Best Machinery For Lantana Removal

1. CAT 299D3 XE + HM518 — The SEQ Industry Standard

The combination that does 80% of SEQ lantana work. The 299D3 XE's high-flow XPS hydraulic system delivers 40 gpm at 4,061 psi — comfortably above the HM518's 30 gpm minimum. Rubber tracks protect pasture and finished surfaces, low ground pressure (4.9 psi) lets it work wet ground, and the vertical-lift loader arms keep the head stable through dense scrub.

Factor	Value
Productivity (medium lantana)	0.25–0.4 ac/hr
Hydraulic flow	40 gpm @ 4,061 psi
Cutting width	1,524 mm
Max stem (single pass)	200 mm
Fuel burn	18–26 L/hr
Wet hire rate (SEQ)	$260–$320/hr

2. 13–20t Excavator + Fecon BH85 — When Trees Are In The Mix

When the block has lantana AND standing trees over 400mm DBH, an excavator with a Fecon BH85 (or similar boom-mount mulcher) is the right tool. You can mulch the lantana, reach up to nibble large timber from the top down, and remove the head to switch to a grapple for cleanup — all from one machine. Slower per acre on pure lantana, but cheaper overall on mixed sites.

3. Tractor + Mulcher (e.g. Seppi M Starsoil) — Wide-Area Pasture Work

For old pasture being reclaimed from light-to-medium lantana, a 100hp+ tractor with a 3-point linkage mulcher beats a skid steer on per-hour cost. Limited to lighter material and won't handle stems over 80mm, but moves over open ground faster.

4. Hand Crew + Chipper — Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Required in declared wetlands, koala habitat, or any site with regulatory restrictions on machinery access. Crew brush-cuts the lantana, drags it to a chipper, mulch goes back on site. Slow ($3,000–$5,500 per acre) but the only legal option in some catchments.

Why Hydraulic Flow Is The Whole Game

The most common mistake we see is hiring "a skid steer with a mulcher" without checking the hydraulic spec. A CAT HM518 needs 30+ gpm at 4,061 psi to keep the rotor at cutting RPM under load. A standard-flow skid steer running ~23 gpm will stall the rotor every 30 seconds in 2m lantana — you'll pay for double the hours and get half the result.

Skid steer flow	Suitable mulcher heads	Realistic on SEQ lantana?
Standard flow (~23 gpm)	Light brush cutters only	No
High flow (30–35 gpm)	Light-duty mulcher heads	Light only
XPS / XHP (38–40 gpm)	CAT HM518, Fecon FTX series	Yes — industry standard

Follow-Up Treatment — Don't Skip This

Lantana regenerates from the root crown. Mulching alone gives you 6–18 months. For permanent control:

• Mulch in autumn / early winter when the plant is sending energy down.
• Wait 8–12 weeks for regrowth shoots to reach 200–400mm.
• Spot-spray with glyphosate (10%) or fluroxypyr at label rate on the new growth.
• Repeat after 12 months. Two cycles usually achieves >95% kill.

Related

• How forestry mulching works
• Skid steer forestry mulching explained
• 2026 Rates Guide

FAQ