Buying a Stump Grinder- Advice Please

[Olly]

My tree service has needed a stump grinder for years. Isn't funny that they cost more or as much as chippers.
I have the opportunity to buy a used Vermeer 352, 35 hp "Dihatzu" diesel, 450 hours. 2004 model. Hornet Teeth. For a fair price.
Does any one have experience with this machine and can offer opinion.
I will have to invest in a long road trip to see it.

Thanks

 

[TimberJack]

Where's the pictures? Have a fellow Buzzer go check it out and demo it.

 

[cambmx]

Most things with a vermeer sticker are easily broken and require a lot of fixing. I would try carlton, or kandu I have had to take care of both and they are, comparatively, tougher than the vermeer of the same size. I'm not trying to put down the brand, we have a Vermeer skid steer and chipper, but just my experiences.

 

[welltree]

As far as stumpers go I like rayco,I prefer the older rg50 and super 50 we run 8 stumpers , and we run them all year round they are hard to beat we have one with over 8000 hrs on engine, last year I demoed a bandit 2450 and it worked well too but I didn't want to introduce something different to the guys

 

[Bucknut]

I've never run a 352, but we did own 2 Vermeers before we bought our current machine, which is a Rayco RG 50. As I've alluded to previously on this forum, I can't say enough good about it.

The Vermeers were seriously underpowered. They had the Kohler Command gas engines, 25 hp I think. The one you're looking at gives me a little more hope since it is 35 hp, and especially since it is a diesel. I have no experience with Daihatsu but most diesels with 450 hours are not even broken in.

My opinion is that if you desperately need it, and it's a good deal, buy it. If you can wait a little while, and can save for something a little bigger, do that. All I know is that nothing is more frustrating than watching 2 or 3 guys standing around waiting for an underpowered machine to nibble its way through a stump that a beefier machine would destroy in a matter of minutes.

 

[PassionForTrees]

Bucknut said it all!! and I agree! I used to be the one who had the 34 hp vermeer and man I hated grinding. I have had the Rayco RGsuper 50 now for about 6-7 years and I LOVE grinding. You do the math!