Here are two of the most common questions we get asked by trailer owners looking for their first brush cutter:
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Do I need a high flow hydraulic system in my minicar to run a brush cutter?
The answer is no, you don’t.
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How many gallons per minute do I need to run a miniature brush cutter?
The answer is small, as 11-12 gpm can work on certain models of brush cutters.
In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at low-flow brushcutters and why one might be right for you!
What is the difference between high flow and low flow skid steer brush cutters?
As a starting point, we know that different makes and models of skid steers will have different auxiliary hydraulic flow capacities. Some will have standard flow (aka low flow) hydraulics, while others will have both low flow and high flow hydraulics.
With this in mind, the hydraulic motor of a brushcutter must be sized appropriately to the hydraulic output of the skid steers.
Running too much or too little hydraulic flow through a brushcutter’s hydraulic motor risks damage to the accessory and model, voids warranties, and robs the brushcutter of power and efficiency.
Therefore, the main difference between a high-flow and low-flow brush cutter is the size of the hydraulic motor that powers it.
Will a low flow trimmer perform any differently than a high flow trimmer?
In our experience, the difference in performance between high and low flow brushcutters is negligible, provided they are used correctly and sized properly.
Advantages of high flow rate
A high flow brush cutter may have a 100cc larger hydraulic motor than a low flow brush cutter. The main advantages that the high flow motor can have are:
Advantages of low flow
In general, a low-flow brushcutter when used correctly will perform 90% as well as its high-flow counterpart, when paired with the correct miniature.
Are there other design differences between high and low flow brushcutters?
Manufacturers may design some low flow cutters to have lighter disc holders and carry only three blades to keep the cutters as efficient as possible. However, this is not always the case.
Some link steer brush cutter models will have the same design across all hydraulic flow ranges and only change the size of the hydraulic motor to make it a high or low flow brush cutter.
An example of a dedicated low-flow miniature brush cutter would be the 60″ Heavy Duty Blue Diamond 11 – 16 GPM Brushcutter. This model supports three blades and its components are designed for maximum efficiency with low-flow mini-reels ( standard flow).
An example of a brush cutter that uses the same design between high and low flows is the Blue Diamond 72″ Heavy Duty Brush Cutter.
Are hydraulic couplers and hoses different?
Hydraulic couplers may be different sizes for high and low flow minicarts, but this varies greatly by machine.
Minicarts with low flow hydraulics will often have 1/2″ flat face couplers, while higher flow minicarts may have 3/4″ flat face couplers. However, this is not always true, and you should be sure to check with the manufacturer of your miniature.
Hydraulic hoses may have a larger diameter on high-flow brush cutters to accommodate the higher flow rate.
Who is a low flow brush cutter suitable for?
If your skid steer only has low-flow capabilities, a low-flow brush cutter is definitely right for you.
However, for customers with skid steers with both high and low flow capacity, you may consider a low flow brush cutter model under certain circumstances.
Investment value
Many low flow brush cutters can be purchased at a cheaper price. For customers looking to save on the initial purchase price of their first trimmer, it may make sense to stick with a low-flow brush cutter.
Being able to save on the purchase price of any accessory without suffering any noticeable performance loss creates better value for your business.
Difficult Terrain
Interestingly, you may want to consider a low-flow brush cutter when you plan to work on steep and difficult terrain.
The hydraulic capacity of a minicar must be shared between all its components. Therefore, being able to raise the loader arms, run up and keep the brush cutter working at optimum torque can be easier with a smaller hydraulic demand on the brush cutter.
conclusion
Some customers may only be able to use low flow brush cutters due to the hydraulic capabilities of their miniature.
However, for customers who have the option of high and low flow, you should carefully weigh the unique benefits of a low-flow brush cutter against the 10% extra power that a high-flow brush cutter can provide.
Remember, there’s more to choosing a miniature brush cutter than matching hydraulic flow rates. Looking at the terrain and cutting conditions as a whole, you may prefer the low flow brush cutter!
