Rant: That 'professional' stump grinder rental cost me a full day and $300

I rented a big box store stump grinder for a job in Springfield, thinking it would handle a 24-inch oak stump. The teeth were completely dull and it just bounced around, taking forever to make any progress. What's a better way to check rental equipment before you commit to it?

3 comments

3 Comments

avery2198d ago

Ouch, that sounds like a total waste of a day and money! When you say the teeth were "completely dull," did the rental place let you inspect the machine before you loaded it up? I always try to do a quick visual check, but I'm never sure what exactly to look for beyond obvious damage.

rose_reed8d ago

Man, that's the worst. I've been there with a tiller that just bounced off the ground. They usually let you look, but you're right, what do you even check? I try to run a finger along the edge to feel for a burr or see if it reflects light evenly. A truly sharp blade won't look rounded over at all. It's a gamble every time.

the_lisa8d ago

Ever notice how rental places treat their tools like they're disposable? It's the same with jackhammers and concrete saws, they just run them into the ground until someone complains. Next time, ask them to start it up and watch how it idles, a clunky vibration usually means it's beat to hell.