Clearing paddocks of stumps and regrowth is one of the most common lifestyle-block jobs in New Zealand, and it's also one where buyers search for equipment that doesn't quite exist as marketed. There is no dedicated "PTO stump grinder" sold as a standard tractor implement in NZ in 2026 — what actually does the job is a fixed-tooth PTO mulcher or a heavy-duty flail mower, and this guide ranks the real options against that job.
- No standalone PTO stump grinder exists in the NZ tractor implement market in 2026 — fixed-tooth mulchers do the equivalent job.
- Baumalight MP360 (1.5m, NZ$21,995) is the heaviest fixed-tooth mulcher for 40HP+ tractors clearing stumps and scrub — Buy.
- Baumalight MP348 (1.25m, NZ$19,995) covers the same task for 25-40HP compact tractors — Buy.
- Del Morino Centurion 158 flail mulching mower finishes pasture after stumps are cleared, but it is not a substitute — Consider.
- Generic unbranded stump grinder attachments with no HP rating or parts support — Skip.
Why this matters
Paddock clearing in 2026 almost always means gorse regrowth, blackberry, and old stumps left over from tree removal — not clean wood ready for a chainsaw. Search demand for "PTO stump grinder" is really demand for something that can grind a stump flush, chew through regrowth around it, and leave the paddock stock-safe in one pass.
The closest real category is the fixed-tooth PTO mulcher, sometimes marketed alongside heavy-duty flail mowers for gorse and scrub clearing. These mulchers use fixed carbide-tipped teeth on a rotating drum rather than a single grinding wheel, and that difference matters for anyone comparing specs before they buy.
Buying the wrong attachment here is expensive. A flail mower built for pasture topping will shatter its blades on a stump. A fixed-tooth mulcher built for stumps will out-torque a light-duty flail mower's gearbox if it's undersized for the tractor. Getting the category right before the model matters more than any single spec sheet.
How we ranked
Each pick below is scored against three things that matter for actual stump and scrub clearing in a NZ paddock: cutting mechanism (fixed-tooth mulcher versus flail), minimum tractor HP required to run it without stalling, and what it actually leaves behind — mulch you can walk stock over, or chips that need raking. Pricing reflects 2026 NZ retail figures. Anything without a published HP rating or backup parts supply gets marked Skip regardless of price.
The ranked list
1. Baumalight MP360 (1.5m fixed-tooth mulcher) — the heavy-duty grinder equivalent
This is the closest thing to a true stump grinder in the NZ tractor implement market. The MP360 runs fixed carbide teeth on a PTO-driven rotor at NZ$21,995, built for Category 1 three-point linkage tractors from roughly 40HP up.
It handles stumps up to typical paddock-tree diameter, chews standing gorse and blackberry in the same pass, and leaves mulch on the ground instead of a pile to burn. Verdict: Buy if you're clearing multiple paddocks of mature regrowth and have the horsepower to run it properly.
2. Baumalight MP348 (1.25m fixed-tooth mulcher) — the compact tractor version
Same mechanism, smaller frame. The MP348 costs NZ$19,995 and is sized for 25-40HP tractors, which covers most compact and mid-size lifestyle block machines that can't swing the MP360.
It won't clear a stump quite as fast as its bigger sibling, but it's the right call when your tractor's PTO output tops out below 40HP. Verdict: Buy for compact tractor owners who still want fixed-tooth grinding rather than a flail.
3. Del Morino Centurion 158 flail mulching mower — the pasture finisher
The Del Morino Centurion 158 flail mulching mower is a genuinely capable flail mower for pasture topping and light scrub, but it is not built to grind a stump flush to ground level the way a fixed-tooth mulcher is.
Where it earns a place on this list is the step after grinding: once stumps are down and roots are out, the Centurion 158 tops the regrowth and keeps pasture stock-ready through the rest of 2026. Verdict: Consider as a follow-up implement, not as your primary stump solution.
4. Hanmey WCX5 PTO Wood Chipper 5 inch — the debris processor
Stump grinding and mulching generates branches and offcuts that still need processing. The Hanmey WCX5 PTO Wood Chipper handles material up to 5 inches in diameter at NZ$3,295, well suited to lifestyle blocks and small orchards clearing this kind of debris.
It's not part of the grinding job itself, but it removes the second job — hauling and burning brush — that follows every paddock clear. Verdict: Buy if the cleared material includes branch-sized wood rather than just stump and root.
5. Sierra PTO Log Splitter with Log Lifting Table — the salvage option
Stumps and root balls from bigger paddock trees sometimes yield firewood-grade wood once split down. The Sierra PTO Log Splitter with Log Lifting Table runs a 22-ton split force at NZ$5,595 and removes the manual lifting that makes splitting stump sections dangerous.
This only earns a spot if your clearing job is producing usable wood, not just mulch. Verdict: Consider if salvage firewood offsets the clearing cost.
6. Unbranded imported "stump grinder" attachments — no HP rating, no parts trail
A search for PTO stump grinder turns up generic imported attachments with no published horsepower range, no NZ parts supply, and no gearbox spec. These show up cheap and disappear from the seller's listings within a season.
Without a rated HP range or a local parts trail, there's no way to match the attachment to your tractor safely, and no way to fix it when the gearbox fails. Verdict: Skip.
Comparison table
| Pick | Mechanism | Tractor HP | Price (2026) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baumalight MP360 (1.5m) | Fixed-tooth mulcher | 40HP+ | NZ$21,995 | Buy |
| Baumalight MP348 (1.25m) | Fixed-tooth mulcher | 25-40HP | NZ$19,995 | Buy |
| Del Morino Centurion 158 | Flail mulching mower | Varies by model | Check current pricing | Consider |
| Hanmey WCX5 Wood Chipper | Chipper, 5" capacity | Compact tractor PTO | NZ$3,295 | Buy (for debris) |
| Sierra PTO Log Splitter | 22-ton hydraulic splitter | Any PTO-rated tractor | NZ$5,595 | Consider (for salvage) |
| Unbranded stump grinder attachment | Unrated | Unknown | Varies | Skip |
Where to buy
- Buy from a NZ-based supplier that publishes an actual HP range for the attachment, not a generic "suits most tractors" line — mismatched torque is the most common failure point on fixed-tooth mulchers.
- Confirm parts availability before you buy, especially shear bolts and mulcher teeth, since those wear fastest on stump work.
- Implements Direct ships tractor implements and attachments freight NZ-wide, which matters for rural buyers who can't easily collect a 1.5m mulcher from a depot.
FAQ
Is there a true PTO stump grinder for tractors in NZ?
Not as a standalone product category in 2026. The closest equivalent is a fixed-tooth PTO mulcher like the Baumalight MP348 or MP360, which grinds stumps and regrowth using rotating carbide teeth instead of a single grinding wheel.
What's the best PTO stump grinder for paddocks under 40HP tractors?
The Baumalight MP348 (1.25m) is built for 25-40HP tractors and handles the same stump and scrub clearing job as the larger MP360 at a smaller frame size. It costs NZ$19,995 in 2026.
Can a flail mower grind out a stump?
No. Flail mowers like the Del Morino Centurion 158 are built for pasture topping and light scrub, not stump removal, and running them into a stump risks shattering the flail blades.
How much does a fixed-tooth PTO mulcher cost in NZ?
Fixed-tooth PTO mulchers run from NZ$19,995 for a 1.25m model to NZ$21,995 for a 1.5m model in 2026, based on current NZ retail pricing.
What tractor HP do I need to run a stump-clearing mulcher?
Most fixed-tooth mulchers built for stump and scrub clearing need at least 25HP for the smaller 1.25m models and 40HP or more for the 1.5m models to avoid stalling the PTO under load.
What do I do with debris after grinding a stump?
A PTO wood chipper like the Hanmey WCX5 processes branch-sized offcuts up to 5 inches, while root sections large enough for firewood are better run through a PTO log splitter with a lifting table.
Are cheap unbranded stump grinder attachments worth buying?
No. Unbranded imports typically have no published HP rating and no NZ parts supply, which makes them unsafe to match to a tractor and difficult to repair once the gearbox or teeth wear out.
One last thing
The spec that actually decides whether a fixed-tooth mulcher clears your paddock or stalls halfway through is PTO output, not the tractor's headline horsepower figure — a tractor rated at 45HP on paper can still bog down a 1.5m mulcher if its PTO shaft output is throttled below that on the spec sheet. Check the PTO-rated HP, not the engine HP, before you buy.