Best Stump Grinders: Reviews of Top Products

A stump grinder is the fastest way to remove a tree stump. It is far quicker than digging it out by hand, and quicker than chemical stump removers, which take months to work.

A spinning wheel fitted with carbide teeth chews the stump into chips that you can use as mulch. These machines are powerful and can throw debris hard, so safety steps matter; see the safety section below.

Here are five walk-behind stump grinders for homeowners and landscapers, plus a buying guide.

OUR TOP PICK

The top pick for this review is the PowerKing PK0803 Stump Grinder, which is also the best for the money. It has a solid frame, a 14 HP Kohler engine and a brake system, which is uncommon at its price.

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The Best Stump Grinders Are:

Product	Details
1.PowerKing PK0803 Stump Grinder	1.PowerKing PK0803 Stump Grinder Top Pick	- 14HP Kohler engine - 12” x 3.5” cutting wheel - Max speed of 3600RPM - Brake system - Weighs 286 pounds	Check Current Price
2.DK2 Power OPG77 Stump Grinder	2.DK2 Power OPG77 Stump Grinder	- 14HP CH440 Kohler engine - Max cutting speed of 3600RPM - 12” x 3.5” cutting wheels - Weighs 234 pounds - Includes tow bar kit, extra set of carbide teeth, and safety kit	Check Current Price
3.Samson Machinery S15HPSG 15HP Stump Grinder	3.Samson Machinery S15HPSG 15HP Stump Grinder	- Ducar 15HP four-stroke engine - Recoil starting system - Drum brake system - 12” X 3.5” cutting wheel - 3,600 max RPM - Weighs 220 pounds	Check Current Price
4.Bluebird SG1314B Stump Grinder	4.Bluebird SG1314B Stump Grinder	- 13HP Honda GX390 gas engine - Max grinding speed of 4115RPM - Weighs 345 pounds - 14” x 3/8” cutting wheel - Disc brake system	Check Current Price
5.House of Contractor STG13 Stump Grinder	5.House of Contractor STG13 Stump Grinder	- 13HP Honda GX390 engine - Drum brake - 12” x 3.5” cutting wheel - 8 carbide teeth - 4-height adjustable handle	Check Current Price

1. PowerKing PK0803 Stump Grinder : Best Stump Grinder For The Money

The PowerKing PK0803 is a strong performer for occasional home use and for light commercial work in tight spots. Its power and stability for the price make it the best value here.

Specs

• 14HP Kohler engine
• 12” x 3.5” cutting wheel
• Max speed of 3600RPM
• Brake system
• Weighs 286 pounds
• Includes Extra Set of Teeth and Tow Bar

What I Like About This Product

Kohler engines are common on landscaping equipment and have a good reputation. The 14 HP engine spins the 12-inch wheel without bogging down on small and medium stumps.

A heavy-duty handle helps you keep the machine steady as you sweep the wheel across the stump.

What I Don’t Like About This Product

Unless you purchase the PK0803 fully assembled, putting it together can be a tricky venture, especially if you don’t have any experience with machines. The inadequate instruction manual doesn’t make things any easier.

It is also hard to push between stumps; it moves more easily when you pull it behind you.

Pros

• Good bang for the buck
• Powerful and reliable engine
• Sturdy construction
• Easy to handle
• Easy to store

Cons

• Needs to be pulled for a hassle-free commute
• Cheap wiring
• Hard to assemble
• Bolts rattle off easily at first

Takeaway

The PowerKing PK0803 stump grinder is arguably the best affordable option for anyone looking to clear small and medium stumps effectively.

Overall Rating – 4.8/5

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2. DK2 Power OPG77 Stump Grinder

The DK2 (model OPG777) is another popular grinder with a proven Kohler engine and extra accessories.

Specs

• 14HP CH440 Kohler engine
• Max cutting speed of 3600RPM
• 12” x 3.5” cutting wheels
• Weighs 234 pounds
• Includes tow bar kit, extra set of carbide teeth, and safety kit

What I Like About This Product

The OPG777 uses a 14 HP Kohler CH440 engine like the PowerKing, with a 3,600 RPM wheel speed. It handles large stumps if you take shallow passes and are patient.

It comes with more accessories than the PK0803, including a tow bar kit, an extra set of carbide teeth and basic safety gear (ear protection, gloves and safety glasses).

The manual is clear, and setup is simpler than the PowerKing's.

What I Don’t Like About This Product

It has no clutch and no wheel brake; a lock pin in the axle holds the wheels instead, which takes some getting used to.

The throttle lever sits awkwardly between the cables and pull cord. The support foot is close to the cutting wheel, so keep your feet well clear when you set it down.

Pros

• Good value
• Rugged chassis and engine
• Adjustable bow handle for comfort
• Easy to setup
• Includes basic safety gear and an extra set of carbide teeth

Cons

• Awkward throttle lever position
• Doesn’t have a brake system
• Support foot sits close to the wheel

Takeaway

The DK2 is another good-value stump grinder with a durable engine and useful extras.

Overall Rating – 4.7/5

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3. Samson Machinery S15HPSG 15HP Stump Grinder : Powerful Stump Grinder Choice

The Samson Machinery S15HPSG has the largest engine here at 15 HP, plus a drum brake and a large bow handle for control.

Specs

• Ducar 15HP four-stroke engine
• Recoil starting system
• Drum brake system
• 12” X 3.5” cutting wheel
• 3,600 max RPM
• Weighs 220 pounds

What I Like About This Product

Power is its selling point: most grinders in its class have 13 to 14 HP engines.

The drum brake locks the wheels so you can pivot the cutting wheel side to side across the stump with less effort. At a listed 220 pounds it is also lighter than most machines here.

What I Don’t Like About This Product

The movable parts are somewhat flimsy. Many folks have had issues with the brake arm, throttle lever, and even the brake cables. Although you may get replacement parts while it’s still under warranty, it’s advisable to handle the levers with care.

Pros

• Exceptional grinding power
• Bow handle enhances grip
• Eye and ear protection gear inclusive with package
• White gas tank makes gas level visible

Cons

• Tires aren’t well supportive of its size
• Flimsy levers

Takeaway

The Samson Machinery 15HP stump grinder is the right piece of equipment for anyone looking to remove large stumps on a budget or in tight locations.

Overall Rating – 4.4/5

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4. Bluebird SG1314B Stump Grinder : Premium Stump Grinder Option

The Bluebird SG1314B is a heavier, premium machine with a Honda engine and a 14-inch wheel.

Specs

• 13HP Honda GX390 gas engine
• Max grinding speed of 4115RPM
• Weighs 345 pounds
• 14” x 3/8” cutting wheel
• Disc brake system

What I Like About This Product

The Honda GX390 is a well-regarded commercial engine. On this machine it spins a 14-inch wheel at a listed 4,115 RPM, the fastest in this review.

The larger wheel reaches deeper below grade than the 12-inch wheels on the other grinders, which helps when you plan to replant or lay sod where the stump was.

What I Don’t Like About This Product

It is heavy. At about 345 pounds with no self-propel drive, it takes real effort to move, especially on slopes or soft ground.

Pros

• Fastest wheel speed in this review
• Ergonomic handle gives better sight of stumping area
• Hand brake for better pivoting
• Larger 14-inch wheel

Cons

• Expensive
• Large size fatigues users faster

Takeaway

If you can stretch your budget for the best performer here, the Bluebird SG1314B is the one to get. Be ready to handle its size and weight.

Overall Rating – 4.65/5

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5. House of Contractor STG13 Stump Grinder – Compact Honda-Powered Option

The House of Contractors STG13 pairs a Honda engine with a four-position adjustable handle for comfortable handling.

Specs

• 13HP Honda GX390 engine
• Drum brake
• 12” x 3.5” cutting wheel
• Weight: listed as 115 (check units with seller)
• 8 carbide teeth
• 4-height adjustable handle

What I Like About This Product

The welded steel frame is rugged, and the handle adjustments and throttle lever feel solid.

Its Honda GX390 engine drives a 12-inch wheel with eight tungsten carbide teeth.

Listings give its weight as 115 without consistent units; 115 kg (about 250 pounds) is far more plausible for a machine with this engine than 115 pounds. The four-height handle lets you set a comfortable working position.

What I Don’t Like About This Product

The biggest issue with the House of Contractors STG13 stump grinder is its lack of child safety lock or a key lock.

Pros

• Four-height adjustable handle
• Reliable and trusted engine
• Useful brake system
• Tungsten carbide teeth

Cons

• No safety key lock or child lock
• Warranty only covers engine for 1 year

Takeaway

The HOC STG13 suits buyers who want a Honda engine and an adjustable handle in a compact frame.

Overall Rating – 4.2/5

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How to Choose the Best Stump Grinder for the Money

Work Complexity

If you only need to remove a couple of stumps, buying a grinder rarely makes sense. Renting one for a day or hiring a stump removal service usually costs far less; check local rates.

If you own a large property with dozens of stumps, or you do landscaping work, owning a grinder pays off.

Soft Start

All the grinders here use a recoil pull start. Fresh fuel, the choke set correctly and a well-maintained engine make starting easier. More expensive models offer electric start.

Cutting Capacity

All things being equal, the productivity of a stump grinder depends mainly on its cutting capacity. The speed at which the blade cuts, the diameter and width of the cutting blade, and its type of teeth determine how good a grinder would work.

A larger wheel reaches deeper below grade than a smaller one. Check each maker's listed cutting depth below ground and height above ground against your stumps.

Grinding several inches below grade is usually enough for lawn or mulch; go deeper if you plan to plant there. Higher capacity costs more, so do not pay for it if your stumps are small.

And if you were really looking for a grinder for sharpening tools, see our quality bench grinder picks instead.

Brake System

A wheel brake locks the wheels so the machine pivots in place as you sweep the cutting wheel side to side. That makes grinding easier and more controlled. Several models in this review have one.

Ergonomics

Stump grinders are heavy-duty machines. To handle such large machines, they need to need to be designed with comfort and ease of use in mind.

Pay attention to how the handle is built, the position of levers, the size of tires, and so on. These would go a long way in helping you understand if you can work comfortably with the stump grinder.

Some walk-behind grinders are self-propelled. They cost more but save a lot of effort on heavy machines.

Size

For most homeowners, a walk-behind grinder like the ones here is enough. They fit through garden gates and along walkways.

Towable and tracked commercial grinders cut much faster but cost many times more. They only make sense for a tree service or large landscaping company.

Stump Grinder Safety

• Call 811 first. Grinding goes below ground. 811 is the free national before-you-dig service; contact it a few business days before you start so buried utilities get marked.
• Clear the area. Remove rocks, wire and metal around the stump, and keep people and pets well back. The wheel throws chips and debris with force.
• Wear PPE. Use safety glasses with a face shield, hearing protection, gloves, long pants and sturdy boots. Gas grinders are loud; OSHA sets 85 dBA as the level that triggers hearing protection programs at work.
• Follow the manual. Keep guards in place, never reach near the wheel while it turns, and shut off the engine before clearing chips.

Final Thoughts

Many of these grinders differ only in engine, wheel size and whether they have a brake. Decide which of those you need before you buy. For grinding metal or masonry instead, see our heavy-duty angle grinder picks.

If you are still undecided, we recommend our top pick, the PowerKing PK0803 stump grinder.

Its 14 HP Kohler engine is reliable, and it has a brake system that makes grinding easier, all at a good price.

Sources

• How does 811 Work?, Common Ground Alliance
• Occupational Noise Exposure, OSHA