THOR –3.0 + Kit Drawbar Mulchers / Stone Crushers / Rock Crusher
Watanabe, a manufacturer and supplier of heavy-duty agricultural and construction equipment, provides the THOR –3.0 + Kit Drawbar mulcher, stone crusher, and rock crusher. This machine is designed to work with tractors rated up to 220 hp, using a 1000 rpm PTO to power its operations. With a 3.0 m working width, it can cover moderate areas per pass, and its approximate 2800 kg weight ensures stability during use.
In terms of functionality, it handles medium-sized rocks—common in farm fields or new land development sites—by crushing and clearing them. It also helps condition soil by breaking up rock clusters, which creates a smoother base for planting crops or laying groundwork. The working speed ranges from 0.6 to 3 km/h, allowing operators to adjust based on the density of rocks in the area.
Specification of THOR –3.0 + Kit Drawbar Mulchers / Stone Crushers
| TECHNICAL DATA | THOR 3,0 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | |
| Length (mm.) | 1732 |
| Width (mm.) | 3000 |
| Height (mm.) | 1212 |
| Weight | 2800 Kg |
| Bottom linkage category | 2 |
| Width | 3,0 m |
| Tractor requirements | |
| Engine power (min.) | 230 cv |
| Working speed | 3 Km/h |
| Required control valves | 2 |
Product Features
Designed to meet the diverse needs of agricultural, construction, and land-clearing users—from Brazil’s soybean farms to America’s rural ranches— the THOR –3.0 stands out for its durability, versatility, and region-specific functionality. Below are its key features:
1. Robust Build for Tough Terrain (Ideal for Brazilian & American Rural Areas)
Built with heavy-gauge steel for the crushing chamber and drawbar, the THOR –3.0 resists wear from rocky soil—critical for regions like São Paulo (Brazil) (where farmland often has scattered quartz rocks) and Des Moines (USA) (known for clay-heavy soil with embedded stones). This durability makes it a top choice for long-term use as a Brazilian stone crusher and reliable American agricultural equipment for year-round field prep.
2. PTO-Driven Efficiency for Tractor Compatibility
Optimized for 1000 rpm PTO systems (standard on most 180–220 hp tractors), the THOR –3.0 eliminates the need for a separate engine. This design is especially useful for farmers in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) (who rely on tractors for multi-task farming) and Tucson (USA) (where rural operations value equipment that reduces fuel costs by sharing tractor power).
3. 3.0m Working Width for Fast Coverage
With a 3.0m working width, the THOR –3.0 covers more ground per pass than smaller models—cutting down on time spent clearing large areas. This is a game-changer for users like soybean farmers in MT State (Brazil) (managing 500+ acre farms) and cattle ranchers in Texas (USA) (prepping pastures for grazing). It balances speed and precision, avoiding the need for multiple passes over the same land.
4. Dual Function: Mulching + Rock Crushing
Beyond crushing medium-sized rocks (up to 30cm diameter), the THOR –3.0 doubles as a mulcher for organic debris—perfect for mixed-use operations. In Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), farmers use it to crush rocks after harvest and mulch crop residues (e.g., corn stalks) to enrich soil. In Ohio (USA), land developers rely on it to clear both rocks and brush when preparing sites for small residential projects.
5. Adjustable Working Speed (0.6–3 km/h) for Versatile Tasks
The variable speed range lets users adapt to different materials: slower speeds (0.6–1.5 km/h) for dense rock clusters (common in Minas Gerais (Brazil)’s mining-adjacent farmland) and faster speeds (2–3 km/h) for light mulching or scattered rocks (ideal for California (USA)’s vineyard soil prep). This flexibility reduces operator fatigue and ensures consistent results across tasks.
6. Easy Drawbar Installation for Quick Setup
The included kit drawbar is pre-fitted for standard tractor hitch systems, so users can attach the THOR –3.0 in 30 minutes or less—no specialized tools required. This is valuable for busy operations, like Paraná (Brazil)’s sugarcane farms (where planting windows are tight) and Iowa (USA)’s corn farms (needing fast equipment swaps between tilling and rock clearing).
Customer Reviews
How a Rock Crusher Works
Rock crushers are vital for mining, construction, and agriculture—turning large, unmanageable rocks into usable aggregates. Below is a simplified breakdown of how these machines operate, plus key details on specialized types and applications.
Types of Rock Crushers
Common models include jaw crushers (for coarse crushing of hard rocks), cone crushers (for medium-to-fine crushing), and impact crushers (for shaping aggregates). Each is designed to handle specific rock sizes and hardness levels, matching different project needs.
The Basic Crushing Process
Take jaw crushers as an example: Large rocks are fed into a hopper, then guided into a “crushing chamber” with a fixed “stationary jaw” and a moving “swing jaw.” The swing jaw moves back and forth, squeezing and grinding rocks until they’re small enough to pass through the chamber’s discharge opening.
Key Components & Power
Critical parts like the eccentric shaft (drives the swing jaw) and wear plates (protect against abrasion) ensure smooth operation. A pto rock crusher is a specialized type that draws power from a tractor’s Power Take-Off system—ideal for on-farm or remote-site tasks, as it avoids needing a separate engine.
Difference from Mulchers
While a rock crusher machine focuses on breaking hard minerals, Mulchers are built for organic materials (e.g., branches, leaves). Mulchers use rotating blades to shred soft debris, whereas rock crushers rely on pressure or impact to crush dense rocks—they serve entirely distinct purposes.
Application in Road Building: Rock Crusher Road
In road construction, crushed rock is a core material for bases and subbases. A rock crusher road project uses on-site crushers to process local rock, cutting transport costs and ensuring the aggregates meet road density and strength requirements.
Quick Operation & Maintenance Tips
- Before use: Check for loose parts and wear on crushing plates.
- During use: Avoid overloading the hopper to prevent jams.
- Routine: Lubricate moving components monthly to extend machine life.
Application of Rock Crusher
Rock crushers are indispensable across global industries, and their role is particularly critical in Brazil—where rapid urbanization, mining activity, and agricultural expansion drive consistent demand. Below is a breakdown of their key applications, paired with relevance to major Brazilian cities.
Construction Industry
In Brazil’s bustling construction sector, rock crushers are the backbone of aggregate production for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. In São Paulo—Latin America’s largest city—crushers supply gravel and crushed stone for high-rise apartments, shopping malls, and renovation projects in neighborhoods like Vila Madalena. Similarly, in Rio de Janeiro, they support coastal construction (e.g., waterfront developments in Barra da Tijuca) by processing local rock into durable concrete aggregates, reducing reliance on imported materials.
Mining Industry
Brazil’s mining sector (a global leader in iron ore, bauxite, and gold) relies heavily on rock crushers for ore processing. In Belo Horizonte—the hub of Brazil’s mining belt—crushers handle coarse and medium crushing of iron ore from nearby mines in Minas Gerais, preparing the material for further refining and export. In northern Brazil, cities like Manaus use crushers to process bauxite (a key aluminum raw material), supporting the region’s growing industrial parks.
Recycling Industry
As Brazil prioritizes sustainability, rock crushers play a key role in construction waste recycling. In Brasília, the country’s capital, crushers process demolished concrete from old government buildings and road renovations, turning debris into reusable aggregates for new public projects (e.g., park pathways or low-income housing). This reduces landfill waste and lowers costs for city-wide infrastructure updates.
Aggregate Production
Dedicated aggregate production sites powered by rock crushers supply consistent, high-quality materials for Brazil’s diverse engineering needs. Near Recife (a major northeastern port city), crushers process local limestone into aggregates for port expansion projects—critical for boosting maritime trade. In southern Brazil, around Porto Alegre, crushers produce specialized aggregates for road and railway maintenance, ensuring connectivity across the region’s agricultural hubs.
Road Building
Brazil’s extensive road network (including highways like BR-101) depends on rock crushers for durable base materials. In Salvador, crushers supply crushed rock for upgrading highways connecting the city to inland agricultural areas, improving transportation of crops like sugarcane and coffee. In rural areas outside Fortaleza, mobile crushers are used to build and maintain local roads, making it easier for farmers to transport goods to urban markets.
Agricultural & Rural Use
Beyond industrial applications, rock crushers support Brazil’s agriculture—one of the country’s economic pillars. In regions around Goiânia (a central agricultural hub), crushers clear medium-sized rocks from farmland, conditioning soil for soybeans and corn planting. This helps farmers expand cultivable areas and increase crop yields, aligning with Brazil’s role as a top global food exporter.
Industry Application Cases
Below are real-world examples of how the THOR –3.0 has solved practical challenges for users in agriculture, rural infrastructure, and mining-support operations across Brazil and the United States.
1. Brazilian Soybean Farm Expansion (São Gotardo, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
Challenge: A 1,200-acre soybean farm in São Gotardo struggled to expand cultivation into a 300-acre plot with dense medium-sized rocks (20–30cm diameter). Manual rock removal was slow (taking 2+ months) and costly, while smaller crushers couldn’t handle the plot’s size efficiently.
Solution: The farm adopted the THOR –3.0 as their primary Brazilian stone crusher. Paired with a 200hp tractor, it covered 15–20 acres per day at a working speed of 1.2 km/h, crushing rocks and conditioning soil in one pass.
Result: The plot was fully prepped in 3 weeks (cutting time by 75%), and the crushed rock was repurposed as a base for farm access roads. The farm increased soybean production by 28% in the first harvest season, with no downtime due to equipment jams.
2. Rural Road Upgrade (Southern Iowa, USA)
Challenge: A county in Southern Iowa needed to upgrade 12 miles of unpaved rural roads—used by local farmers to transport corn and soybeans to grain elevators—to handle heavy farm trucks. The project required on-site crushed rock for the road base, but renting large stationary crushers was too expensive for the small-budget project.
Solution: The county’s public works team used two THOR –3.0 units (paired with 190hp tractors) as mobile crushers. They sourced local limestone rocks (abundant in the area) and processed them into 5–10cm aggregates for the road base.
Result: The road upgrade was completed 2 weeks ahead of schedule, with costs reduced by 30% compared to hiring external crushing services. The THOR –3.0’s drawbar design made it easy to move between work zones, and the adjustable speed (set to 0.8 km/h for dense limestone) ensured consistent aggregate quality. Local farmers reported smoother, more reliable transport—cutting crop delivery time by 15%.
3. Small-Scale Mining Support (Parauapebas, Pará, Brazil)
Challenge: A small bauxite mining operation near Parauapebas needed to clear overburden (soil and rocks) from a new mining site to access ore deposits. The site had a mix of medium rocks and vegetation, requiring both crushing and mulching capabilities to avoid using two separate machines.
Solution: The operation chose the THOR –3.0 for its dual mulching/crushing function. Each day, a team used the machine to first mulch brush and small trees, then crush 25–30cm rocks to clear 8–10 acres of overburden. The PTO-driven design let them use their existing 220hp mining support tractor, eliminating the need for extra power sources.
Result: The site was prepped for ore extraction 1 month faster than planned. The mulched vegetation was used as ground cover to prevent soil erosion, while the crushed rock was sold to local construction companies (adding a secondary revenue stream). The operation reported minimal maintenance needs—only basic bolt checks and lubrication every 60 hours—even in the region’s humid, dusty conditions.
4. American Vineyard Soil Prep (Napa Valley, California, USA)
Challenge: A 40-acre vineyard in Napa Valley needed to replant 10 acres of old vines, but the soil had embedded volcanic rocks (15–25cm diameter) that damaged tillage equipment and disrupted root growth. The vineyard required a crusher that could work in narrow rows (to avoid damaging existing vines) while prepping soil for new plantings.
Solution: The vineyard used the THOR –3.0 with a 3.0m working width (adjusted to cover 2 rows at a time) and set the speed to 1.5 km/h for precise rock crushing. As a versatile
American agricultural equipment)
, it crushed rocks and loosened soil in one pass, compatible with their 180hp vineyard tractor.
Result: The replanting area was prepped in 1 week, and the new grapevines had a 92% survival rate (up from 78% in previous replants without proper rock clearing). The vineyard avoided costly tillage equipment repairs, and the crushed volcanic rock improved soil drainage—boosting grape quality in the first harvest.
FAQ
Q: What tractor horsepower range is required to operate the THOR –3.0?
A:The THOR –3.0 is designed to work with tractors rated at up to 220 hp. This range ensures sufficient power to drive the PTO (1000 rpm) and handle medium-sized rock crushing tasks without straining the tractor’s engine. Tractors below 180 hp may struggle with dense rock clusters, so we recommend staying within the 180–220 hp range for optimal performance.
Q:Can the THOR –3.0 crush rocks of all sizes, or is there a maximum rock diameter it handles?
A:This machine is optimized for medium-sized rocks (typically up to 30 cm in diameter). It is not designed for extra-large boulders (over 40 cm) or extremely hard rock types like granite boulders—attempting to crush oversized rocks may cause jams or premature wear on the crushing components. For larger rocks, we suggest pre-breaking them with a separate tool before processing.
Q:How often does the THOR –3.0 require maintenance, and what does basic upkeep involve?
A: Basic maintenance is needed every 50–60 operating hours for routine checks. This includes: inspecting and tightening loose bolts (especially on the drawbar and crushing chamber), checking wear on the mulching/ crushing teeth (replace when 50% worn), and lubricating the PTO connection and moving parts with manufacturer-recommended grease. For heavy use (e.g., daily operation in rocky fields), a full inspection every 3 months is advised to prevent unexpected downtime.
Q: Is the THOR –3.0 suitable for both agricultural fields and road construction projects?
A: Yes—it is versatile for both scenarios. In agricultural settings, it clears rock clusters and conditions soil for planting (ideal for farms in regions like Brazil’s TO, PA, or MT states). For road construction (e.g., building rural access roads), it crushes rocks into usable aggregates for road bases, though it works best for small-to-medium road projects (not large-scale highway construction, which may require higher-capacity crushers).
Q: Does the kit include all parts needed for installation, or do I need to purchase additional components?
A: The THOR –3.0 + Kit Drawbar comes with all essential components for basic installation: the drawbar (for tractor attachment), mounting hardware, and a user manual with setup instructions. You will not need to buy extra parts for standard tractor connections—though if your tractor uses a non-standard PTO shaft (e.g., a shorter/longer length), you may need to purchase an adapter separately (we can recommend compatible adapters upon request).
Q: What is the approximate working speed, and can it be adjusted for different tasks?
A:The working speed ranges from 0.6 to 3 km/h, and it can be adjusted via the tractor’s throttle (in sync with the PTO speed). Use slower speeds (0.6–1.5 km/h) for dense rock patches to ensure thorough crushing; faster speeds (2–3 km/h) work for lighter tasks like mulching or clearing scattered small rocks.
Q: Is the THOR –3.0 easy to transport between job sites?
A:With an approximate weight of 2800 kg, the THOR –3.0 requires a small-to-medium trailer for transport (not a standard pickup truck). The included drawbar is designed for tractor towing short distances (e.g., between fields on the same property), but for long-distance transport (e.g., across cities), a dedicated utility trailer with proper weight capacity (3000+ kg) is recommended. Always secure the machine with straps to prevent shifting during transit.
