maxm50•2mo ago

Had to choose between a $400 stump grinder rental or a $1500 new chipper blade for a big job in Madison. Went with the rental.

The client had three large oak stumps and a huge pile of brush from a previous crew. My old chipper blade was shot, and a replacement was backordered for weeks. I could either rent a stump grinder for the weekend and chip the old way with my truck, or buy a whole new blade assembly at a huge markup to get the chipper running. Renting the grinder cost me $400 plus fuel, and chipping by hand took two full days of extra labor, but I got the job done and still made a profit. The new blade would have wiped out my margin on that job. Anyone have a good source for chipper parts that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

3 comments

3 Comments

knight.xena2mo ago

Seriously? You wasted two days of labor to save a grand. That's terrible math, your time has value too.

the_logan2mo ago

What's your hourly rate that makes two days worth a thousand dollars?

rosew371mo ago

Forget the math for a second, what were you even building?