Equipment Spotlight | JULY 2021 Tub Grinders

by MARY M. THORNTON

A large piece of machinery, the tub grinder is typically used for land clearing inert debris. Material fed into the tub is ground into a substance that can then be used as a variety of other products – such as mulch or biomass.

CBI, a Terex brand, manufactures portable and stationary wood grinders that are available through their global distribution network. The firm also manufactures the mobile, Magnum Force 6400CT horizontal grinder, which includes a solid steel rotor. It is an extreme duty machine, engineered for resilience and high production when grinding contaminated demolition debris, railroad ties, whole trees, pallets, storm debris, shingles, logs, mulch, slash and stumps.

“Built from a fully welded and line bored hog box, this yellow monster offers superior performance when processing high amounts of tough material. The revolutionary cassette-style, clam shell design allows end-users to quickly swap out rotors. Operators can switch from grinding to chipping in half the time, and this allows users to accept jobs with various material demands. Four interchangeable rotors give the 6400CT the versatility needed for a variety of applications,” stated Joe Gallagher, marketing manager.

CBI’s product line includes wood grinders, industrial wood chippers, flail debarkers, screens, stacking conveyors, stationary systems, and attachments for composting, forestry, biomass recovery, and wood-waste processing. Gallagher explained, “All CBI machines are designed to reduce a customer’s total cost of ownership and maximize production. After decades of improvement to the best machines on the market, it’s no secret why CBI customers find success.”

A HogZilla tub grinder on tracks is one of the most rugged heavy duty track mounted machines on the market, as customers of the company will attest. Jason Anderson with Missouri Organic, said, “Their service is amazing, but also, their grinders are built stronger than anything else in the market.”

Tim Wenger, CW Mill vice president and HogZilla sales manager, commented, “Our customers have seen that a HogZilla on tracks is unparalleled in production and mobility. The machine has many advantages you can’t get with a wheeled machine – such as grinding in wet weather or soft terrain. Tracks eliminate the need for an extra truck to move the grinder from pile to pile at a job site and this saves time and increases production. A HogZilla track machine allows for one man operation and helps with cleanup around and under the grinder, further reducing maintenance. A CAT engine and torque converter drive are standard in our tub grinders, HTC-1464T and HTC-1462T and every grinder is custom built to each user’s specs.

“Processing construction and demolition (C&D) waste can be challenging for grinder users, as they strive to adhere to the government regulations that involve those materials can be ground and/or recycled. Sorting material may also be necessary, which can increase the need for additional labor resources. Recycling C&D material with a HogZilla is especially helpful because the machine is so easy to move around a job site and materials can then be conveyed directly into a hauling vehicle. Reducing the volume of unwanted materials at a C&D setting certainly results in using less landfill space and can aid in long term building project savings. Wood that results from on-site C&D recycling can be used to manufacture engineered-wood products like furniture, mulch, compost and more. CW Mill has manufactured track mounted tub grinders for 20 years but we’re always looking ahead, to identify new ways we can improve work processes for our customers.”

Precision Husky Corporation is a 57 year old international company that manufactures waste wood processing equipment for the recycling, sawmill and forestry industries. From whole tree chippers and flail debarkers now in use in Australia to stationary, electric 5200 tub grinders for a client in Japan, Precision Husky has manufactured equipment now used in 120 countries worldwide. Precision offers six different models of tub style grinders and three horizontal grinder sizes. The tub style grinders are offered as trailer or track mounted, or electric powered, stationary or portable machines. Horizontal grinders are offered as trailer or track mounted, or stationary or portable electric powered units.

“Our ProGrind tub grinder models range from the 250 hp ProGrind 900 to the 1,200 hp ProGrind 5200. The 5200 and our ProGrind 4000 are available with or without a Husky Knuckle Boom Loader attached. An attached thrown-object deflector shield is standard on all of our tub grinders and all have the option of our remotely controlled thrown-object tub cover. Our horizontal tub grinder line includes the ProGrind H3045 with 520 hp, the H3060 with 600 to 755 hp, and the H4060 with up to 1050 hp. All Precision ProGrind horizontal grinders are easily converted to chippers by changing the standard hammermill to a 2 knife or 4 knife chipper head. The chipper heads are capable of producing chips down to 3/8”. Precision grinders have always been known for their ease of maintenance and reliable operational controls. Our Husky tub and horizontal grinders are widely used by land clearing contractors, governmental agencies, landfill operators, composting processors and sawmills around the world. The machines are used for processing yard, construction and forestry waste, pallets, and storm cleanup. The processed material is then used to manufacture compost, fuel, mulch and more,” noted Steve Briscoe, ProGrind Sales Manager.

Briscoe noted that in keeping with increased emission standards, Precision Husky also offers electric powered equipment. Not only are electric power grinders available, complete bark and chip manufacturing plants are options as well. With founder, Bob Smith, and his son Scott Smith leading the company, the whole Precision Husky team is eager to continuously serve the markets that benefit from their products and expertise.

Published in the July 2021 Edition