Name: Grinder Crusher Screen
Telephone: 770-433-2670

How Horizontal Grinders Work

A horizontal grinder feeds material on a conveyor belt into a spinning hammermill or drum fitted with replaceable hammers or cutters. The conveyor controls the feed rate, pulling material in at a steady pace. The hammers reduce the material and force it through a sizing screen mounted below the rotor. Screen size determines the final product dimension.

Horizontal grinders process pre-sorted material faster than any other grinder type. They are used across a wide range of wood and biomass applications:

Mulch production: consistent particle size for bagged or bulk mulch sales
Biomass and hog fuel processing: wood chips sized to meet power plant and boiler feed specifications
Land clearing: sorted trees, brush, and stumps separated from dirt and rock
Sawmill waste: slabs, offcuts, edgings, bark, and trim
Pallet and crate recycling: clean wood ground into mulch, animal bedding, or fuel
Construction wood recycling: sorted C&D lumber free of metal and contaminants

Feed stock should be pre-sorted before entering a horizontal grinder. Rocks, metal, and heavy contamination cause expensive damage to the rotor and hammers. Operations that process mixed or dirty material typically use a shredder or tub grinder for the rough material and a horizontal grinder for clean wood.

Types of Horizontal Grinders

We organize our horizontal grinder inventory by mounting configuration so you can find the right machine for your operation.

Stationary horizontal grinders are built for permanent or semi-permanent installations at recycling yards, mulch plants, and pallet processing facilities. No undercarriage or transport running gear. Maximum production capacity at the lowest operating cost per ton.

Track-mounted horizontal grinders are self-propelled machines that crawl across job sites under their own power. The go-to choice for land clearing contractors, logging operations, and portable biomass processing where the grinder needs to move to the material.

Wheel-mounted horizontal grinders tow behind a truck for fast highway transport between job sites. The most common configuration for mulch producers, sawmill operations, and grinding contractors who move between prepared sites on a regular schedule.

Not sure which configuration fits your operation? Call 770-433-2670 and our team can help narrow it down.

Brands We Commonly See

The horizontal grinder market has several well-known manufacturers. Here is what we typically see in our inventory:

Morbark: one of the most recognized names in horizontal grinding. The 3800 and 6600 series are standard machines on biomass and mulch operations nationwide. Heavy-duty construction built for production-scale wood processing
Peterson Pacific: reliable horizontal grinders with strong dealer support. Peterson machines are a common choice for biomass, mulch, and clean wood processing across the country
Vermeer: the HG series is popular with land clearing contractors and mulch producers. Vermeer has one of the largest dealer networks in the industry, which makes parts and service widely available
CBI: high-throughput horizontal grinders built for large-scale biomass and mulch manufacturing. CBI machines are among the fastest grinders available for high-volume fuel and mulch operations
Bandit: capable horizontal grinders from a manufacturer with a long history in wood processing. A solid option for smaller operations and contractors running mixed equipment fleets
Diamond Z: aggressive grinding performance with a reputation for handling tough material. A favorite in the recycling and composting industries
Rotochopper: known for producing a high-quality finished product in a single pass. Rotochopper machines are popular for mulch coloring operations and applications where output consistency matters most

We also see Rayco, DuraTech, and other brands from time to time. If you are looking for a specific make or model, call 770-433-2670 and we can check current availability or help locate one.

Horizontal Grinders vs. Tub Grinders

Both machines process wood, but they work differently and serve different roles in the production chain.

A horizontal grinder feeds material on a conveyor into the rotor at a controlled rate. This produces a more consistent, uniform product and allows higher throughput on pre-sorted material. Horizontal grinders are the production choice when you have clean, sorted wood and need volume.

A tub grinder uses a large rotating tub to tumble material into the hammermill. The tub design accepts oversized, irregular material that would jam a horizontal grinder: whole stumps, root balls, tangled brush, and mixed loads with dirt and debris. Tub grinders are more forgiving on dirty or contaminated feed stock.

Many wood processing operations use both: a tub grinder for rough, mixed, or dirty material, and a horizontal grinder for clean wood where output quality and throughput matter most.

What to Check on a Horizontal Grinder Before You Buy

Start with the rotor and hammers. Inspect every hammer for wear, cracking, and missing tips. Check the rotor bearings for smooth rotation and any signs of overheating. Replacing a full set of hammers or rebuilding a rotor assembly is one of the most expensive maintenance items on a horizontal grinder, so understanding the current condition is critical.

Next, check the engine or power unit. Horizontal grinders run under heavy load for extended periods. Review the service records, check engine hours, and look at oil condition. A documented maintenance history is worth a premium on any used grinder.

Inspect the feed conveyor and compression roller system. These components control how material enters the grinding chamber and directly affect throughput and product quality. Look for wear on the conveyor chain, roller condition, and hydraulic cylinder function.

Finally, evaluate the discharge conveyor, screen condition, and overall frame integrity. Horizontal grinders produce constant vibration during operation, which stresses welds and structural joints over time.

We help coordinate inspections so buyers can evaluate a machine before committing. Call 770-433-2670 and our team can walk you through what to look for on any specific make or model.

Find the Right Horizontal Grinder

Browse our current horizontal grinder inventory below, or call 770-433-2670 to talk with our team. We can help match you to the right machine, arrange financing, and coordinate delivery anywhere in North America.