essentialARB learns how Dipperfox helped transform one business – and takes a look at some of the options out there for when arborists need to remove tree stumps.
IN the fiercely competitive rental industry, finding a niche that sets your business apart can be a game-changer. One company making a significant impact is Fortal, which has discovered a secret weapon: Dipperfox’s stump grinders.
Fortal’s equipment fleet traditionally included loaders and excavators, which are perfect for residential work, navigating tight spaces like gardens with ease.
However, its staff noticed a growing demand among homeowners not just for excavation, but also for stump removal — a task often seen as cumbersome and expensive when tackled separately.
Recognising this need, Fortal introduced a strategic addition to its services. It now offers a versatile stump grinder that transforms its mini excavators into dual-purpose machines. This approach allows customers to tackle excavation and stump removal with a single rental, offering a seamless and cost-effective solution.
The benefits of integrating a stump grinder into existing equipment are clear. Customers save money by hiring one machine for multiple tasks, and rental companies like Fortal, based in Estonia, can offer a broader range of services.
A Dipperfox statement added: “Fortal’s experience illustrates the potential for growth and differentiation in a crowded market.”
Looking to clear some stumps? Here are a few other options
FECON
DESIGNED specifically for compact utility loaders like the Toro Dingo, Bobcat, and others, the Compact Stumpex’s high torque eradicates stumps of any species from 4 to 11 inches in diameter in a single plunge (those greater than 11 inches may require multiple plunges).
Slow auger speed ensures a safer work environment with faster cleanup.
It is ideal for compact utility loaders with 10–20 GPM of hydraulic flow, and 2,000 to 3,000 PSI.
This unique product features a powerful robust drive which generates up to 4,000 ft.lbs of torque to tackle any species of wood. A hardened auger cone ensures positive draw into the stump, while stepped blades of ½” thick durable AR500 material rotate at slow speeds which is far safer than conventional stumpers.
VERMEER
POWERED by a 48 hp 1.7 L Cat diesel engine, certified to Stage V emissions regulations, the new Vermeer SC48TX can cut up to 28 inches above grade and 16 inches below the surface. It features a straight-line cutting width of 67 inches.
Low-disturbance tracks provide optimal traction on soft, steep and rocky terrain with low ground pressure and improved stability, requiring minimal job prep before and cleanup afterward. It boasts a direct drive system, and can also be driven by an optional full-function remote control.
Speaking about the stump cutter at the recent ARB Show, where it was shown off in the UK for the first time, Vermeer’s Tim Bullen said: “It’s fully radio-remote-controlled and has an operator’s station you can pull out from the side. That means you can stand back a safe distance from it while working.”
FSI
AS the world’s only dedicated stump grinder manufacturer, FSI Stump Cutters provides the broadest range of ground clearance solutions for stumps of all shapes and sizes, in all situations and on all types of terrain. Within a portfolio spanning engine, hydraulic and PTO-powered stump grinders are options to suit all specifications including the FSI D30 – providing economical performance from a 25 hp diesel engine which is an unusual, but popular, combination for its category.
The self-propelled FSI D30 is designed for the everyday arborist, delivering on robust build quality and generating impressive torque at low RPM, minimising noise and increasing operator comfort. Alongside the highly efficient diesel engine, the FSI D30 features v-belt drive for optimal transmission and hydraulically controlled ‘FSI power-clutch’ with integrated brake.
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