Why Farmers are Opting for Fine Finishes Over Speedy Slashes
Why Are Mulchers Becoming More Popular?
It may just be me, but back in the day, Mulchers weren't a common thing; you didn't see them around nearly as much as you do today and Slashers were by far the better seller as far as trash maintenance was concerned. But times are changing, and it is for a good reason. Initially, the Mulcher price point was far higher than that of a Slasher, and people couldn't see the value, so the Mulcher had to prove its place by results of the few who were willing to take the leap. Fast forward a few years, and their value is apparent, so let's unpack what's so good about them and why someone would choose a Mulcher over a Slasher.
What are the key differences between a Mulcher and a Slasher (Mechanically Speaking)?
There are lots! Starting at the most straightforward points, if we look at the mechanics:
Rotor & Blades
Slasher rotors spin horizontally and only have two blades, unlike a Mulcher with MANY blades – (typically 10+ per metre) which spin vertically. That's the black-and-white version, but there is so much more to it than that. Both units have a single rotor (although you can get a twin rotor slasher in larger working widths). A Mulcher's rotor runs the entire span of the unit horizontally, so if you can picture the blades staggered evenly across the bar, spin vertically. A Slasher rotor is mounted centrally in the machine's body, and the two blades spin horizontally off the end. The design and placement of the rotors influences how the machines cut and the finish they provide.
Slasher Rotor
Mulcher Rotor
Drive Mechanism
Mulchers are belt driven. The belts are the weak point or protection mechanism for the tractor and the gearbox, and the idea is that the belt will slip if the going gets too heavy. A Slasher generally uses a slip clutch. Both machines feature this built in protection that is designed to fail before causing any damage to the tractor or machine's main drive parts.
Rotor Balance
Both machines have the potential to go out of balance; as you can imagine, when you have an implement that spins at high revolution, if it breaks a blade or becomes unbalanced for some reason, it can vibrate or shudder. Upon leaving the factory, the rotors of both machines are balanced and should remain this way. It's more likely that a Slasher will become unbalanced than a Mulcher. Still, you must ensure that if you get vibrations or believe you have broken a blade, you stop and assess the situation before causing further damage and seek advice from your owner’s manual or dealer. We also have some great maintenance videos to help with troubleshooting in these areas.
Visual and Spatial Differences
Regarding the visual and spatial differences, a Mulcher will generally be wider than a Slasher, but not as deep behind the tractor and the weight is likely to be a little heavier.
Travel Speed
You will generally travel faster and cover more ground with a Slasher, traveling approximately 1/3rd faster than a Mulcher of the same working width dependant on the terrain and trash type.
So why would I buy a Mulcher if a Slasher is faster, costs less, and has the same features?
Finish and output results
Finish, results and what it leaves behind, that's why you would buy a Mulcher. They work in a cyclonic motion and generally travel at lower speeds, so the cut material tends to travel back through the cylinder more than once, creating a fine mulch.
Why would I want a finer mulch?
When you have a finer mulch, it assists in the breakdown of the trash materials. This happens because smaller pieces have more exposure to air and moisture, and they’re more accessible to microorganisms and fungi that help break the material down.
A finer mulch will also spread more evenly across the surface which again assists it in breaking down quickly and putting nutrients back into the soil – that if the trash was otherwise removed would not end up back in the soil.
If you were using a Slasher, the material would be longer and tend to throw in a row at the side of the machine due to the spinning motion of the blades. This means the breakdown process is slower than that of the Mulcher because you get denser clumps of material and the material itself is bigger.
Having the coverage of the mulched materials across the entire paddock is also beneficial for moisture retention and keeping the soil temperatures steady and assists in cover cropping situations because you aren't left with material that is likely to block up a seed drill, cutting tines or press wheels or cause tillage equipment to block up due to long straw like residues.
Are there different types of Mulchers for different applications?
As with most implements, the more complex the job, the heavier duty the gear required to get it done. Mulchers are no different; they range in size and gearbox horsepower and have different blades to tackle different tasks. The different blades can also offer different strengths and are each more suited to different applications.
Blades
The most common configurations are the Hammer or 'T' blade and the 'Y' Blade. The Hammer Blade is versatile and is a multipurpose option that can cover scrub, pruning, grass brush, and crop residues. Different models will also generally have different sizes and strength blades that can handle different diameter materials. For example, a smaller machine suited to a smaller horsepower tractor will have smaller blades. It will not be able to handle materials with as large a diameter as a larger unit.
The 'Y' Blades are wondrous for fine mulch in thick crop stubble and pruning as they provide more of a shredding than a chipping action like that of a Hammers.
It is always good to chat with the dealer regarding their suggestion on the best blade to suit your application if you are unsure.
'Y' Blade
'T' or Hammer Blade
So why doesn’t everyone just buy a Mulcher if they are so good?
Price is one factor, the initial outlay is often more than buying a Slasher of the same size, and as far as ongoing maintenance costs the number of blades puts the price up but depending on the materials you are working in you may need to replace less blades than if you were using a Slasher.
Another factor is some people find that in extra tall grass Slashers perform better than Mulchers as the grass may wrap around the rotor more frequently on a Mulcher and tend to rip more than cut. But there are plenty of applications where the Mulchers will outperform Slashers. Especially when we are in the crop stubble and heavy brush situations.
Again, we come back to the principle of matching the right machine for the right application to ensure you get the desired result in the most effective and efficient way.
Next Steps
If you are still with me, you might be wondering how to make the right choice. As a next step I would suggest that you sit down and make a list or at least think about it in your head, key factors for you and key things you value, work out what you plan to do with the unit and where you plan to work it.
If you have multiple uses rate out of 10 the percentage of each use type, decide how good you are with maintenance and how down time would affect you.
Good questions to consider are:
What horsepower is your tractor?
What are your main uses - cropping, pasture, or noxious weed control?
Can you see value in purchasing a higher cost machine providing a finer finish?
Are you looking to improve soil fast or is break down time not a factor?
Is low maintenance a high priority?
Will the ongoing cost of blades be a determining factor in which machine you choose?
Are you looking for a neat finish?
Ready to Decide?
Whether you’re leaning towards a mulcher or a slasher, the key is finding what works best for your farm. If you’re still unsure, we’re here to help. Reach out to Delmade or if you’re not ready to speak to someone yet check out the learning centre for more information on both slashers and mulchers and also the product listings for full specifications on the slashers and mulchers we offer.
