Tree stump grinders come in all different sizes from handheld chainsaw attachments, which are ideal for getting too restricted areas. Pedestrian machines, that come in various sizes from approximately 7 hp to 30 hp. Then there are radio remote for wheeled machines and tracked machines for the professional.
Tree stump grinders can also be fitted to their three-point linkage on an agricultural tractor, which is great if you have space, these are not normally suited to garden projects. There are also tree stump grinder attachments that can be mounted to a digger.
And finally, there is the auger type that can literally drill out your tree stump. These machines are ideal if your tree stump is on a bank and out of reach for a conventional machine.
Dipperfox 600 Stump Grinder Working In A Tight Space
I have just been looking at the Dipperfox 600 stump grinder working in a tight space, up against the wall. I will show you the video shortly. The Dipperfox uses a completely different type of method from the traditional stump grinder. It has more of a drilling action rather than a grinding action. However, the end product is basically the same: the main root ball of the stump is removed. You can see the traditional method of tree stump grinding, which still works fine. However, the Dipperfox stump grinder is a completely different concept.
No Debris Guards Needed
One of the benefits that I really like with the Dipperfox 600 stump grinder is the fact that it does not throw debris everywhere. You can see in the video above that I’m using a Predator stump grinder machine that I used to own and the chippings are flying quite a distance. The chippings are not really a problem; the problem is if there is a stone within the chippings which can quite easily fly through a pane of glass or chip a car, etc. So with the Dipperfox, there is no need to put up any debris guards like you often have two with a traditional stump grinder, especially if you are working around properties or cars, etc.
Another advantage of the Dipperfox is the fact that if I was grinding the tree stump with a traditional grinder. I would have to first break out the concrete around the tree stump before I could grind. However, there is no need for this as the Dipperfox can just come straight down on top of the tree stump and literally drill the tree stump out.
Flexibility
The Dipperfox stump grinder can be fitted on a range of machines. From an excavator to something like a dingo tool carrier. Or something like an advanced loader or a bobcat skid steer machine. Although in the video we are looking at the Dipperfox 600. The Dipperfox 400 offers even more versatility, due to the fact it can be fitted on a 1.5-tonne excavator. Providing their is enough oil flow on your power unit, it makes the stump grinder highly versatile.
Long Reach
Another useful feature of the Dipperfox stump grinder is the fact that if it’s fitted to an excavator, it can reach stumps on banks and around ponds. A traditional stump grinder would not have the reach to be able to do this. Of course, there is for and against with every machine. The Predator 28 and 38 are great machines for getting into narrow gateways which so many gardens in the UK seem to have! Of course, if the Dipperfox stump grinder is fitted to a tool carrier or a 1.5-ton mini digger, that gives a reasonable amount of flexibility and manoeuvrability in tight spaces.
It looks like I missed an excellent opportunity to see the Dipperfox stump grinder demonstration last week. I hope that I can see the machine in action very soon! You can see the report from RJ Hall Engineering Ltd below. Dipperfox makes a range of stump grinders, or stump crushers as they call them. The largest machine is the Dipperfox stump crusher 850 pro, which is a high-capacity machine designed for clearing large areas. The only drawback with this particular model of stump cutter is the fact that it requires a minimum of 100 hp. Or an excavator with a weight of 14 to 30 tons; the good news is that Dipperfox are now making two smaller machines which require less power.
The next model down is the Dipperfox stump crusher 600, this is a slightly smaller machine than the 850. However, it also has a lower power requirement which can be useful. The power requirements for an excavator are 6 to 14 tonnes and for a compact loader or compact loader, the size is 2 to 6 tons.
Finally, we have the smaller Dipperfox stump crusher 400 model, which is more universal for landscapers and tree surgeons etc., due to its smaller power requirements. The Dipperfox 400 can be used with mini excavators as small as 1.5 tons. It can also be used on all kinds of loaders and stand-on tracked loaders etc. It’s also ideal for use with the Avant articulated loaders, which are now very popular. For more information on the Dipperfox stump crusher, please contact RJ Hall engineering Ltd.
In this video, you can see the Dipperfox SC400 in action. So far, the Dipperfox 400 has cleared around 90 tree stumps. The area is going to be created into a new lawn, so the tree stumps are carefully being fully removed. So far, the performance is very impressive over the traditional method of stump grinding. The average size of each tree stump was around 18 inches to 2 feet. However, there were a couple of tree stump’s that were over a metre in diameter.
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Customer Satisfaction
Apparently, the customer is very satisfied with the work rate. The great thing is that the Dipperfox SC400 stump crusher does not require a large excavator to power the machine. The minimum power requirement for an excavator is 1.5 tons, which also gives the ability to get into those tighter spaces.
In this case, the Dipperfox stump grinder is on a larger Takeuchi nine-ton excavator. The model used was a Takeuchi TB290 with an oil flow of 54 litres per minute at 210 bar. I hope to have some more videos, of the Dipperfox 400 on a smaller excavator in the near future.
Larger Dipperfox Stump Grinders Are Available
If you’re looking for a larger machine, there is the Dipperfox 600. This is still a reasonably compact machine but does require a minimum power requirement of a six-ton excavator.
If you’re looking for a clearance machine for clearing large areas of tree stumps. Then there is the Dipperfox 850, which was their original machine. The power requirement for this machine when it’s used with an excavator is 14 to 30 tons.
To Conclude
If you’re interested in finding out more information on the Dipperfox stump crusher. In the UK, please contact RJ Hall and sons and for the rest of the world Dipperfox. If you have any questions, you can also comment on the YouTube video.
It’s great to see the Dipperfox SC400 stump grinder on a mini digger. The footage is from RJ Hall engineering Ltd in Scotland, which are the UK distributor for the Dipperfox range of stump crushers. The photograph and the video were taken using a drone in Aberdeenshire on a snowy morning! The Dipperfox SC 400 stump grinder is, at present, the smallest model in the range. There are two larger models available if you are looking for a larger stump grinder.
The great thing about the Dipperfox SC400 is the fact that it can be used on much smaller machines, like the mini digger in the photograph. The Dipperfox 400 can also be used on all types of loaders and even stand on tracked loaders like the Toro Dingo, which have the advantage of being able to enter into small places. This could be especially useful in domestic gardens where space is sometimes limited. Skid steer loaders are another power unit that will power the Dipperfox 400; the skid steer requires a minimum size of one tonne and up to 2.5 tons.
If you are looking for a larger tree stump grinder or crusher, then the Dipperfox 400 model. There are two larger models available; these larger models are great for clearance jobs, although obviously, they do require extra power. You can find out more about the Dipperfox 600 here and the Dipperfox 850 here. The Dipperfox 850 stump crusher was the first and original model to be released. However, Dipperfox could see that smaller models would have huge potential for getting into those tight spaces. The Dipperfox 400 has the advantage of being able to be used on small machines that can access domestic gardens.
To Conclude
The Dipperfox stump grinders take a totally different principle to the traditional stump grinder. It’s a great and clean and efficient way to remove tree stumps. Due to the low speed of the stump crusher, there’s no need for debris guards. Potentially, this can also save a great deal of time. If you would like to know more about the Dipperfox stump grinders, please contact RJ Hall Engineering Ltd for the UK market or Dipperfox for the rest of the world.
In the video below, you can see the new Dipperfox SC400 stump crusher or stump grinder in action. The Dipperfox SC400 stump crusher is the smallest model of three different models.
The first model to come out was the Dipperfox 850, a great machine and fantastic for contractors who are clearing woodlands and forestry work etc. The downside is that it requires a 14-to-30-ton excavator to power the stump crusher. Of course, this is fine for some situations, but far too large to get in the average garden!
Dipperfox then produced the smaller 600 stump crusher, which needs considerably less pair them the 850 model. The power requirement for the Dipperfox 600 stump crusher is 35 to 83 kW and a 6-to-14-ton excavator. The great thing about the 600 model is that it will fit on a standard backhoe-wheeled loader. It is also small enough to fit on a compact loader, ranging from 2 to 6 tons.
Dipperfox SC400 Stump Crusher
Finally, we are back to the Dipperfox SC400, which I believe will become very popular with contractors and hire shops etc.
The great thing about the Dipperfox stump crusher 400 is that it will fit onto a 1.5-ton mini excavator. And up to a five-ton machine. It will fit on all types of loaders, for example, Avants and similar machines.
The Dipperfox 400 will fit on a tool carrier like the Toro Dingo, as shown in the video. The minimum power requirement for a tool carrier is just one ton, and the maximum size is five tons.
To Conclude
This makes the Dipperfox 400 much more versatile than the previous models! It’s not quite as compact as the Predator stump grinder that I use, but it’s certainly a lot quicker and has a totally different principle. Another great advantage is the fact that you don’t need to use debris guards as the machine works at relatively low revs. This is quite a timesaver, especially if you’re working in built-up areas, where it takes time to move debris guards around.
Today we are looking at Jay reviewing the Barreto 30 SGB stump grinder. All right, exciting stuff for you today. I have shown you in the past how to burn out a tree stump. That was a very fun and interesting video. Today I am going to rent a stump grinder. I’ve never done this before as it is expensive. Having someone come to your property and grind a stump can be several hundred pounds. I am not saying I don’t do that. It is a good idea if that’s within your budget. I have a good four stumps here that I need to remove; I can rent a stump grinder for $187 for a half day or $300 for a full day.
I really can’t say too much about preparation, it’s really important when you’re renting expensive equipment to clean and prepare your work area. I’ve excavated the areas in preparation for grinding the stumps. In my humble opinion, you do not need to excavate the area before grinding tree stumps. Make sure you have plenty of gas on hand, so you don’t return the machine empty and get charged a lot for gas! Large petrol stump grinders burn quite a bit of fuel, however, the more modern EFI engines are much more efficient.
The Barreto 30 SGB Stump Grinder
Let me tell you a little about this equipment; this is Barretto’s 30 SGB stump grinder. It’s manufactured in the USA. It’s a 31-horsepower track-driven stump grinder; the Barreto 30 SGB stump grinder retails for about pounds 26 000. The Barreto 30 SGB stump grinder is an amazing piece of machinery; this is a beast! This Barreto has a 14-gallon hydraulic reservoir; the blades are carbide; they’re carbide cylindrical teeth, so they’re very, very tough. The cutting wheel is fully hydraulic so you get a lot of power and it eliminates having those expensive belts that you need to replace. And, of course, no belts to stretch; there is no need to tighten belts with a hydraulic drive regularly. It is just an amazing piece of machinery built right here in the U.S.
When you grind a tree stump, make sure that you guard the area around the machine, as stones and woodchips can be thrown a long way. If you are in an open area with no cars or properties around, then there is no need to guard up. I have come to a point where I’m going to clean out the debris so I can see what I am doing, so I think I’ll sweep it out or rake it out and maybe pressure wash lightly just to get more exposure. Personally, I wouldn’t bother using a power washer to clear the area. To my mind, this is pointless and unnecessary.
With a full-day rental, there’s no telling how many stumps you could take out, but I think it’s all in preparation. You know you save time with preparation; get your stumps ready and clean out around them. I am going to show you. You can see that I pressure-washed around the stumps. I am going to wash out a little more around here this one, it is not that big a deal, but I don’t know if you can see it but the ground swells with the root mat. You see, I have elevated ground all around here is going to be a gravel bed, 35 feet of gravel by 22 feet wide. So I don’t want sinkholes that are not going to be a sinkhole and neither is this when I’m done with it. However, if you leave a lot of material, you will have sinkholes.
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There Is No Need To Excavate
Jay suggests that you need to excavate around the stump area; once again, this is unnecessary. Commercially, when I grind a tree stump, I’d literally go straight in with the grinder; there is no need to make extra work! It is imperative that you excavate your area. The more I do, the more I realize how important that is. That is where my stump was. Look at this massive root over here! This runner! It’s as big around as a torso!
I started about 9 am, this one took me an hour to get to the bulk of it and now I am just fine-tuning it and then I’ll move along to the next one. And then we’ll go over to Mike’s and maybe that one and maybe the two or three on the drain field.
The Barreto 30 SGB stump grinder is on track, so you want to watch out when turning it around sharply because it will tear up your grass. Take caution when you’re on a wet field. This is a wet field; I don’t want to tear it up! I just want to take the root down to below ground level. Make sure there are no bricks or anything in here because you don’t want to tear up those expensive teeth.
How Long Does It Take to Grind a Tree Stump?
Obviously, a lot depends on the size of the stump. For example, there’s a huge difference between a 1-foot tree stump and a 2-foot tree stump, especially when considering the volume. Here is Jay’s example.
All right again, let’s talk about time; I’ve got two craters where I once had stumps. I am satisfied that I removed all the runner roots. The bulk of the big roots, so that’s two, and I am halfway through a third tree stump.
I picked the Barreto 30 SGB stump grinder up at 8 AM; you have to account for everything as time goes by quickly. I am now working on the third stump and it’s 10 30 a.m. I could probably do a decent job on all of these, so that would be five stumps in a half day. At least if I can get these ground out, maybe not cleaned up. Maybe not everything I want; at least I have removed the necessary and offending tree stumps.
Today we are looking at the Dipperfox SC400 Stump Crusher, which is a very unique and novel way to remove a tree stump. This is Dipperfox’s smallest and latest stump grinder, I believe it will be very popular! A few months ago, we looked at the larger Dipperfox SC600 Stump Crusher and the even larger Dipperfox SC850 Stump Crusher.
Drilling Action
The Dipperfox stump crusher works in a different way from the traditional stump grinders that most of us know and use. The stump crusher uses more of a vertical drilling action rather than a grinding action. On the cutting head, an auger-type drill creates a pilot hole that helps pull the machine into the wood. There are two steel blades that literally drill the stump out of the ground. It’s a very simple and unique way to remove a tree stump.
The Advantages Of The Dipperfox SC400 Stump Crusher
I think one of the greatest advantages is the fact that there is no debris flying. So there is no need to place debris guards around the machine. Placing debris guards around tree stumps in confined areas can be time-consuming, especially when it’s windy! The Dipperfox SC400 Stump Crusher does away with any debris guards, as there is no flying debris.
The Dipperfox SC400 Stump Crusher is also considerably smaller than the original Dipperfox SC850 Stump Crusher, making it a great option for grinding tree stumps. As you can see in the video, it doesn’t take a huge machine to power the Dipperfox stump crusher. I believe the Toro Dingo is around 25 hp, which appears to be coping fairly well with the stump crusher. And the Avant loader is also around the 25 hp range. It’s also great that the stump grinder can be used on a relatively small excavator. The minimal-sized power requirement for the Dipperfox SC400 Stump Crusher is a 1.5-ton excavator. The output also looks very impressive, as seen in the video, much quicker than the traditional grinding method.
The manufacturers recommend running an angle grinder across the blades before starting work each day. The blades can be turned around for longer life. I’m sure keeping the blades sharp makes a huge difference to the output per day and puts less strain on the machine.
The Dipperfox SC400 Stump Crusher is expected to come into production in December 2022. The price is expected to be around €12,500 to €13,000. It could be a good investment.
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To Conclude
When I first saw the original Dipperfox SC850, I could see the machine’s huge potential and great work rate. However, it was too large for most people to get into domestic gardens. The Dipperfox Stump Crusher could change the way we traditionally grinder tree stumps due to the low power requirement. I like the idea of not having to put up debris guards every time I’m working in a domestic garden!
In this video and blog post, you can see my review of the Predator 38 RX EFI radio remote stump grinder – 20 months in. So far, the Predator 38 RX has clocked up 850 hours. I carried out an earlier review of the stump grinder at about 150 hours. You can see the earlier review here.
This is my third Predator stump grinder, the first one being a Predator 28 radio remote diesel machine. This one was a bit more troublesome; you can see an earlier video review that I carried out here. The second machine was a Predator 38 radio remote machine, which was a carburettor petrol model. And then finally my present Predator 38 RX which I am reviewing here.
The Predator 38 RX EFI Radio Remote Stump Grinder
I am pleased to say that my present Predator 38 RX EFI has been trouble-free. Starting at the front of the machine, I am still on the original cutting wheel. Obviously, there is a bit of wear and tear, but it still works fine. I do sheer the odd cutter bolt now and then, however, that’s hardly surprising when you think what pressure the cutter head is under! Also, grinding below ground level, unfortunately, we never know what’s underneath the ground.
New Cutter Head Bearings At 650 Hours
I had to have the cutter head bearings replaced at around 650 hours. On my diesel Predator 28, the bearings lasted around 850 hours, which was considerably more. I actually thought the bearings would go before on the diesel model due to the extra vibration. However, where we are grinding underground we can pick all sorts of things up. I’m aware that there have been situations where wire and string have become wrapped around the bearings, which can potentially cause unnecessary wear.
Bearings are not cheap, I also had to have a replacement shaft which added to the cost. I took it back to the main dealer to have the work carried out which cost around £1800 including VAT. Definitely, an expense that I could have done without!
New Cutter Head Bearings At 650 Hours
Cutter Head Drive Belts
I have found that the main drive belts from the cutter head to the main bearing average around 300 hours. There are three individual drive belts to the cutter head. I always replace all three belts at one time, to replace individual belts would be a false economy.
It’s important to keep the belts regularly tensioned. Normally after fitting a new set of belts, I check the tension after about 10 hours of use. It’s important to keep the belts tensioned correctly to give the belts longevity. It takes me around 20 to 30 minutes to tension the belts. To replace a new set of belts to the cutter head takes about 90 minutes, approximately.
The Predator 38 RX machine is fitted with Kevlar belts, my old Predator 28 machine was fitted with traditional drive belts. I have to say there is a huge difference between the Kevlar belts and the traditional belts. With the traditional belts I was continually having to re-tension them, however, I find the Kevlar belts, literally, a thousand times better.
Engine Drive Belts
The three drive belts from the engine to the main drive shaft are still the original belts after 850 hours. That’s pretty good going considering the amount of strain that they are under. On my Predator 28 diesel machine, the first set of drive belts went after 17 hours of use! Fortunately, the next set of drive belts lasted approximately 500 hours, thankfully, considerably longer!
I would say to replace the engine drive belts is approximately a 90-minute job. It’s a relatively straightforward task, like everything, it’s always easier when you have done it before.
Engine Drive Belts
Kohler EFI Engine
One of the best improvements to the Predator 38 is the new Kohler EFI engine. The previous petrol model that I was using had basically the same engine, but a carburettor model.
The difference between the two models is amazing. I don’t want to undermine the carburettor version, however, the EFI engine is so much better.
The engine responsiveness is huge over the carburettor engine. It almost seemed like the carburettor engine had to think about giving you extra fuel, whereas the EFI engine is just instant! The fuel consumption is also greatly improved, especially if the machine is being used all day. With the EFI engine, for a continuous day’s work, the machine uses around 45 to 50 L per day (10 to 11 gallons). The carburettor engine would probably use around 35% more.
Throttle Cable Assembly
For some reason on the Predator 38 stump grinders, the throttle cable never seems to run freely. I appreciate that my machine is exposed to a lot of weather when I’m travelling. However, it is kept undercover. I regularly oil the throttle cable and yet it never seems to run freely.
The first throttle cable assembly broke after about 10 months of use. It was replaced free of charge under the warranty.
Throttle Cable Assembly
Paintwork
On all the Predator stump grinders that I have owned, I have never found the paintwork to be brilliant. When the machine is first delivered it looks nice and bright and shiny. However, that shine and paintwork soon wears off.
I must admit I carry my stump grinder on an open trailer, so it is exposed to all the weather on the road. The road salt really wrecks the paintwork quickly. I guess if you were transporting the machine in a van, or a covered trailer would make a considerable difference.
I don’t know much about paint finishes, but it appears there is just one coat of paint applied. No undercoat or primer, it appears. That would be one thing that would be worth spending a bit extra on. If there was such an option available.
Paintwork
To Conclude
So probably one of the main questions that people ask is, would I buy another one? The answer is, definitely yes!
I think one of the best things about the Predator 38 RX EFI stump grinder is the fact that the tracks narrow down to 26 inches (66 cm). This is ideal for going through most garden gates.
I remember having a radio remote Carlton 4012 machine on dual wheels. I was forever having to take a set of wheels to get through gateways. This required a socket set, blocks of wood and a huge amount of time. I can narrow in the Predator tracks in around one or two seconds at the move of a paddle switch.
Narrow Tracks 26 Inches
When I first saw the cutter head on the Predator several years ago, I thought it looked too simple to be effective. However, I’m very satisfied with the performance and like the quick and simple way of replacing the cutting teeth. It takes 5 to 10 minutes to change a set of Predator cutting teeth.
There are six cutting teeth on the Predator cutting head. However, only two of the teeth are for cutting, the other four teeth are for clearance purposes only. This means that only two cutting teeth are replaced at the same time. When a clearance tooth becomes worn that can be replaced with a used cutting tooth. All the cutting teeth are identical, but the teeth are just positioned slightly differently on the cutting wheel.
Warranty
Predator now has a good number of dealerships around the country to keep your machine running smoothly. I believe that this has helped the brand greatly. It is always important to have a good dealer backup in case of an emergency. The Predator stump grinder comes with a two-year warranty. The Kohler engine has three years warranty.
Please feel free to comment if you have any questions or thoughts on the YouTube comments section.
Recently I had the pleasure of having a chat with Simon from Predator Stump Grinders. Predator have been manufacturing tree stump grinders for the past 20 years. Most of the Predator team have been involved with tree surgery over the years. They saw the need for a compact stump grinder for the UK market as many of the American machines were far too large to enter into customers gardens.
It took about a year to produce the machine from the drawing board to the actual machine. The original Predator was known as the Predator 26, not because of the engine size but due to the width of the machine.
The Predator 38X manual and the Predator 38 RX radio-controlled stump grinder both narrow down to 26 inches (66 cm). As far as I know, the Predator tracked stump grinder is the narrowest machine on the market.
As an owner of a Predator 38 RX radio remote stump grinder, I know the benefits of having a narrow machine that can get into awkward places.
You can hear more about my chat with Simon from predator stump grinders, in the video below.
Why I Use a Predator Stump Grinder
When I first started tree stump grinding back in 2004, I used a couple of Carlton American machines. They were fine, however, the problem I had was the fact that they were too large to go through a standard garden gate. In fact, my smallest pedestrian Carlton machine was wider than the Predator 38 RX.
The Predator 38 RX is just 26 inches wide (66 cm) which is narrower than a standard garden gate. My smallest Carlton stump grinder was 36 inches wide originally. Even with the narrow kit that I had fitted to the machine, it was still 29 inches wide. A vast improvement on 36 inches, though!
My other radio remote Carlton had dual wheels which would narrow the machine up slightly. However, it was very painful having to use a socket set and blocks of wood to remove one set of dual wheels. It is much easier to flick a switch and watch the rubber tracks draw in!
Multi-Tip Cutting System
Another large plus point for me is the multi-tip cutting system. Having used finger teeth for many years and knowing how easily the teeth snap, the multi-tip cutting system offers an efficient way to grind and change teeth. It literally takes me 5 to 10 minutes to change two multi-tip teeth.
There are six teeth on the Predator 38 RX multi-tip cutting head. Only two teeth actually cut, the other four teeth are for clearance purposes. For me, this is great as I’m only wearing out two teeth!
If you would like more information on the Predator stump grinders, please click here.
Recently I had the privilege of talking to Raavo; you can see the Dipperfox stump grinder interview with Raavo from Dipperfox below.
The Dipperfox stump grinder or stump crusher as it is more widely known is a very unique and quick way of disposing of unwanted tree stumps.
Traditionally, to remove a tree stump, a stump grinder is used with a high-speed cutter head that grinds away at the tree stump. It’s not a fast process, even with the larger track machines.
Dipperfox has created a machine that literally drills out the tree stump exceptionally quickly. Rather than grinding the tree stump from the side of the stump, the Dipperfox drills into the stump, vertically.
The main advantage of this process is the speed at which tree stump can be removed. Raavo quotes some impressive actual figures in the video interview below. Another large plus factor is the fact that the stump crusher works at low revs, so there’s no flying debris. 90% of the time when I am tree stump grinding, I need to board up to protect objects around me. This is a time-consuming job, however, with the Dipperfox method, there is no need to do this.
Two Different Stump Crushers
Dipperfox have recently designed a new stump crusher for smaller machines. There are two machines; the Dipperfox 850 Pro and the smaller 600 models. The Dipperfox 600 is great news for landscapers and tree surgeons who require a smaller machine for gardens. And who don’t have the hydraulic capacity to run the larger Dipperfox 850 Pro.
You can hear more about the Dipperfox stump crusher in the video below.
