Tub Grinders/Bale Choppers

Tub grinders are your powerhouse machines for grinding down large pieces of wood and other objects such as straw, corn hay and more. Extra useful for construction companies and clean-up crews for clearing parcels of land, tub grinders turn large trees, brush and wood into wood chips. Often times, these wood chips are sold to gardening centers, stores, etc. Not only is this machine a workhorse, it also provides convenience as its portability allows it to move around a work site easily.

Use of Tub Grinders:

• Grinding Hay - big round & square bales, loose hay

• Grinding Crop Residues - straw, stover and other types

• Grinding Grain - corn, sorghum, and all cereal grains

• Commercial grinding applications                                                                              

When selecting a tub grinder, three questions to consider are:

• What types of material are you planning to grind and how will you feed it?

• What production rate do you require?

• What will the finished product be?

Once you’re able to answer these questions, you’ll be able to find the right tub grinder to meet your needs.

What features and options should your tub grinder have? Here are a few you should consider when looking for the right tub grinder for you:

• Tub and Hammermill Size; size is important for many reasons. A larger tub is much easier to feed and you get much more production out of a larger tub and hammermill.

• Horsepower; the more production and the larger the material, the more horsepower you’ll need to keep the mill turning. Though better horsepower typically equates to higher production, actual production will vary greatly based on the size and hardness of the material processed, moisture content of the material, size of the screens in your grinder, and the rate at which you are able to feed the machine.

• Grapple; will you be loading the machine or will you be relying on a mounted grapple? Grapples are most convenient when doing contract work or grinding in different sites where hauling an extra loader is inconvenient.

• Fixed Hammers or Swing Hammers; though most tubs have fixed hammers these days, swing hammers are ideal for extending the life of your grinder. However, swing hammers do not handle larger material as well as fixed hammers. The size and horsepower of the grinder will play an important part in its capabilities, but it’s best to keep material under 12” when running swing hammers.

• Reversible fans; if you’re operating in a really dusty environment, a reversible fan can extend the life of your engine. The reversible fan on the engine works to allow the grinder to reverse the flow of air through the radiator. As a result, this will let you blow out all of the dirt that has been sucked up into the radiator.

• Tilt tub; almost all current tub grinders come equipped with the tub tilt feature, however, early 90’s models and older may not have this feature. The tub tilt is convenient for emptying the tub and accessing the hammermill and driveline for repairs and maintenance.

Although tub grinders are built to be strong, steady machines, they still need to be maintained and operating correctly in order to be effective.

Get the most out of your grinder by following these tips:

• Suitable Screen Configuration

• The proper screen needs to be used for best results; round screens are ideal when consistent finish material is the anticipated aftermath. Square screens will have more of an open area for higher production, which is great when volume is more of a concern than consistency.

• Proper Cutting Tips

• To prevent issues with the finish product and damage to the tips, ensure the proper tip is used for the material that’s been processed. For materials with highly-abrasive contaminants, abrasion-resistant tips should be used. For a more universal style that works well on wood, compost and green waste, consider wide-block tips.

• Routine Maintenance

• At the start of each workday with the tub grinder, perform a brief inspection. A few areas to inspect should include: any areas of the machine that appear to be damaged, the engine oil level, wear parts, and be sure to grease high-activity areas of the machine. For maximized life expectancy, rotate the tub grinder wear parts.

[Links to Equipment Type Guides/Manuals]

• http://www.omnivect.com/duratechindustries/pmanuals/manuals/1150/REV6/1150-Parts_SN-0191_N_UP_Oct-2015.pdf

• http://www.screen2crush.com/sites/screen2crush.com/files/pdf/BROCHURE%20VERMEER%20TG525%20Tub%20Grinder%20Operation%20and%20Safety%20Guidebook.pdf

• http://www.omnivect.com/duratechindustries/pmanuals/manuals/H1000/REV11/H-1000-Combined_MAY-2014.pdf

[Links to Equipment Type Video]

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObSK8v-aE6I

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJoBPlFHx9Q

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIbTrKgQx3Q

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICogoc6qADY

Common Manufacturers

• CAT

• CBI

• Diamond Z

• Doppstadt

• Duratech

• FHE

• GCS

• Haybuster

• Hogzilla

• Jones Mighty Giant

• Morbark

• New Holland

• Olathe

• Peterson Pacific

• Precision Husky

• Rotochopper

• Stumpmaster

• Toro

• Vermeer

• WHO

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