New old mulcher up an running!

[junkjunkie]

A few months ago, we started looking into having a forestry mulcher come in and open up our property lines and do some clearing on our property. We had a lot of trouble nailing down prices other than dollars per day and how many days they thought it would take (note that the total scope of work is pretty extensive). In the process we came across an RC-100 with a 60" magnum mulcher for sale for about the mid-range of the estimates we received. After figuring up what I thought it would take to get the machine up and running, and the value of the operating machine, we decided to purchase it and do the work ourselves.

I worked on the machine as time allowed for about 2 months (with some help from TBN... Thanks, Y'all!), probably putting about 80 hours of actual work into it. New tracks (aftermarket), a few new undercarriage wheels and rollers, some new hydraulic hoses (and lots of o-rings), new filters and fluids (plus a good cooling system flush), a thorough washdown and inspection, some pins and bushings, and a new quick-attach plate had the ASV up and running. On the mulcher, I thought maybe the bearings were failing because the rotor would not turn by hand (even with the belt off) so I had budgeted for bearings and seals, but after a bit of inspection found there was a good bit of dirt and rust built up from sitting as long as it had. Some PB blaster between the rotor and dirt-rings and a thorough cleaning soon had it spinning smooth. Salvaging some old parts from the original damaged one, I fabricated a new deflector door. After re-arranging the good teeth and installing some new ones, the rotor now runs at full speed without vibration.

Anyhow, I finally got a chance to put it to the test and the results (I think) are outstanding! I didn't get a "before" picture, but the area shown was basically so full of privet and sweetgum that you couldn't even walk through it.

When I first started working with it, the cooling fan still needed to be replaced because I hadn't received the new one yet so I only got a couple hours before I had to let it cool down. After putting in the new cooling fan and cleaning out all the crud that was built up between the radiator and the A/C condensor, I haven't seen the temperature warning light since, even with near 100 degree temps. I'm considering adding a coolant temp gauge anyhow, as I don't trust warning lights.

As I've had a lot of experience with loaders, the ASV was easy to get used to but I'm taking it slow and cautious with the mulcher while I learn to use it. I was relatively pleased with what I was able to accomplish in a couple of hours (I spent a lot of time experimenting with the deflector door and using it properly so that ate up some time. I believe as I get more comfortable with the operation, my productivity will increase, although I don't want to push the machine to the point of unnecessary abuse. Also, it seems that the slowest part of the job is opening up enough space to maneuver the machine. It'll take a bit longer to do the job myself, but I figure with a little more time and effort, I'll be happier with the finished product than with a disc mulcher, and I can likely more than recoup the investment in the machine.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

That's awesome. I'm jealous

 

[hddnis]

Cool.

Would love more pics and action video if you get a chance.

 

[junkjunkie]

Heres a couple more pics of the same areas after another hour or so.


another area where I started mulching up a brush pile


I'll get some "before" pics next time (although these may be them as I move further back in the woods). It'll be a little while before I get back after it, as I have some other things that "need" tending to.

As far as video, I'll have to see what I can do. Maybe try to set up a camera, because I sure wouldn't want anybody in camera range to get a quality video. The label on the old deflector door said "stay back 300 feet" and they meant it! These things can sho-nuff throw some stuff! As a precaution, I waited to work next to the driveway until I knew nobody would be driving through for a while. I wouldn't have imagined having the deflector door closed would make such a difference, but it sure does clean it up nice when you close the door and back out.

 

[junkjunkie]

Finally got to spend a little more time with the machine. I've had to shut down for some adjustments and repairs here and there, but mostly just loose connections or the occasional blown o-ring. Getting used to the mulcher head took a little time (mostly to get the angle right so I quit covering the front of the machine with dirt).



I'm going to try and borrow a video camera from one of the kids and see if we can do a little filming of the machine in action.

Now I just need to find all my corner pins so I can mark the property line and clear it. Reckon it's time to dig out a metal detector.

 

[Steave]

Well I see I'm not the only one blessed with Sweet Gum and Hedge (Chinese Privet). You've got the right tool for battle even though you know you're not going to win the war against Sweet gum . It has become my enemy and a constant battle to keep it fought back out of the fields.

My new holland skidsteer only has 17 GPM hydrualic so I couldn't run a Magnum like yours. Does yours have the 2 sided cutting teeth and run in forward or reverse rotation?

The pictures are impressive and I too am envious of your machine. If you need somewhere to practice or run out of something to do I'm probably not to far north of you so you and your machine drop by any time.

 

[junkjunkie]

Well I see I'm not the only one blessed with Sweet Gum and Hedge (Chinese Privet). You've got the right tool for battle even though you know you're not going to win the war against Sweet gum . It has become my enemy and a constant battle to keep it fought back out of the fields.

We're definitely brothers in arms in that battle; seems like gum is the curse of the pine belt sometimes.... we had a lot of it on our old place, only way I found to conquer it was mowing at least 3 times every summer, and one good cut in the fall to make sure it was knocked back. After about 2 years, it finally gave up the fight on our pasture.

Once this section is finished, it's getting fenced for pigs. They do a great job of keeping the privet and gums knocked back as well (or goats if you can tolerate their escape antics). Then we're working our way into silvopasture (so we think, anyhow).

The magnum has been a great addition to our arsenal. I have the double sided teeth (so they can be flipped when they wear or break) but the rotation is only in one direction. As a rule, I'm mowing stuff down while driving forward, then closing the deflector door and backing over it, grinding the mulch even further. Still leaves some big stuff to clean up, but most of that I think will clean up with a landscape rake.

 

[TSO]

Congrats on the "new" machine! I really like my ASV (PT70), and yours is a beast. I probably wouldn't run a mulcher on mine simply because it's not setup for it (full protection), and it's really hard on the machine. But I always keep an eye out, just in case. Plus I'm only running about 30 GPM on HiFlow.

Last year I was renting a large Bobcat with a 72" mulcher awhile. It ran around 34 GPM. Granted it was 72" but I wouldn't want any less GPM to run it. The Bobcat, with a Kubota engine, had problems overheating. I was constantly cleaning out the radiator, and taking time waiting for it to cool down. I think the cooling system on the Bobcat may not have been up to the task.

One nice thing that I really liked about that unit tho, was that it had steel logging tracks. Rode rough as ****, but the tracks were very durable. I'd worry about the longevity of the rubber tracks on the PT100... How are they holding up?

 

[junkjunkie]

I'd worry about the longevity of the rubber tracks on the PT100... How are they holding up?

So far the rubber tracks seem to be holding up well. They are aftermarket, with a little more aggressive tread than the OEM (I'd have liked to put the ASV tracks on but this project had to stay on some kind of budget).

I think the big advantage to the RC100 is the weight/balance. I've operated a lot of machinery and can't think of any time that I ran a compact loader (wheeled or tracked) that felt so stable. That makes a huge difference when there's 2200lbs of mulcher head hanging out in front of you.

I borrowed a video camera from one of the kids... gonna try and mount it up and see if we can get some before/after with action shots (if the weather cooperates) this weekend.

 

[hddnis]

Looking forward to it.

Like you I've run just about every form and configuration of machine out there and the ASV line really holds tight to the ground. I've had them in some insane terrain over the years and they always got the job done.