stump grinder question

lacky

lacky

Any thoughts on what I should do.

Brand new vermeer 252 with 27hp kohler gas, 4 wheel drive, hydraulic steering, the fully loaded one for $14,200

or

2008 vermeer 352 that was a demo/rental unit with 535 hours. 34hp diesel. machine looks very clean. started right up and sounded excellent. will grind a stump with it on thursday. $15,500

Should I buy the used one with over twice the power or get the new one with less power but warranty. Any thoughts appreciated.

Chris
 
We run a 252 that we bought with 700 hours from United Rental. That thing runs great and in the almost two years that we have owned it, it has not given us one bit of trouble. My point is not go with the 252, but dont let the 535 hours scare you. If the machine is in good condition, I would take the 352 with diesel any day over the 252. I just dont have the money for one, or I would get a 352 for sure.
 
If you bought the SC 252 with 0 hours on the machine, you'll still have 1000 hrs on it before you could get to 1000 hrs with the SC 352, starting with 535 hrs. So in one or two years, the machines will be "equally worn" except that diesel engines will run longer, and with the extra power, you'll be putting on fewer hours to do the same work. Given the similar prices (an 8% difference) the math part becomes easy.

Now, if you factor how much time it costs to watch the 252 work away on a big stump, and how much of your life you'll never get back standing behind the damned thing, you're going to want that 352 pretty badly.
 
I used to rent a 252 to do my stump grinding, and I can't say enough good about the 352 that I bought. The 352 has WAY more power, and you can go ahead and lug it down without killing it. I bought it for a big job grinding root balls down,(Blown over trees), and it worked great. I bought used also, '06 diesel with 680 hrs for $12,500.
 
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