Stump Grinder Operating Cost Per Hour

Use this calculator to estimate the cost per running hour for your stump grinder. Adjust every input to match your machine and operating history.

The defaults reflect a smaller grinder. High-horsepower machines can use several times more fuel and have higher teeth, repair, and ownership costs.

Create your first estimate in minutes.

Start free. No credit card required.

Start free with Google Create your free account

14-day free trial No credit card required $39/month after trial Cancel anytime

Built by a stump grinder for stump grinders and small crews.

Total cost per hour

Operating total $0.00/hr

Scheduled service $0.00/hr

Ownership & fixed $0.00/hr

Total machine cost $0.00/hr

Start with the costs that change most between machines and jobs.

Fuel usage (gal/hr)

Fuel price ($/gal)

Fuel cost $0.00/hr

Teeth per hour

Cost per tooth ($)

Teeth cost $0.00/hr

Oz. per hour

Cost per oz ($)

Grease cost $0.00/hr

Maintenance labor rate ($/hr)

Maintenance minutes per hour

Default: 2.5 minutes per hour (20 minutes every 8 hours).

Maintenance labor $0.00/hr

Major parts reserve ($/hr)

Covers bearings, belts, tracks, grinding wheel, hydraulic components, and engine rebuilds.

Major parts reserve $0.00/hr

Defaults assume 500-hour intervals. Short-interval conditions: 250 hours (or annual if low use).

Engine oil service ($)

Includes engine oil and the oil filter.

Interval (hrs)

Engine oil cost $0.00/hr

Hydraulic fluid change ($)

Interval (hrs)

Hydraulic fluid cost $0.00/hr

Fuel filter ($)

Interval (hrs)

Fuel filter cost $0.00/hr

Include replacement cost (depreciation)

Even a paid-off grinder wears out. Include depreciation when you want today’s work to help fund its eventual replacement.

Calculated as (purchase price − resale value) / life hours.

Depreciation $0.00/hr

Financing interest & fees ($/hr)

Include interest and fees only. Loan principal is already represented by depreciation.

Machine insurance ($/hr)

Annual machine-specific premium divided by expected annual grinder hours.

This result covers the grinder—not the truck, trailer, operator, or business overhead. Carry it into the minimum-charge calculator before pricing customer work.