Hit 200 stump grinds this year and I'm starting to question the rush

Everyone on my crew pushes for speed, but after grinding a huge oak stump in Denver that took three hours, I realized the clean-up was way easier and the client was thrilled. I think taking your time on the final passes makes a bigger difference than shaving minutes off the clock. Has anyone else found that slowing down a bit actually improves the job?

3 comments

3 Comments

kelly3851d ago

You mentioning the clean-up being easier really hit home. I was all about speed until a job where I rushed and spent twice as long cleaning. Now I do those final passes slow, and the site looks perfect when I'm done. It's a game changer for sure.

the_elliot22h ago

Totally agree with both of you. Read an article from a rental yard manager once that broke it down. He said the machines that came back with the least problems were always from crews who worked steady, not fast. The constant high rpm hammering just shakes everything loose over time. It's like driving a truck flat out everywhere versus a normal speed. The wear isn't even close.

paul_taylor2123h ago

Hell, it's not just about the clean-up. Think about your gear. Ripping through stumps at full tilt puts insane stress on the machine, way more than a steady, controlled feed. You're trading a few minutes on the job for hundreds in early wear and tear, maybe even a blown belt or bearing. That "slow" final pass is easier on your grinder's guts, and that saves real money down the road.