Toro stx26 stump grinder reviews

[Treetopflyer]

Anyone have experience with these grinders? Need a grinder that can get into tight spots yet packs a little punch. Any info is much apprecieted!

 

[Zac G]

I bought this unit in July used with 50hrs and love it. I have had no problems wedging it into tight spots and up onto raised garden beds. I have done stumps up to 3ft wide no problem, though not setting any speed records. Best for 16in and under stumps. You will need to keep debris cleared from under the tracks or it will ride up and wont grind to 12in. I have also cheated and wedged up the back of the tracks to gain more grinding depth. The offset grinding wheel is also handy for grinding close to walls. One thing to watch for is track creep while grinding but its minor and can be fixed with adjustment. Also has amazing ground travel speed.

 

[Bucknut]

We rented one a few years ago when ours was down. To be honest, we were not impressed. Groundspeed is fast, and the offset wheel is a nice touch, but the grinding is painfully slow. I knew the second I looked at the cutter wheel that it was gonna be a long day. I guess it depends on what you're used to. We've run Rayco RG50 since 2000. Some will say even thats too slow. But compared to the Rayco the Toro was a silly little toy, especially on large stumps.

Random pics I pulled off the web. Compare cutter wheel size and thickness:



Is the Toro better than nothing? Yes. Does it have good points? Yes. Would I buy one? No.

I'd recommend renting a couple of different size machines if possible. I think you'll agree very quickly that with stump grinders, horsepower is king. And nearly all the most powerful machines can still get in tight spots. All manufacturers know the importance of being less than 36" wide.

A possible compromise would be the Toro STX 38. Same machine, more power. Haven't used one, but I'll bet its a huge improvement. Not trying to knock Toro or Toro owners. Not promoting Rayco either. There are many good machines out there from several manufacturers. Just my experience and opinion.

 

[Leroy]

I've rented a toro stump grinder a bunch, the ones I've used have a different cutting wheel than the one in buck's photo, with more teeth. I liked the tracked stumper and the offset wheel is sweet for watching what you're doing without kinking your neck a bunch. Also like the joystick control a lot. Would compare grinding speed to a vermeer 252, maybe a little faster.

 

[CanaryBoss]

Im sure I could find this info online somewhere, but what is the price point on one of these little toros. I currently run a Vermeer 852 but can’t get into some spots with it

 

[RoyalTree]

I have rented one a few times when ours has been down. They have a fantastic travel speed from stump to stump. If you are doing small stuff it is nice but painful trying to do any large hardwoods.

 

[Oroboros]

I owned one for 5 years and just sold it due to scaling back my tree work.
It is an excellent small machine. Just remember it is small. With sharp teeth it cuts fine. And can get into some very tight spots. 34.5 inches rubbing the muffler shroud.
With chippers and grinders it is all about horsepower. Less hp is more time. Period. Each must decide for themselves where the balance point is. $. Hp. Time.