An extensive range of heavy-duty mulchers for land reclamation and forestry rejuvenation has been introduced by direct sales and distribution specialist Spaldings from the TMC Cancela range.
Comprising numerous models for use on tractors from 80hp to 500hp, as well as excavator-mounted hydraulic drive versions, the machines feature patented tooth designs for different applications.
Spaldings began its association with Spanish manufacturer TMC Cancela by taking on distribution of the company’s heavy duty flail and rotary toppers in the UK and Ireland last year.
The positive reaction to those machines has encouraged the Lincoln-based company to now add the more specialist mulchers, which have horizontal toothed rotors to pulverise unwanted scrub and young trees in land improvement projects.
TMC Cancela is based in the heavily forested north-west of Spain and has many years’ experience producing this type of machinery, notes Nigel Whelan, Spaldings marketing director.
“The company started out making mulchers and other forestry equipment and now produces a sophisticated mulcher design that makes strategic use of high-strength steel for durability without excessive weight,” he says.
The new mulchers are designed for use by landowners, estates and contractors wanting to reclaim productive land lost to scrub, or rejuvenate woodland through active management to improve productivity. They can also be used to deal with stumps and brash after clear felling in preparation for re-planting.
“Working widths range from just 0.60m to 2.50m but we expect 2.25m to be the most popular size,” says Alex Smith, Spaldings product development co-ordinator. “There are five different models available in this size for tractor and specialist power units with 100hp to 500hp at the pto.”
Base models will tackle scrub, saplings and young trees up to 250mm diameter while the range-topping TFR-225 will shred timber up to 700mm across. A choice of tungsten rotor teeth is available for each machine, including the triple-point F11 and F12 designs for maximum shredding and the blunter-shaped F05 for stump grinding and incorporation of residues into the soil.
All tooth designs are secured by two bolts set into deep recesses in the carrier well away from the point of contact. They work in conjunction with up to six rows of fixed counter blades to thoroughly shred and mulch vegetation.
Whether welded in place or bolted in more wear-prone positions for easy replacement, the counter knives are manufactured from hard-wearing Hardox steel, which is also used for the double-skin hood structure.
Rigid detachable push-bars are available throughout the range, and heavier-duty versions can be equipped with a hydraulically-adjustable pushing frame and rake tines to extract and feed-in awkward material.
Bi-directional pto input means all models can be front- or rear-mounted and mulchers from the TFX – 1.6m to 2.5m for tractors up to 250hp – a pivoting gearbox and patented parallel linkage hydraulic top link ensure that the correct pto shaft angle is maintained at all times for reliable power delivery.
The entry-level 1.5m to 2.0m TFS mulchers for 70-110hp tractors have six-belt drive to one end of the rotor but all others have five- or six-belt drive to both ends for balanced power input.
From the TFZ – 2.0m to 2.5m for 170-200hp tractors – two oil-filled hydrodynamic couplings can be added to the driveline for load-free pto start-up, vibration damping and shock/overload protection.
The top-end TFZ models, along with the 2.25m and 2.5m TFT mulchers for up to 360hp and the 2.25m TFR capable of handling 500hp, are built using Swedish Steel’s Strenx high-strength plate, in addition to the hard-wearing Hardox steel used throughout the range for components subject to wear.
Hydraulic rams and pipework are protected from damage, drive belt covers are produced in heavy steel to resist impact damage, and components are shaped to deflect branches and shed material to discourage vegetation becoming snagged on the machine.
Several examples of the new TMC Cancela mulchers are being operated by Spaldings as demonstrators so that the company’s specialist forestry team can show potential buyers the capabilities of the new machines.
The mulchers will be displayed alongside other timber and forestry implements, tools and equipment on the Spaldings stand at Confor’s Woodland Show on September 7/8 at Longleat.
