I'm looking for a tool. I've never seen one. Maybe y'all can help.
I need a machine that blows mulch. Large quantities and large areas (maybe 10-15 small trees in a 50x75'bed area).
What I envision is a pickup truck-towed device with a hopper fed partially composted wood chips by a small dump truck and a 8-12" flexible feeder hose that can be directed by a worker blowing the mulch where it's needed.
Can a regular wood chipper be modified to do this? Is there such a machine out there?
Thanks for your help.

Reply to post by Brad Hendricks, on July 15, 2001 at 21:29:13:

I think efficacy would depend on the particle size and moisture content of the mulch... but I wonder if you could adapt the machines they use for blowing cellulose insulation into houses.

Reply to post by Brad Hendricks, on July 15, 2001 at 21:29:13:

I also just saw today a big, closed hopper truck that appeared to be configured to deliver animal feed via a long (as long as the hopper) cylindrcal chute. I don't know if delivery is by air or by an auger inside the chute. These are pretty rare around here, maybe brought in from time time for suburban horse farms. But no doubt a common thing in agricultural areas. Maybe these rigs have downtime or are otherwise available for rental.

Again, particle size and moisture are probably important. Dry, shredded bark mulch no doubt delivers better than coarse, green wood chips.

Reply to post by Brad Hendricks, on July 15, 2001 at 21:29:13:

Whenever I need mulch, I call these people. They have teh equipment that you are looking for. It is an all in one rig with blower and a hopper feed system. I never got to in depth with them as to how it works, I just tell them what I need and where I need it. When I look at the labor cost saving, they are very economical compared to me putting the mulch in myself.

Maybe you can get some more info on their rig and who builds it from their website.

Paul.

Reply to post by Scott Cullen, on July 15, 2001 at 21:29:13:

I think it's great that you are discussing mulch blowers! As one of the owners of Carolina Mulch Plus, Inc. I invite you to call anytime with questions or for a quote. Our equipment uses a live floor, augers that force the material into an air lock feeder and a blower, all hydraulically driven by PTO. The trucks are quite expensive, with our smallest unit (40 yards) costing over a quarter million dollars. So you can probably see that in order to support the equipment costs you need to blow LOTS of mulch! We pride ourselves on quality customer care and we offer contractor discounts. We serve Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard primarily, all western NC secondarily and will go further for large enough quantities. Thanks for your interest!