Skid Steer Mulcher

A skid steer mulcher turns standing brush and small trees into chip on the ground in a single pass, which is why clearing crews run them instead of cutting, piling, and burning. The first decision is drum versus disc: a drum head processes material finer and lays it down in place, which suits right-of-way work and anywhere the finished look matters, while a disc head cuts faster and takes larger stems at the cost of a rougher result. Hydraulic flow is the second factor, since high-flow heads clear far more per hour, though low-flow models exist for standard machines. See our full forestry mulcher lineup for heavier-duty work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Drum mulcher or disc mulcher: which should I get?

A drum head spins a horizontal rotor with fixed teeth, processing material repeatedly as it feeds through and leaving a fine, even mulch layer. That's the right call for right-of-way maintenance, trail work, and anywhere the finish matters or thrown debris is a hazard. A disc head spins a horizontal disc with blades, cuts faster, and handles bigger stems, but leaves coarser material behind. Production work favors the disc; finish work favors the drum.

Do I need a high-flow skid steer to run a mulcher?

For most heads, yes. Mulching is one of the most hydraulically demanding jobs an attachment does, and the rotor needs sustained flow to keep tip speed up when it
bites into material. High-flow machines run the full range of heads and clear substantially more per hour. Low-flow models do exist and work, but expect slower going and smaller material limits. Match the head's required GPM to your machine before ordering.

What size material can a skid steer mulcher handle?

Each head publishes a maximum stem diameter, and it's worth treating that as an occasional limit rather than a working average. A head rated for six-inch material
will take an occasional six-inch trunk but works most efficiently well below that. Species and season matter too, since green hardwood loads the rotor far more than dry softwood. If most of your work sits near a head's ceiling, size up.

Can a mulcher grind stumps?

Not properly, and trying it costs you teeth. Mulcher rotors are built to process wood above ground, not to tolerate soil and rock, and dropping the head onto a stump at
grade puts the teeth straight into dirt. Some heads will shave a stump flush, but going below grade is stump grinder work. If you're clearing land and need the stumps
gone too, plan on a separate stump grinder.

How do I make mulcher teeth last longer?

Keep the rotor out of the dirt, which is where nearly all premature wear comes from. Work the head into material at the right height rather than pushing down through
it, and take a second pass instead of forcing one. Watch for rocks in the cut area, rotate or replace teeth on the manufacturer's schedule, and keep an eye on hydraulic
oil temperature, since sustained high load in hot weather is hard on both the head and the machine.