By Mike Noward
From the December 2024 Issue
Land clearing is an essential process in landscaping, construction, and forestry. It involves the removal of trees, shrubs, etc. to make way for new projects or maintain existing landscapes. Among the tools available for efficient land clearing, forestry mulchers stand out due to versatility and effectiveness. Selecting the right forestry mulcher for your machine can significantly impact productivity and efficiency. Below, are key considerations to inform this decision.
Understand Types Of Forestry Mulchers
Before making a selection, it’s critical to understand the different types of forestry mulchers available. They are categorized into two main types: drum (fixed tooth) and wheel mulchers.
Drum Mulchers: These feature a rotating drum with sharp teeth (knives) that shred vegetation as they move forward. They are commonly preferred for larger land clearing projects with larger, dense material due to their potency and ability to handle stubborn materials. Their fixed tools produce a finer sized output which discharges towards the ground. They leave an aesthetically appealing finished product.
Disc Mulchers: This type uses a series of disc-style blades. They operate effectively on smaller trees and brush and are typically lighter, making them more suitable for smaller machines or less dense vegetation. While they can fell larger trees, the primary focus is on rapid timber processing. They produce a much more course, rough output discharged laterally so materials can be thrown many feet away. They are better suited for cutting fire breaks or clearing pipeline rights-of-way than residential clearing and beautification projects.
Machine Compatibility
Selecting a forestry mulcher compatible with your machine is paramount. Factors to consider include:
Hydraulic Requirements: Assess hydraulic flow and pressure of your machine. Each model has specific hydraulic needs, usually expressed as a minimum flow in gallons per minute or a range of hydraulic flow. Ensuring compatibility will optimize performance and prevent mechanical failures. The mulcher will perform better when the hydraulic flow is in the upper half of the flow range. With mulchers available for both standard and high flow/pressure, there are options to suit virtually skid steer or excavator, allowing for the right attachment for the application for your machine’s functionality.
Weight Limitations: Forestry mulchers come in various sizes and weights. Ensure your skid steer or excavator can handle the additional weight without compromising stability or safety. Attachments that offer high strength, reduced weight and are matched to the power-unit provide optimum performance.
Mounting Options: Different mulchers have varying mounting systems, especially on excavator mulchers. Ensure the model you choose has a compatible mounting option for your existing machinery. Does the manufacturer you are looking for include these? Do they have additional costs associated with them?
Hose Connections: Some mulchers come with hoses and couplers for quick installation, day one. Others require the end user to outsource. Hose routing and protection is important, as unprotected hoses are easily damaged, and are a primary cause of mulcher related downtime.
Installation time and investment: Is the attachment ready to go out of the box or do you have to PDI the machine or install additional hoses or couplings to make it work. The sooner the mulcher can be used, the faster its payback will be.
Power And Performance Considerations
The effectiveness of a forestry mulcher often directly correlates with its power and performance characteristics.
Cutting Capacity: Each model has its maximum cutting capacity it can handle effectively. Assess the types of vegetation and choose a mulcher equipped to handle the largest expected diameter. Also consider how close your material is to other material. For example, a cluster of smaller diameter material close together may require more cutting capacity than if saplings or small shrubs are more spread out.
Motor Power: Power output influences the mulcher’s performance. Ensure the mulcher’s horsepower aligns with your machine’s capabilities for optimal performance. What type of motor system do they employ? Direct drive, belt drive, gear motor, or piston motor?
Speed and Efficiency: Evaluate the mulcher’s operating speed and how quickly it can process vegetation. High-speed models can increase productivity but might sacrifice cutting quality. Additionally, it’s important to evaluate recovery time and how quickly it takes the motor to get back up to optimal rpm’s for cutting and mulching effectively.
Maintenance And Durability
A mulcher is a significant investment. Considering long-term maintenance and durability is crucial, especially when working in remote areas, where downtime can quickly escalate costs and ruin project profitability.
Build Quality: Opt for mulchers made from high-grade materials to withstand harsh conditions. Reinforced frames and high-quality cutting teeth will reduce wear and extend the life of your equipment.
Ease of Maintenance: Consider models that allow easy access to vital components. Features like removable teeth and easily replaceable wear parts can reduce downtime for maintenance.
- Can teeth be rotated, or are they single use? Several manufacturers require replacement knives to be purchased from them, while others use commonly available teeth.
- Can you easily replace shields or guards, or are they welded on? A bolt-on guard can be easily replaced when damaged.
Manufacturer Support: Evaluate the manufacturer’s reputation regarding post-purchase support and availability of parts. Do they stock replacement parts, knives and teeth? What are the costs? Downtime can be a killer for those waiting on parts. Consider where the mulcher is built and who is building it. Ask yourself, “are their limitations to a mulcher built outside of the U.S.?”
Application-Specific Features
Each land-clearing job comes with unique requirements. Features specifically suited to your application can enhance the effectiveness of the mulcher. Do you have a variety of applications that you work in? What is the most common condition and what size/type of mulcher aligns best with that work?
Adjustable Door Control: This allows for customization of size of mulch and direction of discharge based on the specific vegetation or ground conditions. While having a cylinder powered door may allow you to open and close in the cab, it may open the door for complications. It also may increase installation costs.
Knife Selection: When choosing knives for your mulcher, there are several options for shape and material. Common tool-steel knives offer a sharp, rotatable edge for fine mulching and reduced power draw. Carbide options offer extended durability with an increase in cost and are not typically able to be rotated. Some carbide knives with a blunt edge for ground engagement can survive light ground contact but require more power and produce a coarser output.
Budgeting For Your Investment
Understanding your budget is essential in the decision-making process. The cost of a forestry mulcher can vary significantly based on its type, brand, size, and capabilities.
Initial Investment vs. Long-term Savings: While cheaper models might seem appealing, investing in quality can lead to long-term savings in maintenance and efficiency. Think through the costs of upkeep, maintenance, and replacement parts.
Downtime: What does downtime cost your business, can you afford to be down for hours or days at a time due to lack of support or quality which downs a unit, costs money, and opportunity cost of getting other work accomplished?
Conclusion
Selecting the right forestry mulcher for your skid steer or excavator is an important decision that can significantly affect the efficiency and effectiveness of land-clearing projects. By understanding the various types of mulchers, ensuring machine compatibility, considering power needs, focusing on maintenance and durability, and accounting for environmental impacts, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your specific requirements.
Investing time in research and selection up-front will ultimately pay off, ensuring you have the tools to complete your land-clearing projects safely and effectively. Happy mulching!
Mike Noward is a Regional Account Manager and Marketing Manager at Werk-Brau, a leading manufacturer of loader and excavator buckets and attachments. In addition to writing educational articles about mulcher selection, he works with dealers to help customers get the right bucket or attachment for their particular application. He may be reached at MNoward@werk-Brau.com.
Do you have a comment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, or send an e-mail to the Editor at jessica@groupc.com.
