Nifty Little Mulcher
- Thread starter cbturf
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AX MAN
Silver Member
Robbie, Is the Prentice new to mulching applications? I know they have been around a long time. What would you need to transport the smaller version and what is approx. cost w/mulcher?
Robbie Hegwood
Platinum Member
The Prentice is the new name for Hydro-ax. They are really an adaptation of a feller buncher. But the one these days are being made with larger pumps for running larger attachments. Most older feller bunchers only had 40-50 gpm saw pumps.
The 2864 260h.p. was around 265-275K for just the tractor. I didn't know they were that high honestly. I don't now how much the smaller 190 h.p. runs. And most can be had to be trailer legal width of 102". The smaller on with a mulcher should be around 20K with mulcher. Again not exact.
Now I have found a tired machine that runs mulchers very well that I would put up against anything. It's a Kershaw Klearway 500. 202h.p. with 2x 55 gpm@5000 psi just for the mulcher head. It's trailer legal wide and priced lower than anything I've seen so far. We have yet to run our head on one but I feel it's just a matter of time. They sell direct to the public and are not brand specific for the head.
I drove the Prentice around at the Sunbelt expo and that the best mulching platform by far. I will be plumbing the head for it soon and mulching about 5 minutes after that. So I will have pictures and a report on that as well. 260 h.p. with 84 gpm@5000 psi.
The 2864 260h.p. was around 265-275K for just the tractor. I didn't know they were that high honestly. I don't now how much the smaller 190 h.p. runs. And most can be had to be trailer legal width of 102". The smaller on with a mulcher should be around 20K with mulcher. Again not exact.
Now I have found a tired machine that runs mulchers very well that I would put up against anything. It's a Kershaw Klearway 500. 202h.p. with 2x 55 gpm@5000 psi just for the mulcher head. It's trailer legal wide and priced lower than anything I've seen so far. We have yet to run our head on one but I feel it's just a matter of time. They sell direct to the public and are not brand specific for the head.
I drove the Prentice around at the Sunbelt expo and that the best mulching platform by far. I will be plumbing the head for it soon and mulching about 5 minutes after that. So I will have pictures and a report on that as well. 260 h.p. with 84 gpm@5000 psi.
AX MAN
Silver Member
Thanks Robbie, Good information. Wishful thinking but the smaller version would be perfect for what I do. The only exception being price per hour charge would be higher. I have been in business 2-1/2 years. October was the best month I have had. Prayers have been answered.
I think Mako Forestry Mowing owns a Kershaw.
I think Mako Forestry Mowing owns a Kershaw.
Robbie Hegwood
Platinum Member
Kershaw in located in Mont. Ala. Pm me and I can give you the contact guy.
And yes the price would and should be higher. But a tired machine is extremely efficient especially using our heads.
Continue to give God praise and they will continue.
Mako does have a Kershaw but I dont think he uses it much. He also runs a RC-100 and a Deere 653 feller buncher with our DAH-150E on it.
I will post when the big boy is running so maybe you can see. I will also be in Panama city a week from Tuesday with a demo high flow skid head. Pm for more info on that.
And yes the price would and should be higher. But a tired machine is extremely efficient especially using our heads.
Continue to give God praise and they will continue.
Mako does have a Kershaw but I dont think he uses it much. He also runs a RC-100 and a Deere 653 feller buncher with our DAH-150E on it.
I will post when the big boy is running so maybe you can see. I will also be in Panama city a week from Tuesday with a demo high flow skid head. Pm for more info on that.
OP
cbturf
Gold Member
Like Robbie said Prentice is a new name for Hydro-Ax you can even see the Hydro-Ax logo on the Prentice machines. Hydro-Ax has been running rotary cutters since the mid 60s or so, so the design is not new just a horizontal drum is used rather than the rotary cutter. Lynn Hendrix quoted me the Prentice with the FAE head with two speed motors, upgraded 65 GPM attachment pump @ 5075 PSI plus all of the other stuff he does to them for $225k.
Prentice - Built Better Than It Needs To Be
http://www.prenticeforestry.com/uploads/specs/2664-2764-2864-Site-Prep-Machines.pdf
Prentice - Built Better Than It Needs To Be
http://www.prenticeforestry.com/uploads/specs/2664-2764-2864-Site-Prep-Machines.pdf
OP
cbturf
Gold Member
I was for a able to run the Lamtrac for a few minutes yesterday and it is an impressive little machine. The one that I ran had a Fecon BHT head with an upgraded motor. I first jumped in on about an 8 inch oak limb that had been on the ground since Hurricane Ike and it pullled it right in and stuck. I went to a sweet gun tree and wrestled it out and finished the end of the limb no problem. Then I went after the sweet gum tree and I swear the same old peice of oak got in there and stopped me again. I got it out and the gum tree was no problem and on the third try I was able to shred up the piece of oak. I do not blame the machine for getting stuck on the oak I blame myself, since it was a branch it was pretty crooked and the fat part was pulled in sideways, so even a big horsepower machine may not have pulled it through.
As far as the machine it was very nice, it was hot in Houston yesterday and the cab was comfortable. The cab is very quiet, I had the radio off but I am certian that you would be able to listen to it with no problem. The controls are a little quirky but the can be changed around to fix that. The two speed selector is on the console and not on the joystick for example and the hydraulic pushbar control is odd to operate.
Both the main engine cooler and the hydraulic cooler have reversing fans and the overall horspower is good. The new fecon head also had a vey fine shredded mulch. The is a very good machine if the durability proves to be there, and it seems that it is so far with five units in the field.
As far as the machine it was very nice, it was hot in Houston yesterday and the cab was comfortable. The cab is very quiet, I had the radio off but I am certian that you would be able to listen to it with no problem. The controls are a little quirky but the can be changed around to fix that. The two speed selector is on the console and not on the joystick for example and the hydraulic pushbar control is odd to operate.
Both the main engine cooler and the hydraulic cooler have reversing fans and the overall horspower is good. The new fecon head also had a vey fine shredded mulch. The is a very good machine if the durability proves to be there, and it seems that it is so far with five units in the field.
OP
cbturf
Gold Member
It was a little out of the way but I was in TN heading to NM with an appoinment in OK. I am very serious about mulching, that is all I do.
