Fecon or FAE mulching head for CTL?

[marcin]

Hi all,

I have been researching this topic for months. I purchased a Takeuchi TL12 High Flow CTL earlier this year and am looking to purchase a mulching head for it within the next 2 months. I live in Central Texas and am looking to clear about 60-80 acres of brush and small trees on my property using it in the next few years. I would like a machine that produces a very good end product. I think that carbide teeth are probably a better overall option, I know that ground (we have quite a bit of gravel at surface) contact will be inevitable and do not want to keep purchasing new teeth repeatedly. I am afraid of purchasing a used head as I do not know too much about these machines and do not want to get burnt. I think that the Fecon BH74SS or the FAE UML/SSL will probably be my best option. Both dealers are within a 100 miles. What are your thoughts? Which would you choose and why? Do you think I should consider another mulching head? I greatly appreciate your help.

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

FAE leaves a finer product but make sure the FAE has a variable displacement motor.

 

[marcin]

West shore construction,
Thank you for ur response. Is the difference in the end product very significant? What are the advantages of fecon? I am really not pleased with either dealer. Have been waiting for days for them to send me info and no response. I am afraid to see what will happen once they have my money...neither wants to do a demo unless I purchase the head after...I really don't think they understand the meaning of the word demo. Can you please advise how I should proceed? Perhaps I should look into cimaf, I have heard many positives regarding their support.

 

[Eric H]

What you are describing from the dealers is no demo, they should be ashamed .. Call fecon directly, speak to them about this. Also call fae. I own fecons and a cimaf, while both are good products, both are different and require diff maintenance... But I have had very good support from both and would recommend either to use, just boils down to personal preference..definitely demo all 3 heads if you are serious.

 

[QwikDraw]

I own own one of each. The Fecon has over 3000 hours and still works fine. Like Westshore said FAE has a smaller finished product. I feel my fecon does a little more production when I can leave it rougher, all depends on the job. Around houses for residential jobs I always like the FAE, we use the fecon but always use the FAE for final pass. I like the way FAE teeth mount compared to Fecon stock drum, if I buy another Fecon I would look in to the smooth drum option.
They're both good units.

 

[tonyoz]

Fecon mulchers will cut as fine as a FAE if you have a hydraulic door on em:thumbsup:

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I just noticed on FAE's website that they have changed the head's body to a lower profile unit. they have also enclosed the body (FAE is a PITA to clean out compartments if you don't do it regularly and it gets packed in). Another thing they changed was the push bar. It was beefed up and they added some guides for controlling the brush. The unit only seems to have 2 rows of hardox teeth on the back wall compared to the earlier model that had two rows on the back and one on the door.
I believe it is still using the 110cc danfoss motor in the two speed version and I highly recommend that. I'd also look to see if the FAE is the new style or the older style (I have a 2012 old body style).
It does leave a fine product. I just built a mulch road and the material was like old hay in spots when I was done. Harder woods are still a bit chunky but soft woods should shred very fine.

I haven't operated the fecon but have worked side by side. While I can't say the FAE or Fecon is faster, the FAE did provide a better finished look. Tooth replacement on FAE is easy.

 

[cat299 mulcher]

I just demoed a new fecon bull hog, I was very impressed with the finish product it left. I used to have an fae, they are similar, but I do like the fecon a little better. My local Komatsu dealer carries the fecon line and they are great guys. Fecon rep even flew in from out of state to be at demo. I currently run magnum heads. The magnums have been incredibly dependable. I have almost 9000 hrs on mine and have only had to replace bearings twice. If u are going to buy carbide style head, just about all of them are the same. Just depends who u want to give 25000+ dollars to. But I think everyone will agree nothing leaves a nicer finish product than a cimaf. Just depends on if you want to spend the extra money / maintance.

 

[marcin]

Thank you all for your responses. I am seeing mainly 2 answers: 1. FAE leaves a finer product and 2. their products are the same. Are the people who feel that FAE leaves a finer product using the newer Fecons with hydraulic doors or not? I feel this may explain this difference in the responses. Also, I may have become interested in the Cimaf heads again. What is the cost of one, how much maintenance, what is the cost and how quickly can I expect to be replacing teeth? What would be your recommendation regarding purchasing one? Thanks again.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

The FAE has more counter combs (teeth) to produce the finer shred. Up until the new version of the FAE head that just came out, the FAE has 3 rows of counter combs that are very tightly spaced. 2 on rear wall and 1 on the door. Fecon does not have the teeth on the inside of the door and only has one row of not so tightly spaced teeth on rear wall.
I don't think the fecon finished product is as fine as the fae but with less resistance and everything else being similarly spec'd, I think the fecon will cut a little faster.