When I was ten years old, the old oak tree in my front yard weathered one final Northern California storm. One of its monstrous arms cracked and dangled dangerously above the roof of my home. The next morning, a crew came out and performed an emergency removal, leaving behind a stump four feet in diameter. A few days later, I came home from school to discover the stump was gone, leaving behind a three-foot deep muddy bog where the stump had been ground away. Now, for a ten-year-old, the stump?EUR??,,????'???s remnants were a swampy playground. At the time, I didn?EUR??,,????'???t know how or why that stump was removed, but I certainly enjoyed the aftermath. Since then, I have had a passion for stump removal. While I no longer desire to jump in the ground-up marsh, I still enjoy the magic. A Cut Above: The Vermeer SC130 This compact stump cutter has the power to tackle hefty stumps while offering ease of use and accessibility. The unit is portable and easy to maneuver in small areas where larger machinery is inaccessible. The SC130 may not have been able to handle the 4-foot stump in my front yard, but it sure would have come close. Its 13 horsepower Honda engine gives it enough power to remove stumps up to 3 feet in diameter. The manufacturer claims that the unit?EUR??,,????'???s slim width makes it ideal for confined areas with large concentrations of small stumps. The dirty work is done by a cutter wheel composed of 12 tungsten-carbide teeth, which are segmented into four sections. The wheel?EUR??,,????'???s segmentation allows for individual section to be replaced rather than the entire wheel. Other features of the SC130 include a dual-grip, rubber mounted handlebar which minimizes vibration and allows for comfortable grip variation. Additionally, balanced weight distribution simplifies operation and further reduces operator fatigue. The unit is also equipped with heavy-duty Cyclone air filters, a high performance centrifugal clutch, a disc break system, Ingersoll-Rand bearings, super-traction Snow Hog tires, a Super 2-V banded drive belt, and the Vermeer cutter wheel guard system. Grinding it Out: The Bluebird SG1314 Similar to the SC130, the Bluebird SG13114 stump grinder boasts a 13 horsepower Honda engine with a Cyclone air filter and a centrifugal clutch. At 27 inches wide, the compact design of the SC130 makes for easy entrance through narrow gates and other limited access areas. The Bluebird?EUR??,,????'???s cutting wheel is home to a vertical 8?EUR??,,????'?? disc with 8 tungsten carbide-tipped teeth with pockets. The 14-inch diameter blade offers a cutting depth up to 12 inches. The unit incorporates an ergonomic handle n an effort to reduce operator fatigue. The adjustable handle has four height adjustment positions to ensure operator comfort and a safe stance during all stages of stump removal. In addition, two lift handles on each side of the unit allow two people to easily lift it into mini vans, trucks and large SUVs. The SG1314 also features a lever activated disc brake, a variable cut depth, welded 7-gauge steel frame construction, 12?EUR??,,????'?? pneumatic knobby tread wheels and cast flange greasable bearings. Something to Grind on: The Carlton 4400-4 It?EUR??,,????'???s a little beefier, a little more brutish and a whole lot heavier. The 4400-4 doesn?EUR??,,????'???t claim quite the accessibility of the Bluebird or Vermeer units, but it is a versatile piece of machinery nonetheless. It combines backyard accessibility with the horsepower of a tow-behind unit. The 4400-4 has a 70?EUR??,,????'?? cutting arc while extending below ground to 15?EUR??,,????'?? and 43?EUR??,,????'?? inches above ground. The unit has a turntable design that keeps the weight low on the frame and the engine stable during operation. Engine options vary in availability from 43 horsepower diesel to 57 horsepower diesel. The Carlton?EUR??,,????'???s wheel cutter is 1-inch thick with a 26.5?EUR??,,????'?? diameter. It has 32 stump grinding teeth. The 4400-4 is approximately 35?EUR??,,????'?? wide and weighs about 3,000 pounds. To Find Out More ... The Vermeer SC130: www.vermeer.com The Bluebird SG1314: www.bluebirdintl.com The Carlton 4400-4: www.stumpcutters.com