THE latest release from Cat, the D1 mulcher is specially designed to optimize performance when clearing a mix of small- to medium-diameter materials. 

Design-matched with the rugged Cat HM518 mulcher, the D1 clears a 188.2 cm (72 in) wide strip on each pass, making it suitable for a range of activities, including tree management and right-of-way construction.

The new mulcher is powered by a 77.6 kW (104 hp) Cat C3.6 diesel engine meeting EU Stage V emission standards. Its lower, sloping hood line improves visibility to the mulching head, allowing the operator to better assess the job site from the cab. A standard auto-reversing fan purges debris from the radiator and enclosures, while the hinged grille requires no tools to access the radiator for cleaning.

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Isolating machine vibration from the operator to reduce fatigue, the Cat HM518 mulcher controls are mounted on the air-suspension seat. Inside the pressurised, heated and air-conditioned cab, an intuitive operator interface features a 25.4 cm (10 in) colour touchscreen monitor with standard reversing camera display to help improve all-around visibility. An in-cab drum indicator offers drum speed and direction at a glance to help the operator manage ground speed and mulching productivity.

Featuring cladding material in high-wear areas, the new HM518 mulcher frame offers increased service life. Bolt-on wear plates deliver long wear life and are quickly replaced.

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Offering a drum speed range of 2,150 to 2,450 rpm, the drum’s 38 fixed teeth feature a single-bolt carbide tooth retention design for simple replacement. Its closed-loop hydraulic circuit includes load-sensing hydraulics to prevent rotor damage when hitting an obstruction. The HM518 mulcher has a 78.7 cm (31 in) maximum lift height, 36.8 cm (14.5 in) maximum tilt and 25-degree maximum angle to either side.

More information can be found at www.cat.com.