Toro STX-26 Stump Grinder

If you're planning on using this machine for professional/commercial use, think again. I'll start with the few positives.. - They're reasonably compact so it can get to places others cant (not as compact as a stump humper though as it can't fit through a standard doorway) - Cutter head turns 90 degrees which can be handy - Kawasaki engine has not… Read more

let me down yet with around 350hrs (unlike the STX-38 with the unreliable Kohler engine)

Onto the negatives: - It's a Toro so expect delayed parts if you need them coupled with poor support from Toro Australia - It uses considerably more fuel than the much more powerful STX-38 - Expect many hydraulic leaks, one of Toro's specialties - The biggest problem with these are they are extremely frustratingly bad at grinding anything pine related, or any large stump at all. If you are silly enough to take on a big stump, expect the cutter head to bounce around and give you an extremely slow cut. Constantly the cutter head comes to a standstill letting the operator know it's fighting a losing battle. Only yesterday i had a 70cm wide cypress pine. After over an hour of painfully slow grinding (i had no choice but to use this useless machine after my brand new STX-38 broke down for the 3rd time in a week that very morning), i told the customer i quit. This is before the stump was even at ground level. I still had another stump to go but i'm smarter than that, knowing the STX-26 is only a toy.

If this machine had another 15HP and maybe 200kg more weight over the cutter head, it would be a good machine. Having said all of the above, if you only plan on grinding stumps 40cm or less, you will probably get away with one of these. I use it as a back-up knowing its only a matter of hours until my STX-38 breaks down so i can keep the business running at least for small jobs.

This week i spent $750 on a hydraulic leak. The very next day i noticed oil drops on my shoe. I looked under the joystick control area and sure enough, more hydraulic leaks.

In my opinion, the only reason Toro has a place in the market here is due to their price. A Stump Humper performs better, but the luxury of hydraulic controls for a little more money makes these look more attractive.

Moral of the story here is if you plan on using a grinder for a living, or don't want regular problems, and are happy to spend tens of thousands more, i recommend looking at other brands.