The Woods range of slashers is proving to be a best-seller for Sunshine Coast-based dealer TISCA, due to a number of unique design features.
TISCA started importing Woods equipment into Australia about eight years ago, after being impressed by the quick-change blade pin system, whereby the blades can be changed using hand spanners, and the fact that they don’t leave a windrow.
Woods blades are changed via a large access window on the top of the slasher, without the need to get underneath the machine, which is a much safer method according to the company.
Blade pins are 38mm on Woods slashers, compared to the standard 19mm bolt in most other machines, which is said to increase durability and safety.
TISCA managing director Steve Morrison says the Woods range is popular mostly because of the features that come as standard, as well as the safety aspect.
“People love them, especially the Batwing which we’ve been supplying for the last three years,” Morrison says. “They give a smooth ride with a spring suspension and foam-filled aircraft tyres.
“Also, these are the only machines with quick-change blades and the only single-rotor slashers that won’t leave a windrow.
“People also love the fact that they don’t need to get underneath them, from a safety perceptive,” he adds.
The reason the Woods range of slashers don’t leave a windrow is due to a uniquely designed rounded back and a contour frame which allows the water and debris to flow off the deck, helping to protect it from rust.
Morrison became the exclusive distributor for Woods equipment after first trying to source some Woods mulchers through another person in Australia about eight years ago.
“I had a gentleman who wanted a mulcher,” Morrison says, “so I approached a guy who I thought was the distributor for Woods mulchers in Australia.
“His price was very high and he said it would take about four months to get them in. So I rang Woods and found I was able to retail the Cotton mulchers for $55,000.”
Woods slashers range from 4ft to 7ft in diameter, with multi-spindle slashers available from 8ft to 14ft in width.
While most slashers use a beam, these feature stump jumper discs that protect the carrier, allowing each blade to spin 360 degrees without getting caught.
They come with a tail wheel on four-point-mounted frames, which is wider than the wheel on most other slashers. This increased wheel width helps support the weight of the machine.
The top-of-the-range slasher unique to Woods is the Batwing Morrison mentioned above, which uses wide angle PTO shafts for tight turning, and features foam-filled aircraft tyres to prevent punctures.
This unit does not fold the grass flat ahead of the blades, allowing a better cut with less horsepower and can fold down to 22 degrees below horizontal and up to 90 degrees vertical. It can be operated with tractors with as little as 35hp up to 300hp.
TISCA now supplies Woods equipment throughout most states except Western Australia and South Australia and the slasher range is being used in all sorts of scenarios.
“Everyone from mango orchards to developers with larger acreages and airports,” Morrison says. “They’re even using the Woods slashers to do the edges of the highway from Wodonga to Moree now.
“The price is very competitive and we’re starting to sell quite a few in the Northern Territory now too.
“People want safety, quality and good price and we have all three,” he adds.
Woods Batwing slashers have a cutting capacity of 38mm to 102mm for timber, with the ability to reverse over tall timber that is standing.
If the timber has fallen, the operator can drive straight over it, including pieces up to 100mm in diameter.
The blades on the Batwing are 12mm by 100mm and are designed to suit a wide range of conditions, and can vary in size from a 10-foot 6-inch cut, to a 20-foot cut.
The Woods gearbox comes with an unprecedented five year warranty and there is a three year rust-through warranty on the deck.
If you’re looking for slashers for sale, check out our listings.