Groomers

Groomers are an excavator mounted flail mulching mower that can be mounted on excavators from 8 to 40 tonne. Groomers are best utilised in:

  • Rough or steep terrain
  • Wet conditions
  • In hard to get to places
  • In and around trees
  • Along creeks, river banks and/or river crossings
  • Over fences
  • Along road verges
  • Up or down banks or batters

Groomers will mulch material up to 14 inches in diameter and work effectively in conjunction with our mulching Units. We utilise the groomer as a giant whipper snipper and the tractor mounted mulching unit as a ride-on mower.

Groomers can mulch up to 2 hectares per day depending on terrain and size of material. Due to restrictions in functions per minute, it is physically impossible for excavators to clear any more area than this. Excavators should not be used to clear large flat areas as they are uneconomical in a broad acre sense.

Where they do have an advantage is being able to reach in and around objects without damage to the surrounding environment, trees or to the vegetation that is to remain. And access hard to reach areas.

Mulching Australia offer a full range of groomers mounted onto 12 tonne, 15 tonne, 20 tonne, 25 tonne and 30 tonne excavators.

Precision Reach and Versatile Capability

The primary strength of the Groomer lies in its articulated reach. While tractor-mounted units provide brute force for open ground, the Groomer acts as the precision instrument of the vegetation management world. By utilizing the boom of an excavator, we can position the mulching head with surgical accuracy. This is particularly vital for:

  • Riparian Management: Safely clearing invasive species along riverbanks without the risk of a heavy prime mover slipping into the water.
  • Vertical Clearance: Groomers can reach high into the canopy to remove overhanging limbs or “dead wooding” trees near power lines and roadways.
  • Infrastructure Protection: Clearing right up to the edge of bridges, culverts, and fences where larger machinery simply cannot fit.

Tactical Application: The “Two-Step” Clearing Method

At Mulching Australia, we maximize efficiency by pairing our Groomers with our purpose-built tractor mulching units. This tag-team approach ensures no part of your site is left untouched:

  • The Groomer (The “Whipper Snipper”): Navigates the difficult edges, clears around protected vegetation, and handles the steep batters or creek lines.
  • The Tractor Unit (The “Ride-on Mower”): Follows behind to process the large, flat, or accessible areas at high speed.

This method ensures the most cost-effective results for the end-user. By not forcing an excavator to do broad-acre work, we keep your hourly costs lower and your project timeline shorter.

Advanced Safety and Environmental Integrity

Operating on steep banks or near water requires a high level of technical skill and specialized equipment. Our excavator fleet is fitted with specialized hydraulic circuits designed to maintain constant high-flow power to the flail mower, ensuring that even at full reach, the Groomer maintains its 14-inch cutting capacity.

Furthermore, the “reach-in” capability of the Groomer is a major win for Environmental Management. We can eliminate woody weeds or hazardous timber without driving heavy machinery over the root zones of “keep” trees or disturbing sensitive soil structures on steep batters. This reduces the risk of post-clearing erosion and helps maintain the integrity of the natural landscape.

Choosing the Right Tonnage for the Job

Selecting the right excavator size is crucial for site access and efficiency. Our range ensures we can match the machine to the environment:

  • 12–15 Tonne Units: Ideal for roadside verges and tighter residential or subdivisional easements.
  • 20–25 Tonne Units: The “workhorses” for major rail easements and medium-scale riverbank restoration.
  • 30 Tonne Units: Maximum reach and power for heavy industrial clearing and high-volume fuel reduction in dense forests.