Safety Insights When Operating Mulching Attachments on Track Loaders and Mini Excavators

Mulching heads are excellent tools for managing tough vegetation. Seeing how these attachments can quickly turn sizable trees into small particles, it’s easy to understand the importance of safety. As a result, all operators should be fully aware of proper guidelines to prevent injuries, equipment damage and other potential issues. Below are some essential tips for using your head to stay safe on the job.

Understand the Equipment

The first step to being safe around mulching heads is to know the equipment. This starts with reading and understanding the owner’s manual for both the mulching attachment and the power unit. This isn’t just a suggestion — it’s mandatory for everyone who will be operating the equipment.

Next, it’s important to know the limitations of the equipment. This information can be found in the manuals. For instance, if a skid steer has a maximum hydraulic relief pressure of 3,500 psi, then the operator should try not to exceed around 3,000 psi, since a good rule of thumb is to operate 500 psi underneath the maximum pressure ratings. A pressure gauge is often included on mulching heads for monitoring performance. Operating the equipment at or beyond its maximum capacity for an extended amount of time can lead to overheating, which can create a fire hazard or cause serious equipment damage.

If using a skid steer or compact track loader, operators should also know where the emergency exit is and how to use it. This can help for making a quick escape in the event of a fire. Or, if the skid steer/track loader happens to get stuck with the arms blocking the door, the operator can still safely exit the machine.

Establish a Safe Worksite

One of the most important safety rules for mulching attachments is to ensure there are no bystanders on the jobsite. In fact, some manufacturers recommend keeping people and animals at least 300 ft away from mulching heads during operation. If using a disc mulcher, rather than a drum mulcher, keep in mind that these attachments have an even greater tendency to create more flying debris, which can travel even greater distances.

Additionally, inspect the work area and remove all foreign objects, such as wire, bottles and rocks. Wire, for instance, could create safety concerns if it wraps around the rotor. Or, if a solid object is struck, it could cause equipment damage or be thrown at high speeds. Take note of ground conditions when looking for foreign objects, as well. If there are any steep slopes, culverts or other obstacles, be sure to avoid or approach them in a safe manner to prevent tipping, rollovers or other undesirable outcomes.

Be Properly Equipped

In order to use a mulching head, the skid steer, excavator or other power unit must be equipped with impact-resistant shielding. This includes a polycarbonate door. Glass doors cannot be used because they can be easily shattered by flying debris, which could seriously injure the operator.

Even when the power unit has the proper shielding, operators should still use safety glasses and other protective gear. This offers a second line of defense in case the shatterproof door fails, which may be unlikely, but not impossible. Another important step is to check the condition of the cutting teeth. If any of the teeth are cracked, they should be replaced immediately. Otherwise, pieces of the tooth could chip off during operation, posing a safety risk as they fly off the rotor. And, finally, clean off the equipment before use. Make sure all dead material is cleared from the crevices of the power unit. As the equipment heats up on the job, any material buildup left around the engine and exhaust could potentially start a fire.

Operate Safely

When using the equipment, always be mindful of flying debris. Try to keep the attachment positioned so that material is being discharged toward the ground, but never have it pointed so far down that the cutting teeth can be seen from the cab. If this happens, then flying debris may be directed toward the cab. Not only could this damage the equipment, but it could also put the operator in danger if the polycarbonate door is broken by debris traveling at high speeds.

Another flying debris concern is when wire is picked up by the attachment and wraps around the rotor. Many operators ignore the issue and continue running the equipment until the wire clears itself. However, pieces of wire can easily break off and fly like shrapnel. These wire pieces can puncture the cab door and cause serious harm. Because of this, the best approach is to stop the machine and clear the wire by hand before continuing any further.

When stopping the machine to clear wire, dislodge material or perform any other type of maintenance, be sure to follow proper shutdown procedures. This involves disengaging power to the attachment, shutting off the engine and removing the key. No repair or maintenance work should ever be done on the mulching head with the power unit running. If working under the equipment, then make sure it is securely blocked. Or, if performing maintenance on the cutting teeth, stabilize the rotor first to prevent accidental rotation.

Of course, the owner’s manual will provide additional safety information, not only for the mulching attachment, but also for the power unit itself. However, these are some of the most important pieces of advice for getting started. Following these tips will get you well on the way to a safe — and successful — mulching experience.

Clint Major is a product development coordinator for Loftness.