Just upgraded my equipment & wanted to share for anyone considering a new stump grinder.
We have a Carlton SP4012 that runs great and does a good job of grinding but is only 2 wheel drive and I've had to be the 4 wheel drive many times. I also found it challenging to grind while standing right at the controls. I was always leaning and trying to see the stump and had to re-position several times per stump because of the smaller swath.
I looked at Vermeer grinders and chose the Brush Bandit 2550 after demo. The machine is a beast. Track mounted, 50 hp, hydrostatic driven and has a 52" sweep! I can now stand afar, run it remotely and see exactly where I need to grind. I am also able to grind right next to buildings and right up to sidewalks.
Had a large cherry root that was growing into the sidewalk last week. I would not have been able to get to it with the Carlton without hitting the sidewalk and damaging the teeth. Also the belt housing and motor swinging with the sweep has caused problems with grinding next to buildings and fences. The Bandit stump grinder motor sits separate from cutter head and with the remote control I can see everything.
The hydrostatic drive makes a huge difference in maintenance, no jack shafts, and tons more power to cutter head with ability to slow down track speed.
Hope this helps anyone looking for a new grinder. Very happy with Bandit. My brother is still running the bandit chipper we bought in 1998!
We have a Carlton SP4012 that runs great and does a good job of grinding but is only 2 wheel drive and I've had to be the 4 wheel drive many times. I also found it challenging to grind while standing right at the controls. I was always leaning and trying to see the stump and had to re-position several times per stump because of the smaller swath.
I looked at Vermeer grinders and chose the Brush Bandit 2550 after demo. The machine is a beast. Track mounted, 50 hp, hydrostatic driven and has a 52" sweep! I can now stand afar, run it remotely and see exactly where I need to grind. I am also able to grind right next to buildings and right up to sidewalks.
Had a large cherry root that was growing into the sidewalk last week. I would not have been able to get to it with the Carlton without hitting the sidewalk and damaging the teeth. Also the belt housing and motor swinging with the sweep has caused problems with grinding next to buildings and fences. The Bandit stump grinder motor sits separate from cutter head and with the remote control I can see everything.
The hydrostatic drive makes a huge difference in maintenance, no jack shafts, and tons more power to cutter head with ability to slow down track speed.
Hope this helps anyone looking for a new grinder. Very happy with Bandit. My brother is still running the bandit chipper we bought in 1998!
