I was wanting to know your guys opions on tree saws and mulcher heads. The carrier would be a large ctl, not for sure on wich one yet. I know that the tree saw could cut down alot bigger tree than a mulcher head can take down, but the mulcher head is a one step process. If I would go for the saw I would also get a big chipper or grinder. Any opions would be greatly appreciated.
mulcher head vs. tree saw
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DIRTROAD
Platinum Member
If this is a project for yourself, just hire someone else to come in and mulch it all up.
If this is a business venture, think very very long and hard about it first.
If this is a business venture, think very very long and hard about it first.
Saw if you can burn. Mulcher if you can't burn. Takes a lot less HP for saw and piling. Burning will kill the ground for 2 -3 years so piles need to be few and tight. I use a saw in KS. Our Osage orange trees will last 20 years before rotting even if mulched. Just purchased a rotary bush hog type cutter for up to 3" stuff that I like a lot so far. Think the rotary will do larger than 3", but ear plugs will be needed for sure.
So far no problems with tire puntures. My rotary cutter pretty much frays and splinters the stumps without any clean sharp points. I have mowed quite a few trails and have traveled extensively with my pickup with no tire problems. (Knock on wood) I was also worried about tires. Something that has given me tire problems in the past is the locust thorns. I have mowed a lot of locust and have had no problems there either. Some of the locust thorns are 3-4" long.
Robbie Hegwood
Platinum Member
help us out a little and tell us your goal. If you are going this route to us the chips than the process is a sound one but I'm not sure about equipment size. examples
1. CTL and tree saw. about 15" tree max due to the weight of the tree up top, alot to handle. a small horizontal grinder?? still have to load tree into grinder. third pretty big grinder. if you go with a chipper that self loads then the loading problem solved. still three pieces of equipment. large CTL, saw and grinder/chipper easily 150-200k
2. Now if you just want trees ground on site then a mulcher will do. A Ctl with proper head will handle a 15" tree, just not one after another, that would be slow. But if this is the route you like then the 150-200k would buy a larger machine (mulcher) and easily handle the 15" tree and larger. 150k would buy a 140hp class tracked machine or 200-250 hp tired machine( hydro-ax) and 200k a new 140-160hp tracked machine and 300hp on a used whelled machine. SSP&M can vouch a 300 hp wheeled machine will handle a 20+' tree.
3. Back to your goal.
1. CTL and tree saw. about 15" tree max due to the weight of the tree up top, alot to handle. a small horizontal grinder?? still have to load tree into grinder. third pretty big grinder. if you go with a chipper that self loads then the loading problem solved. still three pieces of equipment. large CTL, saw and grinder/chipper easily 150-200k
2. Now if you just want trees ground on site then a mulcher will do. A Ctl with proper head will handle a 15" tree, just not one after another, that would be slow. But if this is the route you like then the 150-200k would buy a larger machine (mulcher) and easily handle the 15" tree and larger. 150k would buy a 140hp class tracked machine or 200-250 hp tired machine( hydro-ax) and 200k a new 140-160hp tracked machine and 300hp on a used whelled machine. SSP&M can vouch a 300 hp wheeled machine will handle a 20+' tree.
3. Back to your goal.
I believe I'm a bit out of my league, if we are talking 150K and 200K for machines
I have a 32" 12 tooth blade skid steer saw. $3000 when bought new. Now costs close to $5000 with improvements. Will cut a 14" tree at or below ground level in 1 pass. Can double tree size by working both sides of the tree. I do not try to control tree fall and generall finish large trees by pushing over. Smaller trees 15" and under fall to the side of the saw due to saw momentum.
Most common nuisance trees are Osage Orange and Locust generally less than 15" diameter.
My Skid Steer is a 57 HP wheeled 1845C Case. It has Hi Flow hydraulics 30 GPM @ 2500 PSI which calculates to about 36 hydraulic HP. My cost was $11,500. It only has 5600 hrs. Would like to have tracks.
72" skid steer mounted bushhog $4500
$1500 for a trailer to haul. **** I've got more money tied up than I thought.
I purchased my equipment for clearing my own land, but have done a lot of custom work against my will. I just throw my wallet on the table and tell the customers to "fill it up".
We are able to burn in KS so a mulcher is not required. Do all my tree piling with the skid steer. Kansas is also blessed with lots of flint rocks in my area that do not mulch well.
As Mr. Hegwood said it depends on your goal and expectations.
I have a 32" 12 tooth blade skid steer saw. $3000 when bought new. Now costs close to $5000 with improvements. Will cut a 14" tree at or below ground level in 1 pass. Can double tree size by working both sides of the tree. I do not try to control tree fall and generall finish large trees by pushing over. Smaller trees 15" and under fall to the side of the saw due to saw momentum.
Most common nuisance trees are Osage Orange and Locust generally less than 15" diameter.
My Skid Steer is a 57 HP wheeled 1845C Case. It has Hi Flow hydraulics 30 GPM @ 2500 PSI which calculates to about 36 hydraulic HP. My cost was $11,500. It only has 5600 hrs. Would like to have tracks.
72" skid steer mounted bushhog $4500
$1500 for a trailer to haul. **** I've got more money tied up than I thought.
I purchased my equipment for clearing my own land, but have done a lot of custom work against my will. I just throw my wallet on the table and tell the customers to "fill it up".
We are able to burn in KS so a mulcher is not required. Do all my tree piling with the skid steer. Kansas is also blessed with lots of flint rocks in my area that do not mulch well.
As Mr. Hegwood said it depends on your goal and expectations.
Ken45101
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2009
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- southern Ohio
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- Kubota M5040, M9540, B21 TLB, B2710, RTV900, JD 325 Skid steer, KX-121-3 mini excavator
With my rotary mower on the ss, I can take stumps down to ground level and flat. They advertise working at ground level. I've even gone back and ground down (slowly) an old big stump (15" dia) to ground level that was in the way on an existing trail.
My mower has a large roller on the back and skids on the front that prevent me from mowing under about 1". It's a Quick Attach Attachments Inc. made in Alexandria Minnesota. What brand do you have Ken45101?