GPM required to run mini-ex mulcher?

[Hay Dude]

What is the range of GPM required from the auxiliary circuit on a mini/midi excavator to run a typical mini-ex mulcher?
Does 15GPM sound adequate?

 

[ptsg]

From what I've seen on some Portuguese manufacturers, about 8 GPM for 1.5T to 2.5T mini excavators and about 10 GPM from 2.5T up to 4T mini excavators.

Cutting widths offered are 60cm (~24") and 80 cm (~32").

I'm sure it will vary a little bit.

 

[oldnslo]

Brown Forestry products show 13 GPM as minimum for a 30” head. I believe also said minimum of 5 ton machine to operate it.

 

[Hay Dude]

Found a nice deal on a 10 ton machine with grapple bucket and aux circuit. Has 15GPM on aux circuit. Best part is it is 10 miles from me (if it hasn’t already sold).

 

[oldnslo]

15 GPM might be on the low side for implements on a 10 ton machine but should certainly handle the weight of a 30” head.

Any idea on engine HP? Figure the 15 GPM will use 25-30 HP so what is left to run boom functions, swing, track drive? I would think would want at least 25 -30 HP for those functions also so can mulch and move simultaneously.

Being 10 miles away certainly makes it easier to drive over and look at in person.

 

[Hay Dude]

So there were 2 ratings
Main was like 50
Aux circuit was 15

Machine was about 70HP
I think it was a Takeuchi 295???

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Found a nice deal on a 10 ton machine with grapple bucket and aux circuit. Has 15GPM on aux circuit. Best part is it is 10 miles from me (if it hasn’t already sold).

15 GPM is enough flow to run many of the 30"- 40" mulching heads.

 

[Seven Gables]

If that machine is a tb 285 or tb 290 your 15gpm is wrong for the primary auxiliary circuit flow. Specs for either of those machines is 26.4gpm/primary auxiliary flow and 14,5gpm/ for Secondary auxiliary flow.

 

[Hay Dude]

Here’s what I found from the manufacturer. I thought the secondary circuit operated the mulcher head and the primary operated the rest of the machine

 

[Seven Gables]

Here’s what I found from the manufacturer. I thought the secondary circuit operated the mulcher head and the primary operated the rest of the machine
View attachment 3201369

You’ve got two sets of auxiliary hydraulics plumbed to your stick. Primary which is always the higher flow set will run any attachments with high flow requirements such as a drum mulcher. Secondary set will run lower flow requirement attachments like the thumb or a rotator.
That 39 gpm primary output spec in your spec sheet is wrong I’m quite certain. It’s very close to the total flow of both auxiliary’s.added together.

 

[Hay Dude]

You’ve got two sets of auxiliary hydraulics plumbed to your stick. Primary which is always the higher flow set will run any attachments with high flow requirements such as a drum mulcher. Secondary set will run lower flow requirement attachments like the thumb or a rotator.
That 39 gpm primary output spec in your spec sheet is wrong I’m quite certain. It’s very close to the total flow of both auxiliary’s.added together.

Pretty embarrassing that the actual manufacturer of the Takeuchi mini ex published incorrect specs for their own machine.

 

[hayden]

Good news that the Takeuchi is 26 gpm, because I was going to say that 15 is too low. My Kubota KX080 is a similar size mache (8 metric tons, or 19,000 lbs actual) and has 26 gpm for the main aux. I would expect the two machines to be competitive in all ways. It all sounds the same as the Tak with two aux circuits, one for big stuff like a mulcher, and the other 99% of the time for the thumb.

Anyway, I run an FAE mulcher that is 1m wide and it works well. But I wouldn't want less power, and definitely not a third less power which is around where you would be at 16 gpm.

 

[hayden]

Pretty embarrassing that the actual manufacturer of the Takeuchi mini ex published incorrect specs for their own machine.

Yeah, it a matter of understanding that they are talking about with the primary and secondary circuits, and nowhere is it explained well. The only clue is that they list total hydraulic flow as a much bigger number, hinting that the difference is what runs everything else.

I also see the Tak's operating pressure is 4000 psi, which is even better. So I would say it's a really good machine for mulching.

 

[Hay Dude]

Its a Tak 280.
Amazes me how people/dealers want to sell equipment, yet literally need a gunshot fired over their heads to even get a call back.

 

[Rustyiron]

There's a big difference in "running" a mulcher and being satisfied with how it cuts under load and recovery time.
I have a very high regard of Takeuchi equipment. A call to a Tak dealership might be helpful.
You and I are used to mechanical Pto power and grunt. Rotary hydraulic power is hardly comparable to it and the (important) math confusion involved seems to be used as part of the sales pitch of said attachments.
On that same topic calling several of the big makers, like $40k professional mulching heads with your machine in mind and expressing that you're commercial might get you some straight, honest answers.
Good luck HD. This is much less of a concern if you're target is brush that's got some occasional wood in it that's just a little too much for a bush hog.
Out of control honeysuckle or thorny berries... piece of cake!

 

[Hay Dude]

I have 3 primary needs:
Digging rocks out of fields.
Clearing fence lines and field edges.
Loading cut logs into truck.

I think this will make my life a lot easier, but then there’s that old pesky problem of parting with the money. This has been on my “list” for 5 years.

 

[Rustyiron]

They're one of those things that you'll wondered how you ever lived without one, but you probably know that!

 

[Drstrangeglove]

I have 3 primary needs:
Digging rocks out of fields.
Clearing fence lines and field edges.
Loading cut logs into truck.

I think this will make my life a lot easier, but then there’s that old pesky problem of parting with the money. This has been on my “list” for 5 years.

You will love the handyness of it. Which I would have bought mine years ago. Only problem i have is it's slow. Moving it a mile takes forever.

 

[mikester]

I have 3 primary needs:
Digging rocks out of fields.
Clearing fence lines and field edges.
Loading cut logs into truck.

I think this will make my life a lot easier, but then there’s that old pesky problem of parting with the money. This has been on my “list” for 5 years.

This is another instance where you won't be sorry for going bigger. I think the sweet spot is the biggest steel tracked machine you can get with double idlers AND a front blade === 16 Tonne machine. Still a PITA to move around but it gives you the reach, the power and fuel efficiency to get jobs done. Trees and roots won't be as much of a problem. 15GPM is too low flow IMHO for mulchers as you will be wasting diesel and machine time waiting for the cutters to spin back up after lugging.

Would you buy a BX to run a baler?

 

[Hay Dude]

This is another instance where you won't be sorry for going bigger. I think the sweet spot is the biggest steel tracked machine you can get with double idlers AND a front blade === 16 Tonne machine. Still a PITA to move around but it gives you the reach, the power and fuel efficiency to get jobs done. Trees and roots won't be as much of a problem.

I’ll rent one of those when I need one. I don’t have room to store “16 tonne” (I assume that’s “tons”) machine. Too big for most of the jobs I’ll be doing.

15GPM is too low flow IMHO for mulchers as you will be wasting diesel and machine time waiting for the cutters to spin back up after lugging.

We established that figure as incorrect.

Would you buy a BX to run a baler?

No, why? Would you? Like whats with the condescending crap?