Drum vs disc midi excavator

[fishinfool]

about to close on a Kubota 080, (8 ton) looking to fit it with a brushing head.
As mentioned in previous post, im in central cal
Residential brushing in varying bouldery terrain in urban Nat. forest interface.
Brush is 30-40 year re-growth. manzanita, ceanothis etc..

Drum or disk?

Kubota manual says Pump flow 38GPM @4000psi
not sure how much is available at existing aux on stick (anyone?)

Ive been told you can rob fluid from the track drive side of the pump by plumming a "T" with selonoid selector valve and get more GPM (were talking a new independant circut for cutter head) you can switch head off when tracking (?)

Any suggestions /advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

This is something I happen to know alot about. You can expect 26 gpm @ 3500-3700 psi to the implement. Any higher and you will rob boom performance.
The combining you are referring to is only an option on a mulitple pump system. The Kubota and most mini's or larger mini's use a single pump system. They use one large pump. It is the one you see the specs for of 38 gpm @ 4000psi total system. The manual we say said 4100 psi but same difference.
But the Kubota will run a head well and we have several running on the KX080's and they perform well. You can watch them on You Tube under Denis Cimaf the head is the DAH-080C.

 

[fishinfool]

Robbie,

Thanks for the informative reply !! 26 gpm opens up more options.
Ill check youtube.

Do you have experience working with a cimaf head in the conditions I described? I could send a photo of typical terrain/vegetation I am working with.

I am concerned that a horiz. drum style unit will not lend itself to working around tight areas created by boulders etc...

Any thoughts

Thanks,

Doug

 

[Eagleview]

30-40 year old regrowth will eat you up with an 8 tonner .

Most double pumps run one track and half of the boom functions per pump . You can fit a solenoid valve to merge the pumps .

Disc slashers are quicker but leave a rough finish and will throw debris .

 

[fishinfool]

Thanks Iron H, keep it comming,

Alternative plan is a Cat 311B, too heavy for me to transport with my equip.
(backhoe trailer) but worth paying to transport if it will make up the difference in production. (im looking at residential 2-3 acre stuff and selective clearing (leaving big stuff). reluctant to go with heavier machine and steel tracs due to road damage)

So..... drum or disc?

Any experience with RDM disc brushing head?

Took several photos of terrain/vegitation
(how do you post a picture here)

 

[Eagleview]

Pictures will help , it would be good if you could do the job with a machine you can carry yourself . If you plan on leaving the big stuff , an 8 tonner may do it . I used to find I was missing work , little $2000 jobs because the cost of freight turns people away as the all up cost is more than they can afford . I also used to get people ringing on Friday night , wanting work done on the weekend that I have had to turn down because it can take a week to organise transport . Now that my machine is sitting on my own trailer at home , I can just hop in and go . A drum cutter will be better around houses , people , traffic etc as they don't throw projectiles and will leave a better finish . The DC heads are very impressive as the knives slice the timber instead of bludgeoning it to death like dull hammers will . The Agrifuture/FAE Viper teeth seem pretty good as well .

Steel tracks with rubber or Urethane road liner pads is your best bet , the strength of steel and the ability to walk over pavement . The other guys will have more for you as they are doing this all the time .

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

I've worked with both a disk type mulcher and my rotary (Cimaf) in my opinion the disk mulcher seems to throw material a little less than the Cimaf, Unless you always work left to right then the cimaf throws almost no material and with the trap door it can be directed down. Depending on the situation one will throw less material than the other. The disk mulcher seems to care less which direction you swing but if you are careful the Cimaf will definitely not dissapoint.
I've yet to try the smaller units so they may have different departure angles on the drum etc so they may not throw the material the same as the bigger guy. This is just my opinion.

 

[fishinfool]

I mentioned 30 year re-growth, I realize in most areas that would be lumber ready for the mill. Here in central California that represents 6 - 8' brush.3-6"
trunks at the base - sage, ceanothis, manzanita, oak,... most of it very hard brittle wood

I will attempt to include a photo of the terrain/vegetation I am working with
Might help to clarify what im up to.

Thanks for any advise

 

[fishinfool]

OK, sorry to direct you elseware to view images but best i could figure out.
I hope they help.
water tanks are about 8' tall if it helps for scale.

Thanks again,

Doug

 

[Eagleview]

Re photos , while you are posting text , scroll down and you will come to a "Manage Attachments" tab . Click on this and a box will open with several "Browse" tabs . Click Browse and you will be able to see your photos . Choose the ones you want and click "Upload" . I usually minimise this box after I click upload . It will reappear when they are loaded . Close the box and then "Submit" the post . I drive machinery better than a Pootor but you will get the idea when you see it .