This question is very important, and we will always recommend the machine that gets the job done right and for the best price for our customers. Unlike a lot of companies out there we have a fleet of different machines that are capable of handling different sized projects.
Skid Steer mulchers (like a bobcat machine) are great for tight spaces and urban areas. They are light weight and equipped with rubber tracks. Generally skid steer mulchers are around 100HP and produce about 40Gal/Min of hydraulic flow (this is what powers the mulcher head). Skid steer mulchers are really more so brush and sapling mowers than true forestry mulchers.
Skid Steer Mulcher Pros
- Smaller in size and can navigate tighter areas
- Rubber tracks that can be driven on roads and over curbs
- Shorter height can fit under trees easier
Skid Steer Mulcher Cons
- Low horsepower and hydraulic flow reduces production in terms of size (acreage) and tree size
- Smaller cutting width
- Get stuck very easily
- Cannot handle steep or sloped terrain well
Dedicated forestry mulchers (like our Barko 930B machine) are purpose built to handle the rigors of forestry mulching. These machines are generally higher than 300 HP and produce more than 100Gal/Min of hydraulic flow. This increased horsepower and flow means they are able to mulch faster and larger trees. Dedicated mulchers are built on articulating tractor chassis.
Dedicated Mulcher Pros
- High horsepower and high hydraulic flow means more production power
- Large tractor tires are able to handle a lot of different terrain types
- Still able to handle selective clearing
- Less prone to break downs on the job
- Higher flow allows for a finer more finished mulch
Dedicated Mulcher Cons
- More expensive to transport
- Not practical on smaller jobs less than 2 acres.
When should I choose a skid steer mulcher?
- For small lots (less than 1 acre) with light vegetation (mostly brush with a few trees than need to be removed)
- For urban lots where the machine must be unloaded on a road or driveway
- For jobs where height clearance is an issue.
When should I choose a dedicated mulcher?
- For larger clearing jobs (greater than 2 acres)
- For larger trees or thicker vegetation
- When there are slopes and steeper terrain
- Where trees are larger
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