MechMaxx SG380 Stump Grinder
#1 in Walk-behindFull review
The best equipped walk-behind for the money. It suits a homeowner with many stumps who wants to tow it and swing across each one.
Amazon $1,899$1,899
A stump grinder chews a stump into chips with a spinning steel wheel lined with carbide teeth. You lower the wheel onto the stump, sweep it side to side, and work down a little at a time until the stump and its main roots are below the soil. These rankings compare what the makers publish on the same terms: what it costs, how deep and high it cuts, how big its engine or wheel is, how many teeth it carries, what it does to save effort, and how long it’s covered.
Type is the first choice. A walk-behind grinder has its own gas engine and rolls to the stump on two wheels. It suits a homeowner with no tractor, or stumps in a fenced yard a tractor can’t reach. A PTO grinder hangs on a tractor’s 3-point hitch and takes its power from the tractor, so it costs less for the size of wheel you get, but only makes sense if you already own a tractor big enough to run it.
Depth below grade is the second. Grinding 6 in down is enough to lay sod. Replanting a tree in the same spot, or getting rid of roots that sprout, takes 10 to 12 in.
Power is the third. A 212cc engine will get through a small, soft stump, but large hardwood stumps go much faster with a 420cc engine. For PTO grinders, the tractor’s power sets the limit; check the horsepower range before you buy.
Top Picks
SuperHandy GUO110 Stump Grinder
#14 in Walk-behindFull review
For a homeowner on a budget with a few modest stumps. It is light and cheap, but expect slow going on large ones.
WoodSplitterDirect $969$969
MechMaxx SG30PRO PTO Stump Grinder
#1 in PTOFull review
The pick for a 40 to 100 hp tractor and a lot of stumps. It cuts deep and wide for under $3,000.
Amazon $2,999$2,999
Shop by Type
Walk-behind
17 rankedGas grinders you push to the stump and swing across it. No tractor needed.
Top rated: MechMaxx SG380 Stump Grinder $1,899
PTO
8 ranked3-point hitch grinders driven by a compact or utility tractor, for owners who already have one.
Top rated: MechMaxx SG30PRO PTO Stump Grinder $2,999
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Prices were last checked November 3, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best Walk-Behind Stump Grinders
- MechMaxx SG380 Stump Grinder#1 of 17Full review
The best equipped walk-behind for the money. It suits a homeowner with many stumps who wants to tow it and swing across each one.
Amazon $1,899$1,89910 in14 in12 - DK2 OPG888E Stump Grinder#2 of 17Full review
A well-built Kohler grinder with key start and a long warranty, for frequent use. It costs a little less than the MechMaxx SG380 Kohler but does not swing across the stump.
Amazon $2,379.99$2,379.9910 in14 in12 - MechMaxx SG380 Kohler Stump Grinder#3 of 17Full review
The SG380 for a buyer who values a name-brand engine and local service. Otherwise the Ducar version does the same work for less.
Amazon $2,699$2,69910 in14 in12 - Digmight 15HP E-Start Stump Grinder#4 of 17Full review
A low-cost way to get key start and a tow bar. Fine for a homeowner whose stumps stand tall rather than run deep.
Amazon $1,599$1,5999 in12 in9 - SuperHandy GUO151 Stump Grinder#5 of 17Full review
A strong value for a property with stumps spread out: deep cutting and a tow bar for well under $1,500 at WoodSplitterDirect.
Amazon $1,679.99$1,679.9912 in13.5 in8
Best PTO Stump Grinders for Tractors
- MechMaxx SG30PRO PTO Stump Grinder#1 of 8Full review
The pick for a 40 to 100 hp tractor and a lot of stumps. It cuts deep and wide for under $3,000.
Amazon $2,999$2,99910 in30 in44 - MechMaxx SG28 PTO Stump Grinder#2 of 8Full review
For a utility tractor owner clearing many stumps. It cuts deeper and wider than the 24 in models.
Amazon $2,499$2,4998.5 in28 in44 - Woodland Mills WG24 PTO Stump Grinder#3 of 8Full review
A 24 in compact tractor grinder from a maker with a longer warranty and North American support. It is worth the extra cost for peace of mind.
Woodland Mills $2,055$2,0556 in24 in34 - MechMaxx TSG61 PTO Stump Grinder#4 of 8Full review
The best PTO grinder for a mid-size tractor with rear remotes. Hydraulic swing and 12 in depth make it work like a small commercial machine.
Amazon $3,099$3,09912 in24 in16 - MechMaxx SG24 PTO Stump Grinder#5 of 8Full review
The budget way to grind stumps with a compact tractor you already own. Fine for clearing a field; shallow for replanting.
Amazon $1,449$1,4496 in24 in34
How We Rank
Each grinder is ranked against others of the same type, and scored on its price, how deep it cuts below grade, its cutting height (walk-behind) or wheel size (PTO), its engine or tractor size, its teeth, its features and its warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Price | price of the grinder | 25% |
| Depth | deepest cut below grade | 20% |
| Height or wheel | cutting height above grade (walk-behind) or cutter wheel diameter (PTO) | 10% |
| Power | engine displacement (walk-behind) or largest tractor allowed (PTO) | 10% |
| Teeth | number of teeth on the cutter wheel | 10% |
| Features | electric start, tow bar and swing (walk-behind) or slip clutch, hydraulic swing and stand (PTO) | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 10% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.