Open Front vs Closed Front Brush Cutter – What is the Difference and When to Use Them?

A skid steer brush cutter is an attachment that helps with cutting down grass or brush. The brush cutter frame is attached to the front of a skid steer loader with the use of hydraulic hoses and couplers that connect to the skid steer’s hydraulic system. That powers the spindle with the blade carrier holding multiple cutting blades. Depending on their use, there are different types of skid steer brush cutters on the market. They all fall into two categories. You can either buy an open-front brush cutter or a closed-front brush cutter. How do they differ? Let’s find out!

Closed front or open front brush cutters – what is the difference?

Both, closed front brush cutters and open-front brush cutters have specific features and uses. Closed front skid steer brush cutters are closed off from the front. Both of their sides are formed of welded steel, and you can find a chain curtain in front. It is there to direct the cut material inside the cutter while the machine moves forward. Thanks to the chain curtain at the back of the cutter, the cut material is kept in one straight line making the place of work look very neat. Open front skid steer brush cutters are closed off only on the sides. The front exposes cutting blades and constitutes an easy exit for the debris while the skid steer brush cutter is moving. The cut material exits through the back chain curtain.

Different uses of open and closed front skid steer brush cutters

Because closed front brush cutter attachments leave the cut material in a neat state, this type of attachment is perfect for those who would like the by-product of the brush cutting to look a more eye-pleasing. This type of skid steer brush cutter is mostly used whilst working on overgrown grass and to cut trees not more than 4-7 inches thick in diameter. However, closed front brush cutters will not be useful when cutting too dense a brush. This is the type of job that is best done using open-front skid steer brush cutters. They can even cut through some small trees. Whilst using this type of attachment, the material is initially cut and thrown out aggressively. This leaves larger pieces of trees or brush in the cutting area. Therefore, the final effect of the brush cutting will not be as neat as in the case of closed front skid steer brush cutters.

Which type of skid steer brush cutter should you use?

The type of brush cutter and the arrangement of the remaining material are not the only factors you should consider while choosing your perfect attachment. The choice is not only about what suits best the task you need to perform but also what attachment your skid steer is compatible with.

Skid steers have a set hydraulic flow rate scale. Many are classed as standard, but some operate with a high flow rate. While looking for a new brush cutter attachment, it is very important to compare it to the hydraulic flow rate of your machine. A brush cutter needs to be manufactured to operate within this rate, otherwise, you will most certainly experience lower efficiency, even a malfunction. Remember: the warranty will not cover the cost of the damage resulting from using an attachment unsuitable for your type of skid steer.

Another feature you should consider while choosing your skid steer brush cutter is the size of the attachment. There are various manufacturers of skid steer brush cutters on the market. The equipment comes in various sizes, capacities, and widths. It is best to always choose the one that is wider than your skid steer, no matter if it is a closed front or an open front brush cutter. Too narrow attachments cause debris build-up in front of the wheels of your skid steer loader. This causes instability and increases the chances of the machine malfunction. Also, the attachments that are too wide might need too much power compared to what your skid steers are compatible with.

Examples of jobs that can be done with a closed brush cutter:

– mowing under trailers, fences
– clearing grass, weeds, thick brush

Examples of jobs that can be done with an open brush cutter:

– creating or maintenance of forest trails
– tree stumps grinding
– preparation of vast lands for construction works
– removing weeds growing along yard edges or fence lines
– quick and efficient clearing of land

Now that you have all the necessary knowledge needed to choose your perfect brush cutter attachment, you can find it among the wide variety of closed front brush cutters or open front brush cutters offered by skidsteer.com.