Stump grinders live in the dirt and take heavy shock through the cutter wheel, so they wear and break in ways a hydraulic and welding shop is built to fix. Ames Hydraulics does stump grinder repair on all brands — including Vermeer — for tree services and landscapers around Ames. Hydraulics, bearings, and the welding that keeps the cutter and frame together, with free pickup within 60 miles.
What Breaks on a Stump Grinder
The hydraulic drive and swing system is where a lot of problems start — a wheel that won’t spin with power, a sweep that won’t move, or a pump and motor that lost pressure. The cutter wheel, teeth pockets, and frame take the physical beating and crack or wear, which is welding and fabrication work. Bearings and the cutter shaft wear out too. We handle all of it, so your stump grinder repair is one stop instead of three.
What We Fix
- Hydraulic drive motors, pumps, cylinders, and valves
- Cracked cutter wheels, tooth pockets, and frames — welded and rebuilt
- Bearings, shafts, and belt drives
- Hoses and leaks — new assemblies made same-day
- Engine mounts, couplers, and controls
All Brands, Including Vermeer
Vermeer, Carlton, Rayco, Bandit, and the rest — the hydraulics and steel are the same challenge and the same fix. We’re an independent shop, so we work on whatever you run.
Free Pickup Within 60 Miles
Pickup and delivery are free within 60 miles of Ames. Text a photo to 515-292-2599 and we’ll tell you the same day what your stump grinder repair needs and what it’ll cost.
Common Stump Grinder Symptoms
What we get called about most: the cutter wheel won’t spin under load or lost power (drive motor, pump, or belt), the sweep/swing is slow or dead (hydraulic cylinder or valve), the machine leaks and everything is sluggish (hose, pump, or oil), or the wheel and tooth pockets are worn and cracked (welding and rebuild). Good stump grinder repair addresses both the hydraulics that turn the wheel and the steel that takes the impact.
Why an Independent Shop
Dealer waits and dealer prices don’t work when you’ve got stumps booked. We’re independent, we quote it straight, and we fix the hydraulics and weld the cutter and frame in one stop — on Vermeer and every other brand. Central Iowa tree services keep us busy because we get grinders back fast.
How We Quote It — and Free Pickup
The fastest way to a price is a photo. Text a picture of your grinder and a quick note on what it’s doing to 515-292-2599, and we’ll tell you the same day whether it’s a seal kit, a pump, a valve, or a welding job — and roughly what it’ll cost — before anything comes apart. No surprise bills. If the grinder can’t be hauled in easily, pickup and delivery are free within 60 miles of Ames: Des Moines, Ankeny, Boone, Nevada, Marshalltown, Story City, and the towns between. A shop that does the hydraulics and the welding in-house is why our stump grinder repair turnaround is quick and the fix lasts.
Get Grinding Again
See our full hydraulic repair, hydraulic hose repair, and welding & fabrication services. Call or text 515-292-2599 or bring it to 210 Freel Dr in Ames. Open Monday through Friday, 7AM to 5PM.
Written by Josiah Ragsdale
Owner, Ames Hydraulics — Ames, Iowa
Josiah owns and operates Ames Hydraulics. He has worked on hydraulic and heavy equipment since he was 18, and every hydraulic cylinder his shop rebuilds is pressure tested before it ships back to the customer. More about Josiah →
Got something broken? Call or text 515-292-2599