Frequently Asked Questions About Drum Cutters
What is a drum cutter attachment used for?
A drum cutter is a rotary cutting attachment for excavators that precisely cuts, profiles and grinds rock, concrete, asphalt, frozen ground and soft stone. Unlike hydraulic breakers, drum cutters generate minimal vibration, making them safe to use near structures, pipelines and sensitive infrastructure.
What is the difference between a drum cutter and a hydraulic breaker?
A hydraulic breaker works by impact, creating high vibration and noise. A drum cutter uses rotating cutter drums to grind progressively through the material with low vibration and controlled output fragment size. This makes drum cutters preferable near buildings, foundations and buried services.
Which excavator sizes do MB Crusher drum cutters fit?
MB Crusher drum cutters are available for excavators from 3 to 45 tons. MCM Group will recommend the correct drum cutter model for your excavator's weight and hydraulic flow.
Are MB Crusher drum cutters available in South Africa?
Yes. MCM Group is the official MB Crusher distributor in South Africa, stocking drum cutters with full warranty, genuine cutter picks and technical support from all four branches.
In South African civil and mining applications, drum cutters are used where hydraulic rock breakers (hammers) cannot be used due to vibration sensitivity — particularly near existing structures, water mains, sewer infrastructure and sensitive cable runs where impact hammer vibration could cause cracking, joint failure or cable damage. The rotary cutting action of a drum cutter produces measured, controllable cutting forces with minimal shock transmission to adjacent ground.
Tunnel profiling is another key application. When underground excavations require precise wall, floor and roof profiles that an impact hammer cannot achieve, drum cutters mill the rock to exact dimensions. This is particularly important in water tunnels, underground chambers and geological research excavations where profile accuracy is specified.
MB Crusher drum cutters (the MB-R range) are available for excavators from 1.5 to 45 tonnes. The rotating cutting drum is hydraulically driven at variable speed, allowing the operator to adjust cutting speed and force to match the hardness of the material being processed — from soft limestone to hard quartzite.
MCM Group is the official MB Crusher distributor in South Africa. Genuine drum cutter teeth and bearing replacement parts are stocked locally. Contact our branches in Cape Town, George, Gauteng or Bloemfontein for drum cutter recommendations for your excavator and rock type.
