Co Antrim-based manufacturer Blaney Agri has developed cutting heads for 2t to 20t excavators, which can be coupled directly to the machine instead of a traditional bucket, and are capable of cutting high-density material of three years’ growth and more, thanks to their power-shredding technology. The Blaney excavator heads are designed to tackle overgrown areas where access is difficult due to wet or rough ground conditions. Due to variations in pump outputs of different excavator models, each cutting head is specifically designed to suit the specific machine to which it will be fitted. This is in order to achieve the best output and performance and ensure that the machine runs efficiently, and is not overloaded during operation.

The excavator cutting heads are equipped with a special hydraulic Powerbox, which ensures that the rotor is running at the right speed and protects the head’s hydraulic motor from any imbalances in the system.

This helps to get around the common problem that users face when they add a standard hedge cutter head to their digger, where rotor speed and performance drops off as they track and move forward. A belt transmission helps to ensure a longer life, with less surge on the hydraulic motor shaft.

Other features include a head float system which reduces the input required from the operator and provides protection against scalping, especially when verge cutting. This cutting head has been designed for optimum manoeuvrability to allow for cutting in closer proximity to the hedge.

A double skin body provides maximum strength with minimum weight for better balance even when reaching with smaller diggers. To prevent damage and for a smooth cutting motion, the Blaney excavator head is equipped with side skids with skid plates, while the motor is inset to protect against damage when cutting around obstacles. Prices start at €4,320 plus VAT.

Co Meath-based mechanical engineering and manufacturing company Slanetrac offer three different options for hedge-cutting with an excavator.

Flail cutter

This attachment is available in 800mm and 1000mm options, the Slanetrac HC Series mini digger flail cutter attachment designed to suit a wide range of machines from 1.5t to 2.5t for the FH-80 and 2.8t to 7.5t for the FH-1000. The mini digger flail cutter has individually replaceable cutting blades, which come supplied with adjustable mounting brackets to suit the particular machine to which it is fitted and hydraulic pipes to connect to the machine’s rock breaker lines for fast installation.

These attachments are designed to allow cutting to take place at any angle between horizontal and vertical via the adjustable mounting bracket, giving the operator better access to hard-to-reach places, such as behind fences. The attachments also allow the operator to cut close to and around obstacles. With a cutting diameter of up to 1,000mm, the Slanetrac HC Series mini digger flail cutter offers clean cutting of scrub, gorse, briars and overgrown grass areas. Prices for this attachment start at €3,100 plus VAT.

Available in 1.5m and 1.8m options, the Slanetrac HC Series mini digger finger bar hedge cutter attachment will suit a wide range of machines from 0.8t to 7.5t.

The robust low-maintenance Slanetrac HC Series mini digger hedge cutter is fitted with individual blades which are replaceable. Each attachment is designed to suit the machine, which it is fitted via adjustable mounting brackets. Power is supplied to the attachment by the machine’s rock breaker lines to aid fast installation on-site.

The hydraulically powered reciprocating finger bar allows for the fast and neat cutting of hedges. For best results, while heavy cutting the operator can use the slewing movement of the digger to cut through thick, heavy growth, while for finer, lighter breasting of the hedge, the operator can use the tracking movement to get the desired finish.

The operator can cut in hard-to-reach places quite easily as the adjustable mounting bracket allows cutting at any angle, both horizontal and vertical. This also allows the operator to cut close to and around obstacles, such as telephone poles, offering greater versatility compared with flail options.

With a cutting thickness of up to 40mm, the Slanetrac HC Series mini digger finger bar hedge cutter offers clean cuts, allowing for neat, tidy hedges with more satisfactory conditions for regrowth compared with the results from flail cutting attachments. It also ensures minimum disturbance for wildlife.

Prices start at €1,900 plus VAT.

Saw head attachment

When the going gets tough, the Slanetrac HS55 mini digger saw head hedge cutter comes into play. This attachment comes with a high-speed carbon steel 550mm diameter blade, while the larger HS75 comes with a 750mm blade, which can cut up to 250mm thickness. To ensure a low maintenance and efficient attachment for your digger, both blades are supplied with an adjustable mounting bracket to suit the machine it is attached to, as well as hydraulic pipes to connect to the breaker lines for fast installation.

The saw heads are designed to allow cutting at any angle between horizontal and vertical due to the adjustable mounting bracket and compact stature of the saw head. This allows the operator to cut close to and around obstacles, offering greater versatility without compromising safety.

With an ability to cut up to 250mm diameter material, the saw head attachment presents the operator with a great all-round tool that can deal with rougher thicker hedges while still having the ability to produce neat, tidy hedges with clean cuts with more satisfactory conditions for regrowth.

Prices start at €2,600 plus VAT.

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