For anyone involved in land clearing, vegetation management or roadside maintenance, a drum mulcher is an essential tool, but which drum is best for your needs? This is a common question among land management professionals.
Each type of drum mulcher is tailored for different functions and comes with its own advantages.
There are two common types of drum mulcher attachments – depth control and open drum. Understanding the functions, features and intended applications of each will help determine the best attachment for the task at hand. Both options come in varying widths for tackling different-sized jobs.
For example, Diamond Mowers offers both options with cutting widths ranging from 76 cm to 182 cm to process trees, brush and undergrowth up to 23-cm in diameter. Additionally, both styles of mulchers attach to most skid-steer brands and are compatible with different types of mulching teeth, allowing users to interchange them for various applications.
The key differences between depth control and open drum mulchers lie in their operation and applications. Diamond’s open drum model works in unison with carbide teeth, excels in applications involving heavy ground engagement, and is at its best when mulching smaller material into a slightly larger, stringier end product.
Conversely, depth control mulchers are optimized for sharp steel teeth and shine in high-production environments with limited ground engagement. These mulchers are more appropriate for users who take down larger materials and prefer a fine, aesthetically pleasing mulch.
Depth control

Especially productive when processing large-diameter material, a depth control mulcher features a closed throat design and sharp steel teeth that push trees and brush onto the rotor.
The teeth then cut and reduce the size of the material before it enters the processing chamber. Its helical tooth pattern is modelled after a vacuum brush to feed material efficiently toward the drum’s centre, while depth control rings control bite size for optimal infeed.
Primarily employed in large-scale brush clearing, undergrowth removal and vegetation management projects with limited ground contact, depth control mulchers excel at removing trees and larger material with speed.
Due to their sharp teeth, they are particularly effective for processing hard or fibrous wood, such as bamboo or palm, making them more efficient than open drum models. By limiting the bite size, they produce a finer mulch, making them ideal for tasks where aesthetics are important.
Some of the applications best suited for a depth control mulcher include reclamation projects, infrastructure development, creating defensible space and municipal tasks.
Open drum
Designed for a variety of heavy-duty mulching tasks, open drum mulchers are ideal for clearing land for agricultural use, infrastructure development and habitat restoration projects.
By engaging with more of the cutting tooth, this type of mulcher offers a larger bite size and maximum productivity, making it well-suited for applications involving smaller material and significant ground engagement. Additionally, its carbide teeth make it perfect for handling rough, rocky terrain.
Some of the applications best suited for an open drum mulcher include storm and disaster clean up, pasture maintenance, managing invasive species and right-of-way maintenance.
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When selecting the right drum mulcher for your needs, consider your specific requirements in terms of power, cutting capacity and mulch size requirements. Consulting with your equipment dealer can also provide valuable insights into selecting the best attachment for your application and job type, whether you’re a landowner, contractor, rancher or municipality.