38 Special stump grinder (new thread)

[MA Arborist]

Looking for user reviews on this machine.

Pros?
Cons?
What wheel are you using and do you like it’s performance?

How long have you had it ?

Thanks!
JC

 

[AdkEric]

We have one at work. I don't run it, but I'm usually there while it's being used. We generally sub out most of our stump grinding, which should be telling.

From what I've gathered, it is an adequate machine if you have the patience for it. It stalls easily if you try to take too much material in a pass. You have to take it pretty slow. I think it has a revolution wheel.

Pros: light, less expensive, attaches to equipment you probably already own.
Cons: underpowered, slow.

Company has owned it about 18 months.

 

[southsoundtree]

Beware the angle of the machine.

A guy burned his engine on a steep slope due to oil starvation.
Should have a built in clinometer, IMO.

@TopNotchEquipment

 

[Z'sTrees]

I've got one.

Honestly I haven't used it very much. We use it for one or two smaller stumps here and there. I just rent one when we have bigger stumps or several to do.

I find that it's pretty powerful for what it is, no problem there.

It's a bit heavy for my old dingo 425. I'm sure it's fine on about any bigger machine.

My biggest gripe is the visibility. It's terrible. You can feel your way thru but it makes me nervous with how rocky our terrain is here. Most of the time I have one of my guys watch for me. I've seen people use a small mirror to remedy this, but seems like it would be tough to run it when your seeing everything backwards.

Ours does have an "inclinometer" of sorts. I think the oil shutoff would also more or less keep it safe.

Overall it's a neat idea but if we were grinding stumps on the regular I would definitely go to a dedicated grinder. Having a spotter and also having the mini skid tied up is an efficiency killer for sure.

 

[MA Arborist]

I appreciate the input guys

I’ve been operating a Carlton SP 4012 with a 27 hp Kohler (gas).

Curious to know how it compares

 

[marne]

Imho it will be a good step ahead. I have not used it, but am quite experienced with grinders.
You'll get approx 50% more torque from the engine alone, plus one belt station less, which could yield up to another 5%. The biggest plus is non existing hydro pump, which generally draws a few percent even when idle and on those small grinders it takes 2-4HP when you push the rams hard. Here you pay your mini for doing that work. When driving and using the rams, up to 18ft/lbs of torque are consumed, a good amount which is useful for the grinding head.
In addition that 38 special goes much deeper than any other grinder in that performance range.
If it was available in my country I would not hesitate, eventhough I have 6 grinders already.
Only drawback would be the fuel consumption, which is horrible on those big blocks when your used to diesels. Here we're at 7.50$ per galon.