PREDATOR POWER
56RX STUMP GRINDER
THE compact size and manoeuvrability of Predator’s 56RX stump grinder means minimal impact in woodlands and workable areas. Utilising the rear hydraulic power take off, and combined with a powerful forestry mulcher attachment, it quickly transforms into a highly capable ground-clearance machine.
The 56RX is both a high-performance tree stump grinder and compact powerpack; the mulching unit will comfortably handle green material from between 70–100 mm diameter.
For sites where right of way clearance is required and vegetation and tree stumps will need to be removed, one unit capable of tackling both can be a huge advantage. The compact size of the 56RX also makes site clearance in residential areas much easier for the operator.
The radio-controlled tracked Predator 56RX has it all – narrow access, high performance and capability for the big jobs. With a width of only 31 inches, the 56RX delivers serious results even when tough access arises. The variable tracks quickly extend up to 46 inches, allowing for stability on rough terrain and inclines.
Owner of Treeline Services, James Jackman, said of the Predator 56RX: “For a big machine, we are very impressed with its manoeuvrability. Its retractable tracks make it possible to get through most gateways, an advantage when competing on cost and timeframes for work.
“The Predator team are always very accommodating and put together a great part exchange deal for us, making the whole process very easy.”
With a rear hydraulic PTO that caters to a variety of attachments including a powerful forestry mulcher and a seven-tonne winch, the 56RX quickly turns from stump grinding to a versatile clearance tool.
James added: “The 56RX has a lot of power and the feedback from my operators has been nothing but positive. The machine is a lot quieter and easier to maintain than its predecessor, the 50RX.”
OAKLEAF FORESTRY
MERICRUSHER MJH SERIES
WHEN it comes to MeriCrushers, Finnish manufacturer Suokone ensures that they produce durable, efficient and cost-effective machinery used by professionals for clearing land. They are versatile mulchers for forestry, construction and agricultural use.
The MeriCrusher MJH series, which is produced in Finland and distributed in the UK and Ireland through Oakleaf Forestry, has a working depth of 250 mm max. The crusher can be mounted on either the front or back of different base machines. This lightweight crusher can be used on both large and small tractors and is ideal for working in conditions where reliability and durability are paramount.
The developers of MJH series crushers have succeeded in making a durable but light-structured machine. Transmission takes place using gear housing, and a pressure-controlled overload clutch POC is a standard accessory. The rotor is equipped with durable, forged UNT tool holders and hard metal cutters. It is also available with a particular rotor for peat. Available with several rotor options, the MJH series gives excellent subsoil crushing results.
Through high-quality design, testing and engineering the crushers are able to work effectively above and below the soil level. The mulcher is capable of crushing up to 25 cm below ground level. The MeriCrusher grinds virtually anything – small trees, stumps, stones, and branches – with its extra-hard carbide teeth.
MeriCrushers offer a variety of different models available in a series of different widths to suit tractors from 100 hp–300 hp with working depths from 100 mm–300 mm. The mulcher’s drum is made of hard-wearing Hardox legs with tungsten carbide points that can withstand very harsh and severe conditions yet are cost-efficient and simple to replace, making maintenance easy.
MeriCrushers provide built-in safety clutches and are available with single or double transmissions. These machines are highly manoeuvrable due to their lightweight structure and are easily maintained.
For more information, please visit www.oakleafforestry.com, contact 028 38 330011 or email info@oakleafforestry.com.
GEKO ENGINEERING
STUMP BEAVER
ESTABLISHED in 2010, Chorley-based Geko Engineering serves a variety of markets including agricultural, arboricultural and rental. The firm’s flagship Stump Beaver product is described as an alternative to the traditional pedestrian or walk-behind grinder and is suited to most models of excavator in the 1–3 tonne class.
The Stump Beaver incorporates a wraparound guard, intended to increase safety for both the operator and bystanders. It is also described as having a low maintenance cost, with the grinder teeth typically lasting 20 hours before they should be checked for replacement. This, according to Geko, can offer hire companies peace of mind by reducing the need to replace the attachment’s teeth after each job.
WM Plant of Carlisle purchased the Stump Beaver in 2011. Ian Gray of WM Plant commented: “We could see the potential of having the Stump Beaver as part of our own rental fleet because it was something different. It allowed us to increase revenue from our mini digger hires by appealing to new customers, and an alternate use for excavators during the winter months when building work was slow.”
The Stump Beaver is also well suited to work on golf courses, where groundworks tend to be carried out towards the end and beginning of the year. This is how Burton-on-Trent Golf Course’s groundskeeper, Leon Dalton, discovered Geko Engineering.
He explained: “It was seeing the Stump Beaver in action that really caught my attention. It immediately got me thinking about how this product could benefit our golf course. Previously we hired in a pedestrian grinder or employed a contractor for stump removal, but availability when we wanted a grinder or weather always seemed to work against us. Since we already owned an excavator it made sense to get maximum utilisation from it.
“For me, a product needs to be able to speed up the process of getting the course ready for the public and the Stump Beaver definitely does that. Additionally, the lads are safe, warm and dry in the cab even on bad weather days.”
Leon added: “We use our Stump Beaver to remove the tree stumps below ground level then fill the hole with topsoil to level and add seed. It means that I can patch the area quicker and minimise disruption to play on the course.”
Geko Engineering also does a lot of work on arboretums and garden redesign for domestic and commercial clients. Most of the firm’s work requires it to use its excavator during planting or remodelling and this usually includes tree stumps that require removal.
Richard Kemp of Richard Kemp Landscapes said: “The Stump Beaver helps to reduce the amount of equipment I need to move around – if the excavator is going to site then I take the Stump Beaver along as well. Another benefit is that it doesn’t require a lot of space to store – compared to the length of a pedestrian grinder.”
Geko also custom-makes individual brackets and supplies the correct hoses and couplings with each purchase, ensuring the Stump Beaver fits the customer’s excavator.
Graham Dewhurst, owner of Geko Engineering, added: “It’s important to us that the customer feels confident in their ability to get as much out of the Stump Beaver as possible, so they feel as though they have true value for money. Adding a personal touch to each and every sale ensures a lasting, working relationship with our customers that benefits all.”
JAS P WILSON
FAE GROUP
WHEN it comes to ground-care tools for site clearance or site preparation for replanting, mulchers and stump grinders are obvious implements to consider. The FAE Group, founded in 1989 in the north-east of Italy, is a leading force in the design and production of superior quality machinery for the land-clearing sectors.
With FAE Group products you are guaranteed reliability and effectiveness in this task – plus through their UK-wide dealer, Jas P Wilson, excellent aftersales support is provided with their advanced service commitment, comprising a fleet of regionally based service engineers in well-stocked vans to ensure fast and effective support.
Jas P Wilson offers FAE’s full forestry range, catering for all sizes of tractor, skid-steer loader and excavator-based machine. The range includes dedicated mulchers, tillers, stone crushers and stump grinders, as well as some hybrid machines capable of performing two or more of these tasks.
Jas P Wilson not only provide these units, but can also provide a forestry guarding service to adapt an excavator for all kinds of forestry applications. Wilson first developed this for its range of SP and KETO harvesting heads, but this has since led to the creation of a more versatile machine that can be used to power multiple attachments including tree shears, mulchers and grapples, to name a few.
For further details please contact the Jas P Wilson sales team on 01556 612233 or visit www.jaspwilson.co.uk.
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