CTL terrain limitations and slopes

Hi all, first post here.

I'm from New Zealand, I'm looking at getting into the mulching game, but have a few questions regarding machines. A lot of the terrain I'd intend on tackling can range from anything from a gentle slope to steep hilly country. We have a very large farming and forestry industry here, and a huge problem is the invasion of gorse, broom and general scrub. A lot of these areas can be quite steep.

I've been looking at drum mulchers and disc mulchers to fit something like a Bobcat or Cat compact track loader, particularly the 299 xhp with steel tracks. My questions are :

- How much of a slope can a CTL handle before becoming unstable? Comparatively, would a Cat D3K be much more stable?

- What sort of terrain could I take a CTL in? Do they get bogged easily?

- CTL's look generally unstable and top heavy, is this generally the case?

- Would there be much benefit in having steel tracks over rubber tracks in terms of stability, control and traction?

- One of my ideas would be to fit a winch to the machine to assist with steep country and with recovery in case of a bogging. Would this help at all or am I asking for trouble?

Finally, between an excavator, CTL, or dozer, which would be the most preferential to my needs, considering the terrain. The type of contracts I wouldn't target wouldn't be overall huge, lifestyle sized places and small farms. Hopefully this is enough information.

- Nik

I think steel tracks for sure and a dozer would be more stable on slopes than a CTL but an excavator could stay on more level ground and be able to reach to problem areas. I think an excavator would have less maintenance issues than a CTL or dozer. I'm not an expert on mulching but some pics of the terrain would help to get an idea of the type work you intend to do.

A CTL will feel unstable at anything over 15 degree side ways slope. They will roll at around 25 degrees side ways slope. On steep slopes you will need to go straight up hill with the mulch head in front. You will need a flat spot at the top of the hill to turn around to come back down or back straight down. Remember most mulchers only operate in forward direction. You can fit a mulch head to an excavator but to be effective (reach out) with the weight of the mulch head you need a fair sized machine. A minimum size would be around 18K lbs. (80) class.

A couple years back there was an ad floating around of someone with a 12 ton Hitachi (from memory) with a mulching head. Treescape use excavators as well.

When the fires swept through here last summer, the USFS was using 25 ton excavators with a "masticating head" on the business end. They were grinding up trees up to 10" diameter. I can't envision them being particularly fast clearing small brush on steep terrain, but I've never used one. Visibility might be an advantage, especially if you have to dodge big rocks. A backfill blade is handy for stability on slopes.

G'day Nik and welcome. Where abouts in Kiwi land are you? Ok here's some of thoughts on CTL'S from 11years experience. Any CTL with a mulching head is serverly over balanced over the front, its like carrying a full bucket load of dirt were ever you go. Most times working down hill is a PITA especially when it gets a little steep and all they want to do is rest the mulching head on the ground and stand on their toes and it's not fun to hear the rotor grinding threw rock. Rubber tracks on moist hill country is just deadset dangerous and when they let go you are in for the ride of your life.
A dedicated unit is the only way to go if you think there's enough work to justify it but bear in mind they are a specialised machine and using a rock crusher is the only other attachment they could drive. There are a few mulchers with agent's in NZ, FAE and AHWI come to mind. My pick would be the AHWI RT200, good for 40deg grades every whichaway and has a winch for just in case.
A few years ago I was involved in power line easement maintenance clearing using a Rayco C140 in the Snowy mountains. The blokes from the power co were stoked because it was the first time since the easement was cleared that it had been widened out to the original clear line, no skidsteer would go anywhere near were I took that machine.
Good luck with your choices.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Tones, I'm in the South Island, Otago region. I don't think there would be enough work to justify a dedicated mulching unit here. I was thinking a CTL because they're quite versatile and I could get a couple more attachments for it and do some other work. I have 10+ years experience with diggers, so perhaps I'm better off with an 8 - 12 ton Cat or Hitachi and a mulching head. They look fairly small however, and just don't seem to be anywhere near as efficient or fast as a CTL with a mulcher, I may be wrong though.

Having no experience with a CTL, will I be able to take my digger a lot more places than a CTL? Mostly I'm considering versatility and variety of work, but mulching would be my main game.

Cheers,
Nik

Tried to edit my last post but a bit late.

Tones, I looked at those RT 200's after you mentioned, they look awesome. Probably a bit far out of my price range however.

I've got quite a bit of experience in D10's and D11 Dozers. How would those RT 200's stack up against say, a D3K dozer with a mulching head, in terms of slope, traction etc

There's not alot of info for the D3 but this has me puzzled. The dozer has 17.7 US gals flow but the mulcher requires 30US gals. A huge shortfall.
Keeping mulching machines clean is a never-ending job and having a teir 4 engine right behind a mulch head is a bomb waiting to go off IMHO. As far as grade ability I think they would be similar. Something else for you to ponder, MTL, Cat or ASV. An outfit in Taranaki called Trackgrip make bolt on grousers for these rubber tracks which would get you into and out more places.
I grew up in Northern Southland so I'm pretty familiar with your location.

PS a winch would invaluable no matter what machine you deside.

Awesome mate cheers for the info. I thought about the engine positioning too.

I'm now thinking between a digger and a dedicated mulcher. Most of my experience is with a digger and they're more versatile, but as far as mulching goes they seem a bit slow. Whats your thoughts on the Rayco machines?

PMd you