RDM Mulcher

[fishfactor]

I started this thread before, but it quickly turned to a pissing match, so let's try again.

I have been talking to John and researching the RDM Mulchers made by Advance Forest Equipment. Excavator and Skid Steer Mulching Attachments using RDM Technology

We are looking at a CAT 315 excavator and considering one of these heads. The main advantage we see is being able to move rocks, logs, and even dig smaller stumps without changing attachments.

I know some of you guys have run them and I would like some feedback and thoughts. If things continue to move forward, we will be flying out to run one of these before we make the decision.

 

[jamesn]

contact mark prather in eunice louisiana, his company is called treemark, he uses these and all he does is r.o.w. in the swamps and bayous. his number is337-298-5592

he has 2 last i knew and they were on either cats or komatsu

 

[cat 297c]

Fish Factor, bout a year an a half ago i was on a job an a guy had one mounted to a 320 Cat cutting a road across a swamp. I really like it he was able to cut the tree flush with the ground an then cut the trees into 20-25 foot lenghts, then used the thumb to make a mate to walk on.

 

[fishfactor]

That's what we are thinking. I understand the mulch may not be as small as a traditional mulcher, but the versatility is key. The ability to mulch a tree, dig the stump, shake the dirt off, and mulch the stump will be a big advantage for us.

Looks like we will be going out to Idaho to run one in the next several weeks unless someone changes my mind first.

 

[DIRTROAD]

Boy, I sure would like to go to Idaho with you. I love it out there. It would be nice to see the RDM in action as well.

 

[fishfactor]

Boy, I sure would like to go to Idaho with you. I love it out there. It would be nice to see the RDM in action as well.

Come with us. We can always use a third opinion.

 

[fishfactor]

Sure hasn't been much action on the forum lately. Everybody must be busy. We're finally working near home this week:thumbsup:.

Flying out this weekend to run the AFE mulcher on Monday and meet with Jon. I'll post my thoughts sometime next week.

 

[fishfactor]

Keep us posted, I wanted one to run on a mini (JD50D), sounds like it is marginal in flow. Looking at the Torrent Mulcher now, but have NOT pulled the trigger

He says a 080 will run one, but I don't know if a 50 would handle it. Weight would probably be an issue as well.

 

[mulching consultant]

Just so everyone knows there is a thumb reciever option for the Fecon CEM36 mulcher. This will allow an excavator with a thumb to pick up and move logs and rocks. See videos of the CEM36 on youtube. The youtube videos don't show the thumb reciever option but it is available.

 

[fishfactor]

Can't dig stumps with the CEM36. Also can't help pull the excavator up a hill or pick up the excavator to help spin around. But other than that, I liked the CEM36.

We still haven't ruled out a fecon head. We ran it a few months ago and it did pretty good. Now we're going to run this AFE head and see which will suit us the best.

 

[fishfactor]

We got back from Idaho and got to spend 4 days with Jon. He's a really nice guy. Toured his shop, saw heads being built, and got to meet everyone, not to mention running a mulcher. I'll post a separate review in the next day or so.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Whats it cost to get a mulcher to clean-up a place that had been logged about 5 yrs ago,mostly high weeds,tops ,and stumps.What it is just picked a new deer lease just 15 miles down the road and thinking mulching it would be the way to go!!I thought about using my D31p dozer but then i would just have to pile it somewhere,whats yall thought on this project?Was thinking a skid steer mulcher would be the best for this job,but thats why im here,to ask the guys that know!!

 

[fishfactor]

There are lots of mulchers in TX maybe someone will chime in. Price could range from a few hundred/acre to several thousand/acre depending on how big of a mess they left and your desired results.

 

[foreman Etexas]

There are lots of mulchers in TX maybe someone will chime in. Price could range from a few hundred/acre to several thousand/acre depending on how big of a mess they left and your desired results.

Not wonting to clean it all just trails and section were I can put stands and food plot.I can drive the 4wheeler threw it so its not extremely bad.Probaly a days work!!!

 

[Ramairfreak98ss]

looks neat!

 

[excav8ter]

I may have missed it, but what did you decide to purchase? I have been meeting with a guy i know with a Supertrak and a Fecon head....he is interested in putting a cutting head of some sort on my Kolbelco 135sr excavator. I like the U.S. Mower EX 50 but perhaps the RDM would be a better option. He wants to grow his business, but doesn't want to go it alone, I already have a Kobelco 35sr, a Kobelco 135sr and a Takeuchi TL130 that i can use for assisting him with R.O.W work as well as private land owner work. He is really looking for an excavator with a cutting head to handle taller trees and the slopes and wet areas that he can't get into. He doesn't cut to much hardwood, so I was thinking that the U.S. Mower might be a good purchase. Any thoughts....

 

[ARPlante]

I have the US Mower EX50 SuperSamurai on a Deere 50D as well as the RDM on a Deere 160D. They are both great heads for what they were intended on cutting. The US Mower works great on stuff up to 4" (hardwood) and 8" (softwood). The RDM is great on stuff up to it's designed capacity of 16" but it has also allowed me to cut and mulch a 24" pine tree before (I wouldn't do that every day).

If it were me, I would stick to running a RDM on a larger machine such as your 135. It will give you more capability for cutting material than the US Mower will just becasuse the RDM uses fixed mounted teeth and the US Mower is a flail design. If you don't need the "full" version of the RDM, Jon makes a slightly "less optioned" version of the RDM that can save you significant money while still giving you the same cutting performance of the top of the line RDM.