Drum Mulcher or Brush Cutter: Which One for Land Clearing?

For land clearing, the first choice is between two skid steer attachments: a brush cutter that cuts brush down, or a drum mulcher that chews it up. Both can clear a lot of ground, but they do different jobs, and buying the wrong one costs you time on every acre.

Chupp Industrial is a family-run equipment business in Chouteau, Oklahoma, and this question comes up all the time. Here is how we help people sort it out.

Drum Mulcher or Brush Cutter: What Does Each One Do?

A brush cutter swings blades or knives to slice through brush and small saplings. It cuts and throws or lays down the material. Think overgrown fence lines, pasture edges and thick grass with woody growth.

A drum mulcher spins a heavy drum fitted with teeth or tools. It grinds wood into chips and mulch. It handles larger stems and leaves a covering on the ground instead of a pile to burn or haul off.

The whole difference in one line: a cutter clears, a mulcher clears and processes.

Which One Should You Pick for Land Clearing?

Pick a brush cutter for brush and stems up to a couple of inches, and a drum mulcher for trees, thick cedar and big brush.

• Brush, briars and stems up to a couple of inches. A brush cutter is usually enough and often the faster tool.
• Trees, thick cedar and big brush. A drum mulcher is the better fit, since it is built to take the larger wood.
• Ground you plan to seed or build on. Mulch left on the surface helps with erosion and saves hauling. Some buyers like that. Others want bare dirt.
• Stumps. Neither tool is a stump grinder. If stumps are part of the job, plan for a grinder as a separate step.

Most people underestimate the stumps. Clearing the top growth is only half the job.

Will a Brush Cutter or Mulcher Work on Your Skid Steer?

A brush cutter or drum mulcher works on your skid steer when its hydraulic flow, size and mounting plate match the machine. Skid steer attachments are not all interchangeable, so check these three things:

1. Hydraulic flow. Mulchers and cutters draw a lot of hydraulic power, so compare your machine's flow with the attachment's rating. A standard-flow brush cutter, for example, can be rated for 20-21 gpm.
2. Machine size. A full-size attachment on a small machine will bog down or tip the machine. A mini skid steer needs an attachment built for one.
3. Mounting and couplers. Make sure the mounting plate matches your machine.

If you are not sure, send us the make and model of your machine and we will point you at attachments that fit. The mistake is guessing. We have sold these attachments for about four years, so we hear what works and what does not. Tell us your machine, your ground and your acreage, and we will help you choose the right one for your land clearing job.

What Skid Steer Attachments Work After the Clearing?

A skid steer rake is the usual attachment for finishing ground after clearing. After the brush is down, that can mean raking out roots and rock, leveling, or grading for a pad or a pasture. Tell us the job you are doing and ask which rake fits it.

Should You Buy or Rent a Brush Cutter or Mulcher?

If you clear land a couple of times a year, renting a mulcher may make sense. If it is part of how you earn money, owning wins over time. Consider how many acres you clear each season and how much downtime you can accept. The people who buy tend to be the ones who cannot wait for a rental to come back.

How Do You Maintain a Brush Cutter or Drum Mulcher?

Check the teeth and blades often, keep them sharp or replace them, and grease the bearings. Whichever you choose, the teeth and blades are wear items. A dull cutter burns fuel and slows the job. A few minutes of upkeep saves a day of grinding away at the same brush.