DR Power Equipment has a new commercial stump grinder, and the interesting part is not the engine. The XD17 moves the pivot to the cutter head itself, swinging 16.5 degrees left and right of center, instead of the old routine of locking one wheel and rocking the whole machine through the cut.
It is live now on DR’s site at $4,999.99, down from a $5,499.99 list, and DR claims buyers save more than $1,000 against the closest grinder in the class.
XD17 specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 389cc Honda GX390, 19.5 ft-lbs torque |
| Cutter head | 17-inch solid steel |
| Teeth | Six 900-series GreenTeeth, rotatable 180 degrees |
| Head sweep | 16.5 degrees each way, 20-inch cutting arc |
| Fuel capacity | 1.6 gallons |
| Weight | 375 lbs |
| Warranty | 2-year commercial machine, 3-year engine |
Why pivot the head instead of the chassis? A centered pivot point keeps the machine’s weight planted while the wheel does the swinging, which means less wrestling a 375-pound grinder across a lawn and less fatigue over a long day of stumps.
One detail matters more than it looks: the teeth. The 900-series GreenTeeth are a step up from the 500 and 700-series teeth most machines in this class carry, and each tooth can be rotated 180 degrees to double its working life. Spares stow under the control panel, so a tooth change does not end the day.Who it is for
DR positions the XD17 three ways: a supplement for established stump grinding businesses, an entry point for landscapers adding stump work, and a rental-grade machine that does not need a specialist to run. A 2-year commercial warranty backs that framing.
Mobility details are covered too. There are independent dual disc brakes for slope work, an optional tow bar for hauling behind a truck or UTV, a forklift pocket, and tie-down points for the trailer. A tool-free oil drain on the GX390 and an hour meter round out the maintenance picture.
Chips discharge to the operator’s right through a rubber deflector, which keeps the spray predictable when working near fences or beds.
What it means for buyers
Stump grinders have been a slow-moving category, and DR’s Generac-backed push into the commercial XD series is shaking it up on price first. At $4,999.99, this undercuts the competition DR itself names, and the pivoting-head design is a genuine mechanical difference, not a marketing reshuffle.
If you run a crew and grind stumps weekly, the tooth spec and the head pivot are worth a demo. If you clear a few stumps a year, a rental or a contractor still beats owning 375 pounds of Honda-powered iron.
You can order the XD17 directly from DR Power with free shipping. For more yard-side equipment talk, see our EGO vs Greenworks platform comparison and our cordless pole saw roundup.