Tub Grinder vs Horizontal Grinder

Wood grinders come in two main types—tub grinders and horizontal grinders—each with distinct strengths.

Material Size

Horizontal grinders outperform tub grinders when processing long materials like tree trunks. However, tub grinders shine when grinding stumps or loose green waste, offering superior efficiency in these scenarios.

Finished Products

Tub grinders excel at breaking down raw materials but are less precise for finished products. Horizontal grinders, with greater control, produce uniform, high-quality outputs like landscape mulch in specific sizes.

Horsepower Efficiency

Tub grinder efficiency varies with feedstock consistency. Light materials may float above the rotor due to low gravity, while heavy ones can overload it, causing lugging or clogging. Feed rates depend on gravity and tub rotation, making performance less predictable. Horizontal grinders, equipped with in-feed conveyors and adjustable feed rolls, deliver steady material flow and enhanced control.

Safety

Tub grinders’ rotor lugging can eject objects, posing a hazard. Horizontal grinders may also throw debris, but the risk is lower, and objects travel shorter distances.

Space

While both grinders require similar operational footprints, tub grinders demand more surrounding clearance due to their potential to eject materials.