Faster - Safer - Greener !
The Nae-Mounder® is a novel ground prep implement that offers significant silvicultural and environmental advantages over conventional mounding.
The Nae-Mounder enables planting the tree directly into topsoil to encourage early establishment and growth in woodland creation and re-stocking.
Nae-Mounding also delivers environmental benefits by mitigating rapid water runoff and reducing soil/carbon loss from heavy rainfall and flash floods.
How does the Nae-Mounder work ?
The Nae-Mounder operates across the contours incorporating a close coupled subsoiler and plough share which is drawn through the soil by an excavator or by a 4WD tractor or crawler. Working across the slope the subsoiler breaks up any pan and aerates the soil while simultaneously inverting a shallow layer of topsoil through which the trees are planted.
The Nae-Mounder works successfully across a wide variety of sites including windblow.
Benefits of the Nae-Mounder
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Delivers Silvicultural + Environmental benefits at lower cost.
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Prepares an optimum planting site of topsoil for woodland creation and restocking.
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Creates a safer working environment – A cleaner site with no mounds to trip over nor pits to fall into.
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Works across the contours improving water retention and mitigating the risk of flash flooding and loss of soil/carbon.
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Suppresses initial weed incursion and alleviates waterlogging.
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More productive - more hectares per day prepared for planting.
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Has a lower carbon footprint burning less fuel and minimising soil disturbance.
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Delivers a biologically more hospitable planting medium that encourages faster establishment and 360 degree root development for stability.
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Reduces the risk of damage to machinery and standing trees in thinning and harvesting operations.
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Improves access for fire fighting.
More than justifying its strap line: Faster – Safer – Greener
Productivity & Cost
Woodland creation. On sites permitting travel across the contours, the Nae-Mounder WCR is attached to 4WD tractors or crawlers and will be up to 50% more productive than continuous mounding, with significant savings of time and fuel.
On steep sites, or sites otherwise inaccessible to tractors and crawlers, the Nae-Mounder MP is deployed using an excavator. It will be up to 25% more productive than conventional bucket mounding. As is customary, any significant ground cover should be flailed or reduced in advance.
Nae-Mounding will be up to 10% more productive in terms of the time required to cover a given area. In addition, Nae-Mounding uses less horsepower than conventional mounding and trench mounding, with a significant fuel saving of 15% to 21%.
Conventional mounding has implications for the life of the crop. In thinnings, small harvesting machinery will sway from side to side, damaging standing trees either side of the rack and causing more wear and tear to the machines. Likewise, mounds make clear fell sites rougher to traverse, affecting operator comfort and causing additional wear, tear and damage to the equipment.
Reduced damage
The Nae-Mounder produces a shallow trench and an upturned layer of topsoil across the slope. The upturned furrow provides an easily followed guide for planting, beating up and weeding. There are no mounds to trip over and no associated pits to fall into. Fire control is not compromised by mounds preventing firefighting equipment gaining access to the scene of the fire. On wet soils, the likelihood of pits being full of water and inhibiting root development is avoided.
Operator Safety
Commensurate with the soil type, the Nae-Mounder provides a consistent planting site of topsoil which encourages rapid establishment and growth.
On Nae-Mounded ground the trees can develop a 360° root plate, which improves nutrient uptake and crop stability.
Silvicultural
The Nae-Mounder operates across the slope, creating a raised planting position with a subsoiled base. This combination significantly improves water absorption and slow release thereafter. Risk of flash floods and soil loss is much reduced, and in dry years the conserved water benefits the trees.
Environmental
Faster • Safer • Greener
The two models of Nae-Mounder
Nae-Mounder WCR, the Woodland Creation model
The WCR model incorporates a pair of Nae-Mounders mounted on a robust frame, with three point linkage to suit Category 2 and 3 tractors and crawlers. The spacing between the rows is adjustable from 1.8m to 2.2m, and the stocking rate is further adjustable by varying the spacing between the plants. The Nae-Mounder WCR is significantly more productive than continuous mounding. It reduces the cost of establishment and makes all subsequent operations less hazardous for operatives and machines alike.
Nae-Mounder MP, the Multi-Purpose model
The Nae-Mounder is centrally positioned in a robust chassis which incorporates a Brash Basher rake and an excavator pivot point. The Nae-Mounder simultaneously subsoils and rips through roots and compaction, inverting a shallow layer of topsoil through which the trees are planted. The pivot point is used like a bucket, enabling the excavator to pivot, negotiate high stumps, cross over ditches and climb steep slopes. The Brash Basher rake handles the brash to clear the desired planting area.
Connect with Our Team
We are dedicated to helping the forestry industry achieve greater productivity and safety. Reach out to discuss how our ground preparation tools can transform your woodland creation and restocking operations.