Skid steer brush cutter reviews - how to choose the best brush cutter?
Whether you are a contractor, farmer, or simply a landowner, when your yard, paddocks, or other sections of your property are covered by brush, you want to clear it away as soon as possible. If you also happen to be a skid steer owner, I have good news for you - you can do it yourself. You will only need to get a brush cutter attachment. More good news: We are here to help you choose the one best suited to your needs.
What is a skid steer brush cutter?
A skid steer brush cutter is an attachment connected to the front of a skid steer loader. It connects with the use of hydraulic hoses and couplers to the machine's hydraulic system that powers the spindle with the blade carrier holding multiple cutting blades. The blades, in turn, are responsible for cutting down the grass or bush you want to get rid of. Depending on their use, there are different types of skid steer brush cutters.
Examine your skid steer before choosing a brush cutter
There are as many skid steers as brush cutter attachments, if not more. The choice is not only about what suits best the task you need to perform but also what attachment your skid steer is compatible with. Brands and models vary, so examine your skid steer, its hydraulic requirements, and other factors.
Skid steers have a set hydraulic flow rate scale. Many are classed as standard, but some operate with a high flow rate. While looking for a new brush cutter attachment, it is crucial to note the hydraulic flow rate of your skid steer. Choose the brush cutter that is manufactured to operate within this rate to avoid lower efficiency or a malfunction (the warranty will be void if you use your attachment with the wrong type of skid steer).
There are various manufacturers of skid steer brush cutters on the market. The equipment comes in various sizes, capacities, and widths. Remember to always choose the one that is wider than your skid steer. If you choose the one that is too narrow, the flying debris might build up in front of the wheels of your skid steer. On the other hand, if you choose the one that is too wide, you might not be able to power it.
Closed front or open front brush cutters - which one to choose?
There are two types of skid steer brush cutter attachments on the market, closed front brush cutters and open front brush cutters. Each of them has its specific features and uses.
As the name indicates, closed front skid steer brush cutters are closed off from the front. The right and left sides are formed of welded steel, and the front has a chain curtain. The chain curtain directs the cut material inside the cutter while the machine moves forward. As a result, the material is kept in one neat line with the help of a taper or a chain curtain installed at the back of the cutter.
Closed front brush cutter attachments are mostly chosen by skid steer operators who would like the by-product of the brush cutting to remain in a more eye-pleasing arrangement. This type of skid steer brush cutter is mostly used whilst working on overgrown grass. This type of cutter will not be useful when cutting dense brush.
Open front skid steer brush cutters are closed off only on the left and right sides. The cutting blades in the front are exposed, which allows easy exit for the debris while the skid steer brush cutter is in operation. The material also exits through the back chain curtain.
Open front skid steer brush cutter is the best choice for those who plan to cut through heavy brush or even small trees. The material is initially cut and thrown out aggressively, leaving larger pieces in the cutting area. Even though they do not leave a neat finish, open front skid steer brush cutters are more popular among customers.
Does the type of hydraulic motor matter?
There are three main types of skid steer brush cutter hydraulic motors - gear, vane, and piston. The first two are very popular and transfer the hydraulic flow into rotational torque using gears and vanes. The high-speed rotation is provided at low torque (HSLT), which does not make the brush cutters operate with the highest efficiency.
This type of motor work at high flow rates, which makes them suitable for high flow machines. Because they are cheaper to manufacture than piston-style motors, gear and vane motors are very popular types of motors used in many types of cutters. They are also less durable but will usually wear out slowly before failure.
A piston motor provides more than 90% of efficiency. Because it captures more power, it allows for cutting at higher speeds. At the same time, it operates at Lower Speeds with Higher Torque, which assures the consistency in speed with which the thick brush is cut. Piston motors work at low flow rates, which makes them suitable for low-flow skid steers. They are also much more expensive than gear or vane hydraulic motors and therefore used in any high-quality brush cutter.
Because piston motors are more powerful, so they are considered the best choice for skid steer brush cutters, also called heavy-duty brush cutters.
Other brush cutter attachment features
The general idea behind a brush cutter attachment purpose is for it to be able to do the job it is destined to do. But apart from the obvious, there are other additional features that depend on the model and the given manufacturer. While browsing among the attachments, pay attention to such attributes as the durability of the spindle and cutter framework.
The spindle transfers power to the motor, protecting the hydraulic engine from damage. It must be made of durable materials to handle impact and protect the whole attachment. Choose the spindle made of heavy-duty steel to withstand the power and force generated by the blades and the flywheel.
Another feature you should pay attention to is the occurrence of hydraulic pressure relief valves. Skid steer's hydraulic system powers the brush cutter attachment. When the attachment encounters obstacles, the hydraulic pressure needs to be released in order to prevent possible damage. That is why hydraulic pressure relief valves are so important.
It is also worth paying attention to the blades. They come in two shapes, triangular and circular, and the blade carrier must be properly balanced during the manufacturing process. Triangular 3-blade carriers are best for cutting grass and light bushes. Circular 4-blade carriers need to be paired with a piston motor as they need a lot of power to operate. They are especially targeted at cutting thick brush. No matter which blades you choose, make sure they are made of high-quality steel and easy to replace (look for a skid steer brush cutter with access to the blades from the top of the deck).
One last important thing to look out for is the multiple replaceable components of the brush cutters. After all, if something gets damaged, it is always better to replace the defective parts, such as skid shoes or blades, instead of having to buy a brand new skid steer attachment.
The best Skid Steer Brush Cutters on the market
The time has come to present our choice of the best skid steer brush cutter attachments on the market. We chose the ones that are of good quality and within a varied price range. Also, some of them are closed front brush cutters, and others are open front brush cutters. Everyone can find something suitable for their needs.
Blue Diamond Severe Duty Open Front Brush Cutter Series 2
Blue Diamond Severe Duty Brush Cutter is an extremely powerful machine. With its 10 in cutting capacity, there is no need for purchasing an additional mulching skid steer cutter. The productivity is additionally enhanced by the highest quality piston motor and visible pressure gauge. This model also has a debris cover that prevents the material from building up on the top of the deck. Below are the remaining machine specifications:
- Cutting width: 72 in
- Motor size: 150 -250 CC
- Flow requirement: 16-45 GPM
- Weight: 2026 lbs
- Price: around $18 000 USD
Blue Diamond Heavy-Duty Brush Cutter
Blue Diamond Brush Cutter is a perfect choice for home use. It cuts through 4-inch trees and mows tall grass, weeds, or pastures. It comes with a perimeter-style wire guard and heavy wear bars. The blade carrier is solid 3/4" steel that gives the blades more cutting force while attacking heavy bush. The deck is 9" high with a tapered back to help float over stumps. There is also a perimeter wire guard on the blade carrier included. Some of the other specifications:
- Cutting width: 60 in - 72 in
- Required GPM: 11 - 26 GPM
- Weight: between 940 lb and 1220 lb
- Price: around $8 000 USD
Blue Diamond Mini Skid Steer Brush Cutter
For someone who needs to clear parks, and trails or mow overgrown areas, Mini Skid Steer is a perfect choice. The model allows easy access to narrow spaces, which other models are too large to operate in. If your machine has a limited hydraulic flow, this attachment is ideal. The attachment can also work in both directions, forward and reverse. Thanks to chain curtains that are present on the front and back, the brush cutter guarantees safety from flying debris. Other specifications include (depending on the model):
- Cutting width: 36 in - 50 in
- Motor size: 80 CC
- Flow rate: 13-28 GPM
- Weight: 541-770 lbs
- Price: around $7 300 USD
CAT BR115
BR115 model is a closed front brush cutter attachment suitable for many applications, such as landscaping. Its blades are of high durability and are also ideal for mulching. Long life motor and gears are hidden in a guard box. Galvanized coil chains protect the equipment operator from flying brushes. Cat BR115 will, however, not be suitable for industrial work. Below are some of this product's specifications:
- Overall Width: 62 in
- Cutting Width: 60 in
- Maximum Cutting Diameter: 3 in
- Required Hydraulics: Standard Flow
- Overall Length: 73 in
- Overall Height: 21 in
- Weight: 950.2 lb
- Price: around $8 000 USD