NEWS CENTER

NEWS CENTER

3 Considerations for Matching A Cutter to Your Skid Steer

0914, 2023
Effective mowing always requires a suitable machine. With so many options to choose from, it’s important to match the brush cutter to the overall skid steer width, the flow rate capabilities of your skid steer’s hydraulic system, and your overall operating capacity.
CUTTER WIDTH 
A common question is: What attachment width should I purchase? We always tell people to purchase a brush cutter with a cut width that is wider than the tires or tracks of your skid steer. If the cut width does not cover the tracks, then you increase the risk of running over uncut debris; debris that could damage your skid steer tires.
Bigger is not always better. Selecting a brush cutter attachment that is too wide will:
Increase weight
Increase overall cutting surface area
Require more power to run it effectively
And each of these factors directly impacts performance.
SKID STEER FLOW RATE
You must know the flow rate of your skid steer and the minimum and maximum flow rate of the brush cutter's motor. Flow rate is typically listed in gallons per minute (GPM).
IMPORTANT TIP: To achieve optimal performance, the brush cutter’s flow rate should fall within the min/max range of the brush cutter motor.
Flow rate examples:
If you use a Standard Flow brush mower motor in High Flow, the motor will be over-stressed. It may not fail immediately, but irreparable damage has likely occurred and will eventually cause the motor to fail.
If you use a High Flow brush mower on a Standard Flow skid steer, you won’t get the performance you desire.