When Disaster Strikes: Essential Equipment for Cleanup, Prevention

Thu April 06, 2023
Diamond Mowers

Natural disasters can leave a trail of destruction and debris in their wake that litters the landscape and creates significant issues for landowners. When clearing vegetation and trees left behind by storms, floods and forest fires, the right equipment is essential for helping return the land to its natural state.

"If you're in the disaster recovery business or handle storm and fire cleanup, you need equipment that can cut, shred, mulch and process downed trees, broken branches and burnt brush," said Matt Nelson, director of development for Diamond Mowers, a manufacturer of industrial mowing, mulching and brush cutting equipment for the municipal, skid-steer and excavator markets.

Following are some must-have tools Nelson recommends for landowners, farmers, ranchers and contractors tackling disaster cleanup, fire prevention and recovery.

Mulchers

After severe weather or fire, the land can be layered with hazardous trees and brush. Removing these hazards calls for the powerful processing and rotation speed of a disc or drum mulcher designed for large mulch and brush management applications.

Engineered to act like a flywheel, the distinctive disc mulcher design combines stored energy with hydraulic power to enable operators to cut and mulch trees and brush in their path effectively and efficiently.

Conversely, drum mulchers get their name from their cylindrical, drum-like shape. These heavy-duty land clearing mulchers shred small trees and brush with a forward spinning motion — a quality that makes them great for quick brush and undergrowth removal.

"By mulching downed vegetation and debris, you can return the materials and nutrients back to the ground, preparing the land for replanting and new growth," said Nelson.

Diamond Mowers offers the Disc Mulcher Pro X, which is compatible with standard- and high-flow hydraulic skid-steers and is available in 48 and 60 in. cutting widths to slice through trees and brush up to 14 in. in diameter and shred material up to 6 in. in diameter.

For heavy-duty land reclamation projects, the Excavator Disc Mulcher Pro X is available in 36 or 48 in. cutting widths and can process material up to 12 in. in diameter.

Additionally, Diamond's drum mulchers in Open and Depth Control styles are compatible with standard- and high-flow skid-steers and excavators. These attachments can continuously mulch material up to 9 in. in diameter and are available in 60 and 72 in. sizes.

For midi-excavator users, the Excavator Drum Mulcher DC Pro X tackles mulching or brush clearing with power and precision and effectively cuts back and processes unwanted vegetation, making it ideal for land clearing and vegetation management.

"Unlike other land-clearing techniques, mulching doesn't cause disturbance to the soil, which is vital for reducing erosion and aiding in water conservation by preventing moisture loss," said Nelson. "Employing a disc or drum mulcher can improve soil fertility and deliver essential nutrients that will serve future vegetation."

Stump Grinder

The miller stump grinder attachment allows the operator to cut stumps up to 36 in. in diameter without ever moving the carrier.

Another must-have piece of equipment for anyone involved in disaster cleanup and prevention is a stump grinder. Essential for removing stumps after trees have been broken, burnt, or carried away by fierce winds, fire or flooding, this tool uses a rotating cutting disc that mulches stumps into small pieces.

Diamond offers two wheel-based options for use with skid-steer carriers:

• Miller Stump Grinder — This attachment allows the operator to cut stumps up to 36 in. in diameter without ever moving the carrier. The 26 in., 6-way grinding wheel features swing, lift and telescoping functions that allow users to process a stump while the loader is parked in one position, reducing the risk of soil or turf damage, and making it an ideal solution for arborists or where aesthetics are a significant consideration. This option also features a chain guard that helps protect the grinder and operator from flying debris, along with a convenient push blade that effortlessly fills in holes created while clearing stumps below ground level.
• Reflex Stump Grinder — An excellent choice for rural grinding applications, tree farms and land clearing operations, the Reflex Stump Grinder uses the skid-steer's lift arm to position its heavy-duty wheel in the stump before driving it through the wood with the machine's wheels or tracks. This easy-to-operate grinder is equipped with a cushioning device that protects the wheel from too much pressure, alleviating overload by flexing and keeping the wheel out of harm's way. Grinding wheels are available in 24 or 26 in. cutting widths and are paired with an appropriately sized motor to match the machine's hydraulic flow.

"Removing stumps after storm or fire damage is essential for aesthetics, safety and sustainability," said Nelson. "Stump removal minimizes maintenance obstacles and prevents insects or wild animals from settling in and causing further damage."

Supplemental Equipment Options

In addition to the previously mentioned tools, most reclamation jobs also will require one or more of the following depending on the nature, size and scope of the disaster event:

• Backhoe: good for light-duty shoveling and material handling in storm-damaged areas cluttered with debris.
• Brush Cutter: tackles land and vegetation management challenges from cutting through tall, thick grass to clearing large-scale brush and small trees.
• Bulldozer: can push large quantities of scattered debris into piles for disposal. Plus, its tracks provide enhanced stability and traction on treacherous terrain.
• Front Loader/Wheel Loader: acts like a mobile shovel that can lift, transport and load debris onto vehicles for removal.

"Whether you're cleaning up after a hurricane, flood, or fire, it's important to have the correct tools at your disposal," said Nelson. "Clearing the land of harmful debris quickly and efficiently reduces hazard potential, gets the landowner back to work, and keeps the area looking beautiful."

For more information, visit www.diamondmowers.com.

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.