Peterson horizontal grinders combine power, efficiency and durability for Australia’s most demanding wood processing and recycling operations.
When the teeth of a Peterson grinder sink into timber, stumps or green waste, they’re doing more than chewing through biomass – they’re driving productivity across some of Australia’s toughest terrains.
Peterson’s horizontal grinders have become the gold standard for contractors tackling land clearing, recycling, and large-scale biomass operations.
Peterson Pacific Corp, now operating as a division of Astec Industries, has spent more than four decades refining grinding technology from its base in Eugene, Oregon. In Australia, distributed locally by Komatsu Forest Pty Ltd since 2011, nearly 100 units have been sold, with a strong repeat customer base.
Brett Jones, Komatsu Forest Managing Director, says the high number of repeat customers is a testament to both the product quality and the support provided by the Komatsu Forest team.
At the centre of this success are two models that have captured the loyalty of Australian contractors: The Peterson 2710D and 5710D. These grinders share the same DNA, but their differences speak to the diverse needs across the forestry and waste management sectors.
“The Peterson grinder has become the industry benchmark – delivering unmatched efficiency, reliability, and performance across Australia’s toughest jobs,” Brett says.
The 2710D is compact enough to travel across states without special permits, yet powerful enough, with its 570-kilowatt (kW) Caterpillar Tier II C18 engine, to chew through land clearing debris, stumps and mixed green waste with ease.
Weighing about 21,000 kilograms, it strikes a balance between transportability and throughput, making it a favourite for contractors juggling multiple job sites and feedstocks.
The 5710D is at the other end of the scale – designed for production-heavy operations dealing with feedstock that can range from whole trees to contaminated demolition material.
Weighing about 40,000 kilograms and powered by an 839kW Caterpillar C32 engine, it delivers top-tier performance and the highest power-to-weight ratio of any machine in the Peterson fleet.
All grinder models come standard with Peterson’s powerful upturn 3-Stage grinding process, providing better material fracturing and a more consistent product.
They feature upturning rotors that are configured to produce lighter mulches with fewer fines. These rotors will perform more of the reduction process through shearing and cleavage fractures in the wood, making them more productive while using less energy. This is protected by Peterson’s unique patented Impact Release System air bags providing uniform grinding and protection from contaminated feedstock.
There’s a second line of defence of urethane cushions and shear pins which help protect the mill from catastrophic damage in the event of a severe impact from contaminants in the feed stock.
The updated Peterson 5710E, the newest in the line, is about to be released in Australia. It offers subtle refinements that continue a clear direction towards sustainability, lower operating costs, and evolving environmental requirements without sacrificing productivity.
Backed by Komatsu Forest’s nationwide network and proven after-sales support, the Peterson grinder range has carved out a clear leadership position in Australia’s resource recovery sector.
For more information, visit: www.komatsuforest.com
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