Maintaining property means facing a myriad of projects ranging from fence line maintenance and removing tree stumps to clearing overgrowth. With a to-do list this diverse, it’s no wonder midi excavators have become important tools for professional contractors, property owners and municipalities alike.
“Delivering similar power and performance to larger machines, a midi excavator gives operators the versatility to tackle a wide range of land management and earth moving tasks along with the ability to maneuver through and around tight spaces with ease and efficiency,” explained Nate Cleveringa, vice president of engineering and product management at Diamond Mowers.
Diamond Mowers experts explained that there are several key benefits midi excavators offer over larger excavators and crawlers, making them important pieces of machinery for many professionals, including:
Compact size
Don’t let the smaller size of a midi excavator fool you. After all, their scaled-down size is the reason they’re able to comfortably navigate tight areas or where space is limited, such as yards, fence lines and urban job sites.
“Unlike larger excavators, midi excavators are commonly designed with zero-overhang tail for unrestricted rotation in tight spaces,” said Cleveringa. “Their compact size means they can be more easily transported and stored, and they generally feature hydraulic blades, which help achieve stable operation on slopes and soft terrain.”
Power and versatility
There is a common misperception that smaller machines carry less power compared to their full-sized counterparts, but that is not necessarily true. Midi excavators offer reliable performance and are equipped with enough power needed to handle many of the tough jobs out there., according to Diamond Mowers.
“Built with strategic engineering modifications, these machines offer superior handling and strength and are compatible with a variety of attachments — such as mulchers, brush cutters, buckets, hammers, augers, compactors, shovel blades and more — for added reach, mobility and function,” Cleveringa explained. “Operators can easily swap attachments to quickly transition between applications for optimal productivity and utility.”
Cost-effectiveness
Midi excavators are ideal for small to mid-sized projects thanks to their effectiveness and cost-efficiency. When compared to larger excavators, midis consume less fuel and require less maintenance, resulting in reduced costs associated with replacing parts and making repairs.
Easy to transport
Transporting machinery can be a concern when buying or renting equipment because larger machines may require specialty vehicles for towing or cost more to freight. In most cases, a midi excavator can fit on a trailer bed or be towed by a truck, making it easy to transport and store.
Due to their smaller scale and weight, midi excavators also come with a variety of attachments that can boost productivity, but choosing the right ones is critical for completing the job. The following are three options from Diamond Mowers ideally suited for use with midis to help contractors and land management professionals reclaim property and accomplish their land-clearing and vegetation management needs, according to the company.
1. Disc Mulcher Pro X
Ideal for rural environments, pasture reclamation, pre-commercial thinning and managing hard-to-reach areas, the Disc Mulcher Pro X uses stored energy and hydraulic power to process material. Equipped with Four-Point Hardened Steel Teeth on the perimeter and bottom of the disc, along with patented planer knives at the center, this attachment can cut brush and trees up to 6 inches in diameter. It can also mulch material up to 4 inches in diameter finely enough for decomposition. The open front design exposes the disc to process material quickly, while steel deflectors direct material downward after it is mulched. A thumb receiver that functions like a grapple to manipulate and manage downed brush comes standard with the 36-inch model and is available for purchase on the 48-inch model.
2. Brush Cutter Pro X
The Brush Cutter Pro X effectively cuts brush and small trees up to 4 inches in diameter and quickly clears grass. Its simple design keeps operation and maintenance costs low while delivering the power needed for maintaining fence lines, managing hard-to-reach areas and tackling large-scale brush clearing applications, according to the company. An exclusive Tri-Hex mulching disc provides powerful inertia in tough conditions and prevents material build-up between the deck and blade carrier. This attachment is also equipped with a spring-loaded retractable shield that assists in deflecting debris and comes in cutting widths ranging from 40 inches to 72 inches to process material up to 10 inches in diameter.
3. Drum Mulcher DC Pro X
Available in 30-inch and 50-inch cutting widths, the Drum Mulcher DC Pro X increases the versatility of most 4.5 to 10 metric ton midi excavators while delivering increased performance and productivity per pass. This solution effectively cuts back and processes unwanted vegetation, making it ideal for land-clearing, fire fuel reduction and utility and roadside maintenance. Featuring a Rexroth 63cc adjustable displacement hydraulic motor that provides impressive torque to power through material up to 8 inches in diameter, it is also equipped with oversized, serrated skid shoes to control, position and manipulate downed material for more effective processing. Further differentiating this attachment is its infeed system, which feeds materials from left to right before they are thoroughly processed in the chamber to produce an aesthetically desirable chip size without the need for back dragging.
“Whether you’re looking to dig a few holes or get started on a large-scale land-clearing project, a midi excavator is proof that big things do come in small packages,” said Cleveringa.
