Werk-Brau’s New 40EX-HD Brush Shredder Expands Mini Excavator Cutting Power
Attachment expert Werk-Brau has launched the 40EX-HD Brush Shredder, a heavy-duty attachment built for compact excavators and backhoes. It targets contractors who need a long-reach, high-capacity brush cutting tool that can run in tight spaces or on difficult terrain. The 40EX-HD gives smaller excavators the cutting performance usually reserved for much larger machines.
A Heavy-Duty Shredder for Tough Vegetation
The 40EX-HD uses a 40-in. cutting width and triple flail knives to process material up to 5 in. thick. The attachment weighs 1,170 lbs and uses a single-piece frame, a 1/2 in. thick cutter drum and 3/8 in. end plates. This design aims to manage shock loads and long-term stress while working in remote areas. A piston motor requires 25 to 54 gpm of hydraulic flow. Its direct-drive design delivers power straight to the cutter drum. Werk-Brau electronically balances each drum to reduce vibration and maintain smooth operation over long service lives.
Other durability features include:
- Serviceable hubs
- Anti-wrap wire guards
- A composite dampener washer to reduce vibration
- An integrated thumb saddle for handling debris
The 40EX-HD meets all SAE J1001 flail mower standards and fits bigger compact excavators in the 16,000- to 24,000-lb classes.
Mini Excavators Are Becoming Brush Cutting Tool Carriers
Mini excavators continue to expand beyond trenching and utility work. Their long reach, compact footprint and precise hydraulic control make them ideal for cutting vegetation in areas where skid steers or compact track loaders struggle. Operators use compact excavators to reach high limbs, trim steep banks, work along ponds and ditches and access tight corridors between trees or structures. Boom reach allows safe standoff distance, and precise positioning helps manage awkward brush that sits outside the typical arc of a track loader-mounted cutter. The 40EX-HD enters this growing market where owners want more seasonal versatility and higher utilization from their excavators.
Werk-Brau and Valley Tool Partnership
Werk-Brau recently partnered with Valley Tool Mfg. to distribute BrushHound mulchers, shredders and flail mowers, along with RockHound rakes, through Werk-Brau’s dealer network. The companies also offer larger options like the FHX86 mulcher with a 78-in. cut width. Valley Tool builds the attachments while Werk-Brau handles dealer support and service.
Top 5 Attachment Types to Consider
Before choosing a cutter for your compact excavator, compare how each attachment handles different vegetation and ground conditions. Here are five categories operators often evaluate:
- Rotary mower heads for fast cutting in grass and light brush
- Flail mowers for finer mulch and minimal thrown debris
- Drum mulchers for heavier stems and thick woody material
- Disc mulchers for rapid land clearing in rural areas
- Tree saws for precision trimming and high-reach work
Each category has major differences in maintenance, hydraulic demand, finished cut quality and required operator skill.
Explore the Full Guide
Want a deeper breakdown of excavator mower and mulcher options? We compare designs, hydraulics, safety needs and performance differences across every major attachment type.
Click here to read the full deep dive:
https://compactequip.com/attachments/detailing-the-variety-of-mower-mulcher-and-saw-attachments-for-mini-excavators/
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
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