How do I choose the best stone remover or rock crusher?
A stone picker or rock remover is a machine used to remove rocks from the top layer of soil.
They are most commonly used to improve soil quality on agricultural land or to remove rocks from construction sites, such as future golf courses. Most are designed to be towed behind a tractor or other vehicle. Choosing the right one primarily requires assessing the situation for which it will be used and then finding the one that best meets the needs of the farmer or the project.
Like many other agricultural implements and construction equipment, stone pickers are manufactured in various sizes and capacities. Smaller models are better for light use and have a smaller maximum rock size they can handle, as well as a smaller hopper capacity. Larger models are better suited for covering large areas, such as agricultural fields.
Removing rocks from a field with a rock picker or stone remover improves soil quality and prevents other equipment from breaking down when planting fields.
The first step in choosing the best rock picker or stone remover for your needs is to get an idea of the size of the rocks in the area where it will be used. Manufacturers always list the maximum rock size their machines can handle. Explore the area and measure some of the largest rocks you can find. You should assume there may be slightly larger rocks present as well. The best rock picker or stone remover for you will be able to handle rocks of at least this size.
The next thing to consider is the size of the area you need to remove rocks from. A very large area, such as a golf course or a large agricultural field, requires a rock collector with a larger sweep and a larger hopper. The sweep is the amount of ground covered in one pass of the rock collector. A larger sweep allows you to cover more ground in less time. The size of the hopper determines how often you need to stop to dump the rocks the collector has gathered.
If the soil is very rocky, you should consider a rock collector with the largest possible hopper. Very rocky terrain can produce a large quantity of rocks very quickly, and a rock collector with a small hopper requires frequent stops to empty it. The amount of time you are willing or able to spend removing rocks should, of course, influence your decision, as collectors with larger hoppers are generally more expensive than those with smaller hoppers. Being willing to invest more time in removal can save you money if you select a collector with a smaller hopper.
Depth is another factor to consider. Each rock picker will remove rocks to a certain depth in the soil. Keep your needs in mind when selecting a rock picker or stone remover. If the rock picker will be used to clear farmland, one that extracts rocks from the greatest possible depth is more desirable. A rock picker that simply removes rocks from the surface and shallow depths is probably sufficient for landscaping and similar uses.
Power is also an important factor when choosing a rock picker. Most rock pickers are designed to be towed from behind and powered by a tractor's hydraulic system. They require a certain power rating to operate properly. Some models have their own engines, but be sure to choose a rock picker that is compatible with any intended towing vehicle.
Cost is, of course, a consideration. Use word of mouth and the internet to research rock pickers and their manufacturers, and narrow down your options to those that meet your requirements for sweeping depth, collection depth, hopper size, and vehicle compatibility. Choose the machine that best suits your needs and fits your budget. However, with heavy equipment, the cheapest machine isn't always the best option, as it may be of lower quality than more expensive models. Conversely, the most expensive model isn't necessarily the highest quality equipment. It might also be a good idea to consider renting a rock picker instead of buying one, as you may only need the machine for a single project and then not have any further use for it.
Source: https://www.wisegeek.com/