Vermeer’s New SC402 Stump Cutter Offers Enhanced Torque and Jobsite Accessibility
Vermeer has launched its new SC402 stump cutter, a powerful and maneuverable machine designed for tree care professionals performing stump removal. The SC402 is equipped with a 40-hp (29.8-kW) Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine that delivers up to 40-percent more productivity than its predecessor (SC382 stump cutter). Key features include standard four-wheel drive for improved traction and reduced ground disturbance, an optional remote control for operational flexibility, and the SmartSweep control system to maintain consistent cutter wheel speed.
“The SC402 stump cutter is engineered to meet the demands of tree care professionals who require robust performance and efficiency,” said Josh Vrieze, group product manager for Vermeer Environmental Equipment. “With its increased torque and the electronic throttle control, operators can expect consistent power delivery, particularly when cutting below grade. The machine’s design also prioritizes maneuverability in confined spaces and ease of operation.”
Traditional ground drive systems either rotate each drive wheel at the same speed or direct flow to the wheel with the least traction, leading to a compromise between traction and turf disturbance. The SC402 offers the best of both worlds by balancing torque between the drive wheels, minimizing turf disturbance while maximizing traction. For access to restricted areas, the machine’s width can be reduced to 35.5 inches (90 cm) by removing the dual wheels, allowing it to pass through standard 36-inch (91.4-cm) gates.
Productivity is enhanced by the Vermeer SmartSweep control system, which monitors engine load and adjusts the cutter wheel sweep rate accordingly. This helps provide a smooth and consistent cutting performance and can help reduce wear on the machine. Operators have the option of the Vermeer cutting system or the Yellow Jacket cutter system to suit different ground conditions and operational preferences.
The SC402 includes features aimed at operator convenience and safety. An operator presence system is standard, designed to disengage the cutter wheel if the operator’s hands leave the control station. The optional remote control allows the operator to maneuver the stump cutter and perform grinding operations from a distance, offering improved visibility. The unit is also equipped with a 10-gallon (37.9-L) fuel tank for extended operating periods and features easily accessible panels for routine maintenance. An optional backfill blade is available to assist with site cleanup.
The Vermeer SC402 stump cutter is eligible for the Vermeer Confidence Plus asset protection program.
For further details on the Vermeer SC402 stump cutter, contact your local Vermeer dealer or visit vermeer.com.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.