Have an annoying stump that needs to get ground down?

Not everyone knows how or wants to deal with a stump grinder themselves, and we are happy to do it for you.

We’re conveniently located in Little Rock and proudly serve North Little Rock as well as Sherwood areas.

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Call us at (501) 232-2750 for a free consultation or fill out our free estimate request form.

Stump grinding is the main part of stump removal. After the stump is ground down, there may still be some root removal that needs to be done and the stump pieces and mulch may need to be hauled away.

The grinding procedure is the main part of the job, though, and it’s one that many homeowners are able to tackle on their own using rented equipment. In this article, we’ll look at what you need to know to be able to tell the difference between a DIY job and a professional one, as well as what’s involved if you do decide to go the DIY route.

First and foremost, if you aren’t comfortable using fairly heavy equipment, this isn’t going to be the job for you. Next, look at the stump itself. Make sure that the rental grinders available to you can handle the size stump you need to get rid of.

The usual size for a rental grinder is 24”, but you may be able to find them slightly larger. Anything much bigger than that, though, is a likely candidate for complications and is best left to the pros. Very old trees, especially hardwood trees, might also pose some problems that should be handled by a professional.

The stumps left by these trees tend to be knotty, hard, and large, which can cause equipment to kick back or become damaged. Rocky soil is another factor. If you’re unable to clear rocks from the area with a shovel or mattock, call in an expert. Rocks can damage the equipment, and you don’t want to be on the hook for a broken grinder. 

Once you’ve decided that the job is within your grasp to take on by yourself (or with the help of a handy friend), you need to answer a few questions. The company that rents you your grinder will explain how your particular model works and what you need to do to prepare the stump for removal, but there are other things to consider. In this section, we’ll take you through the questions you need to decide on, one-by-one.

Just because you can tackle a home improvement project, it doesn’t mean you should. You should expect to pay between $100 and $160 for a simple, 24 inch stump removal. Renting a grinder typically starts around $150, so if you only have one stump to remove, it’s not only easier to hire a pro, it’s more cost effective as well. If you have multiple stumps or a neighbor that’s willing to share the cost in order to share use of the grinder, it might be worth it, financially, to rent one. If you don’t have a second person to help out, you may need to hire someone, and you should factor that into the cost when making your decision.

What Safety Equipment Will I need?

You will absolutely need to wear eye and hearing protection while operating the grinder, but depending on your circumstances, you made need other equipment as well. If the stump needs to be trimmed before you begin grinding, you’ll need to use a chainsaw. This means wearing gloves and leg protection in case an irregularity in the wood causes the saw to kick back. You may also need an axe to even out the diameter of the stump. This doesn’t require any specialized safety equipment, but it is a tool you’ll need to be comfortable with. How Will I Transport This Equipment?

Getting the grinder to your home or job site will require a trailer hitch rated to at least 1000 pounds. The rental company that provides the grinder will usually be able to rent you a hitch as well, but it will be an additional fee. If your vehicle isn’t able to two something that heavy, some rental companies will deliver the equipment, but again, that will cost you extra.

Once The Stump Is Out, What’s Next?

Once the stump is out of the way and any roots that can’t safely stay in the ground are removed, you’ll have a hole to deal with. Some of it can be filled with mulch if you chose to have the stump mulched, but you’ll want to fill it mainly with soil. Before planting in the space, make sure to rake it smooth and water it for a couple of weeks to make sure that settling doesn’t cause your new planting to end up in a sinkhole.

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