarriages offered on stump grinders are rubber tires and tracks. A tow-behind stump grinder is also available, but most companies purchase a rubber tire or tracked grinder.

 

Is rubber tire or track the machine for you? 

This type of consideration should be the first factor to evaluate before determining the machine size you will need.

Advantages of a rubber tire stump grinder:

  • Manages delicate terrain conditions more efficiently.
  • Reduced or limited terrain damage when making significant turns. 
  • Do not have to worry about track tension (select track models require track tension monitoring).
  • Generally lighter machine weight compared to track units of comparable horsepower. 

Advantages of a track stump grinder:

  • Easier to re-position during grinding.
  • Tend to feature faster ground travel speeds.
  • Most track models have enhanced stability for grinding on uneven terrain.
  • Greater maneuverability in wet or muddy conditions.

 

What size best suits my needs?

Once a decision is made on the best type of undercarriage your grinder will have, it is then time to evaluate the size of the grinder best suited for your operation. All Bandit stump grinders will grind stumps of various species and sizes. The size chosen will depend on how long you want to spend grinding each stump and how hard you want to work the stump grinder. If you are consistently grinding stumps larger in diameter compared to what the machine’s swing dimensions are capable of achieving, then the machine will work harder, all while decreasing your productivity. Keep in mind, it is more than just the stump size, as the roots should be factored too. Cutting the stump as low to the ground as possible is also recommended before grinding. This will reduce the amount of grinding and clean-up time. Additionally, the grinding depth is an important consideration, as Bandit offers models that will grind to depths ranging from 12 inches to 27 inches. If you are doing contract work for cities or other municipal agencies a depth of 20 inches or greater is often a requirement. 

Operator Control

Another key factor when choosing a stump grinder is how you want to control the operation of the machine. Depending on the model, the control configuration you want may not be possible. There are two ways to control the operation on a Bandit stump grinder, and that is through manual control valves or a wireless remote control. Select models only have one configuration available, while others have either choice available. Models available with manual control valves allow operators to control all grinding and travel functions next to the machine and give operators an enhanced view of the stump during grinding. Operators choosing this method often want to see the stump during grinding and state they can feel the operation of the machine. Those choosing to configure the machine with a wireless radio remote control often prefer to operate the stump grinder away from the machine out of the dust and debris that may occur during grinding. Selecting the remote option is also a helpful solution when operating machines in confined areas so the operator can be away from the machine allowing the unit to fit in tight and restricted areas.

Cutterwheel Options

You now have the configuration, size, and controls figured out, but did you know Bandit offers two cutterwheel options? Which cutterwheel should you choose? All Bandit stump grinders are currently available with a Bandit wheel with Greenteeth or a New Revolution wheel with hex teeth. The Bandit wheel with Greenteeth features pockets with concave teeth attached to them. These teeth feature two or three usable edges (depending on the model) that can be rotated as worn. Cutterwheels equipped with Greenteeth tend to feature fewer teeth and are preferred when grinding stumps in lighter soil conditions that contain fewer rocks. New Revolution wheels feature a combination of side and lead teeth that attach to the cutterwheel through side pockets or the cutterwheel itself. The side teeth and pockets can be switched and flipped to the opposite side of the cutterwheel as they wear, extending life. The New Revolution wheel is known to collect grindings underneath the machine, reducing clean-up. Machines with the New Revolution wheel feature more teeth and will require more horsepower to operate during grinding and are often preferred when grinding stumps in consistent rocky soil conditions.  We hope this section has helped equip you with better knowledge of the best stump grinder suited for your operation. For more details on how a Bandit stump grinder will make your operation more efficient and profitable, give a Bandit dealer a call today for more details.