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Installation
Installation is always done to the excavator manufacturers specifications and with their preferred components. Advances in computers and hydraulic capabilities have made addition of attachments for excavators much simpler.
The basics: It is as easy......as it looks!
There are 3 hydraulic lines:
1) 1 inch (ID) Forward 3200 PSI (50-65 Gals).
2) 1 inch (ID) Reverse 2500+- PSI
3) 1/2 inch (ID) case drain return Pressure and Gals are not required to be exact, can be pus or minus 10%.
A) A cross-over relief valve to cushion hard stop or forward to reverse banging is all that is needed for an installation without a live thumb. (Some jarring is preferred to allow shaking out of dirt.)
B) Hook-up can be made directly to the auxiliary port; it can be configured to utilize flow from both pumps without exceeding 65 gals. Speed of rotation is not critical but should range from 0-30 RPM to 0-40 RPM. The speed of rotation will decrease as it enters the ground because of torque loading and stop completely (or stall) when it comes in contact with unmovable objects. External hoses should be wrapped together with a protective covering.
C) It is best for the operator if all hydraulic lines are kept the same length and are \positioned only on the left side of the head. Adequate length must be allowed to curl the Mulcher head completely inwards.
With live thumb: The VH Mulcher and thumb are never used at the same time so rotation of the tool plate plus opening and closing of the thumb is never required simultaneously. To allow individual use, a "flow divider" or separate circuit will be needed. In Canada and the USA, where excavators are very popular, a good supply of hydraulic accessories are available at reasonable prices. ( An electric over hydraulic (3 way) toggle switch for the right thumb of the operator (top of the joy stick) is good for operator productivity to turn the VH Mulcher on, (clockwise rotation) off or in reverse.) This accessory allows for easy forward and reverse action of the Mulcher, allowing the operator to shake dirt out of the tool plate as often as required.
For operation of the thumb: A dimmer switch (similar to those used for dimming the headlights of older vehicles) installed on the floor for use of the operators right foot allow oil flow to go either to the VH Mulcher or to the thumb will be required. Outward progression and retraction of the thumb will be activated by the right hand thumb.
Oil flow dividers can be mounted and guarded on the 3 way stick but are best kept back near the engine. Additional hoses can be installed to allow easy mounting of the VH Mulcher.
Excavators that have previously had hammers, falling heads or processors may already have sufficient hoses and accessories installed. Feller bunchers have surplus and although their reach may be shorter, they are durable and often more capable of climbing steep slopes.
A hydraulic thumb (1993) detachable not part of the VH Mulcher. The addition of the optional live thumb greatly enhanced our versatility in rugged British Columbia and Coastal conditions where heavy slash was a problem. The lower two tines (removable) attached to the main VH Mulcher body had several purposes: A) To form the other one half of the grapple for picking up logs or slash. This allowed us to work the heaviest of slash conditions. B) The ability to pile slash on large diameter stumps (over eight feet in diameter) and simultaneously prepare planting spots where planter access was previously severely restricted and/or enhanced microsites where preferred. C) To excavate stumps. D) To lift the weight of the excavator. E) To drag slash, organic matter, or material towards the excavator. F) To rip the ground or rake out woody vegetation roots. G) To pull the excavator up steep slopes.
Standardization of the tool plate (1994) and teeth.
The eggbeater tool plate proved to be the most robust and versatile. It takes a little more operator finesse but is very durable.
Many other designs have been tried for specific soil or vegetation types, but proved less versatile.
Prior to trying anything new, always consult with the manufacturer (and perhaps come look at my scrap pile) so as not to void the warranty or cause damage to other equipment.
