What Size Skid Steer Do I Need for the Virnig V70 Mulchers?
If you’re planning land clearing, brush management, or forestry mulching with either of the Virnig V70 mulchers, choosing the right skid steer is critical. At DTE Equipment, we get asked all the time:
“What size skid steer do I need for the Virnig V70 mulchers?”
Whether you’re using the V70 Drum Mulcher or the V70 Tree Disc Mulcher, this guide breaks down exactly what size machine you need — so you can match your skid steer with confidence.
Understanding the Two V70 Mulchers
Virnig V70 Drum Mulcher
The V70 Drum Mulcher is designed for:
- Heavy brush and vegetation
- Grass, thick saplings, small trees up to 350mm in diameter
- Aggressive mulching applications
It uses a ultra high speed 18″ drum with steel or carbide cutting tips to mulch all material from grass to tress, producing a finely mulched surface. This makes it ideal for:
- Land clearing preparation
- Roadside vegetation clearing
- Fuel load reduction
The drum’s design distributes cutting power across a wide surface and is excellent for continuous high-intensity work.
Virnig V70 Tree Disc Mulcher
The V70 Tree Disc Mulcher is optimised for:
- Cutting through woodier vegetation and regrowth
- Clearing larger material like small trees with higher efficiency
Instead of a drum, this model uses a rotating disc with heavy steel or carbide blades. The disc design delivers strong, punchy cutting power that excels in:
- Thicker brush environments
- Applications where larger material needs to be processed quickl
Why Skid Steer Size Matters
Both mulcher styles demand powerful hydraulics and stability from your skid steer.
If the Skid Steer is too small:
- Hydraulic systems will overheat
- The mulcher will not deliver the recommended performance
- The skid steer will be unstable
To avoid downtime and protect your investment, you must match the attachment to a suitably sized skid steer.
Key Requirements
Hydraulic Flow
Both the V70 Drum and V70 Disc mulchers require high-flow hydraulics:
- 114–189 L/min
- Standard hydraulics won’t deliver full cutting performance
Your skid steer MUST be high-flow to effectively run either mulcher.
Hydraulic Pressure
- Operating pressure: Between 200 & 310 bar (3000-4500PSI)
Hydraulic HP is a sum of hydraulic flow x pressure. When choosing a skid steer for your mulcher you must take note of both the flow and pressure to ensure it delivers the desired performance.
Attachment Weight
These are heavy attachments:
- V70 Drum Mulcher: ≈ 1,240–1,435 kg
- V70 Tree Disc Mulcher: ≈ 1,230 kg
This weight requires a machine that can support and manoeuvre large implements without instability. (4500kg+ skid steers recommended)
Recommended Skid Steer Capacity — Minimum
Virnig guidelines recommend:
- Rated Operating Capacity: ≥ 1,270 kg
- Forestry cab protection
This recommended capacity is the absolute minimum, and while a machine at this size can operate a V70 mulcher, it won’t deliver ideal stability.
What Size Skid Steer Should You Get?
Recommended Machine Size
For reliable, productive, and safe operation with either the Drum or Disc V70 Mulcher:
- Rated Operating Capacity: ≥ 1,350 kg
- Operating Weight: 4,500kg+
- Hydraulic Flow: 115–190 L/min (high-flow)
Ideal Performance Level
If you’re planning frequent mulching or heavier work:
- Rated Operating Capacity: 1,500–1,800 kg
- Operating Weight: 5,500–6,500 kg
- High-flow hydraulics closer to 150–190 L/min
- Enhanced cooling and forestry cab protection
A machine in this range delivers:
✔ Stronger hydraulic output
✔ Better stability under load
✔ Longer component life
✔ Higher productivity per hour
Drum vs Disc — Does It Affect Skid Steer Size?
Both the V70 Drum and V70 Tree Disc mulchers have nearly identical hydraulic and machine weight requirements. The biggest difference lies in how they cut, not how much power they need. So the skid steer specifications recommended above are suitable for both attachments.
Summary — What Size Skid Steer Do You Need?
To run either a Virnig V70 Drum or V70 Tree Disc Mulcher:
✔ Large frame skid steer
✔ ≥ 1,300 kg rated operating capacity
✔ 4,500–6,500 kg operating weight
✔ High-flow hydraulics (≥ 115 L/min)
✔ Forestry cab protection
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