36 Instruction manual – MU-C/S
8. Valuable aids for mulching work
Mulching is a method of cutting vegetation, which combines several processes in one, by reducing
the amount of vegetation remaining on the ground, while saving energy, labour and expense.
Rapid rotting and composting ensures that the nutrients contained in the biomass can be utilised
and metabolised directly on the surface, leading to a further accumulation of humus. This will
encourage biological processes in the soil on a sustained basis and have a positive impact on the
water balance.
If you intend to remove the nutrients and biomass from the surface for any reason (adequate soil
quality, avoiding too rapid regrowth, or for reasons associated with conservation) it is easy to
compact the mulched material for transportation, storage and composting.
To achieve the best possible composting process it is essential to have a good quality of mulch,
which involves fragmenting the material and stripping out the fibre.
If mulching must be completed quickly it is also possible to increase driving speed, reduce power
and save energy at the same time, as long as the required quality of cut and operating conditions
permit.
This is not always easy, but it is generally possible to get close to optimum operating performance
by bearing in mind the points below.
Guidelines for taking care of both your mulcher and your soil
A mulcher is a removable tractor utility tool, which is supported by roller or wheels mounted at the
rear which bear the main weight of the machine..
It is therefore important to adjust the height of the mulcher so that it sits parallel to the ground
without tilting forward or backward. The effectiveness of the work will suffer if it is incorrectly
positioned in either direction; if the side plates operate incorrectly or cut into the soil this could
damage roots and jam the mulcher, and debris such as stones could be thrown forward or to the
rear.
The support roller or the wheels control the mulcher’s cutting height and should normally be set in a
central position to give a cut of 4 -6 cm. The minimum gap between the ground and the cutting flails
is 2.5 cm (= 1 inch).
Anything greater than this protects the ground, roots and the mulcher, and generally requires the
least power. So don't cut too short! Give the grass a chance to sprout up again
When working on uneven ground or in very heavy vegetation it is advisable to lower the
roller/wheels to the lowest hole and then increase the cutting height.
In this position and cutting height you can drive at about 5 - 10 kph (4 - 6 mph) depending on ground
conditions.
In unfamiliar areas such as fallow ground, the edges of fields and road verges it is a good idea to
use the lower hole, i.e. cut higher and drive very slowly. There is no way of telling what debris and
rootstalks are lurking there.
When taking bends
a great deal of the mulcher’s weight shifts onto the support roller on the inside of
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