M&P Utilities, Inc. recently contracted to install 108 miles of underground communication lines within a railroad right-of-way in central Illinois. The project required clearing a path for installation equipment and personnel. Learn how they used this Utilities Forestry Shredder to double their output.
Initial Challenges
Initially, the company relied on traditional clearing equipment such as tiller-equipped tractors, flail-type tractors, chainsaws, and portable chippers. However, these methods proved inefficient when they encountered trees larger than 4 inches in diameter.
Upgrading Equipment to Utilities Forestry Shredder
To enhance efficiency, M&P Utilities replaced their existing equipment with the Model FS4000 Brown Bear Forestry Shredder. This machine offered several advantages:
- Increased Clearing Output: The Forestry Shredder doubled the output of previous equipment. It cleared an 8’2″ wide path in a single pass at an average speed of 3 mph. Depending on terrain and growth density, it could clear up to 3 acres per hour.
- Larger Tree Capacity: Unlike older methods that managed trees only up to 4 inches in diameter, the new shredder handles trees up to 10 inches in diameter. This change eliminated time-consuming hand cutting and chipping.
- Reduced Debris and Safety Hazards: The shredder’s design directs material down and under itself. This feature minimizes flying debris and improves safety for personnel and the surrounding environment. Consequently, it also reduced liability and resident complaints compared to older rotary mower-style equipment.
- Improved Cost Efficiency: Using one high-capacity machine lowered operating costs compared to multiple pieces of equipment. The shredder’s efficiency also meant fewer workers were needed for clearing tasks.
- Enhanced Maneuverability: The Forestry Shredder features limited-slip planetary drive axles, high-flotation tires, and coordinated crab steering. These features allow it to navigate soft footing, steep banks, and challenging terrain.
Successful Implementation
The Brown Bear Forestry Shredder proved so successful that M&P Utilities converted their lease to a time-purchase plan. They deployed the machine for another 135-mile fiber optic cable installation project in east Texas. Larry Emery, the company’s project manager, praised the machine’s performance, highlighting its efficiency, safety features, and ease of operation. This revision includes subheadings to improve organization and readability. It also shortens sentences where possible to reduce complexity while maintaining the essential details about M&P Utilities’ use of the Brown Bear Forestry Shredder.
- Utility Clearing Techniques: This article discusses various methods and equipment used in utility line clearing, which can provide context for M&P Utilities’ challenges and solutions. Utility Clearing Techniques.
- FHWA Guide on Underground Utilities: The Federal Highway Administration offers guidelines on the installation and management of underground utilities, which can provide additional insights into industry standards. FHWA Underground Utilities Guide.
- Construction Equipment Guide: This resource covers various construction equipment used in utility installation projects, including advancements in technology that improve efficiency. Construction Equipment Guide.
- Brown Bear Equipment Overview: Various models of Brown Bear equipment.
- Innovative Land Clearing Solutions: Explore innovative land clearing solutions using Brown Bear machinery.
- Benefits of Efficient Equipment: Understand the advantages of using high-capacity equipment for utility projects.
