Track Hoe with mulching head

[Eric H]

I am considering this set up. The head is another post however, What is the most compact with highest reach Hoe out there? I can always power pack it, but would rather not. Anyone running one they are really happy with? Hydrolic issues with heat. We run in a hot enviorment and that is always a concern. DBH will average 12" or less.

 

[ClearViewGroup]

if you want a compact machine but still able to run a mulching head...you can go down to a 8 ton machine (Tak TB175, CAT 308D, Yanmar SV100, Kubota KX080, etc etc etc)

We find alot of people like the 15ton machines though and have good luck with them...

Excavator mounted heads are FAR easier on the machine than the front mounts are...you dont have problems with over heating or undercarriage wear and tear like you do with front mount...I dont think I have ever heard of anyone running an Excavator hot with a head on it actually...plus you can keep it out of the dirt and save your teeth...

when you are ready to talk heads let us know!

 

[QwikDraw]

I agree.

I have never had any issues with the Daewoo and DENIS CIMAF running hot. It runs the same temp if the head is running or I'm just traveling arcross the site even on hot days.

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

I agree.

I have never had any issues with the Daewoo and DENIS CIMAF running hot. It runs the same temp if the head is running or I'm just traveling arcross the site even on hot days.

I have to report the same, mulching 16+ hours a day in 4-8" material machine doesn't even get close to hot with the a/c going as well. I haven't had any heat issues with my front mounts either but they definitely run hotter than the ex.

 

[kthompson]

First I am in South Carolina and summer heat here can be in the 100 degrees range easy for a good bit of summer.
A couple of years back talked to local JD sales person on this and he told me he would not sell me an excavator with cutter, think I was asking about maybe a 5 or so ton machine, and was adament it would be an over heating issue on large machine without extra oil cooler on it. I wanted a cutter head and not mulcher head. After a long one side conversation he finally said well maybe I should ask how much you will use it like this as I stood there in dress shirt and tie.
Make long story short I put a flail mower on a Volvo EC 45 which is a 5 ton machine and have run it about 4 hours in summer weather. If it was any hotter than digging with it could not tell it. The load on the cutter was not as constant as the load of digging was. There are a few excavators here with mulcher heads on them and to my knowledge that all are on what I would call a full size machine. If they have an extra oil cooler on them have never noticed it.

 

[deniscimafinc]

Hello Eric!

What type of work/contract you want to do with a mulcher? Retention ponds? Private property cleaning? Residential development? Roadsides clearing? Power lines? Fire breaks?

And in which area/state?

Let us know more so we can suggest a kit that fits your needs...


FD

 

[Eric H]

I have spoken to DC and they have a machine I can go check out. Just need to find the time now.

 

[mulching consultant]

I am the excavator attachment Product Manager for FECON as well as the Regional Manager for the Southwest U.S. I would be happy to give you an opinion specific to your application to ensure you are happy with the equipment decision you make.
You state you are mulching up to 12" diameter. You will spend a while mulching 12" with an 8 ton/tonne machine even with knives. Hydraulic flow multiplied by psi then divided by 1714 determines your theoretical hydraulic horse power. The flow and pressure from a typical 8 ton/machine, when the head is equipped with knife teeth can be productive up to 6-8" material. It will mulch the 12" stuff but plan to spend some time.
You also mentioned that you would prefer not to go with a power pack. A power pack is not a necessity to run a mulcher at all. However it can dramatically help to increase your bottom line. Sure it costs more but the increase in productivity as well as the perception of your abilities by your customers may make it a very worthwhile investment. It certainly makes you stand out in a crowd of contractors.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Very good points Mr. Fecon. But if you'll reread he was only mentioning what size we could go down to. The 15 ton machine he mentioned next is the better size for his project.
One other point I will have to disagree with. Customer perception is not worth 80-100K for a powerpack and more fuel consumption. Powerpacks are useful and do have there place. It would be a mighty expensive way to mulch a 12" tree!!!!

 

[mulching consultant]

I appreciate your opinion. However if a customer can get 61-65gpm at 6000 psi from a 170 hp power pack and mount it on a 12 tonne machine so he is nimble in the woods and easy to transport it becomes pretty appealing. Especially when the power pack costs less than 70K and his production would more than double, maybe even triple!
Again, you are right. A power pack is not required to mulch effectively on smaller diameter material. It is a question of the contractors wishes for productivity and his/her desires to have a tool that will be siutable for more than just the job he currently is working on. The power pack does provide an ability to bid bigger jobs and get them done in a much shorter time frame. It also allows one to grind much larger material if the next job requires it.
A power pack is just flat impressive! Sometimes that impression leads to more work due to efficiencies and production rates.
It is not for everyone. As was stated earlier an 8 tonne machine can run a mulcher, but for the contractor who realizes the benefits of extreme productivity and the ability to mulch larger material without stalling the head several times it can definately be a great tool.
I would be happy to show you how much more producive a machine can be with a power pack. I submit that the 12 tonne machine with the power pack descirbed above will outperform a 30 tonne machine working off off the excavators hydraulics. With that in condsideration which is the cheaper way to go? Consider not only the cost and fuel consumption of the 30 tonne machine but also the transportation, the lack of manuerverability in the woods, the additional maintenance costs of the larger machine etc, etc,.