Roadside Vegetation Challenges for Councils
Control of roadside vegetation is a constant challenge for regional councils. Many manage thousands of kilometres of road where excessive growth can block signage, reduce visibility at intersections, and obstruct drains, poles, and other infrastructure.
Outdated equipment or poor work practices can also waste time, staff, and money. Inefficient machinery often means extra work crews are required to complete even basic vegetation clearing tasks.
How One Council Improved Vegetation Control
One regional council tackled the issue with a Takeuchi TB295W wheeled excavator. This 10-tonne machine is highly mobile and travels easily on roads. It has been fitted with an FAE DML/HY mulcher powered by the excavator’s 45.5kW hydraulic flow. This setup provides strong power to the cutter head while still leaving reserve capacity for other functions.
According to the council, this excavator and mulcher combination has fully met their need for efficient control of roadside vegetation and drain maintenance.
Operator Comfort and Visibility
Traditional equipment forces operators to crane their necks constantly to see vegetation around poles and wires. The TB295W’s two-piece boom solves this problem. It provides excellent reach and allows close-in work while keeping the task in clear view, directly in front of the operator.
The council noted that this setup is far more comfortable and efficient than using a tractor with a side-mounted boom mower. The excavator also mulches heavier material than before. Their previous machine was more suited to grooming, but the Takeuchi handles dense vegetation and even overhead tree growth.
The two-knuckle boom lets the operator cut back higher branches and clear space for larger vehicles like buses and trucks.
Multi-Task Productivity
The TB295W also delivers flexibility. Using the quick hitch, the operator can swap from mulcher to mud bucket in seconds to clear drains. The mulcher can then be re-attached just as quickly.
Thanks to this flexibility, the council no longer needs to hire contractors to clean pipes. They also don’t have to wait for a backhoe to follow behind the mulcher operator.
Productivity Gains and Key Benefits
With a road speed of 30 km/h, the TB295W saves time moving between sites. But for the council, the biggest gain has been productivity. They can now complete roadside vegetation work faster, with fewer delays, and with less operator strain.
Most importantly, the operator is happier, more efficient, and able to produce better-quality results.
