When it comes to managing vegetation on your property, choosing the right equipment can make all the difference. Two common options are slashers and mulchers, both of which are designed to cut down and clear vegetation. While both types of equipment have their benefits, a slasher can be a more cost-effective and versatile choice in certain situations.
What is a Slasher?
A slasher is a type of land management equipment that is designed to cut through thick vegetation, such as small trees and bushes. A slasher typically consists of a rotating blade or blades that are mounted on a horizontal or vertical axis. The blades are designed to cut through vegetation as the machine is moved forward, creating a path through dense brush and overgrown grass.
Woods Slashers are designed and manufactured in the United States of America from American steel. Their features are industry leading, with maximum operator safety a design focus. Woods slasher blades can be changed from above the machine with light hand tools in a couple of minutes. The 38mm blade pin is four times stronger than the standard 19mm blade bolt on other slashers. Woods slashers are the only slasher that has a greaseable blade pin ensuring greater longevity out of a set of blades. Woods slashers are built on a complete subframe and come with a stump jumping disc to protect the gearbox. Woods slashers are built to last, all coming with a six-year gearbox warranty.
Importantly, Woods slashers do not leave a windrow allowing you to manage your pasture efficiently. A Woods slasher will distribute the cut vegetation evenly behind the slasher, providing a similar finish to that of a mulcher, with all the added benefits that a slasher provides for the owner.
“SINCE PURCHASING A WOODS SLASHER WE DO NOT NEED TO USE OUR MULCHER. A WOODS SLASHER DOES NOT LEAVE A WINDROW, DISTRIBUTES MATERIAL EVENLY AND ALLOWS US TO WORK FASTER THAN WHEN WE WERE USING MULCHERS. THE LOWER OPERATING COSTS AND THE EASE OF OPERATION FOR BOTH THE TRACTOR AND OPERATOR MAKE THE DECISION TO PURCHASE A WOODS SLASHER AN EASY ONE.”
Geoff & Andrew – Graziers, Feedlotters & Woods Owners
Benefits of a Slasher over a Mulcher
Lower Cost
One of the primary benefits of a slasher over a mulcher is that it is less expensive to purchase, operate and maintain. Mulchers are expensive to operate as they use more fuel and have a higher horsepower requirement to drive (meaning you need to have a larger tractor to run a mulcher). Woods slashers are ergonomically designed, allowing the slasher to be operated to its full potential without requiring a huge amount of horsepower to be put through the gearbox .
“I Wouldn’t buy anything else. i am achieving a 150% productivity increase with Woods. Cutting more grass in less time using less fuel.”
Mark Lavery – Contractor & Woods Owner
Better for Rough Terrain
A slasher can handle rough and uneven terrain more effectively than a mulcher. This is because a slasher is typically designed to cut through thicker and denser vegetation, such as small trees and bushes. A mulcher, on the other hand, is typically better suited for grinding up smaller plants and branches.
More Versatile
Another advantage of a slasher is that it can be used for a wider range of tasks. In addition to clearing vegetation, a slasher can be used for tasks such as maintaining firebreaks, clearing fence lines, cutting back overgrown grass and vegetation and pasture topping. Additionally, mulchers will not work when the vegetation is slightly wet or very thick.
Minimal Ground Disturbance
Slasher equipment generally has smaller blades, which means that it can often cut through vegetation without disturbing the ground as much as a mulcher would. This can be beneficial in certain situations where soil preservation is important.
Faster Operation
Using a slasher takes a lot less time than using a mulcher to cover the same amount of area due to the speed at which the tractor can drive the slasher in comparison to the speed at which a tractor needs to drive the mulcher for it to work efficiently. In today’s society where time equals money, saving time completing land maintenance tasks will ultimately result in more efficient operations.
When is a Mulcher a Better Choice?
While a slasher can be a good choice in many situations, there are times when a mulcher may be a better choice. For example, if you need to process a large amount of vegetation and turn it into mulch or compost, a mulcher may be more efficient than a slasher. Additionally, a mulcher may be more effective at removing stumps and roots from the ground.
Ultimately, the choice between a slasher and a mulcher will depend on a range of factors, including the type of vegetation being cleared however if you are looking for an affordable and versatile option for clearing dense vegetation and maintaining your property, a slasher is an excellent choice.
