Best overall skid steer stump bucket: the Sierra Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m at NZ$1,995. Best for high-volume root and stump clearing: the Stone Fork Bucket 2m Euro Hitch at NZ$2,995. Best budget option with hitch brackets already fitted: the Stone Fork/Firewood Bucket 1.5m Euro Hitch at NZ$2,295. Best for actually getting a stump bucket onto a skid steer frame: the Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor from Implements Direct.
- Sierra Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m wins overall as a skid steer stump bucket at NZ$1,995 in 2026.
- Stone Fork Bucket 2m Euro Hitch handles high-volume stump and root clearing at NZ$2,995.
- Skid steer operators need the Euro Hitch Adaptor before any Euro-hitch stump bucket will mount up.
- Mateng SG24 PRO PTO Stump Grinder (NZ$4,295) grinds stumps flush instead of digging them out.
- Budget buyers get brackets pre-fitted on the Stone Fork/Firewood Bucket 1.5m at NZ$2,295.
Why this matters
A stump bucket is a tined loader bucket that sifts soil away from a stump or rock while the tines hold the debris, so you are not hauling half the paddock along with it. Skid steer operators need a Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor first, because every stump bucket built for this job in New Zealand mounts on a Euro hitch, not the skid steer quick-attach plate.
Solid-bottom buckets pack full of dirt and stall halfway through a stump-clearing job. A stump bucket with 85mm tine spacing lets soil and small root fragments drop through while the stump, rock or root ball stays on the tines for lifting clear.
Implements Direct stocks the stump bucket range alongside PTO stump grinders, a different approach for anyone who would rather grind a stump flush than dig it out. Both routes work in 2026 - the right one depends on whether you want the stump gone or just gone from the surface.
What makes the best skid steer stump bucket
- Tine spacing - tighter spacing sifts more soil but catches less debris in one pass
- Bucket width matched to loader capacity - a 2.0m bucket needs more lift and breakout force than a 1.5m one
- Mounting standard - Euro hitch is the norm; skid steers need the adaptor to run it
- Cross-tube reinforcement - stops the tine bed flexing when you're prying a stubborn root ball
- Steel gauge - 30mm high-tensile tines hold up under repeated stump-lifting loads
- Job type - digging a stump out calls for a bucket; grinding it flush calls for a PTO stump grinder
Skid steer stump buckets at a glance
| Item | Best for | Standout feature | Starting price | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m | Best overall stump bucket | 30mm tines at 85mm spacing | NZ$1,995 | No Euro hitch brackets included |
| Stone Fork Bucket 2m Euro Hitch | High-volume root clearing | 50x100mm cross-tube reinforcement | NZ$2,995 | Needs a loader rated for the wider bucket |
| Stone Fork/Firewood Bucket 1.5m Euro Hitch (SFB1500-1) | Budget buyer wanting brackets included | Ready-to-mount Euro hitch fitment | NZ$2,295 | Narrower than the 2m model |
| Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor | Fitting a stump bucket to a skid steer | Converts skid steer plate to Euro hitch | Check current pricing | Adds a wear point in the hitch chain |
| Mateng SG24 PRO PTO Stump Grinder | Grinding stumps flush | Built for 18-45HP hydrostatic tractors | NZ$4,295 | 3-point PTO mount, not skid steer compatible |
| Baumalight 1P24 PTO Stump Grinder | Small hydrostatic tractors clearing paddocks | 3-point hitch PTO mount | NZ$5,795 | Priced above the SG24 PRO despite a smaller-tractor focus |
1. Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m: best skid steer stump bucket overall
This is the base tined bucket in the Implements Direct stump bucket lineup - 1.5m wide, 30mm steel tines spaced 85mm apart, built for front end loaders and Euro hitch conversions. It handles stumps, rocks and firewood in the same pass because the tines let soil drop through while the debris stays on the bed.
Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m pros:
- Widest use case in the range - stumps, rocks, firewood, one bucket
- Lowest entry price in the stump bucket lineup at NZ$1,995
- 30mm tine steel holds up under repeated prying loads
Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m cons:
- Ships without Euro hitch brackets, so you're fitting those separately
- Skid steer operators still need the adaptor before it mounts
Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m pricing: NZ$1,995, brackets not included.
Best for: the buyer who wants one stump bucket that also earns its keep on firewood and rock work. Verdict: Buy.
2. Stone Fork Bucket 2m Euro Hitch: best stump bucket for high-volume root clearing
Step up to the 2.0m version when you're clearing a whole shelter belt or a paddock full of stumps rather than one or two. The wider bed moves more material per pass, and the 50x100mm cross tubes add stiffness the 1.5m bucket doesn't need.
Stone Fork Bucket 2m pros:
- 2.0m width covers more ground per pass on multi-stump jobs
- Cross-tube reinforcement resists flex when prying larger root balls
- Same 30mm, 85mm tine spec as the 1.5m bucket, scaled up
Stone Fork Bucket 2m cons:
- NZ$2,995 is the highest price in the bucket lineup
- Needs a loader with enough breakout force to swing the extra width loaded
Stone Fork Bucket 2m pricing: NZ$2,995.
Best for: clearing multiple stumps or a scrub block in one operation rather than one stump at a time. Verdict: Buy if your loader has the lift capacity for it.
3. Stone Fork/Firewood Bucket 1.5m Euro Hitch (SFB1500-1): best budget stump bucket with brackets included
Same 1.5m footprint as the entry bucket above, but this version comes with the Euro hitch brackets already fitted. That's the NZ$300 difference between the two 1.5m buckets in the range.
SFB1500-1 pros:
- Euro hitch brackets pre-fitted, no separate bracket purchase needed
- Heavy-duty multi-purpose build for stone, firewood and stump work
- Mid-range price sits between the base bucket and the 2m model
SFB1500-1 cons:
- Same 1.5m width limit as the base bucket - no capacity upgrade for the higher price
- Skid steer operators still need the separate adaptor to run it
SFB1500-1 pricing: NZ$2,295, brackets included.
Best for: first-time Euro hitch buyers who don't want to source brackets separately. Verdict: Buy if you value the ready-to-mount convenience.
4. Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor: best for fitting a stump bucket to a skid steer loader
None of the three stump buckets above will bolt straight onto a skid steer quick-attach plate. This Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor is the piece that makes the whole "skid steer stump bucket" idea work in practice - it sits between your skid steer's plate and the Euro hitch bucket.
Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor pros:
- Opens the entire Euro hitch bucket and attachment range to skid steer owners
- One-time purchase, reusable across every Euro hitch implement Implements Direct sells
Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor cons:
- It's an extra component and connection point, not a direct mount
- Adds a small amount of offset length to the loader arm
Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor pricing: check current pricing on the site.
Best for: any skid steer owner who wants to run the stump bucket lineup above without swapping to a Euro-hitch loader. Verdict: Buy - it's the missing link, not optional.
5. Mateng SG24 PRO PTO Stump Grinder: best for grinding stumps instead of digging
If you'd rather grind a stump down to ground level than fight it out with a bucket, the Mateng SG24 PRO is the alternative route. It's built for tractors from 18-45HP with hydrostatic transmission and mounts on the 3-point linkage, not the loader.
Mateng SG24 PRO pros:
- Grinds stumps flush without a dig-out or a bucket at all
- Purpose-built for 18-45HP hydrostatic tractors, a common compact tractor spec
- Cheaper than the Baumalight 1P24 despite covering a wider HP range
Mateng SG24 PRO cons:
- 3-point PTO mount, so it does not fit a skid steer loader
- Needs a hydrostatic tractor in the right HP band to run properly
Mateng SG24 PRO pricing: NZ$4,295.
Best for: compact tractor owners who want the stump gone below grade instead of hauled out whole. Verdict: Buy if you're running a compatible tractor and want to skip digging entirely.
6. Baumalight 1P24 PTO Stump Grinder: best for small hydrostatic tractors clearing paddocks
The 1P24 is Baumalight's 3-point hitch PTO stump grinder, aimed at smaller hydrostatic tractors rather than the wider HP band the Mateng SG24 PRO covers. It's the pick when your tractor sits at the lighter end of the compact range.
Baumalight 1P24 pros:
- Designed specifically for small hydrostatic compact tractors
- 3-point hitch PTO mount, same grinding approach as the SG24 PRO
Baumalight 1P24 cons:
- Highest price in this list at NZ$5,795, despite targeting smaller tractors
- Not skid steer compatible - it's a 3-point PTO implement
Baumalight 1P24 pricing: NZ$5,795.
Best for: small hydrostatic tractor owners who specifically need a grinder sized to their machine rather than the broader SG24 PRO spec. Verdict: Hold unless the SG24 PRO's 18-45HP range doesn't suit your tractor - the price gap is hard to justify otherwise.
How the ranking works
The order above follows the criteria: tine spacing and steel gauge for bucket picks, mounting standard for the adaptor pick, and HP range plus mount type for the two grinders. The Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m takes top spot because it covers the widest set of jobs at the lowest entry price in the range, not because it's the biggest or most expensive option.
Which skid steer stump bucket should you choose in 2026?
If you're not sure, start with the Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m at NZ$1,995 - it's the safest default for general stump, rock and firewood work on a lifestyle block or small farm. Add the Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor if you're running a skid steer rather than a Euro-hitch loader.
Step up to the 2m bucket only if you're clearing multiple stumps or a full scrub block in 2026 and your loader can handle the extra width loaded. If digging a stump out isn't the plan and grinding it flush is, the Mateng SG24 PRO covers the widest HP range of the two PTO grinders in this list.
FAQ
What is a skid steer stump bucket?
A skid steer stump bucket is a tined loader bucket that sifts soil away from a stump, rock or root while the tines hold the debris for lifting clear. Implements Direct's versions run on a Euro hitch, so a skid steer needs an adaptor to mount one.
Can a skid steer run a Euro hitch stump bucket?
Yes, but only with a Skid Steer to Euro Hitch Adaptor fitted between the skid steer's quick-attach plate and the bucket. Without the adaptor, a Euro hitch stump bucket will not bolt onto a skid steer frame.
How much does a stump bucket cost in 2026?
Prices in the Implements Direct range run from NZ$1,995 for the 1.5m Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket up to NZ$2,995 for the 2.0m Stone Fork Bucket. A version with Euro hitch brackets pre-fitted sits in between at NZ$2,295.
Is a stump bucket or a PTO stump grinder better for clearing stumps?
A stump bucket digs and lifts the stump out whole; a PTO stump grinder like the Mateng SG24 PRO grinds it down flush without removing the root ball. Pick the bucket if you want the stump gone completely, the grinder if ground-level clearance is enough.
What tine spacing works best for stump and root buckets?
The Sierra stone fork buckets in this range use 30mm steel tines spaced 85mm apart, which sifts soil and small root fragments through while holding stumps and rocks on the bed.
Do I need brackets for a Euro hitch stump bucket?
The base Stone Fork/Firewood/Sieve Bucket 1.5m ships without brackets, while the SFB1500-1 version at NZ$2,295 comes with Euro hitch brackets already fitted. Check which version you're ordering before checkout.
Can a PTO stump grinder fit a skid steer loader?
No. The Mateng SG24 PRO and Baumalight 1P24 both mount on a tractor's 3-point linkage and run off the PTO, so neither fits a skid steer loader directly.
What HP tractor does a PTO stump grinder need?
The Mateng SG24 PRO is built for 18-45HP hydrostatic tractors, a wider range than the Baumalight 1P24, which targets smaller hydrostatic compact tractors.
One last thing
Run the sequence in the right order and the job goes faster: grind the stump flush first if you're using a PTO grinder, then use a Sierra brush grapple or the stump bucket to clear the loose material afterward. Trying to bucket out a stump that's still fully rooted wastes more time than grinding it first and sweeping up second.