STUMP REMOVAL
Rent a Stump Grinder in the Tri-Cities
The tree is down. The stump is still there, and the quote to have it taken out came back higher than you expected. A rented stump grinder turns that stump into a pile of mulch in an afternoon, for a fraction of what removal costs.
East Tenn Rent-Alls keeps stump grinders at all three of our stores. We rent to homeowners and crews alike, with no account and no membership required.
DO THIS FIRST
Call 811 Before You Grind
This is the step people skip and it is the one that matters most. A stump grinder cuts below grade, and buried utility lines are frequently shallower than homeowners expect. Gas, water, electric, and fiber all run through residential yards at depths a grinder will reach.
Tennessee 811 and Virginia 811 are free, and the call takes a few minutes. Utilities mark their lines and you grind with confidence instead of hoping. State law requires the notice, and hitting a gas line is not a problem you recover from quickly.
Give yourself lead time. Locate requests ask for at least three working days before you dig, so make the call when you book the rental, not the morning you pick it up. Better to be safe than sorry on this one. We recommend calling a week prior to ensure enough time. Plan the reservation around the locate, not the other way around.
THE FLEET
Stump Grinders on the Lot
We carry two, and the right one depends on where the stump sits as much as how big it is.
31 HP Track Driven Hydraulic Stump Grinder
This is the serious machine. Thirty-one horsepower is well above what most rental yards stock, and the hydraulic drive means it chews through big hardwood stumps instead of nibbling at them. Rubber tracks give it footing on slopes and soft ground where a wheeled unit would spin. If the stump is big, the ground is rough, or you have several to do, this is the one.
Specs that matter: 36 inches wide, 1,700 pounds. At that weight it travels on a trailer, and we can send one with the machine if you do not have your own.
Measure your access before you reserve this one. Thirty-six inches is wider than a lot of residential gates. If the stump is behind a fence, measure the narrowest point on the route and call us with the number before you book.
16 HP Compact Wheeled Stump Grinder
This is the one most homeowners end up renting, and for a single back yard stump it is usually the right call. At 29 inches wide it rolls through a standard gate with room to spare, and at 406 pounds two people can load it into a pickup bed with ramps. No trailer required.
The Briggs and Stratton 16 HP engine turns a 17 inch cutting wheel with eight replaceable teeth. It grinds 6 to 8 inches below grade, which is plenty to seed grass over, and it reaches stumps up to 14 inches above grade, so you do not have to cut the stump flush before you start.
Specifications
- Briggs and Stratton 16 HP
- 29 inches wide, 74 inches long, 54.5 inches tall
- 406 pounds
- 17 inch cutting wheel, eight replaceable teeth
- Cuts 6 to 8 inches below grade and up to 14 inches above
BEFORE YOU RENT
What to Expect From the Job
Measure the stump and the gate.
Grind deeper than you think you need to.
The compact unit takes a stump 6 to 8 inches below grade, which is plenty to seed grass over. If you intend to put a fence post, a patio, or a new tree in the same spot, you need to go deeper, and you should tell us that when you reserve, because it changes which machine you want.
Plan for the chips.
One stump produces a surprising volume of mulch, typically more than fills the hole it came from. The chips are fine as mulch for beds, but they are not topsoil and will not support grass on their own. Budget for a few bags of soil if you are reseeding.
Clear the area first.
Rocks and buried debris around the base will dull or damage the cutting teeth fast. Ten minutes with a shovel before you start saves both time and a damage charge.
Wear the gear.
Eye protection and hearing protection are not optional on a stump grinder. Flying chips come off these machines with real force.
RATES AND TERMS
How Much Is a Stump Grinder Rental?
This is the question people actually come here to ask, so here is the direct answer rather than a form to fill out.
A 10 percent damage waiver is added to every rental. Add the trailer if you need one for the track unit.
For a single residential stump, most people are finished inside the four hour window. That makes $110 the realistic number for a one stump job, not the daily rate.
*Rates subject to change. Rates on this page verified September 2026.
Compact Wheeled Grinder
- Four hours: $110
- One day: $150
- One week: $410
- One month: $900
31 HP Track Driven Grinder
- Four hours: $190
- One day: $250
- One week: $790
- One month: $2,150
- Renting versus hiring it out: stump removal services typically price per stump or per inch of diameter, which adds up fast when you have more than one. If you have two or three stumps in the yard, a one day rental usually costs less than having a single stump taken out. Run the numbers before you book a service.
- What to bring: a valid driver’s license and a credit card.
- Transport: the compact unit weighs 406 pounds and two people can load it into a pickup bed with ramps. The track unit is 1,700 pounds and travels on a trailer, which we can send with it. Ask about delivery if you are not set up for either.
- Teeth and damage: normal wear is expected and covered. Damage from rocks or buried metal is not, which is the reason the clearing step above is worth ten minutes.
- Walkthrough: our counter staff will show you the controls before you leave the lot. If you have never run one, say so and take the extra five minutes.
THREE LOCATIONS
Pick Up at Any of Our Three Stores
Stump grinders are available at all three ETRA locations. Reserve at whichever store is closest to the job.
All three stores are open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm and Saturday 7:30am to noon. We serve Kingsport, Elizabethton, Jonesborough, Erwin, Abingdon, and the surrounding communities.
JOHNSON CITY
3711 Bristol Highway
423.282.3221
Mon-Fri: 7:30am-5:00pm
Sat: 7:30am-12:00pm
Sun: Closed
GREENEVILLE
210 Bohannon Ave.
423.638.2436
Mon-Fri: 7:30am-5:00pm
Sat: 7:30am-12:00pm
Sun: Closed
Bristol, VA
300 Commerce Ct.
276.669.3401
Mon-Fri: 7:30am-5:00pm
Sat: 7:30am-12:00pm
Sun: Closed
Stump Grinder Rental FAQs
How do you use a rental stump grinder?
Our counter staff walk you through the controls before you leave the lot, and the basics are straightforward. Position the cutting wheel just above the stump, swing it side to side in passes, lower it a little with each pass, and work your way down. Let the machine do the cutting rather than forcing it. Eye and ear protection go on before you start the engine.
How long does it take to grind a stump?
A typical residential stump takes most people somewhere between thirty minutes and two hours depending on diameter, wood type, and how far below grade you want to go. Large hardwood stumps and multiple stumps take longer.
What size stump can the compact grinder handle?
There’s no hard diameter limit; a bigger stump just takes more passes and more time. The 17 inch cutting wheel handles the stumps that come out of most yards. For a large hardwood stump, several stumps in one day, or anything on a slope, the track unit does the same work in a fraction of the time. If you’re not sure which one you need, tell the counter the diameter and they’ll put you on the right machine.
Is there a deposit, and what do I need to bring?
Rentals are paid in advance or held with a deposit, cash or a valid credit card. Bring your driver’s license, a phone number, and the address where you’ll be grinding. You’ll sign a short contract and an inspection form at the counter.
Can my truck tow the track unit, and what does the trailer cost?
The track unit weighs 1,700 pounds and travels on a trailer, which the store can send with it. Ask about the trailer and the hitch your truck needs when you reserve. If you’d rather not tow, delivery is available from any store and is priced by equipment size, the trip, and the crew it takes.
What does the damage waiver cover?
The 10 percent damage waiver is added to every rental, and its coverage and exclusions are spelled out on the contract you sign at the counter. Normal tooth wear is expected and covered; damage from rocks, buried metal, or misuse is not, which is why clearing the area first is worth ten minutes. If anything breaks or stops running, call the store right away.
Let's Build Something You're Proud Of
Give us a call or stop by one of our three convenient locations today. We are here to equip any project, big or small!